Best Time to Visit
October to April (cooler months, 20-25°C daytime)
Language
Arabic (Egyptian dialect); English widely understood in tourist areas
Currency
Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2)
Airport
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Population
22 million (metro area)
Climate
Hot desert, summers exceed 40°C, mild winters around 15-20°C
Safety Rating
Exercise Increased Caution (Level 2)
Visa
Visa on arrival available for many nationalities (~$25 USD)
The last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Entry fee: 200 EGP (~$6.50). Open daily 8AM-5PM (winter) and 7AM-7PM (summer). Allow 3-4 hours. Arrive early to beat tour bus crowds.
The iconic limestone statue with a lion's body and human head, located adjacent to the Pyramids. Included in the Giza Plateau ticket. Best photographed in the morning with east-facing sunlight. Allow 30-45 minutes.
Houses over 120,000 artifacts including Tutankhamun's golden mask. Entry: 200 EGP, mummy room extra 180 EGP. Open daily 9AM-5PM. Allow 2-3 hours minimum. The Grand Egyptian Museum near the pyramids is the newer alternative.
One of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East, dating to 1382. Free entry, open roughly 10AM-11PM (some shops close Sundays). Haggle confidently — start at 30-40% of the asking price. Try El Fishawy cafe for mint tea.
Founded in 970 AD, one of the oldest mosques and universities in the world. Free entry, open daily. Modest dress required, shoe removal at entrance. Located in Islamic Cairo, 5 minutes from Khan el-Khalili.
Traditional sailboat cruise on the Nile, best at sunset. Cost: 150-300 EGP (~$5-10) for a 1-hour ride. Negotiate before boarding. Departure points near the Corniche in Garden City or Zamalek.
A hidden gem district with the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Coptic Museum. Most sites free; museum entry 100 EGP. Allow 2 hours. Reachable via Mar Girgis metro station. Far fewer crowds than the pyramids.
Egypt's oldest stone pyramid, built around 2670 BC, 30 km south of central Cairo. Entry: 200 EGP. Open 8AM-4PM. Less crowded than Giza. Combine with Memphis and Dahshur for a full-day trip. Allow 2 hours on site.
Arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI) and transfer to your hotel in the Zamalek or Garden City district via Uber or Careem (150-250 EGP, 30-60 minutes depending on traffic). Settle in and take a gentle evening walk along the Nile Corniche.
Airport transfer to Zamalek via Uber(45 minutes)
Download Uber or Careem before landing — far cheaper and safer than negotiating with taxi drivers at arrivals
Late lunch at Zooba(1 hour)
Modern Egyptian street food in Zamalek — try the taameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans, not chickpeas) and ful medames, around 150-200 EGP per person
Sunset walk along the Nile Corniche(1.5 hours)
Stroll from Zamalek across Qasr El Nil Bridge — the lion statues at each end are a Cairo landmark. Street vendors sell roasted sweet potatoes and corn in season
Full morning at the Giza Plateau, home to the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Arrive early to beat the tour bus crowds that descend after 10AM. Afternoon recovery at a nearby restaurant with pyramid views.
Pyramids of Giza(3 hours)
Entry 200 EGP (~$6.50). Open 8AM — be at the gate by 7:45AM. Enter the Great Pyramid interior (extra 400 EGP) if you're not claustrophobic. Walk to the panoramic viewpoint behind the pyramids for the classic three-pyramid photo
Great Sphinx of Giza(45 minutes)
Included in the Giza Plateau ticket. Best photographed in the morning with east-facing sunlight. The Valley Temple next to it is often overlooked but worth exploring
Lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge(1.5 hours)
Rooftop restaurant with direct pyramid views — grilled meats and mezze, around 300-500 EGP per person. One of the best lunch views on earth
Grand Egyptian Museum(2.5 hours)
The massive new museum near the Giza Plateau housing 100,000+ artifacts including Tutankhamun's complete collection. Entry approximately 600 EGP. Allow time for the grand staircase and the atrium with the Ramesses II statue
Explore the medieval heart of Cairo — a UNESCO World Heritage district packed with mosques, madrasas, and the legendary Khan el-Khalili bazaar. This area is best explored on foot. Wear comfortable shoes and carry small bills for tips.
