Explore Cairo: 10 Amazing Things You Won’t Want to Miss

10 Best Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt

1. Check Out All 3 Pyramids of Giza ☀️ Great Day Trip

The Pyramids of Giza needs no introduction from me. To many of us, seeing the great pyramids of Giza is among the top 3 items on our bucket list, and one of the first things you will likely do when you arrive in Cairo is to find a way to get to this piece of ancient architectural wonder.

You can visit the pyramids in Cairo in two ways. One way is to do it independently by getting a taxi from Cairo city center to the pyramids and back. This may seem like an easy option, but as it turned out for me, it gave me more headaches than just simply taking an organized tour.

The taxi took around 30 minutes, and even though I could get a taxi with a "functioning" meter for around 30 EGP, he dropped me off at the wrong gate. I had to rely on a local to get to the real entrance, which was a huge mistake.

That seemingly helpful local guy turned out to be a scammer, and he wouldn't leave me alone. He followed me even after I got inside and asked me for tips of 300 EGP. 300 EGP! That's 20 USD for taking me to the correct entrance.

When the guy left, I continued to encounter aggressive touters and scammers throughout my time there, and getting back to the city center was yet another opportunity for a taxi driver to scam me.

Basically, traveling to the pyramid independently will increase the chance of you getting scammed, which doesn't really make a great first impression of Egypt, to be honest.

For a better experience, I highly recommend going with an organized tour instead. Going on a tour will eliminate logistics problems, and you will no longer have to deal with terrible taxi drivers, as I did. Plus, they will take you further afield to places like Saqqara and Memphis, making it cheaper to do so than taking taxis to these places.

The "Full-Day Tour Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara" tour is highly recommended. The tour costs around 70 USD and includes a visit to Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, and Memphis, with all the entrance fees paid.

It is a great deal, and you get to see everything all in one day with ample time to explore each place. You will have around 3-4 hours at the Giza Pyramids, 2 hours at Saqqara, and 1 hour at Memphis, which is more than enough time for you to explore at your own leisure.

All in all, I highly recommend you go for a tour instead if you do not want to get major headaches from dealing with scammers and taxi drivers. However, if that is the kind of adventure you enjoy, you can go the route I took, but learn from my mistake and never trust anyone friendlier than usual.

The entrance fee for the Pyramids of Giza is 20 EGP per person, with an additional 400 EGP to enter the Great Pyramid, 100 EGP to enter the Pyramid of Khafre, and another 100 EGP to enter the Pyramid of Menkaure. In total, you will pay 600 EGP if you want to see everything. The Giza Pyramids open from 6 AM to 10 PM every day.

Where to Stay in Cairo, Egypt?

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Freedom Hostel

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Mid-Range

Victory Of Downtown Hotel

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High-End

Kempinski Nile Hotel, Cairo

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2. Admire the Beauty of the Great Sphinx

And, of course, do not forget to visit the Great Sphinx of Giza when you are there. With three giant pyramids spread out in a desert for miles, you might forget to see this iconic stone monument that is more than 4,500 years old.

Just don't keep your hopes up when it comes to the real scale of the Sphinx. In Hollywood movies, the Sphinx is often depicted as massive, but in reality, it is only 20 meters tall, and almost half of its body is below the ground level you are standing on. Therefore, it will look much smaller than it should the moment you see it.

3. See How they Master the Craft of Pyramid-Making in Saqqara

With an organized tour I recommend, the tour will also take you to Saqqara, a small village just outside of Cairo that is known for its ancient pyramids that date back before the Pyramids of Giza.

Here, you will find the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest complete stone complex in the world, and a blueprint that paved the way for the pyramids of Giza. The Step Pyramid was constructed in the 27th Century BC, almost a hundred years before the Pyramids of Giza.

Basically, Saqqara is a place where the ancient Egyptians mastered their craft of pyramid-making, and what you see are the remnants of their experiments. With the tour, you should have around 2 hours to explore before heading to Memphis, the old capital of ancient Egypt.

4. Stroll Around the Open Air Museum in Memphis

Memphis is an old capital city of Ancient Egypt, located not too far from Saqqara. This is where the ancient Egyptians thrived, and you can still see some remnants of their creations in the open-air museum there.

