Egypt is one of the most popular destinations for Bulgarian tourists – a combination of ancient history, the Red Sea, a warm climate, all-inclusive resorts and Nile cruises. The most popular places are Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, Cairo, Luxor and Alexandria.
The country is suitable for both a classic seaside vacation and excursions to the pyramids, temples, and the Valley of the Kings.
Egypt is located in northeastern Africa, with part of its territory – the Sinai Peninsula – in Asia. The country has access to the Mediterranean and Red Seas and is connected to both seas via the Suez Canal.
The capital is Cairo, and the official name of the country is the Arab Republic of Egypt.
For Bulgarian citizens with regular passport an Egyptian entry visa is required. The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the visa must be obtained in advance upon entering the country.
Bulgarian citizens can apply for an Egyptian tourist visa through the Egyptian embassy or through the official electronic e-Visa system. Bulgaria is among the countries included in the official e-Visa portal.
Official e-Visa system of Egypt: Egypt e-Visa Portal
The official Egyptian e-Visa portal states:
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival. For an electronic visa, you must carry a printout of the e-Visa, as well as itinerary and accommodation details.
When booking a package trip to Egypt, tourists often receive assistance with the visa procedure through the tour operator.
However, do not rely solely on information from old forums or publications that the visa must be obtained at the airport. The current information from the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates a pre-obtained entry visa for Bulgarian citizens.
Passport must be valid. at least 6 months after the date of entry into Egypt.
Check your document before booking, especially if you are traveling with a child.
Bulgaria has an embassy in Cairo.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Egypt
6 El Malek Al Afdal Street, Zamalek 11211, Cairo
Telephones: +20 2 273 63 025; +20 2 273 66 077
After-hours hotline: +20 12 231 71 991
Email: Embassy.Cairo@mfa.bg
Consular Service: Consular.Cairo@mfa.bg
Current hours for consular services should be checked in advance, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes separate schedules for visa and consular services.
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry places Egypt on level 3 – increased level of risk and recommends not visiting certain areas except when absolutely necessary. At the same time, Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and the main Red Sea resorts – Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam – are listed as calm areas visited by organized and individual tourists.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends avoiding:
This is especially important when planning desert safaris or independent trips off the beaten track.
In tourist areas, the main problems are more related to petty theft, pushy traders, and unofficial services.
It is good to:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends paying particular attention to markets and busy places.
Main numbers:
Telephone 126 is a tourist hotline where foreign tourists can receive assistance in English.
In private medical facilities in large cities and tourist areas, the level can be very good, but treatment can be expensive. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends mandatory insurance that covers treatment, hospitalization and medical evacuation.
If you are planning diving, desert safaris or other adventure activities, check if the insurance explicitly covers them.
For drinking use only factory bottled water.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns of the risk of gastrointestinal infections when consuming food from street food establishments and fresh produce from street markets.
If you have a sensitive stomach, choose well-cooked food and bottled water for brushing your teeth.
For those arriving from high-risk countries, Egyptian authorities may require vaccination documents for yellow fever and polio. For standard travel from Bulgaria, such certificates are usually not part of the entry requirements.
When traveling through third countries, check the rules for the entire route.
Egypt is a Muslim country and it is good to respect local customs.
In resorts, clothing is more relaxed, but when visiting mosques, religious sites, and urban areas, more modest clothing is recommended.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly recommends avoiding provocative clothing in urban environments.
Be very careful what you photograph.
Do not photograph:
The use and import of drones requires special permission and can result in confiscation.
The official currency is Egyptian pound (EGP).
In tourist areas, US dollars and euros are also used, but for small purchases, tips, and local services, it is convenient to have Egyptian pounds.
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, large restaurants, and shops, but cash remains important at markets, tips, and smaller establishments.
For travelers who want mobile internet without standard international roaming, Airalo offers an eSIM for Egypt.
Current fixed packages include, for example:
There are also unlimited packages for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 30 days.
See the current Airalo eSIM packages for Egypt
The official language is Arabic.
English is widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas. In resorts, you will often find staff who speak Russian, German or other European languages.
Useful words:
Egypt uses UTC+2 during standard time and switches to daylight saving time.
The difference with Bulgaria may change throughout the year, so when booking flights and transfers, check the local time for the specific date.
The electrical network is 230V / 50Hz.
In many hotels you will find European sockets of type C and F, but some establishments may have other standards. A universal adapter is useful.
Egypt has a predominantly dry and desert climate.
The Red Sea is suitable for a beach holiday almost all year round. The most popular are autumn, winter and spring, when temperatures are usually more comfortable.
