Things To Do In Cairo
Cairo stands as one of the globe’s premier megacities.
When it comes to exploring historical sites, there’s hardly another city that can match Cairo’s allure, yet Egypt’s capital boasts an array of activities beyond just museums and mosques.
As stunning and steeped in ancient splendor as it is overwhelming and a sensory overload for newcomers, Cairo is a city that both captivates and vexes tourists. Its relentless noise, pollution, and congestion might make it challenging to get around initially, yet Egypt’s capital is rich in offerings that attract those who see past its issues.
Lively and vibrant, Cairo is the ideal destination to experience contemporary Egyptian urban life. No Egyptian journey is complete without a visit to the city known as Umm al-Dunya (The Mother of the World) by the locals.
Things To Do In Cairo
The primary draw for tourists is the Giza Pyramids, which are just a stone’s throw away from the city, but Cairo is filled with major landmarks that cover a vast span of historical eras. With so much to see and do in Cairo, it’s impossible to see everything in one visit.
To help you prioritize your sightseeing and manage your time, refer to our guide of the top attractions in Cairo.
1. Pyramids Of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest among the three Pyramids of Giza and the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, has managed to endure the test of time, preserving the legacy of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Things To Do In Cairo
Initially towering at 146.5 meters, the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza has diminished by approximately 9 meters since its construction in 2570 B.C. This is due to a scar on the interior chamber of the Pyramid, which names the construction crew and references the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, leading to its nickname, the Pyramid of Khufu.
- The Pyramid of the Sphinx, with its lion body and human face, rises to about 20 meters on the west bank of the Nile River. This iconic structure has been revered as a legendary beast in Greek mythology, known for its ruthless nature, setting deadly riddles and eliminating those unable to solve them.Crafted from limestone, the Sphinx is celebrated as the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt, the same stone used for the construction of the Pyramids of Giza. Visitors to the Sphinx will notice the layers of nummulitic limestone, each varying in resistance to erosion.
Things To Do In Cairo - The Pyramid of Menkaure, constructed by Pharaoh Menkaure, is the third pyramid of Giza. It is also the smallest among the three, reaching a height of 61 meters. This pyramid is a testament to the architectural finesse of ancient Egypt, having withstood the trials of time and the attempts of rulers from the ancient world to destroy it.
- The Pyramid of Khafre, standing at around 136 meters tall with a base of over 215 meters, is also known as the Second Pyramid of Giza. This pyramid, built by the 4th Dynasty Pharaoh Khafre of Egypt, originally boasted a coating of Tura limestone, which reflected the sunlight brightly. Over time, the limestone’s whitish hue has faded, leaving behind a yellow-brownish color, as observed by visitors today.
2. Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
Indeed, it’s a popular spot for tourists and you’ll find yourself surrounded by greetings like “welcome,””come,” and “please, take a look.” However, exploring Cairo is not complete without wandering through the narrow streets of Khan El-Khalili bazaar, where you might find yourself tempted to purchase incense, small cups for mint tea, or tiny smoking pipes.
Things To Do In Cairo
Alongside cafes near Al-Azhar mosque, you can enjoy piping hot bowls of koshary, a beloved dish made with rice, macaroni, lentils, tomato sauce, and fried onions, and feteer, a sweet or savory Egyptian pastry. For a more sophisticated and air-conditioned environment, visit the Naguib Mahfouz cafe, a homage to the renowned author who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988.
For avid Mahfouz enthusiasts, there’s a museum dedicated to the author’s life and works tucked away in a small alley next to the Abu al-Dahab mosque. Conclude your day with a mesmerizing Sufi whirling dervishes performance in the open-air courtyard of the Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Centre.
3. The Egyptian Museum
Contrary to what has been spread, the Grand Egyptian Museum will not take over the original Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. Actually, the government has just opened a newly renovated section in the 120-year-old structure. Before the extensive renovation, which was funded by the European Union and supported by five major European museums, the disorganized exhibits looked more like a storage facility.
Things To Do In Cairo
Although it will no longer house its most famous attraction—the Tutankhamun funerary mask and other treasures of the young pharaoh—there are still over 40,000 artifacts to explore, including several mummies. At the entrance, you’ll find a genuine copy of the Rosetta Stone, which is in better condition than the one at the British Museum and is believed to be over a century old.
After your visit, enjoy lunch at Felfela, a 10-minute walk away, and sample the molokhia green soup and om ali—a traditional hot puff pastry filled with milk, nuts, and raisins—for dessert.
4. Felucca Rides
It’s a must to take a breezy felucca ride on the Nile, especially if it’s accompanied by a meal on board. Cafellucca offers two hours of transportation for breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply drinks but at least six people are needed.
Things To Do In Cairo
They leave from a variety of places, such as the Nile City restaurant ship in Zamalek’s wealthy island district or Mamsha Ahl Masr, which is almost new for pedestrians to pass by at the Fairmont Hotel. Alternatively, with Cairow, you can take an early morning rowing lesson on the Nile, while the water is still relatively calm.
5. Coptic Cairo
Coptic Cairo, also referred to in Arabic as Mogamaa Al-Adyan (meaning complex of religions), is the location of the ancient religious sites of the three monotheistic faiths. Currently, Copts make up approximately 10 percent of the Muslim-dominant population in Egypt.