Al-Azhar Mosque(45 minutes)
Founded in 970 AD, one of the oldest mosques and universities in the world. Free entry. Climb to the rooftop for views over Islamic Cairo's minaret-studded skyline. Modest dress required, shoe removal at entrance
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar(2.5 hours)
One of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East, dating to 1382. Haggle confidently — start at 30-40% of asking price. Best for brass lanterns, spices, papyrus art, and perfume oils. Walk past the main tourist stalls to find better deals in the back alleys
Mint tea at El Fishawy Cafe(30 minutes)
Operating since 1773, allegedly the oldest cafe in Cairo. A glass of mint tea costs 30-50 EGP. The mirrored interior and the flow of shisha smoke are pure atmosphere
Al-Muizz Street walk(1.5 hours)
The most beautiful street in Cairo — a 1 km pedestrian stretch lined with 9th-15th century mosques and palaces. Start at Bab Zuweila gate and walk north. The Qalawun Complex is the architectural highlight
Morning in Old Cairo's Coptic quarter — a peaceful district with ancient churches and a synagogue predating the Islamic conquest. Afternoon at leisure before a sunset felucca sail on the Nile.
Coptic Cairo walking tour(2 hours)
Take the metro to Mar Girgis station. Visit the Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa), Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Church of St. Sergius — where the Holy Family allegedly sheltered. Most sites are free; Coptic Museum entry 100 EGP
Lunch at Abou Tarek(45 minutes)
Cairo's most famous koshari restaurant on Champollion Street downtown. Egypt's national dish — rice, pasta, lentils, and crispy onions in tomato sauce — costs just 40-60 EGP. The place is always packed, which is exactly the sign you want
Rest at hotel(2 hours)
Cairo is intense — take a breather during the hottest part of the afternoon
Nile felucca ride at sunset(1.5 hours)
Traditional sailboat cruise. Negotiate 200-300 EGP for a 1-hour ride from the Corniche near Garden City. Bring snacks and drinks — the boat is basic. Watching Cairo's skyline glow orange from the water is one of the city's great pleasures
Day trip south of Cairo to explore Egypt's older pyramid sites, far less crowded than Giza. Hire a driver for the day (600-800 EGP via your hotel or Uber) — these sites are spread across 30 km and public transport is impractical.
Saqqara Step Pyramid(2 hours)
Egypt's oldest stone pyramid, built around 2670 BC by architect Imhotep. Entry 200 EGP. Recently reopened for interior visits after 14 years of restoration. The surrounding tombs have vivid painted reliefs showing daily life in ancient Egypt
Memphis Open-Air Museum(45 minutes)
The ancient capital of Egypt, now a small museum around a colossal fallen statue of Ramesses II. Entry 80 EGP. Quick stop but the alabaster sphinx and statue scale are impressive. 5 km from Saqqara
Dahshur Pyramids(1.5 hours)
The Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid — you can enter the Red Pyramid for free and usually have it to yourself. The descent into the burial chamber is steep and humid but an incredible experience without Giza's crowds. Entry 60 EGP
Dinner at Sequoia(1.5 hours)
Upscale Nile-side restaurant on the northern tip of Zamalek island. Excellent grilled seafood and mezze with views. Mains 250-500 EGP. Reserve ahead for a terrace table
A free morning to revisit favorites or explore at your own pace, followed by an afternoon at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square (if you didn't visit the Grand Egyptian Museum on day 2) or exploring modern Cairo's café culture and shopping districts.
