To enjoy all the best that the city has to offer, you will need to plan your trip in advance and gather the main information about Egypt so that you can tour the capital without any worries.
When putting together your planning, know that the country requires tourists to present an entry visa , which must be requested at the country’s embassies.
After that, worry about taking out good travel insurance to guarantee your peace of mind during your entire stay in Egypt.
That done, choose the season you want to travel and book your airline tickets in advance to guarantee the best prices.
With all the bureaucratic part organized, start putting together your travel itinerary with the main attractions of the place.
If you need a little help in this step, be sure to continue reading this article, as you will find the most incredible places in the capital that cannot be left out of your list!
Where is Cairo?
Founded in the year 969, the city of Cairo, Egypt, is located in the northern part of the country , and is also known as the “City of Minarets” due to the large number of mosques there.
Considered the most populous city on the African continent , the Egyptian capital has a population of around 20 million inhabitants.
map of Cairo
To get to know the most interesting and historic places in Greater Cairo, a map is essential, as it will help you find your way around and find the main tourist attractions.
With that in mind, we created a map with the most incredible places in the city . Check out!
When to go to Cairo, Egypt?
As the country is naturally very hot, the low season happens during the summer, when the highest temperatures are found.
The advantage is to be able to expect lower prices, in addition to less movement in the main tourist spots.
But prepare yourself well before going on a trip! Otherwise, it is better to travel in winter.
Due to the possibility of milder temperatures, this is considered one of the most recommended times for tourists.
Therefore, this period is considered high season , especially during Christmas and New Year.
How is the weather in Cairo?
From May to September you can expect low humidity and high temperatures. Good for aquatic programming, such as in hotel pools or visiting one of the nearby beaches.
Meanwhile, in winter, which runs from December to March , temperatures can be between 10°C and 25°C.
This is also the season with the most rainfall, but with little intensity. Usually nothing that will get in the way of your plans!
What to do in Cairo?
There will be no shortage of places to visit in Cairo on your tour of Egypt .
But to ensure a very complete itinerary, we have listed here the most visited tourist attractions in the country that cannot be left out of your tour of the Egyptian capital.
Pyramids of Giza
Of course, the first item on the list is the Pyramids of Giza, recognized as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. The archaeological site comprises the Great Sphinx and also the Pyramids Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus , as well as the Tomb of Queen Khentkaus .
The venue is open every day from 8am to 5pm, and tickets cost 80 Egyptian pounds.
If you prefer, you can access chambers to see the inside of the pyramids, but if you are afraid of small spaces, maybe taking a tour of the outside area is the best option.
Egyptian Museum
Inaugurated more than 100 years ago, the Egyptian Museum, Cairo, is one of the most visited attractions by tourists due to its rich history .
At the site, you will find more than 130,000 items on display , such as documents, decorative items, jewelry, papyri, monuments and historical relics that portray the era of ancient Egypt, such as the famous mask of Tutankhamun.
It is possible to visit the space every day, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the ticket costs 75 Egyptian pounds.
Nilo river
The Nile River, often mentioned in biblical passages, is beautiful and a true symbol for the city. Therefore, he is also part of the points of interest for tourists traveling to the country.
To admire the beauties of the most famous river in Egypt, the best place is the neighborhood of Zamalek , which is on the banks of the Nile and offers a huge promenade for walking.
But if you want to admire the city of Cairo, Egypt, from another angle, how about navigating the river aboard a felucca , a small sailing boat?
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
The Khan el-Khalili Bazaar is considered the most popular market in Egypt as well as the Middle East.
Dating back to 1382, this typical Egyptian market is located in the heart of Islamic Cairo , in a medieval-style walled area, which makes the place even more interesting.
On site, you can find colorful lamps, handicrafts, jewelry, fabric, perfumes, spices, musical instruments, souvenirs and much more.
In addition to buying the products, be sure to explore the narrow alleys and learn a little about the culture and eccentricity of the Egyptian people.
mosques
The Khan el-Khalili Bazaar is considered the most popular market in Egypt as well as the Middle East.
Dating back to 1382, this typical Egyptian market is located in the heart of Islamic Cairo , in a medieval-style walled area, which makes the place even more interesting.
On site, you can find colorful lamps, handicrafts, jewelry, fabric, perfumes, spices, musical instruments, souvenirs and much more.
In addition to buying the products, be sure to explore the narrow alleys and learn a little about the culture and eccentricity of the Egyptian people.
mosques
On your trip to Cairo, Egypt, set aside a moment in your itinerary to visit the various mosques in the city.
