Travel Guide of Cairo in Egypt by Influencers and Travelers
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world. Its metropolitan area, with a population of over 30 million, is the largest in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East, and the 6th-largest in the world.
The Best Things to Do and Visit in Cairo
TRAVELERS TOP 10 :
1 - Mosque of Ibn Tulun
7 km away
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is located in Cairo, Egypt. It is the oldest mosque in Egypt as well as the whole of Africa surviving in its full original form, and is the largest mosque in Cairo in terms of land area.
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2 - Cairo Citadel
7 km away
The Citadel of Cairo or Citadel of Saladin is a medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo, Egypt, built by Salah ad-Din and further developed by subsequent Egyptian rulers.
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3 - Tours & Sightseeing | Giza City Tours
17 km away
Step into the grandeur of history with Sun Pyramids Tours, as they whisk you away on a journey through time itself! A private guide will meet you at your Cairo hotel, leading you to the iconic Giza Plateau, where the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus majestically rise from the sands, a tribute to ancient ambition and craftsmanship. Prepare to be captivated by the Great Sphinx, the stoic guardian of Chephren, whose mysterious gaze has fascinated wanderers for ages. The adventure continues at the Valley Temple, a place of profound historical and cultural importance. Here, the mummies of pharaohs underwent purification and mummification, essential rituals for their voyage to the afterlife, as fundamental as the pyramids themselves. Witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the 5000-year-old necropolis. The Great Pyramids, a testament to human accomplishment, stand as timeless guardians of history, overseen by the ever-watchful Sphinx. This isn't just a tour; it's a pilgrimage to the heart of Egypt's splendor - an experience no traveler should miss.
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4 - Mosque of Muhammad Ali
7 km away
The Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha or Alabaster Mosque is a mosque situated in the Citadel of Cairo in Egypt and was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848.
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5 - Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
7 km away
The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan is a monumental mosque and madrassa located in the historic district of Cairo, Egypt. It was built between 1356 and 1363 during the Bahri Mamluk period, commissioned by Sultan an-Nasir Hasan.
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6 - Gezira Island
Gezira is an island in the Nile River, in central Cairo, Egypt. The southern portion of the island contains the Gezira district, and the northern third contains the Zamalek district.
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7 - Khan el-Khalili
6 km away
Khan el-Khalili is a famous bazaar and souq in the historic center of Cairo, Egypt. Established as a center of trade in the Mamluk era and named for one of its several historic caravanserais, the bazaar district has since become one of Cairo's main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike.
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8 - Al-Azhar Mosque
6 km away
Al-Azhar Mosque, known simply in Egypt as al-Azhar, is an Egyptian mosque in Islamic Cairo. Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah of the Fatimid dynasty commissioned its construction for the newly established capital city in 970.
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9 - Mosque of Amr ibn al-As
8 km away
The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, or Taj al-Jawame', or Masjid Ahl ar-Rayah, or Jame’ al-Ateeq, was originally built in 641–642 AD, as the center of the newly founded capital of Egypt, Fustat.
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10 - The Hanging Church
8 km away
Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, also known as The Hanging Church, is one of the oldest churches in Egypt and the history of a church on this site dates to the third century. It belongs to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.
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11 - Cairo Tower
The Cairo Tower - commonly known to locals as "Nasser's Pineapple" - is a free-standing concrete tower in Cairo, Egypt. At 187 m, it has been the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa for about 50 years.
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12 - Baron Empain Palace
12 km away
The Baron Empain Palace, better known as Le Palais Hindou, is a distinctive and historic Hindu temple inspired mansion in Heliopolis, a suburb northeast of central Cairo, Egypt.
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13 - Khufu Ship
12 km away
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14 - Great Sphinx of Giza
13 km away
The Great Sphinx of Giza, commonly referred to as the Sphinx of Giza or just the Sphinx, is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human.
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15 - Giza Necropolis
13 km away
The Giza pyramid complex, also called the Giza Necropolis, is the site on the Giza Plateau in Greater Cairo, Egypt that includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, along with their associated pyramid complexes and the Great Sphinx of Giza.
