Cairo

Travel Guide
Cairo showing a river or creek, a city and a coastal town
Discover one of the world’s greatest ancient civilisations in the museums and nearby pyramids of Egypt’s dynamic and surprisingly modern capital.

Cairo is a cultural delight. Discover glittering ancient treasures in the Egyptian Museum, explore the breathtaking architecture and streetscapes of Islamic Cairo and immerse yourself in the contemporary arts on the island of Gezira. Just 30 minutes’ drive from downtown Cairo at the Giza Plateau, enter the tombs of the pharaohs at the Great Pyramids and marvel at the Great Sphinx.

Start your adventure into the history of the city by exploring Old Cairo, an area surrounded by the walls of Babylon Fortress, dated at nearly 2,000 years old. In the area around the fortress, known as Coptic Cairo, you will find the Coptic Museum, home to artifacts of early Christian history, art and culture. Don’t miss the Hanging Church, which has religious paintings from the 8th to the 18th centuries. Next door, at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, visit the place baby Moses is said to have been found.

For a taste of contemporary Egyptian culture, head across one of the many bridges to Gezira Island, located in the centre of the Nile. Experience Egypt’s incredibly rich music scene at the Cairo Opera House or at the Egyptian Centre for Culture and Art (Makan). Then dine by the Nile’s ancient waters or join a dinner cruise to take in the lights of Cairo at night.

If you’re keen to take some of Cairo home with you, go shopping at the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. Here, you can sample street food and wander the labyrinth of stalls selling jewellery, perfume, spices, hand-painted pots and brass lanterns. After the bustle of the bazaar, take a break in one of Cairo’s green spots. Picnic in Al-Azhar Park’s shady, landscaped gardens or enjoy the views over the city from one of the restaurants that ring the park.

Cairo is easy to navigate via subway and bus services, but for trips to Giza and the Old City it’s best to go with a guided group so you don’t miss anything!

Where to stay in Cairo

Cairo showing tropical scenes

Downtown Cairo

4/5(69 area reviews)

The interesting museums and stunning river views are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Cairo. A stop by Talaat Harb Street or Midan Talaat Harb might round out your trip.

Downtown Cairo
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Zamalek

4/5(6 area reviews)

Cafes, museums and historical sites are just a few things travellers enjoy about Zamalek. Check out Zamalek Art Gallery or Aquarium Grotto Garden while you're exploring the area.

Zamalek
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Heliopolis

3.5/5(33 area reviews)

Heliopolis is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Baron Empain Palace and Tivoli Dome while in the area.

Heliopolis
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Nasr City

4/5(9 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the parks and casinos in Nasr City. You might want to make time for a stop at City Center Shopping Mall or City Stars.

Nasr City
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Al Haram

3.5/5(50 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Al Haram, Giza Pyramid Complex and Grand Egyptian Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Al Haram
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Maadi

4/5(3 area reviews)

Live music and riverfront are just a few things travellers like about Maadi. A stop by Mostafa Kamel Museum is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

Maadi
Turquoise Pyramids View Hotel
Turquoise Pyramids View Hotel
2.5 out of 5
In front of Pyramids Gates, 7 Cairo - Alexandria Road, Giza, Giza Governorate
The price is RM93 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
RM93
per night
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Giza. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (130 reviews)
"Overall our stay was average. The location to the Pyramids are amazing. The look of the area outside was dirty. Inside the property the pictures are misleading placed on the website and does not live up the the pictures. The rooms are very average and run down. The window in my room was broken and ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2024

Turquoise Pyramids View Hotel
Le Méridien Cairo Airport
Le Méridien Cairo Airport
5 out of 5
Cairo Airport , Terminal 3, Cairo
The price is RM463 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
RM463
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cairo. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Very nice helped us check in early."

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2024

Le Méridien Cairo Airport
Pyramids View inn Bed & Breakfast
Pyramids View inn Bed & Breakfast
3 out of 5
10 Sphinx Street Nazlet Samman, Sound&Light Square Front of Sphinx gate, Giza
The price is RM168 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
RM168
per night
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly B&B in Giza. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free valet parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9/10 Wonderful! (957 reviews)
Fantastic view
"Fantastic views from the balcony, delicious breakfast, friendly and helpful staff"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Pyramids View inn Bed & Breakfast
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
pyramids tower view inn
pyramids tower view inn
5 out of 5
asran st from zaghlol st, 1, Giza, giza
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Giza. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Giza Pyramid Complex and Dr. Ragab's ...
4/10 (1 review)
"..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

pyramids tower view inn
Parkside Boutique Furnished Apartments
Parkside Boutique Furnished Apartments
5 out of 5
17 Rafik Salah Al Din, Cairo, Cairo Governorate
Stay at this 5-star luxury apartment in Cairo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (25 reviews)
Very good
"Room had everything we needed and was clean. Good location and nice staff."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Parkside Boutique Furnished Apartments
Prime Residence New Cairo
Prime Residence New Cairo
2.5 out of 5
New Cairo 1, New Cairo, Cairo Governorate
Stay at this aparthotel in New Cairo. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Point 90 Mall and Maxim ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (21 reviews)
"The property was in a great location and staff are all friendly and accommodating. You get a full suite with all the things you need your stay. A great option for those who need to stay close to the university. Thanks again."

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2024

Prime Residence New Cairo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cairo

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
24
" "5 - Excellent 36.92307692307692%
4 - Good
24
" "4 - Good 36.92307692307692%
3 - Okay
13
" "3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 6.153846153846154%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
21 Feb 2020

This was our fourth visit to Cairo. We have therefore been to many historical and archaeological sites before. On this visit we went to the Gayer-Anderson museum which gave a very good insight into 17c domestic architecture, and the collections.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 Dec 2019

Lots of memories. Even more crowded than last time; pictures of Sisi everywhere; very friendly people, especially if you try a few words of Arabic. Uber is cheap so tip well.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
15 Dec 2019

We loved it! Its a fascinating place and the people are friendly and respectful and love to chat. Those that seemed insistent on taking you off to sell you things, understood to give up after a friendly, polite but firm 'no' with no hard feelings.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Nov 2019

مدينة رائعة تستحق الزيارة مرة اخرى

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
16 Nov 2019

It was an experience!!

4/5 - Good

Sib
25 Oct 2019

People are mostly friendly however watch out for the rip off taxi drivers who changed 3 times more than what is a normal fair !!!!