There are stone sculptures of pharaohs, the Sphinx of Memphis, and all sorts of artifacts discovered in Saqqara displayed at the open-air museum. The tour should give you around 1 hour here before taking you back to Cairo.

5. Visit the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo

After spending a day on an organized tour, it is time to go off on our own and explore Cairo and its diverse quarters. One of those quarters is the Coptic Cairo district, home to the famous Hanging Church of Coptic Cairo.

Coptic Cairo is an ancient part of the city that dates all the way back to the 6th Century BC, and it is a place that preserves the Christian past of Egypt. It is home to the Coptic Orthodox Christians who reside in Egypt.

The famous Hanging Church is a must-visit when you are in Coptic Cairo. It is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, and it got its name, "Hanging", from the fact that it was built over the main gate of the Babylon Citadel, giving it the hanging feature.

There are several other churches in the area that are worth visiting, so be sure to spend some time and stroll around Coptic Cairo before leaving for the Islamic Quarter. I felt almost like Indiana Jones when I stumbled upon this narrow passageway full of books for sale. You never know what you might discover here.

6. Admire the Beauty of the Citadel of Saladin in Islamic Cairo ❤️ Must Visit

The Citadel of Saladin is one of the most impressive structures in Cairo, and it is my second favorite architecture in the city, second only to the Pyramids of Giza, of course.

Located strategically on top of a hill dominating the city's skyline, the citadel was constructed as a fortress to be used as the seat of government in Egypt and the residence of its rulers for nearly 700 years.

The citadel is a great example of a medieval Islamic-era fortress that you don't get to see very often. Its exterior is formidable, as a fortress should be, and once inside, you will find the Mosque of Muhammad Ali that was modeled after the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Within the mosque, you will find yourself in a vast hallway adorned with red carpets on the floor and elegant lights and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Additionally, from the fortress wall, you should be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of Cairo.

The Citadel of Saladin opens from 8 AM to 4 PM, and the entrance fee is 180 EGP per person, with an additional 5 EGP for shoe covers. The opening hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM. Ladies, please ensure that you bring a scarf to cover your hair when entering.

7. Go Up the Minarets of Bab Zuweila

If you are looking for a high viewpoint to get a nice view of Cairo and its diverse architectural style, I highly recommend climbing up to the top of the Minarets of Bab Zuweila for a stunning panoramic view of Cairo's Old City.

To get to the top of the minaret, you must first pay the entrance fee of 40 EGP. Then, you are going to climb up the dark and narrow staircase that spirals up the minaret. You will be rewarded with an incredible view of Cairo's historic old town. The minaret opens between 12-1 PM and 9-10 PM, depending on the day.

8. Shop for Souvenirs at Khal el-Khalili

One of the most famous grand bazaars in Cairo, Khan el-Khalili, is an ancient trade center that dates all the way back to the 16th Century. You can walk its historical passageways and shop for souvenirs or find a nice cafe to sit in and enjoy Egyptian coffee.

The souvenirs aren't cheap here, and you will likely get a lot of touts, but all the small passageways you can explore, combined with all the old shops selling antique items, make for an interesting experience in Cairo.

The bazaar is open from 9 AM all the way to sundown and beyond, but the most hectic time, and probably the most interesting time to visit, is during the prime time around 6 PM and beyond. There will be a lot more people at the market, and it will feel much more alive than in the morning.

9. Walk the Al-Muizz Street

Not too far from Khan en-Khalili, you will find Al-Muizz Street, one of the oldest streets that dates all the way back to the time the city was founded by the Fatimids in the 10th Century.

Here, you will find several antique shops and carpet stores, among other things, on both sides of the 1 km-long street. In the evening, the street is filled with people and activities that will engage all your senses at once. This is the type of atmosphere you probably have in your mind when you think of a bazaar in Egypt.

The people here are friendlier than those at Khan el-Khalili, and the same goes for opening hours. The shops are open at 9 AM, but it will be livelier late in the evening, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.