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16 - Giza Plateau
13 km away
The Giza Plateau is a plateau in Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, site of the Fourth Dynasty Giza Necropolis, which includes the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the Sphinx, several cemeteries, a workers' village and an industrial complex.
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17 - Pyramid of Khafre
13 km away
The Pyramid of Khafre or of Chephren is the second-tallest and second-largest of the 3 Ancient Egyptian Pyramids of Giza and the tomb of the Fourth-Dynasty pharaoh Khafre, who ruled c. 2558−2532 BC.
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18 - The Pyramids Of Giza
13 km away
The Giza Pyramid Complex, also called the Giza Necropolis, is the site on the Giza Plateau in Greater Cairo, Egypt that includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, along with their associated pyramid complexes and the Great Sphinx of Giza.
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19 - Great Pyramid of Giza
13 km away
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20 - Pyramid of Menkaure
14 km away
The Pyramid of Menkaure is the smallest of the three main Pyramids of Giza, located on the Giza Plateau in the southwestern outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. It is thought to have been built to serve as the tomb of the Fourth Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Menkaure.
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21 - Saqqarah
22 km away
The Serapeum of Saqqara is a serapeum located north west of the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, a necropolis near Memphis in Lower Egypt. It was a burial place of Apis bulls, sacred bulls that were incarnations of the ancient Egyptian deity Ptah.
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Pictures and Stories of Cairo from Influencers
20 pictures of Cairo from Adam Bichler, Nour Wageh, Omar Elsharawy and other travelers
- Please consider crediting my photos to the link found in my bio! :-) ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Mike Swigunski | ©Unsplash
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Why should you visit Cairo ?
Travel to Cairo if you like:
🏘️ Town 🏰 Historic site 🗼 Landmark 🏖️ Ocean 🌆 Skyline 🏞️ RiverHow to visit Cairo ?
To get to Cairo, you can fly into Cairo International Airport, which is served by various international airlines. From the airport, taxis, Uber, and the Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus are available to take you to your accommodation. Alternatively, you can also reach Cairo by train or bus from other cities within Egypt.
It is highly recommended to book some tours and attractions in advance, particularly if you plan to visit the famous Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and the Citadel of Saladin. Booking ahead ensures that you have a guaranteed spot and can avoid long queues, especially during peak travel seasons. You may also want to book a Nile River dinner cruise or a hot air balloon ride over Luxor for a unique experience.
The costs of visiting Cairo can vary depending on your travel preferences. Generally, entrance fees for major attractions range from $5 to $20. Budget accommodations can cost around $20 per night, while mid-range to luxury hotels range from $50 to $200 per night. Meals in Cairo are relatively affordable, with budget meals costing around $3 to $5 and mid-range restaurants charging around $10 to $20 per person.
Beyond the iconic pyramids, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Cairo. Explore the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar, visit the Al-Azhar Mosque, and take a leisurely stroll through the Al-Azhar Park. History enthusiasts should not miss the Coptic Cairo area, which is home to several ancient churches and the Coptic Museum.
For a memorable dining experience, head to Abou El Sid in Zamalek, which serves authentic Egyptian cuisine in a charming atmosphere. Another great option is Koshary Abou Tarek, a famous spot for trying Egypt's national dish, koshary. For a more upscale experience, visit Sequoia, a riverside restaurant offering delicious Mediterranean cuisine and stunning Nile views.
When it comes to accommodations, consider staying at the budget-friendly Egyptian Night Hostel, which is close to the Egyptian Museum and Tahrir Square. For a mid-range option, the Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir offers modern amenities and a central location. If you're looking for luxury, the iconic Marriott Mena House is situated right next to the Pyramids of Giza and offers unparalleled views.
Off the beaten path: For an unusual and immersive experience, visit the City of the Dead, a vast ancient cemetery that also serves as a residential neighborhood for some Cairenes. Guided tours are available to explore this unique area, where you can witness the fascinating coexistence of the living and the dead, and learn about the history and culture of this intriguing part of Cairo.
