Egypt: An unforgettable journey to the Pharaohs, at the gateway to the Orient

Documents and visa :

You will need to obtain a tourist visa and check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival in Egypt. You will also be asked for a copy of your plane ticket or a travel certificate.

Currency and cash:

As with any trip, make sure you have sufficient means of payment for your stay: cash, traveller's cheques and credit cards.

Check with your bank to find out the maximum amount of cash you can withdraw with your credit card, which is generally subject to a ceiling.

As you will see in our article, there are some activities that you will not be able to pay for in Egyptian pounds, or by credit card, but only in cash, euros or dollars, such as buying a pass to access the sites. Find out more.

To avoid any problems if your credit card is lost or stolen, make sure you know the emergency number to contact before you leave, so that you can cancel your card.

Health

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travelling to Egypt. However, you are strongly advised to check that your vaccinations are up to date, and to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, and even typhoid.

You should also be aware that two parasites are common in vegetation areas: fluke and bilharzia. Fluke larvae can be ingested by eating watercress or other raw vegetables, while bilharzia enters through the skin. So don't eat raw vegetables, which will also save you from typhoid. For the same reasons, it is not advisable to walk barefoot in greenery or stagnant water. Closed shoes are recommended, especially on the banks of the Nile.

Do not drink tap water, even in your hotel, or water from your shower or bath. It is not necessarily drinkable. Similarly, if you buy bottled water, make sure it is perfectly sealed. Before you leave, we advise you to ask your pharmacist, who will be able to suggest a water purification solution.

Rabies is widespread throughout the Middle East, so do not touch mammals, even if they look harmless. Look after your children and hold them in your arms if dogs or cats (or any other mammal) come to mingle with you; a simple lick on the mucous membrane of the mouth is contaminating, and therefore fatal.

What to eat?

The national dish is foul Medames or "fūl medammis" (fava beans simmered with onions, cumin and lemon), served at every meal. Also very popular is meloukhia (a thick soup made with the herb of that name), finely chopped with peppers and garlic and served with rice and pieces of chicken. Another hearty dish is kochari (a mixture of rice, lentils and noodles), seasoned with fried onions and chilli.

For starters, the tradition is to serve mezzes (an assortment of small dishes: fried chickpea balls, tahina (a sesame cream), hummus (chickpea purée), babaganough (aubergine purée with sesame sauce), fatoush (cucumber and tomato salad with croutons), taboulah (couscous, parsley, onions), labna (yoghurt with garlic and olive oil), mohamarra (crushed walnuts, tomatoes, onions), sambousek (stuffed fried rissoles), kibbeh (dumplings with minced meat, nuts and spices), taameya (falafel), taghen (meat, fish or vegetables with tomato sauce baked in a clay pot) and raw vegetables...

As for desserts, the pastries are oriental, all made with honey and oil. Serve with a carcadet (an infusion of hibiscus flowers), hot or cold, or a Turkish coffee, black with grounds.