The 13 Best Things to do in Cairo, Egypt

Searching for the finest factors to do in Cairo?

Cairo is 1 of the great cities of the ancient planet. House to some of the oldest pyramids and artifacts uncovered everywhere on earth, this 10 million solid megacity is also Egypt’s biggest city as effectively as its capital.

As a popular tourist desired destination for generations, the city’s infamous pollution, sound and crime have not detracted from its ongoing spot alongside the tourist trail.

15 Greatest Matters to do in Cairo Egypt

Modern-day Cairo is entire of daily life and vigor, and although most people at the same time appreciate and loathe the metropolis for varying good reasons, there is no doubt that vibrant Cairo ought to be experienced at the very least the moment in your lifetime.

Having to Cairo by air is relatively simple. Irrespective of whether you are flying from London or New York, or have Sharjah to Cairo tickets, with the most economical airfares in the minimal time of November to March (excluding Xmas).

See the Pyramids of Giza (Giza Necropolis)

When men and women believe of Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza are at the top of the listing.

The major pyramid on the Giza Plateau, as effectively as all of Egypt, is the Wonderful Pyramid. Regarded domestically as the Pyramid of Khufu (for the pharaoh it was at first built for in the early 26th century BC), its slender passages can be explored. Having said that, the big exterior is what people frequently marvel at.

Farther south along the plateau is the Pyramid of Khefre (also acknowledged as the Pyramid of Chephren). It features an interior tunnel that can be explored. The smaller sized Pyramid of Mycerinus (also identified as the Pyramid of Menkaure) stands right future to it.

This location on the edge of Cairo tends to make a excellent 50 % working day take a look at. You can get right here by metro, taxi or by becoming a member of a tour. If you want to get the most out of it, a tour is strongly advised.

Guess the riddle of The Fantastic Sphinx

Also located at the Giza Necropolis at the entry to the Giza Plateau, stands the Good Sphinx of Giza. Seemingly guarding the big pyramids, the lion-bodied and pharaoh-faced Sphinx is as legendary with historical Egypt as the pyramids themselves.

Constructed all around 2500 BC for the pharaoh Khafre (the builder of the Next Pyramid at Giza), the Sphinx is a big monolith carved from the bedrock of the plateau that served as the quarry for the pyramids and other monuments in the region. It is considered by a number of that the head of the Sphinx might have been carved 1st out of a purely natural bedrock that was previously sculpted by the wind to give it shape. The space all around it was excavated afterwards to present blocks for the pyramids.

Float alongside the Nile River

Cairo is a good jumping off point for a Nile River cruise. The northward flowing Nile is the longest river in Africa and is frequently thought to be the longest river in the entire world. It meanders via 11 African nations around the world and splits in two just north of Cairo to empty into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Nile fuels hydro dams and gives irrigation all along its route. On the other hand, Cairo has a stunning unspoiled river front that is ideal for a h2o cruise. You can pick out amongst social gathering boats, historic boats and overnight and all-inclusive selections. Some offers also incorporate guided excursions to the Pyramids and other landlocked web-sites.

Get dropped at the Egyptian Museum

Also identified as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities or the Cairo Museum, the Egyptian Museum is a single of the major museums in the region, as nicely as just one of the oldest archaeological museums in the Middle East.

It residences more than 120,000 Egyptian artifacts, numerous of them pharaonic in mother nature. Generally portrayed in books and motion pictures, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo is a good location to get shed in the previous.

Showcasing every little thing from mummies and wonderfully intricate gold masks, to pottery, papyri, sarcophagi and jewelry, the museum properties some of Egypt’s most prized collections. The museum was started in 1901.

The museum is open just about every working day from 9 am to 5 pm. Entrance tickets price tag 200 EGP for older people and 100 EGP for learners.

Wander through the Nationwide Museum of Egyptian Civilizations (NMEC)

The initial of its kind in Egypt, the NMEC displays the background of Egypt from prehistoric situations all the way to these days. It is a significant museum with properly more than 50,000 artifacts, including the picket Coffin of King Ramses II and the gold foiled leaf cartonage (historic Egyptian mix consisting of linen or papyrus held jointly with glue) coffin of Nejim Ankh.

Accumulating artifacts from all the key museums in the area and opened in 2017, its assortment of Pharaoh mummies is rather comprehensive as properly as its selection of Greco-Roman, Medieval, Islamic and up to date.

Break up into two long lasting collections, you can examine equally the chronological aspect and the thematic aspect.

The Countrywide Museum of Egyptian Civilizations is open just about every working day from 9 am to 5 pm.

Entrance tickets cost 200 EGP for older people and 100 EGP for pupils.

Admire the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo

The Hanging Church, more formally recognised as the Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is 1 of the oldest churches in Egypt. The 1st iteration of the church very likely dates to the 3rd century, and is also named the Suspended Church or Al-Moallaqa. It was developed by edict of the Roman emperor Diocletian.

The Hanging Church isn’t really hanging. As a substitute, the hanging name arrived about due to the fact it is crafted on major of, or hanging about, the gates of an aged Roman fortress.

It is a exclusive structure, with a roof shaped in the intended construction of Noah’s Ark. The altar is especially beautiful, with lotus-formed inlaid picket panels decorating the wall previously mentioned the altar.

Entrance to the Hanging Church is no cost, but donations are accepted.

The Coptic Museum is positioned by the Hanging Church. It properties the biggest selection of Coptic artifacts in the entire world. The entrance fee for foreigners to the Coptic Museum is 40 EGP (Egyptian Pounds).

Take pleasure in the check out from the Cairo Citadel

The Cairo Citadel is also known as the Citadel of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin), or the Citadel of Saladin.

