Ancient Egypt is among the world’s earliest civilizations, so it’s truly incredible that we are able to bear witness to the grandeur and ingenuity of that civilization today. Home to one of the world’s Seven Wonders and countless other ancient treasures, there is no destination quite like Egypt. At the heart of it all lies Cairo—a city where history comes alive.
In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Cairo so you, too, can see what makes this city timeless!
Where to Stay
I recommend staying in the Al-Tahrir neighborhood, near the iconic Tahrir Square. This area is at the heart of the city, giving you easy access to the Nile, the Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo, and vibrant modern districts like Zamalek. It’s also a relatively safe neighborhood: when I stayed there with my friends during our spring break trip to Egypt, we were able to spend our evenings exploring the neighborhood on foot.
We stayed at the Steigenberger, a luxury hotel right in Tahrir square. While I typically opt for budget hotels or hostels, in Cairo it was worth spending a bit more to stay in a high-quality hotel in a great location. Also, in comparison to its peer 4-star-hotels, the Steigenberger was rather decently priced (less than $170 per night, split between 2 people!).
Itinerary:
- Visit the Pyramids of Giza
- Explore Old Islamic Cairo
- Shop in Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
- Sail Along the Nile
- Tour the Egyptian Museum
- Day Trip to Alexandria
Visit the Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are likely a big part of why you’re visiting Cairo in the first place so, naturally, they are the first stop on this itinerary.
I have visited the pyramids twice. On my first visit, I booked a full-day tour of ancient Egypt. My friends and I were picked up at our hotel at 8:00am and driven to the Pyramids where we received an excellent tour. We went inside the great Pyramid and took a camel ride around Giza before going to Saqqara and Dahshur, two other ancient pyramid complexes. Thereafter, we had a lovely Egyptian lunch and then went to ancient Memphis where we saw larger-than-life statues made in the image of Pharaoh Ramses. I am so glad that we were able to combine our visit to the pyramids with visits to several other hallmarks of ancient Egypt… all for $35!
On my second visit to the pyramids, I booked for a shorter, less formal tour through my hotel. While this experience was also enjoyable, it was significantly more expensive than my first tour ($80 per person) and it only included transportation and a horse carriage ride at the Pyramids. We did not have a guide who could provide historical context, we did not enter any of the pyramids, and we did not get to see any sites beyond the pyramid complex (no Saqqara or Memphis this time)! However, this tour was done on a time crunch (we only had an afternoon in Cairo since we were just there on a layover), so I appreciated the fact that our hotel was able to make it happen on such short notice.
Overall though, while both experiences were memorable, I strongly recommend booking a full-day tour in advance for the best experience. My money went a lot further when I booked in advance through GetYourGuide ($35 versus $80 hello!). Additionally, having a professional tour guide who could share historical context was really important. Seeing such historic wonders without context doesn’t do them justice.
However, regardless of the tour you choose, just make sure you book from a reputable source. Buying tickets to the pyramids on-site is extremely risky because of the prevalence of scams– you do not want to be unreasonably overcharged or –worse– sold fake tickets.
Explore Old Islamic Cairo
Cairo is a historically fascinating city because, in addition to monuments from antiquity, it also boasts more recent— yet still ancient– architecture and monuments. The best of these can be seen in old Islamic Cairo.
Exploring Old Islamic Cairo feels like stepping back in time, with its narrow streets, ancient mosques, and citadels that have been well-preserved for over a thousand years. Key sites to visit include the Citadel of Saladin, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Hanging Church, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. I highly recommend booking a guide for this part of Cairo.
A knowledgeable guide brings the city’s rich history to life and helps you navigate its bustling streets, which can feel overwhelming at times. During my visit, I booked a tour of Islamic and Copic Cairo. We had an incredible Egyptian guide who also took us to an authentic restaurant for lunch, making it a deeply immersive experience.
Shop in Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
Khan El Khalili is the largest and oldest souk in all of Africa! In this sense, it doubles as both a historical site and a modern cultural hub. Since its establishment in the 12th century, the Khan El-Khalili bazaar has grown to exceed an area of 5,000 square metres. Therefore, there is plenty to see and even more to buy. If you’re going to buy souvenirs in Egypt, Khan El-Khalili is the place to do it.
