Where being in Cairo, there are more adventurous things to do in Cairo. It is a mega-city that is actually a global center for being the largest capital city in the Middle East & North Africa and it acts as a bridge between cultures, and that is not all due to its unique geographic and social situation is alive with diversity. Here is a list of 25 things to do in Cairo:
Top 25 Things to Do in Cairo
What’re the Best Things Can I Do in Cairo? Here is the Answer!!
There are hundreds if not thousands of things that can be done in the metropolis city of Cairo for example, you can visit the impressive historical, Islamic, and Coptic landmarks in Cairo, in addition to enjoying its bazaars, alleyways, coffee shops, and make sure that there is always something to do in Cairo just like watching the sunset from a felucca on the Nile or heading in some breathtaking tours where you can navigate this amazing colorful city with locals. And in order not to miss anything while being there, we decided to offer you the top 25 things to do in Cairo:
1- Travel Back in Time to Giza Pyramids Complex
You may have heard thousands of stories about the majestic wonders of the three terrific Pyramids in Giza Complex but living the real adventure of visiting it is actually the real concept of adventure that must be lived.
One of the best things to do in Cairo is seeing how the great pyramid of Khufu stands as a symbol of greatness with its huge size and see how his son Khafre and his grandson Menkaure continued his way to reach the highest level of remarkable accomplishments in Egypt. You will also have a look at the incredible Sphinx that symbolizes power as it has the facial features of his builder Khafre and a body of a lion to protect the three pyramids from any evil according to the ancient Egyptian myth.
Don’t miss a visit to the spectacular Valley Temple that was used for two main reasons; one of them was the purification process of the mummy of the pharaoh and the other reason was that it witnessed many mummification processes that used to be held there.
2- Discover The First Pyramid in Egypt at Saqqara Area
Saqqara has a truly significant historical background because of the fact that it was ruled by the first and the most effective ancient Egyptian Pharaohs who inscribed their names all over the temples & tombs’ walls.
It is also believed that the necropolis of Saqqara is protected by god Sokar and there you will find one of the first and the most important historical achievements which is Saqqara Step Pyramid that is the funerary complex of King Djoser and it was mainly constructed by putting a mastaba “A Bench” over one another until it became the first pyramid and one of its kind among the whole pyramids collection in Egypt.
3- Visit The First Capital in Ancient Egypt at Memphis City
This hypnotic city was founded by King Menes and it was the amazing capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom. Because of its strategic position at the mouth of the Nile Delta, Memphis was the home to feverish activity all through its history and one of the favorite things to do in Cairo for tourists.
Moreover, Memphis thrived as a very essential center of commerce, trade, and religion during its golden age. It was also believed that the city was under the protection of god Ptah “The Patron of Craftsmen” and among the most prominent structure in the city, you will find the Great temple that is called “Hut-Ka-Ptah” and there, you will also find the breathtaking statue of Ramses II.
4- Wander at Dahshur Pyramids Area
While being in Cairo, you can have unforgettable things to do in Cairo by enjoying a tour to the Dahshur Pyramids area that is akin to a great book that narrates some glorious stories of ancient Egyptian history.
You will find there some incredible pyramids that date back to the IV & XII dynasties including the Pyramid of Amenemhat II & Amenemhat III “The Black Pyramid”, The Bent Pyramid, The Red Pyramid, and some other pyramids that were built out of mud, bricks dating back to the XII dynasty.
5- Explore The Spectacular Artifacts of The Egyptian Museum
This sensational museum houses the largest collection in the world of the ancient Egyptian artifacts including the famous collection of King Tut’s treasures with his beautiful golden death mask, sarcophagus, and the incredible Mummy room that houses eleven Pharaonic dignitaries.
Egyptian museum dates back to the time when Mohamed Ali Pasha was the ruler of Egypt in 1825 as he issued a decree to establish a museum especially for the precious antiquities of Egypt.
6- Enjoy Cairo Sight from Above The Citadel of Salah El-Din
Visit the Saladin Citadel is considered one of the best Islamic things to do in Cairo. This is with no doubt a must be visited attraction whose construction was started by Saladin in 1176 as a fortification against the crusaders and after that, it became home to Egypt’s rulers for more than 700 years.
