Egypt Holiday Packages & Tours at -60%

Egyptian culture and society was always been strongly linked to religion. With a Muslim majority, many of its festivities and celebrations have to do with certain dates in the Qur'an like the birth of Muhammad, the moment in which Abraham gave his son as an offering to Allah, Ramadan or the New Year according to the Arabic calender.

Also, the Egyptians do not forget their gods of the past nor their ancestral traditions linked to life in the countryside and along the banks of Nile River. Some of the festivities thank and ask the gods for an abundance of crops and successful harvests. Cairo also plays host to a number of cultural celebrations every year such as festivals of cinema, literature and music.

August (21) Eid Al-Adha

Also called the Feast of the Lamb or the Sacrifice, this religious celebration commemorates the day when Abraham was going to kill his son but instead Allah offered him a lamb. During those days there is a massive pilgrimage of the faithful to Mecca, while those who remain in the cities celebrate by offering the parts of a lamb to the needy, to friends and to family.

April (29) Sham el Nessim

More than 4,500 years old, this Egyptian festival commemorates the arrival of spring. In Ancient Egypt it was customary to make offerings to the gods with seasonal foods to thank them for good harvests. Currently, this festival attracts thousands of people who come to the Nile to enjoy its seasonal cuisine such as herring and vegetables. They also sing, dance and sail in traditional felucca boats along the river.

May (5) Ramadan

Ramadan is celebrated in all Arab countries on a date depending on the lunar calendar. This holiday is known because, throughout the month, Muslims practice fasting from dawn until the sun sets as a symbol of respect for Allah, as dictated by the Koran. In Egypt during those days you can see restaurants, cafes and houses decorated with the colors of this holiday. Many of them open until dawn and sell speciality products like nuts and dates for when the daily fast finishes.

June (5) Eid al-Fitr

This Islamic holiday, which is celebrated after Ramadan, celebrates the breaking of the fast. The Eid al-Fitr begins in the early morning, at which time you can hear the prayers of the faithful in the mosques. Afterwards, they all enjoy a good breakfast together and visit the houses of family and friends to enjoy further communal eating and festivities. Men often show off new white clothes and children receive gifts.

July (18) Day of the Prophet

This Muslim feast pays homage to the birth of Muhammad, the prophet of Allah. In Egypt this celebration is enjoyed more intensely than in other Arab countries. The mosques are illuminated, the streets of Cairo are filled with stalls and there are markets selling traditional food.

August (15) Wafaa Al Nil

Translated as the "Bride of the Nile", this traditional festival celebrates good harvests due to the absence of floods after the construction of the Aswan dam. According to legend, ancient Egyptians sacrificed a virgin by drowning her in the Nile as an offering so that the gods could help them to obtain a successful harvest. A tradition that has survived over time, but exchanging the woman for a wooden or clay doll that is dressed as a bride.

August (2-8) Arab Music Festival

Held annually, this festival that is organized in the Egyptian capital of Cairo brings together the best national and international artists of Arabic music. The performances, organized by the Cairo Opera, take place in the Giza Exhibition Center, in a large venue where spectators from all over the world attend every year.

September 11 Muslim New Year

The Muslim New Year depends on the lunar calendar, so it can vary from year to year. On this day the exodus of Muhammad is celebrated,and the faithful go to the mosques to pray and to enjoy different ceremonies. The same New Year's Day is a national holiday, so most people have the day off work to enjoy the nationwide celebration.

Due to its rich history, ancient culture and excellent location, on the shores of the Mediterranean, Egyptian cuisine has rich ingredients from both the sea and the fields that cover its vast territory. The invasions and conquests that they have suffered in the past have left a legacy of numerous foods from the Middle East making their cuisine more similar to Arab than African. Meat is one of the most used food in the preparation of their dishes. Also bread and yogurt sauces, which resemble Turkish and Greek due to the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. In Egyptian cuisine there is no shortage of rice, with which some of its most popular dishes are prepared, such as mashi and kushari. It is also a gastronomy rich in sweets, where you can find delicious delicacies such as baklava.