Because of its relevance in Cairo today, Khan El-Khalili is not just a tourist highlight, but a local staple. Consequently, it has a level of authenticity that is not necessarily present in souks across the middle east. As a result, you can have an authenic experience at this bazaar whether you go there to shop or not. During my first visit to Khan El-Khalili, I simply enjoyed some live music, savored a cup of Egyptian mint tea, and got henna done on my hands.
That said, because of its size, Khan El-Khalili is easily the most hectic place I visited while in Egypt. There are so many people there at any given time, and it’s near impossible to navigate given its small winding passageways and overwhelming amount of shops. I would not suggest going there alone as a tourist: either go with a group of people, as I did with my friends, or hire a local guide. If you’re planning to shop, I especially suggest hiring a guide in order to ensure you’re getting fair prices because Khan El-Khalili, like most other souks, operates on a bargaining system rather than a fixed price system.
To ensure you pay fair prices, you can book a shopping tour of Khan El-Khalili whereby a guide will help you navigate and shop in the souk. However, for better value for money, I suggest booking an Old Cairo tour that includes Khan El-Khalili as a stop. That way, you will start your day with the aforementioned tour of Islamic and Coptic Cairo, stop for lunch, and end the day with your guide at the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar.
Sail Along the Nile
No visit to Egypt is complete without experiencing the Nile River, the lifeblood of ancient Egyptian civilization.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Nile. You can take a leisurely walk along its banks, visit sites like the Manial Palace, dine at one of its famous floating restaurants, or take a river cruise. During my first trip to Egypt, I did a Nile dinner cruise with my friends which was rather excellent. With that said, I would recommend a daytime Nile cruise over a dinner cruise so that you can actually see the city and enjoy the full sailing experience. For a truly authentic experience, book a ride on a traditional Egyptian Felucca boat.
Tour the Egyptian Museum in Cairo & The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
If you visit the pyramids expecting to see mummies and treasures, you might be disappointed: all the artifacts discovered at the Pyramids are no longer at the site of their discovery, but at the Egyptian Museum. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East and it has the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world.
At the museum, you will see the Treasures from King Tut’s Tomb, the Royal Mummies Room which includes the mummies of several prominent pharaohs, and a detailed replica of the Rosetta Stone. Additionally, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza, the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization, has accumulated a similarly impressive collection since its opening in 2022 as many artifacts from the original museum have been relocated there.
If you only have time for one museum, I suggest visiting the GEM because it is a lot larger than the original Egyptian museum. However, if you can, you should make time for the Egypt Museum in Cairo too– many famous pieces are still located there, so it will always be worth a visit.
When I went to the Egypt museum, I did not hire a tour guide and I sorely regretted that decision. I am no egyptologist so, while my rudimentary familiarity with Egyptian history allowed me to appreciate what I was seeing, having a guide would surely have enriched my understanding of the artifacts and their significance. You can book a professionally guided tour with an Egyptologist on GetYourGuide, or you can include the Egypt Museum as one stop on your day tour of Cairo.
Day Trip to Alexandria
My final recommendation isn’t in Cairo, but in the nearby ancient city of Alexandria. This is the only destination outside of Cairo that I’m suggesting because, unlike other major historical sites— such as Luxor or Aswan— Alexandria is manageable as a quick day trip. Just a 2.5-hour drive from Cairo, you can depart for Alexandria in the morning, enjoy a full day exploring, and return to Cairo by the evening.
As the birthplace of Cleopatra, a thriving ancient civilization that controlled trade between Egypt and the Mediterranean, and a cultural center that housed the legendary Great Library of Alexandria; this city is certainly a must-visit for all history-lovers.
To visit Alexandria, my friends and I booked a full-day tour with a private driver. We were picked up at the Steigenberger at 8am and by 10:30 we had arrived. Along with our guide, we visited the ancient Catacombs of El Shoqafa, the Roman Theater of Kom El-Deka, and the breathtaking Citadel of Qaitbay. We ended the day with lunch at a traditional seafood restaurant, which turned out to be the best meal I had Egypt!
Cairo is a city like no other…
From the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza and the treasures of the Egyptian Museum to the bustling Khan El-Khalili Bazaar and the tranquility of a Nile cruise, Cairo is a city where ancient history and modernity exist side by side.
Whether you’re marveling at the grandeur of ancient monuments, wandering through centuries-old streets, or simply enjoying a cup of mint tea at a local café, Cairo promises an experience that will stay with you long after you leave. So pack your bags, embrace the wonder of Egypt, and prepare to be transported through time in this remarkable city.