Salah El-Din Citadel includes some interesting attractions including a collection of three terrific mosques, several palaces, and a couple of terraces with superb Cairo views. There are many constructions within the citadel just like an arsenal, entrance routes, a hall of justice, huge terrace, numerous gates, and other fascinating attractions there.
7- Visit The Spectacular Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha
Another Islamic thing to do in Cairo is to visit the beautiful Mohamed Ali Mosque which is not just an ancient mosque in Cairo, but also it is one of the most essential historical & religious parts in Cairo because of its grandeur and its amazing location in the citadel.
It is known as the “Alabaster Mosque” because of its extensive use of stones on its service. It is an unparallel contribution to the skyline of Cairo because of its majestic towering Minarets & dome that give the citadel a romantic & oriental quality.
8- Experience Authentic Egyptian Dinners
Egypt is best known for its amazing dinner meals through which you will get the chance to experience some gorgeous Egyptian dishes whether you are at your hotel, walking through the Egyptian avenues.
You can experience the unbelievable dinner cruise through which you will taste a truly astonishing dinner meal on the board of a Nile cruise while listening to some interesting Egyptian stories about how the ancients managed to create such an amazing culture & civilization.
There is also El-Moez Street where you will be able to taste the most delicious meals in your life. It has a big selection of restaurants & cafés that give you the chance to taste some of the tiptop food types in Egypt.
9- Enjoy A Relaxed Tour At Al Azhar Park
One of the amazing fun things to do in Cairo is to visit Al Azhar park that emeralds grass and fountains where you will be able to sit beside the lake or even on the terraces of one of the stunning restaurants there.
Moreover, it is listed as one of the World’s sixty great republic spaces that were created by the historic cities support program of the aga Khan “The one who claims to be a descendant of the Fatimid Caliphs” Trust of Culture. In short, it is the best park in Cairo and surly if you visited it once, you will keep visiting it whenever you find yourself in Egypt.
10- Tour Into The Chaos and Bustle of Islamic Cairo at El Muizz Street
Head to the biggest open-air Islamic Museum in Egypt and all over the world as its importance mainly came out of housing variety of monuments that were built thousands of years ago by different rulers & elites who lived in Cairo during the Fatimid Period and later o.
It is located between the gates of old Cairo Bab El-Futtuh. There, you will find tens of mosques, schools, houses that have Islamic architectural features including the astonishing Sabil-Kuttab of Katkhuda that presents the Islamic & the Ottoman art, El-Azhar Mosque, the Complex of Qalawun, and many other impressive Islamic features that are visited by thousands of tourists daily.
11- Watch The Sunset at The Mighty Mokattam Cliff
Enjoy the bizarre sound atop the hills of Mokattam where you can immerse in Cairo’s daily whirlwind of noise and enjoy the sunset that is with no doubt one of the best chances through which you can enjoy the view of Cairo from the highest point. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by a man who holds plastic chairs and he will ask you if you would like to try shisha or if you would like to drink something as there is also a café near you to enjoy some of the best Egyptian drinks.
One of the major reasons to head to this gorgeous site is the imaginative magentas & peach shades of the sun that melts into the haze and the scene of Cairo from Mokattam stretches out westward over a sea of jumbled rooftops and minarets towards the great pyramids of Giza.
12- Make The Dream Come True by Visiting Heliopolis Town
Visiting Heliopolis Town is considered one of the exceptional things to do in Cairo. It is truly a uniquely designed area of buildings that is more than 100 years old. Some of the sites in the area are religious ones and others are historical ones. You will also find there some recent Pharaohnic discoveries when excavations for construction are done. It is a bright & open suburb filled with 19th & 20th-century structures so it is surely a unique adventure for many travelers.
13- Spend A Whole Day in Coptic Cairo
It is such a unique area within Old Cairo that includes a concentration of some of the most famous Christian Churches that date from centuries from the decline of the Pharaonic era until the revival of Isla.
Among the most unparallel sites that must be visited in Coptic Cairo is the Coptic Museum that was founded in 1910 and holds the largest collection of Coptic Christian artwork and it is mainly recorded Coptic history from the arrival of Christianity in Egypt up through the Ottoman era.
