Some of the best things to do in Egypt as a locale at night is to relax at a coffee shop while drinking tea or coffee along with a sheesha pipe. Many local-style neighborhood coffee shops are only for males, but females are also allowed in central and tourist areas. Go to any waterfront along the Nile in Cairo and Luxor, or the seafronts in Alexandria and Sharm el Sheikh and you’ll find the corniche humming with the chatter of friends cruising arm in arm to catch the breeze.  Street vendors selling kebabs, chai-sellers shouldering giant urns, and trinket merchants with the latest colorful imports calling for the attention of passers-by. A great draw for both domestic and international tourists is the impressive sound and light shows performed at many of the country’s archeological sites. You can come face to face with the light-emitting sphinx in Giza here, or you can watch the whole Karnak temple unfold to Luxor music. The best shows are held in Abu Simbel, the Temple of Ramses II. Commentary is available in different languages every evening. People in Egypt go out to eat at late hours of the night and enjoy each other’s company with family and friends. Many nightclubs in Egypt are located within major hotels. Discos and nightclubs can be found in Egypt with a range of music, including Western hip-hop, trance, and local Arabic music. Major nightclubs in the country have large dance floors where you can shake your legs. Belly dancing is a popular style of dance with a variety of local and tourist venues. Dinner and a belly dance performance are available at various places throughout Egypt. There are bars all over Egypt. Any establishment that serves alcohol must be enclosed and block windows from the outside, so that nobody can see inside. Bars and clubs usually begin at approximately 10 p.m. and some shut their doors at 2 a.m., while others stay open until 4 a.m. Egypt has plenty of big resort casinos and hotel casinos all over the country.

Cairo is one of those cities where the night never ends, and is lively with people at every corner. The nightlife of Cairo revolves around the city’s aromatic social center, the coffee shop.

The aha or coffee shops are a place to relax in the daytime or late in the night, where you can chat with friends and watch strangers walk by. Ahwa’s staples are shisha or hooka, strong coffee, black coffee in cups, and shai or tea in glasses. Ahwas have an omnipresent presence in Cairo, from old building’s cranny to opulent five-star hotel.

In the evening, some cafés sell alcohol to a local crowd, even though tourists are typically welcome. The biggest hotels are home to a pub, bar, or large club. They are very popular areas for local residents as well as tourists, and tables must be reserved in advance. Clubs typically have lounge or restaurant atmospheres, often based around music and dance.

Large hotels have well-known shows and popular Western-style discotheques, typically with an Egyptian twist. Westerners are accepted everywhere and often favored, even though women have to dress a little more conservatively. Alcohol is only sold in foreign establishments during Ramadan.

Sound & Light Shows at Pyramids of Giza

The Light and Sound Show will take you on a guided journey through the history of Egypt through dramatic tales, lights, and music. See the sphinx and pyramids illuminated with torches and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cairo.

1. Islamic Cairo Night Tour: An Islamic Cairo Night Tour begins at the Old Wall, which surrounds Fatimid Cairo. During the tour, you will pass by Al-Hakim mosque and Sharih Al Moizz. Visitors will learn more about important Islamic monuments and their influence on the history of Egypt and Middle Eastern culture.

2. Cairo Jazz Club: Cairo Jazz Club is the finest club offering live music. While the name is not exclusively jazz, other genres like rock and oriental feature at the best live music venue in town. You will need to make a reservation and be over 25 years or you can go as a couple or as a mixed group and is a popular club that serves great cocktails.

3. Shopping at the Cairo Old Market: The Al Khalili Suk or Cairo Old Market is famous for its vibrant stalls and welcoming sellers who are always available to support customers during the day or night. Here you can find a variety of souvenirs, local cuisine, and drinks while engaging with friendly locals who also enjoy night shopping.

4. Horse Carriage Tour: A night horse carriage ride could just be what you wanted. There is no better way to explore downtown Cairo in the moonlit sky because the trip will be slow and you can enjoy the surroundings while on the ride.

5. Nile River cruise boat: One of the best things to do in Cairo is a relaxing dinner cruise down the Nile in the evening. Numerous cruises, including 4 and 5-star cruises, offer a range of tasty buffets for dinner. Most cruises last about three hours and offer passengers an excellent view of the river during dinner.

6. Pharaonic Village in Giza: The Pharaonic village in Giza offers quality entertainment for all family members, particularly children. The village is an ancient Egyptian theme park on the western side of the Nile in Cairo. Visitors travel in tiny boats in the bed of reeds to see scenes from Pharaonic everyday life recreated by actors in costume. The park also has a model temple and some notable exhibits for former presidents of Egypt, Gamal Abdel Al Nasser and Anwar Al Sadat.

7. Opera: Many performances take place at the Opera House in Cairo, especially with companies and troops that come to Cairo to present their art. In the Gomhyrya Theatre, there are also several attractive performances.  The Egyptian Ministry of Culture organizes a grand production of Aida, an opera composed to mark the opening of the Suez Canal. Past performances were conducted in Luxor’s Hatshepsut and Karnack temples, while the pyramids of Giza were the most recent venue for the opera production.