Free morning — sleep in or explore Zamalek(2 hours)
Wander Zamalek's quiet streets lined with art galleries and bookshops. Grab a coffee at Left Bank on Abu El Feda Street — one of Cairo's best specialty coffee spots
Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square)(2.5 hours)
Houses over 120,000 artifacts including Tutankhamun's golden mask. Entry 200 EGP, mummy room extra 180 EGP. The Royal Mummies Hall alone is worth the visit. Note: many top pieces have moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum
Walk through Downtown Cairo(1.5 hours)
The Khedivial district around Talaat Harb Square has gorgeous Belle Époque architecture from the early 1900s. Stop at Groppi café — once Cairo's grandest tearoom, still charming. Browse the bookshops on Mohamed Mahmoud Street
Dinner at Felfela(1 hour)
A Cairo institution since 1963 on Talaat Harb Street. Traditional Egyptian food in a quirky jungle-themed interior — stuffed vine leaves, grilled kofta, and molokhia. Mains 120-250 EGP
Final morning in Cairo with time for last-minute shopping or a return visit to a favorite spot. Head to the airport with plenty of buffer for Cairo's unpredictable traffic.
Breakfast at your hotel or Andrea El Mariouteya(1 hour)
If time allows, Andrea on the Mariouteya Canal is a legendary Egyptian breakfast spot — ful, eggs, fresh bread, and tea in a garden setting. About 150 EGP per person
Last-minute shopping(1.5 hours)
Pick up spices, Egyptian cotton products, or alabaster souvenirs. The shops around Khan el-Khalili or the more fixed-price boutiques in Zamalek are good options. Airport gift shops are overpriced — buy in the city
Airport transfer(1 hour)
Allow 1.5-2 hours travel time to Cairo International Airport. Cairo traffic can be brutal, especially during rush hours (7-10AM, 4-8PM). Book your Uber well in advance or arrange a hotel transfer
US, EU, UK, and many other passport holders can get a 30-day visa on arrival at Cairo Airport for $25 USD (cash or card). E-visa also available online at visa2egypt.gov.eg — apply 7 days before travel to skip the airport queue.
Common scam: strangers offer to 'help' take photos then demand payment, or camel handlers at the Pyramids quote one price to get on and a higher price to get off. Agree on all-inclusive prices in writing before any service. Keep small bills handy for tips (10-20 EGP).
Do not drink tap water — buy sealed bottled water everywhere (5-10 EGP). Avoid raw salads and unpeeled fruit from street stalls in the first few days. Eat at busy establishments with high turnover for the freshest food. Carry rehydration salts in case of stomach upset.
Uber and Careem operate throughout Cairo and are far cheaper and safer than negotiating with street taxis. A ride from the airport to downtown costs roughly 150-250 EGP ($5-8). Cairo traffic is notorious — allow double the Google Maps estimate during peak hours (7-10AM, 4-8PM).
Street food like koshari (Egypt's national dish) costs 20-40 EGP ($0.65-1.30). Mid-range restaurant meals run 150-300 EGP ($5-10). Budget hotels from $20/night, good 4-star hotels from $50-80/night. Local transport is extremely cheap — metro tickets start at 8 EGP.
In Khan el-Khalili and other bazaars, the first price quoted is typically 3-5x the actual value. Start at 30% of the asking price and settle around 40-50%. Never show too much enthusiasm. Walking away is the most powerful negotiation tool — sellers will often call you back with a lower price.
Cover shoulders and knees when visiting mosques and churches. Women should carry a lightweight scarf to cover their hair at mosques (some provide them). Shoes must be removed before entering mosques. Photography may be restricted inside — always ask first.
SeasonalSkip the 45°C summers. Cairo's winter months bring comfortable temps, fewer crowds at the Pyramids, and seasonal street food you won't find any other time of year.
StoriesA Cairo local shares where to find the best koshari, what tourists get wrong, and why the Pyramids still move him after 35 years.
Travel GuidesEverything you need to know before visiting Cairo in 2026 — from navigating the Giza Plateau to haggling in Khan el-Khalili, with real prices and transport hacks.