Moreover, there are 6 churches including the great Hanging Church, the Church of St.Serguis, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and other mesmerizing churches that shouldn’t be missed while being in Old Cairo.
14- Witness A Colorful Tannoura Performance
Some tourists come especially to Egypt to witness some of its impressive traditional performances and among the most well-known traditional performance is the Colorful Tannoura one that is mainly acted in special celebrations like wedding parties, and so on.
15- Attend the Sound and Light of Giza pyramids by Night
You shouldn’t miss the sound and light show while being in Cairo that is a magnificent show which brings creativity to life through discovering some secrets about the ancient Egyptians. Egyptian artists have created a creative show to present some important images from some ancient historical eras.
History there is re-told about the mythical Sphinx and the construction of the breathtaking Pyramids of Giza. You will know all about the ancient dynasty of the great king Khufu and how his son and his grandson followed his leadership in constructing what is known today as wonders of the ancient world.
16- Capture Unforgettable Souvenirs from Khan El Khalili Bazaar
There is no better chance to do some interesting shopping tours than those that can be done in Khan El-Khalili Bazaar “The Largest open-air market in the World”. It is a colorful exciting bazaar full of all types of goods & shiny baubles.
There, you will find a spice Market where you will be able to get some fresh spices of any variety plus finding a perfume market that is awash with countless mixing scents of essential oils. There are also some fabric shops, carpet vendors, clothes shops and many other terrific stores where you will find all of what you may need and prices there are really reasonable.
17- Eat Koshary from Abu Tarek
Taste the Egyptian Koshary is one of the famous things to do in Cairo. Among the most delicious Egyptian traditional foods that shouldn’t be missed is Koshary which is a plate consists of fried onion, vinegar, spicy tomato sauce, chickpeas, and lentils. The best place in Egypt that offers an incredible mix of Koshary is called Abu Tarek that is located downtown in Cairo.
18- Grab Your Camera and Take A Memorable with The Local Inhabitance
The Egyptians are really nice people and they really welcome visitors and love taking pictures with them. Some Egyptians even offer you some tea and welcome you at their houses. They love tourists and love narrating some ancient Egyptian stories to them. You won’t feel like a stranger there at all but you will feel that it is your home and you will enjoy a lot with the inhabitance.
19- Sail Down the Nile in a Felucca
Felucca is simply a traditional Egyptian sailboat that has plied the mighty Nile since the ancient time of Egypt. Some of the feluccas in Cairo sail during the day taking in the colorful sights of the Nile village life with some various stops. Others sail at night and nothing beats the experience of sleeping under a blanket of stars at the riverside.
20- See Cairo from The Highest Point at Cairo Tower
Get some Panoramic outstanding views from the highest point in Cairo “Cairo Tower” that is 187 m. You will find there a restaurant at the top of the tower that revolves around the tower’s main axis. Naoum Chebib was the one who designed the tower and its completion took about 5 years. It opens from 8:00 am to 12:00 am.
21- Be One of the First People Who Visit The Grand Egyptian Museum
It is a life chance things to do in Cairo to be able to be among the first ones who have the chance to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum that is believed to get opened in 2023. It is constructed on about 500,000 square meters and it is expected to house around 100,000 artifacts from various periods of Egypt’s history.
22- Ride the Camel and Tour in Giza Pyramids Pyramids
Riding horses and camels is considered the most enjoyable thing to do in Cairo and the Giza Complex as it is an untraditional way of touring around Giza Pyramids while following the steps of the ancients in moving from a place to another. The best thing about it is that it is cheap and has various durations that you can choose from and you can arrange directly while being there.
23- Explore the Life in Ancient Egypt at the Pharaonic Village
The Pharaonic Village is a majestic historic experience where Egypt’s entire history is narrated in a tour that lasts from 2 to 3 hours from the ancient to modern life if Egypt. It is located 3 miles from the center of Cairo on an island in the Nile and the most interesting thing about it is that you will be transferred by a floating amphitheater and this experience is definitely an exceptional one especially for kids.
