Things to do in Cairo: top sights and where to go
Cairo puts the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum on its western edge, the old Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square, and the Citadel with the Muhammad Ali Mosque, Khan el-Khalili bazaar and al-Azhar Mosque in Islamic Cairo, with the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo. Give the first day to Giza, where the pyramids and the new museum sit side by side, and the second to the centre and the old city by taxi; Saqqara and Memphis to the south make a half-day trip of their own.
Sights
Cairo Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque
Cairo, Egypt
1 h 30 min550 EGP, students 275 EGPmosqueshistoryviews
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Cairo, Egypt
1 h 30 minEGP 550, mummies includedmuseumshistoryancient ruins
Cairo itineraries
Cairo travel guide
Before you go: the Giza pyramids and Saqqara, the museums, Islamic and Coptic Cairo, the airport, transport and weather by month.
Cairo on your own: the essentials
- How many days
- 2–3 days: pyramids, museums, old city
- When to go
- October–April: ≈ 19–29° by day
- Visa
- Depends on your passport — e-visa or visa on arrival
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- Egyptian pound (EGP); cards in hotels and big sites
- Airport
- Cairo (CAI) ≈ 20 km from downtown
- To the pyramids
- Giza ≈ 20 km from downtown, up to 1 h in traffic
- Getting around
- Metro and ride-hailing apps
- Friday
- Day of rest; mosques outside prayer times
- Tipping
- Small tips (baksheesh) are expected for help
- Time zone
- UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Great Pyramid of Giza”Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, Nos. 86 and 89Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Great Pyramid of Giza”Sourcei
Grand Egyptian Museum — official websiteSourcei
Wikipedia, “Al-Azhar Mosque”Things to do in Cairo
The top things to do in Cairo are the Giza pyramids and Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum beside them, the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara and Memphis. In the city: the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square, the Citadel with the Muhammad Ali Mosque, Islamic Cairo with Al-Azhar and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and Coptic Cairo with the Hanging Church. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Giza | Pyramids, Grand Museum | 1 day |
|---|---|---|
| Saqqara, Memphis | Djoser, Memphis | ½ day |
| Tahrir | Egyptian Museum | 2–3 h |
| Islamic Cairo | Citadel, Al-Azhar | ½ day |
| Bazaar | Khan el-Khalili | evening |
| Coptic Cairo | Hanging Church, NMEC | ½ day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–3 days, with places in a sensible order.
Where to stay in Cairo
For a first time in Cairo, stay near the pyramids in Giza for the view and an early start without traffic, or in Zamalek and downtown for the museum, the metro and restaurants. The city is huge, and crossing it at rush hour takes an hour.
| Giza, by the pyramids | Pyramid views, early visits | ≈ 1 h to downtown |
|---|---|---|
| Zamalek | Quiet, cafés, the Nile | ≈ 45 min to the pyramids |
| Downtown, Tahrir | Museum, metro, budget | Noisy |
| Nile Corniche | Big hotels, river views | Pricey |
Cairo airport to the city and pyramids
Cairo International (CAI) is ≈ 20 km northeast of downtown. A ride-hailing car or transfer takes ≈ 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic; the Giza pyramids are another half hour. Some flights use Sphinx International Airport near Giza.
| Ride-hailing app | Downtown | ≈ 40 min – 1 h |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer | Giza pyramids | ≈ 1–1.5 h |
| Airport shuttle bus | Downtown | ≈ 1 h |
Agree taxi fares in advance or use an app — not every driver runs the meter.
Day trips from Cairo
The classic day trips from Cairo are Saqqara and Memphis, Alexandria on the Mediterranean, and Luxor by early flight. The Red Sea resorts are further — better as an overnight trip.
| Alexandria | Train or car | ≈ 2.5–3 h |
|---|---|---|
| Luxor | Flight | ≈ 1 h |
| Hurghada | Bus or flight | ≈ 5–6 h / ≈ 1 h |
| Saqqara | Car or tour | ≈ 1 h |
Cairo weather by month
The best time to visit Cairo is October to April: ≈ 19–29 °C by day and dry. From May to September it is ≈ 33–35 °C — get to the pyramids at opening time. Winter nights are cool, about 9–11 °C. Spring can bring the khamsin, a hot, sandy wind.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 19° | 21° | 24° | 29° | 33° | 35° | 35° | 35° | 33° | 30° | 25° | 21° |
| Night | 9° | 10° | 12° | 15° | 18° | 21° | 23° | 23° | 21° | 18° | 14° | 11° |
| Rain | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: January–March and October–December
- day ≈ 19°
- night ≈ 9°
- rain 1 days
About 19°; cool nights — bring a jacket.