Fatteh

This Arabic dish has its origins in Ancient Egypt. Traditionally, many of the farmers ate it for breakfast, since it was the staple food of the day. Composed of fresh bread and hard bread mixed with yogurt, fatteh can be accompanied by chicken and aubergines or chickpeas. Today, this Egyptian delicacy can be found in most restaurants in the country,often in different variations.

Kofta

These balls of minced beef or lamb are very typical in Arab countries. They are usually seasoned with spices and onions, which gives them a certain sweet taste. They can be roasted, fried or cooked, and are usually accompanied by tomatoes, pitta bread, rice or vegetables, depending on the restaurant and region. Although they are not unique to Egypt, due to their popularity they can be found on almost every menu.

Kebab

Very popular in the countries of the Middle East, the kebab is composed of lamb or chicken meat. Unlike the classic Turkish kebab, in Egypt it is usually served on a skewer that is baked in charcoal with parsley. Depending on the restaurant it can be accompanied by vegetables, also roasted, or rice and salad. One of the most popular is the kebab Hal-la, which is cooked in a pot with onion and is accompanied by roasted potatoes, in addition to rice and is then covered with a meaty sauce.

Kushari

The kushari is one of the best known dishes of Egyptian cuisine, although its origin is Persian. It is composed of a base of rice, lentils and chickpeas seasoned with a little garlic and vinegar and finally covered by tomato. Although it is a dish of vegetarian origin, depending on the region of the country and restaurant is sometimes also included pieces of meat. The kushari is one of the tastiest dishes in Egypt, although the tomato sauce is usually quite spicy and for some palates can be a little too spicy.

Baklava

The origin of the baklava goes back to ancient Mesopotamia. Throughout history, due to the invasions and conquests of the peoples of the Middle East, this sweet began to spread throughout the Arab territory making it today one of the delights of Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Syria, among others . Consumed as a dessert, the baklava is composed of thin sheets of puff pastry dipped in honey or syrup that are usually filled with almond paste, hazelnuts or other nuts. They are cooked in the oven and, usually, their shape is triangular. It is served as an accompaniment to tea or coffee.

Stuffed pigeon

In Egypt it is common to find different poultry dishes. One of the most popular is the stuffed pigeon. Their main characteristic is that they come from the organic hatcheries, so they are healthy birds. Although traditionally cooked for special occasions, because of its popularity today it is possible to consume it throughout the year. In many restaurants it is usually served whole, stuffed with pieces of liver and gizzards finely chopped and seasoned with salt, pepper and oil. They are served with a salad, vegetables or rice.

Bamia

Also called as okra, this vegetable little known in the West is very common in Egypt, where in ancient times it was used as an ingredient in delicious dishes. Although there are different specialties that incorporate the bamia, the best known of all is the one that is made with tomato and that includes meat, onion, salt, onion and lemon juice. Its main characteristic is that it provides nutrients and fiber, which is why it is a very healthy option.

Mashi

The mashi is one of the simplest Egyptian dishes, but no less tasty. It is composed of rice which includes minced meat, spices, grape leaves, tomatoes, green peppers and aubergines. In some restaurants nuts are added at the end such as almonds, pine nuts, nutmeg and pistachios. A healthy and tasty mixture that is prepared in many of the country's households.

Kobeiba

One of the tastiest dishes in Egypt. It is composed of beef that is cut into small pieces and seasoned with salt, pepper, and other spices. Later it is mixed with bulgur wheat and other vegetables and, once it is all mixed together, it is cooked in the oven. In some restaurants, they also add pine nuts or other nuts. It is usually consumed cold and accompanied by yoghurt sauce or hummus.

Kunafa

This delicious Egyptian dessert adopts the name of its main ingredient: the kunafa, a sweet spiced dough that can be found in most Arabic bakeries. Throughout history it has been consumed by different countries in the Middle East, the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean. Although it adopts numerous varieties, the most popular kunafa is one that is made with mozzarella cheese, butter, sugar and lemon juice.