Key attractions include the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church, named for its position above a gate of the Babylon Fortress; the Amr Ibn al-As mosque, the earliest mosque in Egypt established in 642 AD; and the Ben Ezra synagogue, considered to be the oldest continuously preserved synagogue site in the Middle East. These sites are all within a short walking distance of each other and are accessible for free, with the exception of the Coptic Museum.
Things To Do In Cairo
6. National Museum of Egyptian Civilization In April 2021
Egypt paraded 22 royal mummies through the streets of Cairo, from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir to its new home in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Fustat, in a global televised event.
In this excellent museum, 18 kings and four queens are on display at the bottom level to illustrate bits of Egypt’s history dating back to the Pharaonic period. The main level is a gold coffin of the priest Nedjemankh, which had been smuggled out of Egypt by illegal means and returned to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art after an investigation was launched.
7. Gayer-Anderson Museum
Right next door to Ibn Tulun mosque is a little-known museum whose name sticks out like a sore thumb among its Arabic surroundings. The property is named after John Gayer-Anderson, a British soldier and doctor who was seconded into the Egyptian Army as a major in 1907.
Things To Do In Cairo
From 1935 to 1942, he was granted special permission to live in these two adjacent 16th century houses which had been renovated and equipped with his collection of antiquities. On his death in 1945, these were passed on to the Government of Egypt.
Mashrabiya screens and various thematic rooms, like the Persian room or the Damascus chamber, are part of the museum’s intriguing architecture. For film buffs, a few scenes from the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me were shot here.
8. Salah el din kitadel
For about 700 years, the Citadel had been Egypt’s seat of government, high above the city in the Mokattam hills. Salah El Din ordered its construction as a fortification against the Crusaders in 1176 and it was subsequently expanded under the Mamluks, the Ottomans, and finally the Mohammed Ali dynasty.
Things To Do In Cairo
There are a number of unspecialised museums in the palace, but two must be seen. The mosque of Mohammed Ali and the Gawhara Terrace for magnificent views over Cairo have been identified as Mustsees. Then combine it with a visit to nearby AlAzhar Park, which is about 15 minutes from the airport by taxi, to take in some flowers, to see Cairenes from all walks of life, and to grab a bite to eat.
9.Cairo Tower
Standing at 613 feet, the Cairo Tower in Zamalek presents a panoramic vista of the metropolis, with views visible all around—on a crisp day, it’s even possible to catch a glimpse of the Pyramids of Giza from afar. Inspired by the majestic lotus flower of ancient Egypt, this landmark was a project commissioned by President Gamal Abdel Nasser and brought to fruition in 1961.
For visitors from abroad, buying in-door entry is quite affordable, priced at 200 Egyptian pounds. The tower features a unique 360 Revolving Restaurant, where a reservation is necessary with a minimum spend of an additional 250 Egyptian pounds. However, for those in the vicinity and seeking a change in culinary experience, we suggest trying Zooba, located on the 26th of July Street.
Things To Do In Cairo
This locally-owned restaurant introduces a modern spin on classic Egyptian street food and has recently been recognized as one of the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants.
10. Islamic Cairo
There are countless historic mosques within the heart of Islamic Cairo, which is usually referred to simply as Old Cairo. The mosque of Ahmed Ibn Tulun, which was founded in 876 by the Turkish governor of Egypt and Syria, is one of the most visited sites.
The AlRifa’i mosque, completed in 1912 and the resting place of members of Mohammed Ali’s family as well as the last Shah of Iran who died in Cairo in 1980, is another famous visit. A visit to the Museum of Islamic Art, which contains artifacts such as well conserved Qurans, intricate ceramic designs, carefully carved wood doors, is also worth a look.
Things To Do In Cairo
11. Art tours
Samia El Khodary launched Samia El Khodary Art Tours in 2018, aiming to guide tourists through Cairo’s modern art scene. This company presents a monthly selection of tours that explore different areas of Cairo, with Zamalek being a prime location, boasting over 35 art galleries and spaces such as Ubuntu, ArtTalks, and Aisha Fahmy Palace.
Right across from the Cairo Opera House is the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art, which showcases an extensive collection of art by notable artists from the 20th and 21st centuries, including Mahmoud Said, Inji Efflatoun, and Gazbia Sirry. For art enthusiasts, the Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Giza is highly recommended, though they should avoid visiting the Giza Zoo.
This museum is home to over 300 paintings by figures like Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Auguste Rodin, among others, and it reopened in 2021 with a significant upgrade to its security measures following a decade off due to the theft of Van Gogh’s “Poppy Flowers.”
Things To Do In Cairo
12. Island Of Al Manial
On a fourteen acres of land on the island of Al Manial in the Nile, Prince Mohammed Ali Tawfik, cousin to King Farouk, had drawn architectural plans and proposals for this palace. The building began in 1903 and was completed in 1937, including a reception hall, a clock tower, a mosque, a residence hall, a throne room, and a bizarre hunting museum with a taxidermy collection.
A quick look at the glittering gold throne room with portraits of Egypt’s rulers from 19th and 20th centuries will suffice, even if it is only for a brief glimpse.
