10 Best Things To Do In Cairo Egypt
Are you looking for the best things to do in Cairo, Egypt? You’re at the right place.
Cairo, the bustling capital of Egypt, is a city of wonders. First and foremost, it is close to the several remarkable monuments from ancient Egypt, including the Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx.
Cairo is one of the oldest Islamic cities in the world. It is home to the magnificent Islamic monuments of Historic Cairo, a UNESCO site, and the fascinating neighborhood of Coptic Cairo. If you love history, culture, and heritage, you’ll love visiting Cairo.
Here’s the ultimate Cairo bucket list with tips on visiting the best attractions in Cairo, including the Giza Pyramids, ancient Egyptian cities like Memphis and Saqqara, Islamic and Coptic Cairo, as well as tasting some delicious Egyptian foods.
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Top 10 Things To Do In Cairo, Egypt
Giza Pyramids
A visit to Cairo would be incomplete without visiting the awe-inspiring Giza Pyramids.
Giza Pyramids are the most iconic Cairo attraction and probably the main reason tourists visit Cairo in the first place.
The Pyramids of Giza were built as monumental tombs for Egyptian pharaohs over 4,500 years ago.
Pharoah Khufu’s Pyramid, or the Great Pyramid, is the tallest in the world at 481 feet (146 meters). The Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure are two other colossal structures in the complex that are waiting to be explored.
The sheer size of the pyramids leaves you in awe of the architectural and construction abilities of the people of those times. The Giza Pyramids are the only wonders of the ancient world that have survived to this day.
You can pay extra to get inside all three pyramids. However, the tunnels are narrow, the stairs steep, and you’ll need to crouch as you go down. If you’re claustrophobic, don’t attempt this.
Instead, wander through the area and click fascinating pictures of the pyramids from all angles.
You can also take a camel ride if you want to, but honestly, those poor camels looked terribly undernourished the last time I visited.
- To make the most of your visit, plan to arrive early and beat the crowds.
- Get a hat and water – it is a desert, after all.
- You can book a guided tour for deeper insights into the pyramids’ construction and significance.
Great Sphinx of Giza
One of the most popular things to do in Cairo is to see the Great Sphinx of Giza and click pictures with it. You have seen the “Kissing the Sphinx” pictures that go viral on Instagram, right?
The Great Sphinx is located right next to the Giza Pyramids. It is a colossal limestone statue with a lion’s body and a pharaoh’s head.
The Sphinx is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre, making it over 4,500 years old. Many Egyptologists believe that the Sphinx’s face resembles Pharaoh Khafre himself.
Over time, the Sphinx has become the symbol of Egypt. It features on Egyptian coins and stamps.
The Great Sphinx is the most crowded attraction in Cairo. Coming early helps you beat the crowds.
You cannot go too close to the Sphinx. There’s a barricade, and you can see it from a distance, which is not bad because the Sphinx is massive. You can frame it in many interesting ways in your pictures.
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo, or Historic Cairo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with stunning mosques, madrasas, and vibrant bazaars.
The Citadel of Saladin is a prominent landmark in Islamic Cairo. It is built on a hill overlooking the city and offers panoramic views of Cairo’s skyline.
Within the Citadel, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali is a beautiful example of Ottoman architecture, with its grand domes and intricate details.
Take a walk through Al Mu’izz Street, which is literally an open-air museum dotted with mosques and water fountains called sabils.
Be sure to check out the massive Sultan Hasan and Al Rifa’i mosques. You cannot miss the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, one of the oldest mosques in Cairo, dating to the 9th century.
Khal El Khalili Shopping
Do not miss strolling through the narrow alleys of Khan El Khalili, one of the oldest bazaars in the world. This is the best place to shop for unique souvenirs and savor traditional Egyptian food.
As you wander through the market’s vibrant alleys, you will encounter various goods, including handcrafted jewelry, traditional textiles, perfumes and incense, and intricate metalwork. Many items are made by local artisans using techniques passed down through generations.
My favorite street in the market is Souk al Khayamiya or the Tentmakers Bazaar. Here, you will find beautiful textile creations like quilts, table runners, pillowcases, and wall hangings covered with beautiful Egyptian needlework called khayamiya.
Coptic Cairo
Cairo has a small Christian enclave called Coptic Cairo, whose history dates to the 6th century BC.
It is believed that the Holy Family stayed in this area during their flight to Egypt, which makes Coptic Cairo a significant place in the history of Christianity. You can visit the Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church, which was built at the exact spot where the Holy Family stayed.