It’s a formidable and extraordinary defensive fortress, owing to its strategic spot on the Muqattam Hills.

It’s also 1 of the most effective destinations to appreciate an unrestricted panoramic check out of Cairo.

There is a great deal to see here, together with the Muhammad Ali Mosque, constructed by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1848 Ad, and the Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque, which was the royal mosque throughout the Mamluk interval. The website also is made up of the Nationwide Police Museum, and the Nationwide Military services Museum.

Daytime foreigner entrance fee, grownup: EGP 200, evening traveling to foreigner entrance payment, adult: EGP 160.

Rest in the eco-friendly oasis of Al Azhar Park

Al Azhar Park is a beautiful, restful crack from the sound and busyness of Cairo.

There is loads of greenery, which include palm trees, with children’s perform regions, fountains, a lake, and restaurants. There are even outings by golf cart inside of the park.

Positioned by the Aged Town of Cairo, Al Azhar Park is an expansive 30 hectares (74 acres). The park was at first a 500-12 months-previous dumping floor, which was remodeled into a environmentally friendly oasis with waterfalls, citrus trees, and gardens. It opened in 2005, and charge in surplus of 30 million USD.

Although you’re at the park, visit close by Al-Azhar Mosque, which is Cairo’s to start with mosque, commissioned in 970. Admission to the mosque is free of charge.

Admission to Al Azhar Par is not free. Foreigner tickets are EGP 30, and EGP 35 on Sunday.

There’s so substantially to do and see in historic Cairo that we couldn’t prevent at just the standard top rated 10 Cairo attractions. If you are seeking for some additional bucket list items for sightseeing in Cairo, in this article are five far more suggestions.

Investigate the Cave Church

Viewing the Cave Church is a person of the most exclusive factors to do in Cairo.

The Cave Church, or Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, is situated in the Mokattam mountain in southeastern Cairo. To get to the Cave Church, you are going to will need to go via Rubbish City.

Garbage Metropolis is a poor settlement at the foundation of Mokattam Hill on the outskirts of Cairo. It has Cairo’s greatest focus of Zabbaleen rubbish collectors, with an economic climate which revolves about gathering and recycling the city’s rubbish.

Garbage from better Cairo gets collected by the Zabbaleen and taken to the Rubbish Metropolis settlement. Inhabitants then different the garbage from the recycling. There’s garbage all over the place – the roofs, streets, and so on.

The Cave Church is hand carved out of the mountain. The Cave Church itself is tranquil, peaceful, and clean up inside.

With a seating potential of 20,000 it’s the greatest church in the Center East.

The Cave Church is free to visit.

Deliver your bargaining abilities to the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar

In the heart of Islamic Cairo, the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar is a hectic and colourful open-air bazaar. You are going to discover every little thing from spices to perfumes to souvenirs to jewelry to hanging lamps.

There’s a great deal to see in this article, including Cairo avenue stores crammed with haggling shopkeepers, slender alleyways, buskers, bars and places to eat.

Credit score playing cards are not approved in the vast majority of the shops at Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, but USD and Euros are usually acknowledged.

There is no fee to enter the bazaar.

Shop right until you drop at the Cairo Pageant City Shopping mall

This contemporary shopping mall has all the requisite capabilities you’d expect in a shopping mall, which includes global chain outlets, a cinema, places to eat and a food stuff courtroom. It also connects to IKEA.

There’s even a dancing fountain attraction.

It’s a big, modern location, with totally free Wi-Fi, searching cart rentals, and valet parking. You can even lease a ability financial institution for your mobile phone.

If you have children, you are going to like the stroller rental, mommy’s room, and boy or girl identification bracelets. There is also Magic World, with rides, online games, and enjoyment for the young ones (and grownups).

There’s no price to stop by the shopping mall.

Wander Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Avenue

Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Avenue (known regionally as Al-Muizz) is a main street in the walled town of Historic Cairo.

Just one of Cairo’s oldest streets, it dates back again to the basis of the unique walled town in the 10th century.

Jogging north-to-south, the road grew in fame in component to its proximity to the well-liked marketplaces in the region, like the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar, as well as the large and wonderful properties constructed along it, specially toward the northern portion with its finely restored Mamluk buildings.

At just one kilometer in size inside the walled metropolis, jogging from gate to gate, traversing its length is an uncomplicated stroll for most folks.

Some of the highlights along Al-Muizz include the Madrassa of as-Salih Ayyub, designed in 1247 and a wonderful instance of Islamic architecture. Right across from the madrassa is the beautiful Madrassa of Qalaun, regarded by several as just one of the Mamluk period’s best architectural triumphs.

Accomplished in 1293 by Qalaun’s son, Muhammad al-Nasir subsequent to it has an inside filled with high-quality marble, mother-of-pearl mosaics, intricate tile perform, and stained-glass home windows. Farther north is the younger Madrassa of an-Nasr Mohammed (developed in 1309) with tons of ornate detailing.

Up coming, you have the Egyptian Textile Museum with a extensive selection that spans the Pharaonic era suitable up to the Islamic interval. as perfectly as the significant and amazing Sultan Hassan Mosque (Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan).

Take pleasure in the sights at the Cairo Tower

Situated on the Nile Island of Gezira is the Cairo Tower. Standing at 187m or 614ft, it is the tallest structure in Egypt and the tallest in North Africa. This absolutely free standing tower of concrete is next only to the Pyramids of Giza in level of popularity, and its circular observation deck and revolving cafe at the major have some of the ideal views in Cairo.

Residence to the district of Zamalek and the the vast majority of Cairo’s arty boutiques and hipster dining places, the Nile Island of Gezira that the Cairo Tower sits on is also a terrific place to cling out with buddies and explore.

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