# 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.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Cairo: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/in-1-day.md): The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the Great Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamun's tomb — in order, with tickets and lunch.
- [2 days in Cairo: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/in-2-days.md): The Giza pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum first; then the old Egyptian Museum on Tahrir, Khan el-Khalili, Al-Azhar Mosque and Saladin's Citadel.
- [3 days in Cairo: an itinerary day by day](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/in-3-days.md): Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then the bazaar, Al-Azhar, the Citadel and the Hanging Church, then the Step Pyramid, Memphis and the museum on Tahrir.

## All 10 places with the YesGo score

- [Memphis](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/ancient-memphis.md): YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · EGP 200, students EGP 100. Memphis, the first capital of united Egypt, survives as an open-air museum in the village of Mit Rahina, 20 km south of Cairo. The…
- [Egyptian Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/egyptian-museum.md): YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · EGP 550, students EGP 275. The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square, opened in 1902, is Cairo's original antiquities museum. Tutankhamun has moved to the Grand Egyptian…
- [Al-Azhar Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/al-azhar-mosque.md): YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. Al-Azhar is a working 10th-century mosque in Islamic Cairo and the cradle of the famous Al-Azhar University. Entry is free — no ticket…
- [Cairo Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/cairo-citadel.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 550 EGP, students 275 EGP. The Cairo Citadel is Saladin’s medieval fortress on a hill above the old city, home to the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Mamluk…
- [Giza Pyramids](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/giza-pyramids.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · EGP 700, Great Pyramid inside extra. The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx on the Giza Plateau, on Cairo's western edge. Plateau entry for foreign…
- [Khan el-Khalili](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/khan-el-khalili.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free. Khan el-Khalili is Islamic Cairo’s great bazaar, trading since the late 14th century: a maze of covered lanes full of lamps, spices…
- [Hanging Church](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/hanging-church.md): YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free entry. The Hanging Church (al-Muallaqa) is the Coptic Church of the Virgin Mary, built over the gate of Babylon, the Roman fortress in Coptic…
- [Grand Egyptian Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/grand-egyptian-museum.md): YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ EGP 1,830, online only. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza, 2 km from the pyramids, holds Tutankhamun's complete treasures, the Ramesses II colossus and…
- [Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/saqqara.md): YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · EGP 600, pyramid interior +280. Djoser's Step Pyramid is Egypt's oldest pyramid and the centrepiece of the Saqqara necropolis, in the desert south of Cairo. Entry for…
- [National Museum of Egyptian Civilization](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/egyptian-civilization-museum.md): YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · EGP 550, mummies included. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat is where Cairo's royal mummies have lain since 2021 — Ramesses II…

## Cairo travel guide

Before you go: the Giza pyramids and Saqqara, the museums, Islamic and Coptic Cairo, the airport, transport and weather by month.

## Trip 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
- 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

## Key facts

- **≈ 4,500 years** — age of the Great Pyramid — the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World (source: Wikipedia, “Great Pyramid of Giza”)
- **1979** — Memphis and its necropolis from Giza to Dahshur, and Historic Cairo, joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, Nos. 86 and 89)
- **≈ 139 m** — height of the Great Pyramid today; about 146 m when built (source: Wikipedia, “Great Pyramid of Giza”)
- **2025** — the Grand Egyptian Museum by the pyramids fully opened, with the Tutankhamun galleries (source: Grand Egyptian Museum — official website)
- **970** — Al-Azhar Mosque was founded — one of the city’s oldest (source: 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.

| Where | What to see | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Giza** | [Pyramids](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/giza-pyramids), [Grand Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/grand-egyptian-museum) | 1 day |
| **Saqqara, Memphis** | [Djoser](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/saqqara), [Memphis](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/ancient-memphis) | ½ day |
| **Tahrir** | [Egyptian Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/egyptian-museum) | 2–3 h |
| **Islamic Cairo** | [Citadel](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/cairo-citadel), [Al-Azhar](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/al-azhar-mosque) | ½ day |
| **Bazaar** | [Khan el-Khalili](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/khan-el-khalili) | evening |
| **Coptic Cairo** | [Hanging Church](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/hanging-church), [NMEC](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/egyptian-civilization-museum) | 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.

| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **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.

| How | To | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **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.

| Where | How | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **[Alexandria](https://yesgo.io/egypt/alexandria)** | Train or car | ≈ 2.5–3 h |
| **[Luxor](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor)** | Flight | ≈ 1 h |
| **[Hurghada](https://yesgo.io/egypt/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.

- **January in Cairo** (best time): day ≈ 19°C, night ≈ 9°C, rainy days: 1. About 19°; cool nights — bring a jacket.
- **February in Cairo** (best time): day ≈ 21°C, night ≈ 10°C, rainy days: 1. About 21°, good for the pyramids.
- **March in Cairo** (best time): day ≈ 24°C, night ≈ 12°C, rainy days: 1. About 24°; khamsin winds possible.
- **April in Cairo**: day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 15°C, rainy days: 0. About 29°, warm.
- **May in Cairo**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 18°C, rainy days: 0. About 33°, hot.
- **June in Cairo**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 21°C, rainy days: 0. Heat ≈ 35°.
- **July in Cairo**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 0. Hot; pyramids first thing.
- **August in Cairo**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 0. Heat ≈ 35°.
- **September in Cairo**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 21°C, rainy days: 0. About 33°.
- **October in Cairo** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 18°C, rainy days: 0. About 30°, the season begins.
- **November in Cairo** (best time): day ≈ 25°C, night ≈ 14°C, rainy days: 1. About 25° — the best time.
- **December in Cairo** (best time): day ≈ 21°C, night ≈ 11°C, rainy days: 1. 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](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/ancient-memphis) — EGP 200, students EGP 100
- [Egyptian Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/egyptian-museum) — EGP 550, students EGP 275
- [Al-Azhar Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/al-azhar-mosque) — Free
- [Cairo Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/cairo-citadel) — 550 EGP, students 275 EGP
- [Giza Pyramids](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/giza-pyramids) — EGP 700, Great Pyramid inside extra
- [Khan el-Khalili](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/khan-el-khalili) — Free
- [Hanging Church](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/hanging-church) — Free entry
- [Grand Egyptian Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/grand-egyptian-museum) — ≈ EGP 1,830, online only
- [Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/saqqara) — EGP 600, pyramid interior +280
- [National Museum of Egyptian Civilization](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo/egyptian-civilization-museum) — EGP 550, mummies included

## 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.

## Questions

### 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

- 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

Facts checked: 09.11.2026

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