Egypt is a good country for shopping, because it's cities have wide range of markets where they sell some of the most typical products of the country. The largest and best known of all is the Khalili, located in one of the oldest areas of Cairo. Through its narrow streets you can find many stalls with traditional shisha, poufs, carpets, ceramics, paintings, perfumes and clothing of all styles. The most sought-after purcase, however, is the djellaba, the typical Egyptian costume that is made up of a tunic of different colors and embroidery. Goldsmithing is one of the trades with the longest tradition in the country, as well as the classic papyri with engravings of hieroglyphics . The most advisable thing is that, in both cases, that you purchase these items in places that offer a guarantee of authenticity. There are numerous factories and workshops that can be accessed by taxi or on a private that offer quality pieces.

Shisha

Also called hookah, shisha is the container of metal and glass that is used to smoke flavoured tobacco. It is a habit deeply rooted in Arab countries, so in addition to being able to find it in numerous restaurants and tearooms, this product is also available to buy in almost all stores in the country. There are different sizes and designs, and they will surely be hand painted with some Egyptian motif. One of the best places to buy at a low price is in the Khalili market in Cairo, where you will find a variety of them. Even if you do not intend to smoke through them, they are great items for decoration.

Crafts

Egyptian crafts have a long tradition, since ceramics have been made here since Ancient Egyptian times. Some of the most common ceramic products are the figures of ancient pharaohs such as the bust of Tutankhamun or Nefertiti. You can also find figures of the Colossi, as well as ceramics tiles depicting scenes from Ancient Egypt. Clay is another of the materials most utilised by artisans, so it is also common to find small replicas of the pyramids made of clay. Throughout the country, especially in the small towns that dot the banks of the Nile, you can find houses with craft stalls outside.

Papyrus

Papyri are one of the most famous products of Egypt due to their history, tradition and popularity. Formerly, this was the material used to perform important deeds of society and was exported to other countries. Papyrus often feature numerous hieroglyphics where scenes of the daily life are recorded, imagery of the Egyptian Gods and notes about important events. In fact, thanks to the conservation of these ancient papyri, today we are able to know how the pyramids were built. In Egypt you can find printers and shops where you can buy papyri with typical motifs or even with your own name. We recommend avoiding those that are sold on the street, as many of them are fake and of poor quality. To know if a papyrus is authentic you can pass a wet finger on its surface and, if the water does not pass through, it is good quality.

Djellaba

This is the original dress of the Egyptians: a traditional Arab tunic that covers the body from the neck to the feet. Traditionally men's is usually white with some red motifs on the neck, while women can choose from a wide range of colors and embroidery. Depending on the material, wool or cotton, as well as its design, the price can vary. On a trip to Egypt, visitors often attend a djellaba party, which is why it is one of the most consumed products in the country. They are available to purchase in many of the textile shops that are located in the towns near the Nile, as well as in the more traditional shops in the city of Cairo.

Perfumes

One of the most sought after products by travelers in Egypt. Many of the streets of the great Egyptian cities like Cairo or Alexandria are full of perfume shops. On guided tours it is common to stop at some of the perfume houses that are scattered along the road. The most advisable thing is to buy it in these type of shops, since they often offer you a guarantee that it is an authentic perfume and not watered down. One of the best known is Alamir Perfumes Palaces, famous for its scent called ‘Secrets of the desert’. It is located near Giza and is authenticated by the government.

Jewellery

Goldsmiths have a long tradition in Egypt, because in ancient times the jewels were used for religious purposes and to ward of evil spirits. Although initially very basic materials were used, after the discovery of desert quarries, some precious stones like turquoise and agate began to be embedded in the metals and gold pieces began to be manufactured. Jewelry was not used exclusively for personal beauty purposes, but also applied to tombs, crowns and accessories. Today, these jewels are one of the most precious souvenirs for travellers to Egypt. If you want to buy gold, it is best to do it in the markets of Gamee Plaza or in the jewellers located in Maadi or Zamalek neighborhoods, in Cairo. In Khan El Khalili there are also a large number of goldsmith shops, although not all the pieces sold are of good quality.