complete travel itinerary for Sohag

📅 Itinerary Day 1 – Ancient & Cultural Highlights • Morning: Arrive in Sohag, settle in your hotel. • Mid‑day: Visit the Sohag National Museum to explore mummies, statues, and artifacts—great intro to Upper Egypt  . • Afternoon: Stroll the Sohag Corniche, take a relaxing Nile boat ride . • Evening: Sample local street eats like koshari and ful downtown. Day 2 – Monastic Marvels • Morning: Head south (~5 km) to the White Monastery, built in 442 AD—admire its limestone pylons and historic Coptic library  . • Mid‑day: Walk to the nearby Red Monastery for more stunning Coptic art and architecture. • Afternoon: Return to Sohag; visit Akhmim ruins and souqs—look for handcrafted souvenirs . • Evening: Enjoy grilled meats and Egyptian staples at a local eatery. Day 3 – Pharaonic Wonders Near Balyana/Abydos • Morning: Drive ~30 km to Abydos – Temple of Seti I (with the Osiris temple)—incredible hieroglyphs & history . • Mid‑day: Head further to Ramses II temple in El Balyana . • Afternoon: Stop at local markets to pick up dates, spices, handicrafts. • Evening: Return to Sohag and feast on traditional dishes like molokhia. ⸻ 🏨 Accommodation • Al Fanar Azur Hotel (3★) – Riverside views, good breakfast, Wi‑Fi included. Great central location with ~8.5/10 rating  . • Abo Elwafa Hotel (3★) – Near the train station, solid value with room service and friendly staff (~7.3/10) . • El Andalous Hotel – Cozy guesthouse-style lodging, authentic local feel . ⸻ 🍴 Food Recommendations • Street food: • Koshari – staples like lentils, chickpeas, rice, pasta, topped with spicy tomato sauce. • Ful medames – fava beans, olive oil, herbs—perfect breakfast . • Grilled kebabs and fresh flatbreads from local stalls . • Restaurants: • Try one of the “7 Must‑Try Restaurants” listed on SceneEats—for traditional ambiance and dishes . ⸻ 📌 Tips • Best time to visit: October–April, ideal for sightseeing without heat . • Local culture: Engage with artisans at Akhmim souqs and buy authentic crafts. • Guided day trip: Consider booking a private tour for Abydos/Red‑White Monasteries via local agencies  . • Dress code: Respectful clothing recommended at mosques and monasteries—cover shoulders and knees. • Transport: Taxis and local minibuses are best; for day tours, coordinate via hotel or local guide. #travel #couplestrip #beachlife #thingstodo #staycation