It’s always nice to do something a little bit different on family holidays – after all, you want something that the kids are going to really remember. Egypt might not be the most obvious destination for a family break, but I think it’s actually pretty perfect, considering you can see some of the world’s most exciting sights and have a host of amazing experiences.
The Pyramids Egypt
Below, I’ve put together a few ideas of things to do as a family on an Egypt holiday.
Giza Zoo (Giza)
First on my list is the wonderful Giza Zoo. Any kind of animal park is always a great place to take kids, since you can pretty much guarantee they’ll love seeing the weird and wonderful creatures it’s home to. What makes Giza Zoo particularly exciting, in my opinion, is that you can see lots of endangered species, such as Egyptian gazelles, heron and Barbary sheep. Plus, explore the gardens here and you’ll be able to spot all kinds of beautiful birds roaming around free, such as little egrets.
Cairo Tower (Cairo)
Most kids love going to the top of tall buildings and checking out the view. At 187 m tall, Cairo Tower is the best candidate in Cairo and, as an added bonus, it’s free to children under six years old. I recommend coming here either in the late morning or late afternoon if you can, since you can get the clearest panoramic views at these times of day.
Crazy Water (Cairo)
One potential worry about taking a family holiday to Egypt is that the heat will make the kids grumpy. If you sense an impending tantrum, though, it’s pretty easy to nip it in the bud with a trip to somewhere like Crazy Water, which isn’t too far from the famous pyramids of the Giza Plateau. Come here and the children can whizz down water slides, try surfing in the Big Surf Wave and splash about in the kids’ pool. And, while the little ones are cooling off from the sun, you can take it easy on a beach chair.
Quick tip: Entrance to the park includes a meal, which makes it a particularly good choice if you want to entertain the kids without overspending.
Explore the Giza Plateau on a camel (Giza)
One of the biggest advantages of taking the kids to Egypt is that you have the chance to show them some truly incredible things. The Great Pyramids of Giza are a classic choice, and you can make seeing them all the more exciting by treating everyone to a camel ride while you’re there. You can either trek just around the pyramids, or out into the desert beyond as well – the latter might make the trip all the more exciting.
Snorkel in the Sunken City (Sahl Hasheesh)
Located close to the popular resort of Hurghada is Sahl Hasheesh, which is where you’ll find my final suggestion. The Sunken City lies just off the coast here and is a truly magical place for kids and parents to snorkel together. Peer through the water and you’ll see a tangle of temple-like structures surrounded by scores of brightly-coloured fish. Seeing this magical world is bound to be one of the most memorable aspects of your trip.