The 13 Best Things to do in Cairo, Egypt

On the lookout for the best things to do in Cairo?

Cairo is just one of the great cities of the ancient globe. House to some of the oldest pyramids and artifacts observed wherever on earth, this 10 million powerful megacity is also Egypt’s major metropolis as perfectly as its money.

As a well known vacationer spot for generations, the city’s infamous pollution, sound and crime have not detracted from its ongoing position along the tourist path.

15 Best Factors to do in Cairo Egypt

Modern day Cairo is whole of daily life and vigor, and while most readers at the same time like and despise the city for varying good reasons, there is no doubt that lively Cairo should be expert at the very least the moment in your life.

Finding to Cairo by air is comparatively straightforward. Irrespective of whether you are traveling from London or New York, or have Sharjah to Cairo tickets, with the most cost-effective airfares in the low year of November to March (excluding Xmas).

See the Pyramids of Giza (Giza Necropolis)

When people today feel of Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza are at the top of the list.

The greatest pyramid on the Giza Plateau, as perfectly as all of Egypt, is the Excellent Pyramid. Regarded domestically as the Pyramid of Khufu (for the pharaoh it was originally constructed for in the early 26th century BC), its narrow passages can be explored. Even so, the big exterior is what men and women frequently marvel at.

Farther south together the plateau is the Pyramid of Khefre (also acknowledged as the Pyramid of Chephren). It contains an inner tunnel that can be explored. The lesser Pyramid of Mycerinus (also known as the Pyramid of Menkaure) stands proper upcoming to it.

This location on the edge of Cairo would make a wonderful half day go to. You can get here by metro, taxi or by signing up for a tour. If you want to get the most out of it, a tour is strongly advisable.

Guess the riddle of The Terrific Sphinx

Also positioned at the Giza Necropolis at the entry to the Giza Plateau, stands the Fantastic Sphinx of Giza. Seemingly guarding the large pyramids, the lion-bodied and pharaoh-faced Sphinx is as iconic with historical Egypt as the pyramids by themselves.

Developed all around 2500 BC for the pharaoh Khafre (the builder of the 2nd Pyramid at Giza), the Sphinx is a huge monolith carved from the bedrock of the plateau that served as the quarry for the pyramids and other monuments in the space. It’s believed by a couple that the head of the Sphinx may well have been carved initially out of a pure bedrock that was beforehand sculpted by the wind to give it condition. The place around it was excavated afterwards to offer blocks for the pyramids.

Float together the Nile River

Cairo is a terrific jumping off place for a Nile River cruise. The northward flowing Nile is the longest river in Africa and is normally thought to be the longest river in the planet. It meanders by way of 11 African international locations and splits in two just north of Cairo to empty into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Nile fuels hydro dams and gives irrigation all together its route. However, Cairo has a beautiful unspoiled river entrance that is excellent for a water cruise. You can decide on involving party boats, historic boats and overnight and all-inclusive possibilities. Some deals also incorporate guided tours to the Pyramids and other landlocked web pages.

Get missing at the Egyptian Museum

Also identified as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities or the Cairo Museum, the Egyptian Museum is a person of the biggest museums in the location, as properly as just one of the oldest archaeological museums in the Middle East.

It properties about 120,000 Egyptian artifacts, several of them pharaonic in nature. Normally portrayed in publications and films, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo is a terrific spot to get dropped in the earlier.

Showcasing almost everything from mummies and fantastically 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 up each and every working day from 9 am to 5 pm. Entrance tickets price 200 EGP for grown ups and 100 EGP for college students.

Wander by means of the Nationwide Museum of Egyptian Civilizations (NMEC)

The initially of its kind in Egypt, the NMEC displays the historical past of Egypt from prehistoric instances all the way to these days. It’s a substantial museum with well about 50,000 artifacts, together with the picket Coffin of King Ramses II and the gold foiled leaf cartonage (ancient Egyptian mix consisting of linen or papyrus held with each other with glue) coffin of Nejim Ankh.

Amassing artifacts from all the key museums in the area and opened in 2017, its selection of Pharaoh mummies is fairly comprehensive as well as its collection of Greco-Roman, Medieval, Islamic and contemporary.

Break up into two long lasting collections, you can investigate both of those the chronological aspect and the thematic aspect.

The Nationwide Museum of Egyptian Civilizations is open up each individual day from 9 am to 5 pm.

Entrance tickets value 200 EGP for older people and 100 EGP for learners.

Admire the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo

The Hanging Church, additional formally identified as the Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is 1 of the oldest churches in Egypt. The first iteration of the church very likely dates to the third century, and is also termed the Suspended Church or Al-Moallaqa. It was designed by edict of the Roman emperor Diocletian.

The Hanging Church is not truly hanging. As a substitute, the hanging title arrived about since it’s crafted on top rated of, or hanging in excess of, the gates of an old Roman fortress.

It is a exceptional structure, with a roof formed in the meant structure of Noah’s Ark. The altar is primarily attractive, with lotus-shaped inlaid wood panels decorating the wall over the altar.

Entrance to the Hanging Church is cost-free, but donations are acknowledged.

The Coptic Museum is found by the Hanging Church. It houses the premier collection of Coptic artifacts in the environment. The entrance price for foreigners to the Coptic Museum is 40 EGP (Egyptian Lbs .).