Luxor is not really a place for nightlife. Most visitors prefer to have an early night and get up early. Many hotels and cruise ships in the Nile offer a number of exciting activities, from disco to belly dancing, Pharaonic costume festivals to karaoke shows. At night, the sound and light shown in the complex of Karnak Temple narrate the accomplishments of great Pharaos and describe the ancient wonders of Thebes. As visitors walk around the complex, the pharaohs tell the story of fascinating lives, with haunting music in the background. The illuminated ruins are lit and look majestic with light.

The city of Alexandria has a number of nightclubs selling both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. In Old Town, wander historic streets and visit numerous bars and pubs, many operating in historic buildings that offer live music almost every night. There are performances of oriental dancers, live music, famous singers and world-famous stars offering a good time.

Sharm el Sheik is renowned for its nightlife, casinos, and night entertainment places. The nightlife of  Sharm El Sheik offers numerous choices such as bars, nightclubs, discotheques, and restaurants that host weekday celebrations and parties. You can also enjoy sunset drinks, beach parties with DJs, lounge bars, and live music clubs. Sharm el Sheikh has a vibrant club scene. There are luxurious live music lounges, cozy pubs, taverns, and open-air bars offering stunning views to enjoy the nightlife. Sharm El Sheik Nightlife is renowned for its festival scene and nightclubs with some of the world’s top artists and DJs visiting and performing across the city. You can try your luck at one of the numerous casinos in the region. Sinai Grand Casino is Sharm El Sheik’s best-known casino where games like blackjack, roulette, poker, slot machines, and many more are played. In Sharm el Sheikh guided tour through the desert dinner with Bedouins and calming nature and watching the stars seem brighter than ever away from the city lights. All this, coupled with an overnight stay in a true Bedouin shelter, makes your trip unforgettable.

1. Naama Bay:  Sharm el-Sheik ‘s nightlife is mainly concentrated in the area of Naama Bay, the business and tourist area on the banks of the river where numerous souvenir shops, and shopping centers along with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs are situated on the main street. Principe del Bahrain Boulevard attracts anyone who loves shopping and entertainment. The lovely Egyptian restaurants traditional cafés and popular nightclubs.  All the nightclubs and bars on Naama Bay Promenade offer deals and drink discounts to visitors.

2. Soho Square: Soho Square is an interesting area for nightlife at Shark el Sheik.  This shopping center is situated right in front of the Hotel Savoy near Shark’s Bay, which houses restaurants, discos, nightclubs, numerous bars, pubs, a hiking alley, and an ice skating rink. Do visit Culturama a film theatre that displays videos documenting Egyptian culture and natural heritage.

3. Aswan: Aswan’s nightlife is not comparable to other major Egyptian cities but provides some options for relaxing after a day off. It has a vibrant nightlife with folklore-based night shows that allow you to learn the art and culture of the town. Live music performances are also regular and night cruises on the Nile River are a lovely thing after dark. There are bars, pubs and discos to go for nightlife.

Philae TempleSound and Light Show

At the Philae Temple Complex, the sound and light show is fun to watch at night.  The show has dramatic music and lightning, outstanding visual projections, and tales about the Lord of Death and his much-loved wife Isis. Ferial Garden frequently conducts musical performances at night.

1. Nubian Performances: Most hotels, bars, and restaurants around the city host Nubian live performances. Aswan Oberoi Hotel hosts impressive Nubian performances with breathtaking views. The Nightclub at New Cataract Hotel is perfect for those who want to party with Western or Nubic music.
2. Abu Simbel Sound and Light Show: At night the majestic temples of Abu Simbel are even more enchanting with sound and light illuminating the facade. Artists fascinated by its history take you back thousands of years to demonstrate how Egypt was ruled by Ramses the Great. The exhibition involves projections on the large and small temple facades that display how they once looked.

Hurghada has a Western atmosphere, making drinking much simpler than elsewhere in Egypt. It is the world’s biggest party and drinking venue with numerous clubs, discotheques, casinos, and bars. Coffee shops and local restaurants in Hurghada are open until early morning to serve sheesha, snacks, and hot drinks. Bars and clubs typically start at 11 p.m. and some close their doors at 1 a.m. while others stay open until 3 a.m. Hurghada is renowned for its non-stop party scene with large event spaces and the coziest pubs. The majority of the population and tourist areas in the Sekalla district are located along the coastline of the city. Many hotels, resorts, and business and entertainment areas can be found here. The Hurghada Marine Boulevard has more than 80 stores and cafes, and dozens of restaurants and bars offering unique entertainment, such as a bungee cannon, that launches guests high up in the air. The area of Sekalla is a network of interconnected buildings, as many hotels in the district are linked to another hotel, and visitors can walk freely in shops and cafes.

Overall, the nightlife in Dahab is calm, with an occasional evening of live music at one of the many local bars. Dahab has a variety of beach bars. Beer, wine, and liquor can also be purchased at special shops called drinkies. Every week there are various parties in several venues. Many tourists spend nights at one of the various local restaurants offering  Egyptian, Italian, Chinese, Indian, and Korean menus.