24- Enjoy A Short Excursion at Downtown Cairo
There are many things to do in Cairo including some amazing shopping tours at downtown Cairo where you will be able to find the best Egyptian types of clothes, spices, antiques, perfume, Egyptian alabaster in addition to having the opportunity to visit El-Muiz Street which is the most irresistible Historical street in Cairo that is rich with some of the most favorable ancient Islamic sites.
25- Watch the Magical Handicrafts at the Museum of Islamic Art
It is such an exceptional tourist site that includes a marvelous collection of Islamic art and impressive handicrafts and it is really a great opportunity for those who are interested in the Egyptian art of painting and handicrafts as the ancient Egyptians were among the first people who got the inspiration of doing the best handmade artifacts antiques and the Egyptian got their skill out of such impressive culture.
Discover The Best Thing You Can Do in Cairo Through Only 4 Days!!!
Spending 4 days in Cairo is considered the most convenient duration to visit the majority of the best highlights in Cairo including the majestic historical, Islamic, and Coptic attractions. With our private Egypt tour packages and your totally private tour guide, you will enjoy a lot while visiting the spectacular landmarks & attractions there such as Giza pyramids, the Sphinx, Saqqara area, Memphis city, The Egyptian Museum, Salah El Din Citadel, Mohamed Ali mosque, Khan El Khalili bazaar and with no doubt, it is going to be an unforgettable experience for you in Cairo.
Finally, through our Cairo day tours, you will enjoy some terrific trips to the best-chosen tourist sites in Cairo and some other majestic Egyptian cities to have an incomparable experience while being in Egypt. Check the best Cairo excursions you can do through this tours:
Cairo layover & stopover tours to witness the most famous Ca...
Duration
1 Day
Availability
Everyday
Enjoy your pyramids day tour from Cairo Airport accompanied ...
Duration
1 Day
Availability
Everyday
Private day trip from Cairo to Pyramids to witness the Pyram...
Duration
1 Day
Availability
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Enjoy Cairo city tour to the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalil...
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1 Day
Availability
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FAQ
What Should I Wear While Being in Egypt?
You should wear whatever you want. It is advised to wear something light from cotton or linen, comfortable and put on sunblock during your time in Egypt in the summer and wear comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the sandy terrain.
What to Pack for Your Egypt Tour?
You should bring a brimmed hat and sunglasses if you not used to the Egyptian sun &pack everything you could ever need and put in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
Are All Nile Cruises Available at Any Time?
Yes, it is available all years. as the Nile from Aswan to Luxor takes three to four days of sailing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the total cost of 600$ and the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan take four to five days in Saturday, Monday and Thursday for the coast of 650$.
Why book Trips in Egypt?
We have experience in vacation planning for more than 10 years & our staff consists of the most professional operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort create the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time advisors to fit your every possible need during your time in egypt. we always keep in mind that your safety & comfort are our main priority until you return home.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel to egypt, You will feel secure in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is very peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt and construct an entire environment dedicated for ensuring the lives of all tourists.
What are Egypt's Visa Requirements?
They are very simples, If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries(check the link), have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD entry fee in cash. As for the E-Visa for 30 days, you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could be one of the countries eligible for a free visa for 90 days.
What is the Weather is Like?
The temperature of Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c, Summer in Egypt is somehow hot and winter is cool and mild but sometimes it becomes cold at night. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 23 ¡ÆC in the summertime and average high temperatures vary from 17 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 32 ¡ÆC in the summertime while the temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
What is the Best Time of Visit Egypt?
It is known the best time to travel to Egypt is in the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a bit tropical, a warm atmosphere with a winter breeze. You will also be notified a week before your trip if the weather is unsafe or if any changes have been made.
Should I Give Tips in Egypt?
It is totally up to you, but if you choose to you can tip the servers at your restaurant 5-10% by handing it to them directly and 5 Egyptian Pounds as a general tip of anyone.
Can I Enter the Pyramids?
Yes, you can enter the pyramids for the small fee of 20$.
How to Enjoy Egypt During Ramadan?
Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims that should be celebrated by non-Muslims and feel the essence of the Islamic culture. You can fast with the Muslim or just observe but you are always welcome to join the celebrations and festivals.
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