The Church of the Virgin Mary, also known as the Hanging Church, is a highlight of Coptic Cairo.
Visitors can also explore the Coptic Museum, which houses a rich collection of artifacts, manuscripts, and religious relics from Egypt’s Christian past.
Another must-see site in Coptic Cairo is the Ben Ezra Synagogue, a historic synagogue with a fascinating history that dates back centuries.
Egyptian Museum of Cairo
You cannot miss the Egyptian Museum on your Cairo trip. The famous pink building flanking one edge of Tahrir Square is the oldest archeological museum in the Middle East.
Cairo’s Egyptian Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities, with over 170,000 artifacts on display. You could spend an entire day there and still not see it all.
Among its most famed exhibits is the Tutankhamun collection, which features King Tutankhamun’s iconic golden mask and a wealth of objects buried with the king.
Do not miss the Menkaure Triad and the statues of King Djoser and King Khafre. The statues of Rahotep and Nofret are beautiful, too.
The museum also houses hundreds of mummies in the corridors vying for your attention.
Dashour Pyramids
If you want to explore Egyptian pyramids without the crowds, head to Dashour.
Located just south of Cairo, Dashour has two lesser-known pyramids – the Bent and Red Pyramids.
The Bent Pyramid was built during the rule of Pharaoh Sneferu and features a distinctive bend in its structure because the architect kept changing the pyramid’s angles as he reached the top. It is excellent scientific evidence of how the ancient Egyptians constructed their pyramids, including the processes of trial and error.
Nearby, the Red Pyramid is the first successful attempt at creating a true smooth-sided pyramid.
You can walk around the pyramids and click pictures without a soul in sight. If you’re feeling more adventurous, climb down into the interiors of these pyramids. The Bent Pyramid is, apparently, the most difficult one to do.
Saqqara Necropolis
Visiting the Saqqara Necropolis was one of the best things I did in Cairo this time. This place is a treasure trove of ancient burial sites, frescoes, and numerous artifacts that give you a completely different perspective of the ancient Egyptian Civilization.
Saqqara is a vast burial ground that served as the final resting place of many pharaohs and nobles of ancient Egypt.
The highlight at Saqqara is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, considered the world’s first stepped stone pyramid and a precursor to the later monuments at Giza. It was commissioned by Pharaoh Djoser and designed by the renowned architect Imhotep, who later came to be worshipped as a god.
Saqqara is also home to numerous tombs of royals and important government officials. What’s fascinating about these tombs is that the interior walls are covered with brightly colored frescoes depicting the life and culture of Egyptians from 4000 years ago. The Mastaba of Mereruka and the Tomb of Princess Idut are absolutely unmissable.
Be sure to also check out the Serapeum at Saqqara, an ancient tomb dedicated to the sacred bulls of Ancient Egypt. The Serapeum is filled with massive granite sarcophagi, which contain no animal remains and remain one of the biggest mysteries in Egypt.
★ Related Read: Ultimate Saqqara Travel Guide
Koshary at Abou Tarek
No visit to Cairo is complete without indulging in Koshary, an Egyptian culinary delight at Abou Tarek.
Koshary is a flavorful mix of rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas, and fried onions topped with tangy tomato sauce and optional spicy chili. It is a vegan/vegetarian dish, so everyone can enjoy it.
Many local eateries in Cairo serve this hearty dish at really affordable prices. But my favorite place to eat koshary in Cairo is Abou Tarek, a restaurant that has been selling koshary for ages. The founder, Abou Tarek, began selling koshary on a street cart in the 1950s. He soon became very popular and opened a restaurant in the heart of Cairo.
Having koshary at Abou Tarek is quite an experience. A server will bring your plates and demonstrate how to eat with the dish with running commentary alongside. Then you can relish this delectable Egyptian dish on your own.
Cairo Tower
For a gorgeous panoramic view of Cairo, head to Cairo Tower.
About 187 meters tall, this iconic landmark provides a 360-degree view of Cairo’s diverse neighborhoods, the Nile River, the Giza Pyramids, and the distant desert landscape. Sunset views from the tower are particularly breathtaking.
Ride the elevator and go up to the observation deck, where telescopes give you a closer look at Cairo’s landmarks.
However, there’s only one elevator, so the waiting time is usually long. But they have express tickets that will get you upstairs faster and include a voucher for the restaurant above—it’s worth it, in my opinion.
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