Enjoy the look at from the Cairo Citadel

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

It’s a formidable and impressive defensive fortress, because of to its strategic site on the Muqattam Hills.

It’s also one particular of the finest places to get pleasure from an unrestricted panoramic watch of Cairo.

There’s a whole lot to see listed here, including the Muhammad Ali Mosque, crafted by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1848 Advert, and the Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque, which was the royal mosque through the Mamluk time period. The site also contains the Nationwide Police Museum, and the National Military Museum.

Daytime foreigner entrance rate, grownup: EGP 200, night time browsing foreigner entrance fee, adult: EGP 160.

Unwind in the green oasis of Al Azhar Park

Al Azhar Park is a lovely, restful break from the noise and busyness of Cairo.

There’s a good deal of greenery, such as palm trees, with children’s enjoy spots, fountains, a lake, and eating places. There are even trips by golfing cart within the park.

Located by the Outdated City of Cairo, Al Azhar Park is an expansive 30 hectares (74 acres). The park was at first a 500-12 months-aged dumping floor, which was reworked into a eco-friendly oasis with waterfalls, citrus trees, and gardens. It opened in 2005, and charge in excessive of 30 million USD.

Though you’re at the park, pay a visit to nearby Al-Azhar Mosque, which is Cairo’s initial mosque, commissioned in 970. Admission to the mosque is absolutely free.

Admission to Al Azhar Par is not no cost. Foreigner tickets are EGP 30, and EGP 35 on Sunday.

There is so a lot to do and see in historic Cairo that we could not halt at just the standard top 10 Cairo sights. If you’re hunting for some additional bucket list products for sightseeing in Cairo, in this article are five a lot more suggestions.

Discover the Cave Church

Checking out the Cave Church is a person of the most one of a kind issues to do in Cairo.

The Cave Church, or Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, is located in the Mokattam mountain in southeastern Cairo. To get to the Cave Church, you will will need to go through Garbage City.

Garbage Town is a lousy settlement at the base of Mokattam Hill on the outskirts of Cairo. It has Cairo’s biggest concentration of Zabbaleen garbage collectors, with an economy which revolves close to amassing and recycling the city’s rubbish.

Garbage from increased Cairo gets collected by the Zabbaleen and taken to the Garbage City settlement. Citizens then separate the rubbish from the recycling. There is garbage almost everywhere – the roofs, streets, and so on.

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

With a seating ability of 20,000 it is the major church in the Middle East.

The Cave Church is no cost to stop by.

Bring your bargaining expertise to the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar

In the heart of Islamic Cairo, the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar is a active and colourful open up-air bazaar. You will obtain everything from spices to perfumes to souvenirs to jewelry to hanging lamps.

There’s a large amount to see in this article, which includes Cairo avenue stores filled with haggling shopkeepers, slender alleyways, buskers, bars and eating places.

Credit rating cards are not approved in the vast majority of the stores at Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, but USD and Euros are typically recognized.

There is no cost to enter the bazaar.

Shop right up until you fall at the Cairo Competition Metropolis Shopping mall

This modern shopping mall has all the requisite characteristics you’d hope in a mall, together with global chain shops, a cinema, dining establishments and a foods court docket. It also connects to IKEA.

There is even a dancing fountain attraction.

It’s a substantial, modern area, with totally free Wi-Fi, procuring cart rentals, and valet parking. You can even lease a ability financial institution for your cell phone.

If you have kids, you will love the stroller rental, mommy’s area, and boy or girl identification bracelets. There’s also Magic Earth, with rides, games, and enjoyment for the children (and adults).

There’s no cost to go to the shopping mall.

Walk Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Road

Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Avenue (recognised regionally as Al-Muizz) is a big road in the walled town of Historic Cairo.

1 of Cairo’s oldest streets, it dates back again to the basis of the first walled metropolis in the 10th century.

Jogging north-to-south, the street grew in fame in component to its proximity to the well known markets in the spot, like the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar, as effectively as the massive and stunning structures designed alongside it, particularly in direction of the northern portion with its finely restored Mamluk buildings.

At just a person kilometer in length inside the walled metropolis, running from gate to gate, traversing its duration is an effortless wander for most folks.

Some of the highlights alongside Al-Muizz incorporate the Madrassa of as-Salih Ayyub, constructed in 1247 and a fine case in point of Islamic architecture. Straight across from the madrassa is the beautiful Madrassa of Qalaun, viewed as by several as just one of the Mamluk period’s finest architectural triumphs.

Done in 1293 by Qalaun’s son, Muhammad al-Nasir upcoming to it has an interior filled with wonderful marble, mom-of-pearl mosaics, intricate tile get the job done, and stained-glass windows. Farther north is the younger Madrassa of an-Nasr Mohammed (crafted in 1309) with tons of ornate detailing.

Up coming, you have the Egyptian Textile Museum with a broad collection that spans the Pharaonic period appropriate up to the Islamic period. as effectively as the substantial and remarkable Sultan Hassan Mosque (Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan).

Get pleasure from the views at the Cairo Tower

Located 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 no cost standing tower of concrete is second only to the Pyramids of Giza in recognition, and its circular observation deck and revolving cafe at the best have some of the greatest sights in Cairo.

House to the district of Zamalek and the majority of Cairo’s arty boutiques and hipster dining places, the Nile Island of Gezira that the Cairo Tower sits on is also a good spot to dangle out with mates and explore.

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