Things to Do in Cairo

The Great Pyramids of Giza are the reason most people come to Cairo, and they never, ever disappoint. Standing at the base of the Great Pyramid of Khufu and realising it was built 4,500 years ago without any modern machinery is one of those moments that genuinely stops you in your tracks. The Sphinx watches over the whole complex with the same quiet authority it has had for millennia. No photograph does any of it justice; you simply have to be there. 

• Enter one of the pyramids for a steep, tight, and unforgettable tunnel experience
• See the Great Sphinx up close and visit the Valley Temple beside it
• Watch the Sound and Light Show at night the pyramids lit up after dark is magical
• Photograph all three pyramids from the panorama viewpoint for the classic shot

Pro Tip: Go early by 8 am if you can. The heat and crowds both build fast. Hire a licensed guide at the entrance for proper context.

​​​​​​​The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square holds the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts anywhere on Earth, over 120,000 objects in one building. The undisputed star is the Tutankhamun gallery on the upper floor, home to the legendary golden death mask, the golden throne, and treasures that were sealed inside a royal tomb for over 3,000 years. It is extraordinary.

• See Tutankhamun's golden death mask, one of the most iconic objects in human history
• Visit the Royal Mummies Hall, where the actual preserved bodies of pharaohs, including Ramesses II
• Browse the Amarna Room dedicated to the mysterious 'heretic pharaoh' Akhenaten

Pro Tip: Book tickets in advance to skip the queue. Allow at least 3 hours more if you love history. Note that many Tutankhamun pieces are now moving to the new Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza.

​​​​​​​The Grand Egyptian Museum is the newest and most ambitious museum in Egypt and one of the most spectacular in the world. Located just 2 kilometres from the pyramids, it is the largest archaeological museum ever built. The complete collection of Tutankhamun's 5,000 treasures is displayed here together for the very first time. The building itself, with its translucent stone facade glowing in the desert light, is a work of art. 

• See all 5,000 Tutankhamun objects displayed together for the first time ever
• Walk the Grand Staircase, lined with ancient colossal statues
• View the pyramids of Giza from inside the museum, an incredible backdrop

Pro Tip: Combine the GEM with the Pyramids on the same day they are only 2km apart. Book tickets in advance. Allow 3 to 4 hours for a full visit.

​​​​​​​Khan el-Khalili is one of the oldest and most atmospheric markets in the entire Arab world and one of the most exciting things to do in Cairo. Founded in the 14th century, this vast covered market is a gloriously chaotic mix of spice stalls, jewellery shops, copper lanterns, papyrus art, and street food. The smells, the colours, and the noise are completely overwhelming in the best possible way.

• Browse spice stalls overflowing with saffron, hibiscus, cumin, and Egyptian blends
• Sit at El Fishawy Café, Cairo's most famous coffee house, open continuously for over 200 years
• Explore Al-Muizz Street nearby a stunning medieval road lined with centuries-old Islamic buildings

Pro Tip: Go in the late afternoon when the market is most alive, and the heat has eased. Always haggle; the first price is never the final price.

Islamic Cairo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most extraordinary historic districts anywhere in the world. A thousand years of mosques, mausoleums, madrasas, and medieval streets are packed into a few square kilometres, all still very much alive and in use today. Walking through here feels completely different from any other part of the city. It is old Cairo at its most raw, beautiful, and authentic.

• Walk Al-Muizz Street, considered one of the finest streets of Islamic architecture in the world
• Visit the Al-Azhar Mosque, one of the oldest universities on Earth, founded in 970 AD
• Climb the Bab Zuweila Gate for panoramic views over the old city rooftops
• Visit the Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture

Pro Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and dress modestly. Covered shoulders and knees are required for mosques. A local guide makes this area come alive in a way that is hard to achieve alone.

The Citadel of Saladin has dominated Cairo's skyline for 800 years. Built in the 12th century, it served as the seat of Egyptian power for nearly 700 years and offers some of the best views over the whole city. Inside, the Mohammed Ali Mosque, clad entirely in alabaster with soaring Ottoman domes and twin minarets, is one of the most beautiful buildings in Cairo. On a clear day, you can see the Pyramids of Giza from the terrace.

• Visit the Mohammed Ali Mosque stunning interior, sweeping views, and a real sense of grandeur
• Enjoy panoramic views over Cairo from the Citadel walls
• Explore the Military Museum and the Al-Gawhara Palace inside the complex

Pro Tip: Visit in the morning before it gets hot and busy. The Citadel sits directly above Islamic Cairo combine both in a half-day walk.

Most visitors focus on ancient and Islamic Cairo but Coptic Cairo is just as fascinating and far more peaceful. This quiet, ancient enclave is home to some of the earliest Christian churches in the world, a world-class museum, and sacred sites connected to the Holy Family's flight into Egypt. It is a completely different side of Cairo and one of the most moving places in the whole city.

• Visit the Hanging Church, one of Egypt's oldest and most beautiful Coptic churches
• Explore the Coptic Museum, an extraordinary collection of early Christian art and manuscripts
• See the Church of St Sergius, built over the crypt where the Holy Family sheltered 

Pro Tip: Coptic Cairo is a short metro or taxi ride from the city centre. It is calm, gentle, and a very welcome contrast to the bustle of the rest of Cairo.

After a long day of sightseeing, there is nothing better than drifting down the Nile in a traditional wooden felucca sailboat as the sun sets over Cairo. The city looks completely different from the water, quieter, softer, and more beautiful. It is one of those simple experiences that somehow ends up being one of the highlights of the whole trip.

• Sail a traditional felucca at sunset, peaceful, affordable, and unforgettable
• Book a Nile dinner cruise for a step up in Egyptian food, live music, and the city lit up at night
• Walk the Nile Corniche in the evening; the riverfront promenade is lovely after dark

Pro Tip: Felucca rides are best arranged from the Corniche near the city centre. Sunset is the perfect time; the light on the water at that hour is absolutely beautiful.

​​​​​​​For the best view of Cairo from above, head to the Cairo Tower on Gezira Island in the middle of the Nile. At 187 metres tall, it offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the entire city, the pyramids in the west, the Citadel in the east, the Nile winding through the middle, and millions of rooftops stretching as far as you can see in every direction. It is the perfect way to get your bearings and appreciate just how enormous Cairo really is.

• Take the lift to the observation deck for a full 360-degree view of Cairo
• Spot the pyramids of Giza on the western horizon
• Visit at sunset for the most spectacular views and golden light over the city

Pro Tip: Book your slot online or arrive early to avoid queues, especially at sunset when it is most popular. The revolving restaurant at the top is a fun option for a meal with a view.

​​​​​​​If you have time for a one day trip from Cairo, make it to Saqqara. Just 30 kilometres south of the city, Saqqara is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in Egypt and the very first large stone building ever constructed by humans. It pre-dates the Great Pyramids by over a century. Nearby Memphis was the ancient capital of Egypt for over a thousand years. Together, they make for a fascinating and far less crowded alternative to Giza.

• Visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's oldest pyramid, built around 2650 BC
• Explore the beautifully decorated mastaba tombs at Saqqara
• See the colossal fallen statue of Ramesses II at Memphis
• Add Dahshur on the same day, the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid are just 10km further south

Pro Tip: Hire a private driver or join a guided tour public transport to Saqqara is limited. Aim to arrive early and combine all three sites (Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur) for a full and very rewarding day.