Rick Steves Claims This Remarkable Destination May Be Too Dangerous For Many Tourists

Despite the fact that Rick Steves' guidebooks, television show, and tour company all focus on Europe, Steves himself has traveled all over the world. And just as he does for his European adventures, Steves frequently shares these global experiences with his fans — including why his all-time favorite country isn't even in Europe. Steves also keeps it real, acknowledging that some destinations might not be enjoyable for every traveler. One of these potentially dicey countries is Egypt.

In his 2020 television special "Rick Steves Egypt: Yesterday and Today," Steves showed off all that makes modern and ancient Egypt special. He gawked at the pyramids at Giza, visited markets in Alexandria, explored the ancient ruins of Abu Simbel, and spent time viewing temples and tombs in Luxor. However, Steves did not officially recommend visiting Egypt to his viewers. During his trip, he recognized signs of unease. "Throughout Egypt, travelers will notice armed guards, security barriers, and a high-profile police presence. These are reminders of a pent-up tension in Egyptian society," Steves explained. "They reveal the challenges Egyptian democracy faces today."

Political and economic issues are contributing factors to the unease, which Rick Steves pointed out. Human Rights Watch explains that Egyptian authorities have arrested activists, peaceful protestors, and even a social media influencer without providing concrete reasons for the arrests. Egyptians are also grappling with high inflation and food insecurity as poverty levels rise, according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. While this all sounds as though the average tourist won't be affected, tourists could become innocent bystanders to outbreaks of conflict stemming from these widespread concerns.

The U.S. Department of State explains that there are terrorism threats in Egypt. Those making the threats often name religious sites, foreign embassies, tourist attractions, resorts, and other busy places as possible targets. However, Egypt does keep security personnel at popular sites just in case. The Department of State echoes the concerns of Human Rights Watch, stating that people have been arrested at protests even if they were not directly participating. Women, regardless of nationality, might feel vulnerable in Egypt as well. Incidents of rude comments and unwelcome physical contact are prevalent here. Before booking travel, it's always best to check current travel advisories. 

Rick Steves frequently shares strategies to stretch your budget while traveling. However, Egypt's potential dangers mean tourists will struggle to visit both cheaply and safely. Hotels with strong security are fairly high-quality, which brings higher prices. During filming for "Rick Steves Egypt: Yesterday and Today," Steves stayed at an international class hotel, meaning one operated by a global brand or rated well on the internationally accepted star rating measurements. "I hope the future will be more relaxed, but for now, I splurge for the peace of mind," he said. 

Danger aside, Egypt's bustling major cities starkly contrast with the usual scenes in Steves' television show, wherein he is often wandering through museums or leisurely enjoying a locally-made dish. "[Alexandria] has a chaotic energy exceeding anything I've experienced in Europe," Steves explained in "Rick Steves Egypt: Yesterday and Today." He found Cairo to be "exasperating" as well. All of this is not to say that Rick Steves did not have a wonderful experience in Egypt. He simply believes that the added safety concerns, subsequent safety costs, and wild city scenes do not align with what his long-existing fan base is comfortable with when planning an international adventure.