- day ≈ 21°
- night ≈ 10°
- rain 1 days
About 21°, good for the pyramids.
- day ≈ 24°
- night ≈ 12°
- rain 1 days
About 24°; khamsin winds possible.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 0 days
About 29°, warm.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 0 days
About 33°, hot.
- day ≈ 35°
- night ≈ 21°
- rain 0 days
Heat ≈ 35°.
- day ≈ 35°
- night ≈ 23°
- rain 0 days
Hot; pyramids first thing.
- day ≈ 35°
- night ≈ 23°
- rain 0 days
Heat ≈ 35°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 21°
- rain 0 days
About 33°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 0 days
About 30°, the season begins.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 14°
- rain 1 days
About 25° — the best time.
- day ≈ 21°
- night ≈ 11°
- rain 1 days
About 21°, ≈ 11° at night.
What to eat in Cairo
Cairo street food is cheap and filling: koshari, ful and falafel made from fava beans, and shawarma. In the cafés around Khan el-Khalili people drink mint tea and smoke shisha. Drink bottled water only.
- Koshari — rice, pasta, lentils and crispy onions with tomato sauce.
- Ful and ta’ameya — stewed fava beans and Egyptian fava-bean falafel.
- Molokhia — jute-leaf soup with chicken or rabbit.
- Karkadeh — hibiscus tea, hot or iced.
Cairo ticket prices
Al-Azhar, Khan el-Khalili and the Hanging Church are free. You pay for the Giza pyramids (the inside of the Great Pyramid is a separate ticket), the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel, Saqqara and Memphis. Tickets are sold online and at the gates, usually by card.
| Memphis | 48 | 45 min | EGP 200, students EGP 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egyptian Museum | 47 | 2 h 30 min | EGP 550, students EGP 275 |
| Cairo Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque | 44 | 1 h 30 min | 550 EGP, students 275 EGP |
| Giza Pyramids | 43 | 3 h | EGP 700, Great Pyramid inside extra |
| Grand Egyptian Museum | 41 | 3 h | ≈ EGP 1,830, online only |
| Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara | 40 | 2 h | EGP 600, pyramid interior +280 |
| National Museum of Egyptian Civilization | 36 | 1 h 30 min | EGP 550, mummies included |
Free — 3 places: Al-Azhar Mosque, Khan el-Khalili, Hanging Church.
Tips
- Arrive at the pyramids at opening time — fewer people and less heat.
- The Grand Egyptian Museum and the pyramids are neighbours: combine them in one day.
- Camel rides and “guides” are pushed hard at the pyramids — agree a price first or decline politely.
- Women need a headscarf in mosques; everyone covers shoulders and knees.
FAQ
Is Cairo worth visiting?
Yes — the Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamun’s treasures and Islamic Cairo are unlike anywhere else, though the city is busy and loud.
What to do in Cairo in one day?
The Giza pyramids and Sphinx in the morning, the Grand Egyptian Museum next door in the afternoon, and Khan el-Khalili in the evening.
What to do in Cairo at night?
Khan el-Khalili and the cafés around Al-Azhar, a dinner cruise on the Nile, or the sound and light show at the pyramids.
What to do in Cairo with kids?
The pyramids and a short camel ride, the mummies at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a felucca on the Nile and Al-Azhar Park.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
It depends on your passport: many nationalities can get an e-visa online or a visa on arrival. Check the official rules for your passport.
Can you go inside the Great Pyramid?
Yes, with a separate ticket: narrow passages lead to the burial chamber — skip it if you dislike tight spaces.
What is the weather like in Cairo in December?
About 21 °C by day and 11 °C at night, dry — comfortable for the pyramids.
Where can I see Tutankhamun’s mask?
At the Grand Egyptian Museum next to the Giza pyramids, with the rest of the Tutankhamun collection.
How do I get from Cairo airport to the pyramids?
By ride-hailing car or transfer in about 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Is Cairo safe for tourists?
The main tourist areas are generally considered safe; expect persistent touts. Check your government’s travel advice before you go.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, Nos. 86 (Memphis and its Necropolis) and 89 (Historic Cairo)
- Wikipedia, “Cairo”; “Great Pyramid of Giza”; “Al-Azhar Mosque”; Cairo climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Grand Egyptian Museum — official website
- Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — tickets
Day trips from Cairo
- Alexandria · 181 km
- Sharm El Sheikh · 383 km
- Hurghada · 403 km
- Luxor · 502 km