“Egypt really is one of the world’s greatest open-air museums.”
When it comes to destinations that blur the lines between ancient and contemporary, nowhere comes close to matching Egypt. Spanning from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, the country is a Cradle of Civilisation, with the Nile Delta housing life from the 6th – 4th millennia BCE. Some of humanity’s earliest developments in terms of writing, agriculture, governance and religious practice spawned from Ancient Egypt, and its majesty and mysticism continue to stand the test of time. From the Valley of the Kings, the Karnak Temple Complex to the Giza Necropolis, Egypt is an awe-inspiring country. Check out all the best travel books about Egypt with us at What We Reading!
Lonely Planet Egypt – Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is the world’s leading Travel publisher and they give readers the most helpful and up-to-date guides on travelling across Egypt in their edition on the country.
From the ancient wonders of the Pyramids of Giza to hidden treasures like the Siwa Oasis, Lonely Planet’s comprehensive guide comes with coloured detailed maps, high-quality images and expert insights into the cultures and customs to expect, it has everything readers need to make a success of their trip!
Down The Nile: Alone In A Fisherman’s Skiff – Rosemary Mahoney
In Down The Nile: Alone In A Fisherman’s Skiff, author Rosemary Mahoney chronicles a remarkable journey in the most turbulent of environments.
Against a backdrop of civil unrest sweeping the country, Mahoney embarks on a solo trip across the Nile in just a small boat by herself. With sweeping prose, vivid imagery and an enduring message on courage, Mahoney tackles everything from vexed locals and deeply held traditions about the role of women to the threat of crocodiles overturning her vessel in this inspiring journey.
Cairo Inside Out – Trevor Naylor
Cairo is a city housing nearly 10 million citizens and still stands out as one of the most awe-inspiring destinations on the planet. Even in the aftermath of turbulent recent history, it is still known for its bustling streets and open spaces. Trevor Naylor taps into this with his travel guide, Cairo Inside Out.
In it, he takes readers through the best indoor havens housed within Egypt’s capital, taking them from the Café Riche, the Red Pyramid at Dahshur to the Ibn Tulun Mosque. Filled with breathtaking images, a few Egypt books capture the vibrancy and colour of Cairo in such a unique way.
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The Nile: Downriver Through Egypt’s Past And Present – Toby Wilkinson
Toby Wilkinson takes readers on a mesmerising journey down Egypt’s past, present and future in The Nile: Downriver Through Egypt’s Past And Present. One of the most renowned Egyptologists on the planet, Wilkinson’s travel book centres around the world’s longest river, exploring everything from its mysterious origins to how it has continually sustained and shaped Egyptian civilisations.
Leading readers through the most defining characters and cultures from over 4,000 years’ worth of history, it is the perfect guidebook for understanding the impact the Nile has had and continues to have on Egypt.
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Moon Egypt – Sarah Smierciak
Moon Egypt is a great guide to uncovering the best the country has to offer. Filled with practical tips and insider insights, this travel book about Egpyt takes readers from the mouth of the Nile to the colourful corals of the Red Sea, blending the country’s ancient roots with its bustling contemporary culture along the way.
Moon Travel prioritise local business and strategic travel in their guidebooks, helping to provide readers with not only an authentic experience but also a sustainable one.
The Buried – Peter Hessler
A National Book Critics Circle Award finalist, Peter Hessler’s The Buried: An Archaeology Of The Egyptian Revolution is a sensitive and powerful deep-dive into one of the world’s oldest civilisations.
One of the most acclaimed archaeologists of his day, Hessler uses his real-life experiences living and immersed in modern Egypt as a way of contrasting the complexities of contemporary society with those of the ancient world. Through fascinating stories from real people, he presents a book on Egypt that offers intelligent and inspiring insight into the country’s remarkable endurance.
Fodor’s Essential Egypt – Fodor’s Travel
Whether it’s the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings in Luxor or a sweeping cruise down the Nile, Fodor’s Essential Egypt is one of the best books a traveller could hope to pick up.
Filled with curated recommendations, easy-to-understand maps and striking colour photographs, it is the ultimate resource from local experts. Regularly updated and now with a crisp new layout, it is the perfect book for making the most out of any trip across the Gift of the Nile.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
