With an appealing mix of history and tranquillity, there is no lack of variety for perfect photo opportunities. Whether you are walking the streets of Cairo, relaxing in Hurghada, diving in Sharm El Sheikh, or exploring the national historical treasures in Luxor, there is the perfect spot to capture the memories.
Providing the perfect place if you are building your photography portfolio or enjoy posting to social media, let's go through the top 10 ‘Instagrammable’ spots Egypt has to offer.
Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Starting with not only one of the most famous spots in Egypt, but one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
You can capture iconic photos that showcase the mystery and wonder well known across the nation. Show the history engraved in the ancient stone, the grand size of each pyramid, and capture the drama with the Sphinx.
Going early in the morning, as the sun rises, allows for a quiet photo session with little to no tourists and captures the tranquil beauty as the rays reflect off the sands onto each brick, showing the age and mystery with each crack and corner.
Pyramids of Giza
But, if you go at sunset, you can get the vibrant, different colours that light the sky with a shadow cast by the sun setting behind the mountains. If you go throughout the day, you will get a bright shot displaying the different shades of warm orange as the sun shines overhead.
Popular Poses:
You can get the popular shot of ‘the kiss from the Sphinx’.
The ‘Kiss from the Sphinx,’ a favorite pose among tourists
Make it look like you’re holding the pyramid in the palm of your hand or pointing at the tip of the pyramid.
If there are two of you, you can pose like you’re both pushing a side of the pyramid.
Luxor Temple & the Avenue of the Sphinxes
Keeping in tune with the ancient history of Egypt, you can visit the glorious site of Luxor Temple and the Avenue of the Sphinxes, offering a variety of different photo spots and opportunities in both locations.
Standing at the entrance of the temple next to the large statues and obelisk, you can imagine that you were attending the crowning of an ancient Pharaoh, which used to happen in the Luxor Temple.
The Avenue of the Sphinxes is a road of about 1.7 miles that connects Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple and is lined with over 600 sphinxes.
Depending on when you visit, there are sometimes special events where you can get amazing photos as fireworks light the night sky behind Luxor Temple, creating a reflection of multiple colours over the sphinxes lining the edge of the avenue.
Avenue of the Sphinxes, Luxor
Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings
A visit to Luxor is not complete without visiting the most popular ancient historical sites, with tombs thousands of years old, stones and statues in the Karnak Temple that are in their original form, and tombs of Pharaohs carved into the cliffs.
Dramatic ancient reliefs, rich with history and texture, fill the area. The interiors are darker, so mind your exposure. Outside the tombs, the desert cliffs make for a stunning contrast.
Karnak Temple
Muhammad Ali Mosque / The Citadel (Cairo)
The beautiful architecture of the Alabaster Mosque, which is located in the Citadel at the heart of the city, allows for scenic photos and panoramic views. With beautiful minarets and a delicate interior design, you can find many angles and unique photo opportunities. The courtyard offers a balance between old and modern.
Given the opportunity to uniquely capture such a huge part in both ancient and modern-day history.
Alabaster Mosque (Muhammad Ali Mosque)
White Desert and Siwa Oasis
There are not many places where you can see natural pure white sand – like a blanket of snow covering the beach, except it’s definitely not snow. In contrast to the vibrant blue of the salt lakes, this destination gives a peaceful yet exciting feeling which can be felt and captured in the photos.
Chalk formation in Siwa
The salt lakes have a high level of buoyancy, meaning you float no matter what. This is the perfect opportunity to take a photo from above as if you are lying on top of the water rather than in it.
Salk lake in Siwa Oasis
When camping in the Siwa Oasis, and with it being the desert, you can get the most amazing night shots as different lights cross the sky and the stars light the area. You can capture a real sense of drama and mystery.
Dahab Town Centre
Where ‘hippie’ meets serenity, this town centre has a different vibe with every step you take.
Walking down the long promenade that is Dahab Town Centre, which is lined with different styles of shops, restaurants, cafés, beach cafés, and open spots of shoreline. It’s a photographer’s dream, as it offers a variety of different shots to be taken, stories to tell, and retains the authenticity of Egypt.
A storefront in Dahab
Dahab itself has its own vibrant colours to offer, and with many of the restaurants literally hanging over the Red Sea, it allows for amazing shots at sunrise or sunset as the colours blend together in the most romantic way.
Hurghada Marina
Yachts, lights, restaurants, and a lively waterfront — romantic evening shots can be taken at dusk or dawn.
With a large pirate ship anchored here, you can tell a new story with each photo taken.
As it is in the marina, you can enjoy a nice meal or a drink or two to celebrate capturing the perfect shots.
Hurghada Marina
Farsha Café, Sharm El Sheikh
Bringing traditional Bedouin vibes alive, this spot is well known by locals and tourists alike for the different photo shots it has to offer. And have you really been to Sharm El Sheikh if you haven’t taken a photo here?
Farsha Cafe, Sharm El Sheikh
With the reds, browns, and yellows blending perfectly together, it’s not hard to get the perfect shot of drama, tradition, and beauty all in one.
Alexandria’s Coast: Montaza Palace, Stanley Bridge & Corniche
Alexandria, on the Mediterranean coast rather than the Red Sea, offers a different vibe. Whilst maintaining its true Egyptian roots, it also offers a different look with colonial architecture, grand libraries, palaces, green gardens, and a unique vibe.
You can capture two worlds colliding through the Mediterranean and Egyptian roots.
Montaza Palace, Alexandria
Mount Sinai or Hot Air Balloon Over Luxor
Last but not least, two bonus options if you want to take your photography to new heights.
Climbing Mount Sinai will be no easy feat, but the photos you can capture on your way up are second to none. As the different lights highlight the colours over the peaks and desert plains, you could even catch some mountain wildlife.
Mount Sinai (Mount Moses)
A hot air balloon ride over Luxor gives the perfect opportunity to see Luxor from above as the sun rises and a multitude of shades of orange fall upon the different artefacts and temples. Across the Nile and over the mountains, you can witness it all and capture the serenity from hundreds of miles up.
The views from a Luxor hot air balloon
To Wrap Up
There are many more spots to capture your memories; these are just a few. Egypt has so much to offer: lessons, exploration, relaxation, and of course, a good photoshoot!