Among the most popular is the Sultan Hassan Mosque , built in the 14th century and considered one of the most important Islamic monuments in the world.
The huge construction was made with stone and has about 8,000 square meters, standing out in the Cairo landscape.
Be sure to visit the mosque and go up to the viewpoint, which is almost 70 meters high to admire the entire city.
Also include in your itinerary a visit to the Amir Ibne Mosque , built in 642 and considered the first mosque on the African continent . In the capital of Egypt, it is one of the most famous because of its huge hall and several areas for prayer.
The former University of Alazar has a homonymous mosque, which is also worth a visit. With huge viewpoints and a sumptuous construction, it is impossible not to notice it.
Among the most visited temples, don’t miss the Mu Ayyad and Bab Zuweila Mosque , the Ibn Tulun Mosque and the Al Aqmar Mosque .
Saladin Citadel
When choosing what to do in Cairo, be sure to visit the Citadel of Saladin, built between 1176 and 1183 as a way of protecting the Egyptian capital.
The construction has several mosques and museums with exhibitions of various pieces, monuments and documents that were part of the entire history of ancient Egypt and its most emblematic characters.
In addition to a tour of the entire space, the citadel also offers one of the most beautiful views of the city of Cairo .
Cairo travel tips
To get to know the Egyptian capital, nothing better than having access to practical tips that will help you during your trip to Egypt .
Therefore, we have selected here everything you need to know to have all the peace of mind you need. Check out!
What language is spoken in Cairo, Egypt?
In Egypt’s capital and throughout the country, the language is Arabic — but you don’t need to worry, as English and Spanish are widely used languages in many regions, especially in tourist areas.
How many days to stay in Cairo?
To explore the culture in depth and also every corner of the Egyptian capital, it is recommended that you take a trip of at least 5 days to be able to visit the main tourist attractions in a more relaxed way.
But if you intend to take a shorter trip, know that you will have to put together a very lean itinerary, which excludes very interesting attractions that are worth knowing.
Cairo hotels
In general, there are hotels in Cairo, Egypt, for all tastes and budgets , from the most sophisticated to the most modest.
If you’re looking for refinement and comfort, the Barcelo Cairo Pyramids , in Giza Province, is a four-star hotel with elegant rooms, a 24-hour bar, restaurants and swimming pools.
The Grand Royal Cairo hotel , in Tahrir Square, is also a good option and the prices are very affordable. Depending on the period of your trip , it is possible to find daily rates from R$100.00.
For those who appreciate a good view and a great location, the Novotel Cairo El Borg , in Zamalek, is a great choice as it is located on the banks of the Nile River.
With excellent value for money, the hotel is sophisticated and rates are around R$ 250 and R$ 370.00 per day.
If you want to find out where to stay in Cairo, Egypt, with comfort and sophistication, the Triumph Plaza Hotel , in Heliopolis, is another good choice. The hotel offers cozy rooms, restaurants, bakery and gym, which are open 24 hours a day.
Best Restaurants in Cairo, Egypt
In addition to touring and exploring the oldest and most impressive buildings in the world, of course, local cuisine needs to have a guaranteed place — after all, Egyptian cuisine is one of the oldest in the world .
If you want to taste typical dishes, be sure to visit Fel Era , one of the most famous restaurants in the city. With exotic decor, the place offers Middle Eastern cuisine , as well as vegan and vegetarian options.
For those who appreciate a more refined dinner when visiting the capital of Egypt, Sequoia is the right choice. Located on the island of Zamalek, in addition to a beautiful decor, you will find typical Arabic and international dishes.
For tourists who are on a tight budget, but want to enjoy good Egyptian cuisine, Koshary Abou Tarek is a great choice, as it has very attractive prices. The place is simpler, but the food is delicious.
What to buy in Cairo?
If you want to come back with a suitcase full of shopping, know that the Egyptian capital is an excellent place to find a variety of products at great prices .
When deciding what to buy in Egypt, know that perfumes are among the most popular items, as the country has a huge tradition in creating perfumes and essences.
Papyrus are also products with very affordable prices and much sought after by tourists who want to have their name painted on the sheets of paper.
It is also possible to buy pendants with the names carved in hieroglyphic writing in pieces of silver.
Djellabas are items that are also very popular among tourists, especially women. This outfit is a kind of long robe, with long sleeves and colorful fabrics.