10. Learn More About the History at the Egyptian Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

Last but not least, you can't leave Egypt without seeing the real mummies at the Egyptian Museum, among other things, in its massive collection of over 120,000 rare Egyptian artifacts such as stone sculptures of pharaohs and an all-gold mask of Tutankhamun, etc.

The Egyptian Museum holds the most extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world, and it can take over 2 hours to see all the exhibitions in the museum. I suggest you give it half a day to spend here. Since the entrance fee is not cheap, do not rush it and really spend some time learning more about Egypt and how it came to be.

The entrance fee to the Egyptian Museum is 200 EGP per person, and if you carry a camera, you will be charged an additional 50 EGP. The opening hours are between 9 AM and 5 PM every day.

When to Visit Cairo, Egypt?

October to April is usually the best time to visit Egypt due to the mild weather, but in my opinion, the crowds and the increase in price might ruin it for you.

I would recommend that you go during the shoulder seasons, such as June or September. This way, you will be able to experience the best of both worlds: fewer people at tourist attractions, cooler weather, and fewer unnecessary jacked-up prices.

How to Get to Cairo, Egypt?

Cairo is one of the largest hubs in the region, and you should have no trouble finding a flight to get from your home country to Cairo International Airport.

From the US, there are 2 direct flights from Washington DC and New York operated by EgyptAir that will take you to Cairo in about 10 hours. If you don't mind transiting, Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar and Turkish Airlines also fly from other major cities in the US, like LA, Chicago, etc., to Cairo.

From Europe, you can fly from different popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via national airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, or Air France, or directly to Cairo with EgyptAir. You can also travel with Etihad and Emirates if you don't mind transiting. They are often cheaper and provide a very comfortable flying experience.

From Asia, there are no direct flights to Egypt, but you can fly with Middle Eastern Airlines like Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and Etihad from many major hubs like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Bangkok.

To find a cheap flight to Egypt, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

Getting From Cairo Airport to City Center

By Bus: The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center in Cairo is by the airport bus in front of Terminal 1. The bus runs every 30 minutes from 7:50 AM to 6:15 PM, and it will take you to Ramses Central Train Station in the city center, where you can then take a metro elsewhere.

The bus journey from the airport to Cairo's city center will take around 50 minutes, but don't quote me on that. The traffic can be horrible in Cairo, depending on your arrival time. The bus should cost around 5 EGP per person.

By Taxi: You can also take a taxi from the airport to the city center if you are looking for a frustrating adventure that will teach you the first lesson on how not to get scammed in Egypt. It is fast, but you will have to negotiate the price hard. The ballpark taxi price from the airport to the city center is around 150 EGP, so keep that in mind when negotiating.

By Private Transfer: You can also book a private transfer here, which is the fastest and most convenient way to get from Cairo Airport to the city center. It should cost about 20 USD, and you can book the private transfer here.

How to Get Around Cairo, Egypt?

By Metros: The cheapest and probably the quickest way to get around Cairo is via the metros. They are efficient and cost only 1 EGP per trip. Unfortunately, they don't run everywhere, so if you want to travel somewhere else, you are going to have to get a taxi, and it won't be a cakewalk, I can tell you that.

By Taxis: Taxis in Cairo are known for the many tricky ways they use to try to squeeze out every dime from tourists. If you want to use them, you will have to be aware of their techniques and negotiate hard.

There are several rules to know to not get scammed in Egypt, but the number one rule is: don't ever get in a metered taxi that claims its meter is broken. That is a sure sign that they will charge you a hefty fee for the ride.

Here are some ballpark prices that might be useful to you: Tahrir Square to the Citadel should cost around 10 EGP, the Citadel to Khan el-Khalili should cost 8 EGP, Tahrir Square to the Giza Pyramid should cost around 30 EGP.

By Tours: A better and more reliable way to get to further places in Cairo is to go on an organized tour. They are cheap and reliable, and you will not have to deal with all the touters and scammers.

There are several tours you can take to places like the Pyramids of Giza, but the most recommended tour is the "Full-Day Tour Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara" tour, which includes tourist attractions that are further away, like Saqqara and Memphis as well.

