Things To Do In Cairo Egypt – Visiting Cairo, Egypt is definitely a bucket list experience. Egypt is one of those places we have read about in textbooks for years, so to be there and experience it for yourself is simply surreal. From walking through the ruins of the ancient Pyramids of Giza to wandering the streets of Coptic Cairo, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you’re in Egypt. Plan to spend at least two days in Cairo, so you have time to see and do everything this city has to offer. Here is our Cairo, Egypt travel guide:
The best way to get around is by taxi or Uber. If you are using a taxi, we recommend calling your hotel and determining the price in advance to avoid scams. If you use Uber, you don’t have to worry about haggling over prices, but we’ve found that most Uber drivers message us in Arabic, so download a translation app so you can communicate with them. We paid about $3 to $5 for a 15-20 minute ride. We also recommend bringing a SIM card with you, so you have the data to use Uber and know where to go while you’re there.
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US citizens require a visa to enter. A single entry visa is $25 and you can apply for it and receive it here in advance or you can get it when you arrive at the airport. We pre-registered via that website and avoided the queues at the airport to receive. There are other websites that claim to do it for you but charge a fee. If you are a US citizen, pay no more than $25 for a single entry visa, either online or on arrival.
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We felt very welcome and safe during our stay. However, as always, caution is essential when traveling anywhere. We do not travel with tours or guides, but if you are concerned about safety, we recommend hiring a local guide or joining a tour.
Egypt is a very conservative and religious country, so respect the local culture and make sure to wear clothes that are not too revealing. We suggest clothing that covers the shoulders to the ankles, such as long dresses, skirts or trousers.
Since Egypt is a very conservative country, public displays of affection are not really accepted. We made sure not to kiss in public, but even holding hands felt a little out of the ordinary.
Drones are banned in Egypt and can be confiscated by customs. Even if you don’t plan to fly, they still won’t let you take it to the countryside. If you try to take one with you, you may be arrested and questioned, and it’s not worth the risk. Just leave this trip at home.
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Egypt is a desert and can be very hot in summer. If you want to enjoy your time there to the fullest, you don’t want to be standing in the hot sun for several hours. We went at the end of September and it was still there
You can’t go to Egypt without seeing the Pyramids of Giza. No matter how many times you’ve seen their photos, actually seeing them and seeing them for the first time in real life is a unique experience. It’s like you’ve stepped back into history. There are three main pyramids, and the Great Pyramid is the largest and oldest of the Seven Wonders of the World. You can enter the Great Pyramid for a fee, but it’s a very crowded experience, so we wouldn’t recommend it if you’re feeling claustrophobic.
Be wary of different people trying to “lead” you. They may show you a badge and tell you they don’t want your money, but in the end they will want big tips and make you feel like you have to ride a horse or camel. You can definitely walk around and enjoy the pyramids on your own. Just ignore it and walk on. It may sound rude, but you won’t feel pressured or in a difficult time. We’ve noticed that people here are a bit more aggressive and don’t take “no” for an answer, so while ignoring them may seem rude, it’s your best bet if you don’t want to spend money on unnecessary things. .
The Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque has the same architect as the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, so they are similar to one another. It has a beautiful design and is located on top of the Cairo Citadel, so it also has great views of the city.
Cairo: Historical, Ancient And The Largest City In The Arab World. 11 Things To Do In Cairo
The Hanging Church is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, and the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo. It’s covered in mosaics and paintings and is worth a visit while you’re in the area.
Khan El Khalili is one of the oldest open-air markets in the world. It is filled with carpets, lamps, spices, jewelery and dozens of other items. This is a great place to visit if you want to take home a souvenir or if you want to walk around and see all the unique items. It’s as if you have traveled back in time and walked through Agrabah.
If you are a history buff, a visit to the Egyptian Museum is a must. It contains thousands of ancient Egyptian antiquities, including ancient mummies, pharaonic relics, and the golden mask of Tutankhamun.
The sunset over Egypt is one of the most beautiful orange sunsets we have ever seen. Watch the sunset as you cruise down the Nile in a traditional felucca wooden boat. This is the best way to experience ancient Egypt while enjoying the sights of a modern city.
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We stayed at the InterContinental Semiramis Cairo and loved it! It’s in the perfect location on the Nile, and waking up to a view of the Nile every morning is surreal. Also, watching the sun set over the Nile from the spectacular pool at the InterContinental Cairo is an experience we will never forget. The staff made us feel at home while we were there, and were very helpful in making sure our entire trip ran smoothly. This hotel is not only beautiful but also has delicious restaurants to choose from. Our favorites are the Indian restaurant and the Thai restaurant but they are all delicious. There is a great spa and fitness center as well as a very relaxing pool area. The Intercontinental is in the perfect city location and depending on traffic conditions it can take 30 minutes to an hour to reach the Pyramids.
We also highly recommend that Intercontinental arrange a driver to and from the airport. They will pick you up as soon as you get off the plane and help you get through customs and find your luggage quickly. Then the driver will take you directly to the hotel. When you check out of your hotel, the driver will help you through check-in, customs and various security checkpoints again, and the whole process is honest, we hope you enjoy our free guide and travel tips! If so, please consider supporting our work. 🤗
Cairo should be a part of your Egypt itinerary. Plan to spend two full days in town. Ignore what everyone thinks of the city and find your way!
The Giza Pyramid Complex is located on the outskirts of Cairo. The 139 meter high Great Pyramid can be easily seen from the city. The pyramids are royal tombs and Egypt counted 138 of them. Discoveries, such as mummies, are still being made in this area.
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The Great Sphinx of Giza is a giant limestone sculpture depicting a mythical creature with a human head and a lion’s body. An iconic symbol of Egypt and absolutely a must see when visiting Egypt.
Please don’t support using camels. Very easy to get around on foot. Here are some things to do about wildlife tourism and better options.
Experience the sounds and smells of one of the oldest open-air markets in the world. The Khan El-Khalili market is full of spices, food, clothes, leather bags, jewelery and antiques.
This souk (Arabic for open-air market) is the place to shop for souvenirs, but be prepared to haggle. You have to pay about 50% of the original price. Don’t follow the salesperson to the back of the shop; This is usually the trick.
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Tip: Watch out for pickpockets sneaking up on you. Scarves are used to cover your bag which gives them an opportunity to steal something.
Gezira Island is the best neighborhood in Cairo. Creative young Egyptians are taking over the area. The authentic building with galleries surrounded by the waters of the Nile is a serene escape from mainland city life. Visiting Gezira is one of the best things to do.