Summer is very hot, especially in the interior and Cairo, but seaside resorts remain popular.
Hurghada is one of the most popular Egyptian resorts among European tourists.
It is suitable for:
The official tourist portal describes it as a large resort on the Red Sea with beaches, coral reefs, water sports and desert activities.
Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the most developed resorts on the Sinai Peninsula.
Particularly strong are:
The city is located between the Ras Mohammed National Park and the Nabq Protected Area.
Marsa Alam is a more relaxed option for a Red Sea vacation.
The area is particularly popular among lovers of diving, sea turtles, coral reefs and quieter resorts.
Cairo is the country's vast cultural and historical center.
Among the main attractions are:
The Pyramids of Giza are part of the World Heritage Site that includes Memphis and its necropolises.
Luxor is often called „"the open-air museum of Egypt"“.
The main attractions are:
The official tourist portal recommends Luxor as one of the main centers of ancient Egyptian heritage.
Aswan is one of the most picturesque points on the Nile.
Among the sights are:
To the south are the grandiose temples of Abu Simbel, built under Ramses II and part of the UNESCO site Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae.
A Nile cruise is one of the best ways to combine a vacation with a visit to ancient landmarks.
The classic route is between Luxor and Aswan and includes temples and archaeological sites along the river.
Alexandria is located on the Mediterranean Sea and has a different atmosphere than Cairo and the Red Sea resorts.
Of interest are:
Egypt offers a variety of desert experiences:
Choose licensed operators and drivers, especially when it comes to remote areas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns of serious risks when traveling alone in the desert and border areas.
For tourists, the most practical are:
For long distances, a domestic flight is often the most convenient option.
Self-driving is not the most convenient option for a first trip to Egypt.
Traffic in Cairo is intense, rules are not always followed, and travel outside of major cities requires good preparation.
For tourist tours, it is wiser to use organized transportation or licensed local guides.
The Red Sea is one of the big reasons tourists choose Egypt.
Suitable activities are:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends using reliable and licensed companies with qualified instructors and appropriate equipment for underwater sports.
Among the traditional dishes worth trying are:
In hotels you will usually find a combination of international cuisine and local dishes.
The tip – thank you – is part of the local culture.
It can be expected in:
At markets, bargaining is normal, but don't automatically accept the first price offered.
Egypt is suitable for family vacations, especially in the large resorts on the Red Sea.
For families, the following are convenient:
When traveling to Cairo or Luxor, plan more breaks because of the heat.
The import of pets is associated with veterinary requirements and documents.
Before traveling, check the requirements of the Egyptian authorities, the airline, and the Bulgarian veterinary authorities simultaneously.
For a seaside holiday:
For excursions to temples and cities, add more modest clothing and comfortable shoes.
For an all-inclusive vacation: Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam.
For diving and snorkeling: Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam.
For a family vacation: Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
For history: Cairo and Luxor.
For a cruise: Luxor – Aswan.
For a combination of sea and excursions: Hurghada.
Before departure, check:
When traveling to Egypt on an organized trip, it is advisable to use a licensed travel company, as recommended by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Is a visa required for Bulgarians?
Yes. For Bulgarian citizens with an ordinary passport, a tourist visa is required.
Can I apply for an e-Visa?
Yes. Bulgaria is included in the official Egyptian e-Visa portal.
How much does a tourist e-Visa cost?
A single-entry tourist visa is 30 USD, and a multiple-entry visa is 65 USD, according to the official portal.
How long should a passport be valid?
At least 6 months from the date of entry.
What are the most popular resorts?
Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam.
Which is better – Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh?
Hurghada is very convenient for family vacations and excursions to Luxor. Sharm el-Sheikh is especially strong in diving, snorkeling and resort vacations.
Can you visit Cairo from Hurghada?
Yes, but the distance is significant and the excursion is long. If time is limited, a domestic flight is a more convenient option.
When is the best time to visit Egypt?
For a combination of sea and pleasant temperatures, autumn, winter and spring are among the most preferred periods.
Is Egypt safe?
The main tourist areas are visited by organized and individual tourists, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs places the country at level 3 and recommends avoiding certain areas.
Can I take pictures anywhere?
No. Military, police and a number of government sites should not be photographed. Drones are subject to special permits.
Egypt is one of the best destinations for a combination of warm sea, all-inclusive vacation, ancient history and excursions. Whether you are looking for Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, a Nile cruise or a program with Cairo and the Pyramids, the country offers options for different types of travel.
Check out the current offers on „Journey Group for Egypt and choose the right vacation according to the season, budget and desired type of experience.
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