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The Egyptian Museum and the now-famous Tahrir Square,
the Islamic Cairo with the Sayyidna el-Hussein and el-Azhar mosques as well as the great souk Khân el-Kalili and the citadel (el-Qalaa). The old Cairo and the Coptic quarter too, for the less hurried.
Add to that a quick stroll along the Corniche and an evening on a terrace in Zamâlek to enjoy the modern city. Most travelers spend too little time in the capital of Egypt. It must be said that this sprawling megalopolis, soaked in dust and pollution, most of the time crushed by heat, terribly noisy, congested, a sea of buildings without a single green space, does not invite one to spend time there at first.
Cairo can reveal a very different face from the dreamed city, El-Qahira (the Victorious), capital of Egypt,
located at the entrance of the delta of the sacred river of the Pharaohs. Its sprawl and chaotic traffic make it difficult to visit, the metro - modern and efficient - covers only a small portion of the city and the daily life of the visitor is like that of the Cairoite, consisting of a lot of time on foot and in cabs.
But if Cairo is not a city for tourists, it is fascinating for those who know how to get past this chaos. From antiquity to the end of the 19th century, the city has known a succession of golden ages and dominators whose heritage is intermingled and juxtaposed today in this imbroglio of more or less distinct districts. Often hidden, the collection of mosques, madrasas, and mausoleums worthy of interest is incredible and Islamic Cairo alone deserves a full day's visit for those interested in history and architecture. The city of the dead, the largest necropolis in the world inhabited by... nearly a million living people should not be omitted.
Not forgetting finally, a young, dynamic, curious population, to be met to immerse oneself in this fascinating Egyptian society, so many times secular but also in full mutation.
A world to discover before escaping for a final journey through time at half an hour by cab from the center of Cairo: the pyramids of Giza. Simply one of those sites that you must have the chance to discover once in your life.
With nearly 17 million inhabitants, Cairo is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
Noise, traffic, and pollution are inevitable for a capital city of this size. Despite this, the city is full of vitality and energy. It retains a special charm that will dazzle you.
After a marathon day of visiting the city's museums and tourist attractions, at nightfall, opt for a relaxing and peaceful boat ride on the Nile.
Finally, you can visit one of the city's typical cafeterias and enjoy the exquisite flavors of teas and coffees.
The pyramids and sphinxes are located in Giza (about 20 kilometers southwest of the capital).
You will be impressed by their size: the construction of the Pyramid of Cheops would have required the use of nearly 2.5 million blocks of limestone.
As you travel through the city, you will appreciate the charm that emanates from the Nile and is undoubtedly one of the greatest assets of Cairo.
Don't miss the ancient and grandiose mosques such as the Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun and the Madrasa Mosque of Sultan Hassan.
Lovers of ancient art will be delighted by a visit to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which houses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian art.
Souks and markets like Khan al-Khalili are also worth a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Cairo
Fresh fish is one of the local specialties. The national dish is foul (bean stew with onions, cumin, and lemon).
In addition to the Egyptian restaurants that you will discover in Cairo, you can also taste the gastronomy of other regions in the east. Cairo also boasts good French, Swiss, Italian, and Asian restaurants. Muslims do not eat pork, which is why few local restaurants serve it. But although they don't drink alcohol, you'll have no trouble ordering a glass of wine or a beer in most establishments.
Most hotels also invite you to try international dishes. While you will find cheap food in every corner of the city, the best and most expensive food is found in luxury hotels.
Desserts include oriental pastries made with honey and oil, which can be accompanied by Turkish tea or coffee.
You can also explore the labyrinth of alleys and squares that make up the great Cairo souk.
You will find all kinds of products and souvenirs that will surprise your loved ones:
The capital of Egypt has 17 million inhabitants with its agglomeration which makes it the largest city in Africa.
Cairo is located in the north of the country at the beginning of the Nile Delta.
Although the city is not very tourist-friendly because of its size and traffic, you will find a lot to do if you take the time: of course,
In the evening, to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city, go to the modern district of Zamâlek. If you plan to visit Egypt and especially the Nile Valley, Cairo is often not included in the itinerary but can be a 2-day stay for example.
Where to Stay in Cairo
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