For more day trips and organized tours you can join in Cairo, you can browse through the list here: Day trips in Cairo.

By Car: I wouldn't recommend renting a car and driving in Cairo. The traffic is extremely hectic and downright horrible at times, and it will be more of a headache to drive than to just take a taxi.

If you insist on driving your own car in Egypt, you can do so for around $60 USD per day, and you can rent one from the airport with the link below:

Rent a car in Cairo

How Many Days To Spend in Cairo, Egypt?

3 full days should be enough to see most of what Cairo has to offer. Below is a rough itinerary for Cairo:

Day 1: Visit the Pyramid of Giza, the Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara with an organized tour.

Day 2: Visit all the attractions in Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo on your second day.

Day 3: Visit the Egyptian Museum and spend the rest of the day relaxing by the Nile River.

How Much Money Do I Need For Cairo, Egypt?

With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending here as follows:

Accommodation: For 4 nights in Cairo, you can expect to pay around 32 USD (502 EGP) for accommodation.

Food: Food costs about 30 EGP on average per meal, so you can expect to pay around 270 EGP per person for 3 days.

Transportation: You will likely have to take a few taxis to places like Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo, so you can expect to pay around 100 EGP for transportation.

Activities: For a day trip to Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, and Memphis, it will cost you 70 USD (1,098 EGP) per person, including the entrance fees for all attractions. Additionally, there is an entrance fee of 180 EGP for Saladin Citadel, 40 EGP for Minarets of Bab Zuweila, 200 EGP for the Egyptian Museum, and another 50 EGP for cameras. Therefore, in total, you will pay 1,568 EGP for activities here.

Total Budget for 3 days in Cairo, Egypt: 2,440 EGP (155.37 USD)

Is it Safe in Egypt?

One thing to be aware of in Egypt is scams. Scamming is very common here, and it is important for you to know how they operate and how you can avoid getting scammed, as I did.

I have written an entire article about it, so you can read more on ways to avoid getting scammed in Egypt there. That said, not all locals are out to scam you. It's just that the scammers are the loudest, and most aggressive, and they always make themselves known to you the moment you arrive at a tourist attraction.

Here are a few things to keep in mind. Everyone gets scammed at the pyramid, whether it be the taxi driver who pretends the meter was broken, a person impersonating a security guard taking you to where you want to go before asking for money, or people pretending to give you free stuff but then aggressively asking you to pay.

There is simply no shortage of them, and there is no way to avoid them either. So, whenever a person approaches you for a friendly conversation, be extremely skeptical about it. More often than not, they will try to scam you along the way.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Egypt?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Cairo, Egypt without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Cairo, Egypt:

There are four major carriers in Egypt: Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, and WE. All of them offer a pretty similar range of coverage and packages available for travelers.

I personally used Vodafone as they have a package specifically for tourists that is easily obtained at the airport or in any Vodafone shop you find in the country. There are 2 packages available, one with 8 GB of data, 200 minutes, and 20 international minutes for 200 EGP, and another with 30 GB for 500 EGP.

The validity of these packages is 30 days and can be extended as you see fit with other packages. I recommend you get the 8 GB one, which should be more than enough for most tourists.

For more information about Egypt's local SIM card: Egypt's Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Cairo, Egypt?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Cairo, Egypt:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Cairo, Egypt in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Cairo, Egypt while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Egypt

I have plenty of articles to help you further with your trip planning in Egypt. Here is a selection of articles about Egypt that you might like:

• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Egypt? 2-week itinerary for Egypt.
• There's art in scamming people, and there's also art in avoiding them. Here is how to avoid getting scammed in Egypt.
• Aswan, home to the famous Abu Simbel and Philae temples, is a must-visit when you are in Egypt. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Aswan, Egypt.
• They don't call Luxor the land of palaces for nothing. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt, including all the temples and tourist attractions you shouldn't miss.
• My praise of Egypt isn't convincing? Why not let photos tell the story. Check out 22 photos that will inspire you to visit Egypt.
• You can also watch my travel video here: The Only Egypt We Have.
• To view all articles about Egypt, visit the Egypt Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.