Things to do in Cairo

Why go to Cairo

• Giza Pyramid Complex & Sphinx

  Stand face-to-face with the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, just 30 minutes from downtown.

• Egyptian Museum of Antiquities

  Home to Tutankhamun's golden mask and over 120,000 pharaonic artifacts in a single legendary building on Tahrir Square.

• Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

  A labyrinthine 14th-century souk overflowing with spices, lanterns, perfumes, and the electric pulse of old Cairo.

• Citadel of Saladin & Mohamed Ali Mosque

  A soaring hilltop fortress with an alabaster Ottoman mosque offering panoramic views across the entire city.

• Coptic Cairo & the Hanging Church

  A self-contained enclave of ancient churches, synagogues, and a world-class Coptic museum tracing Egypt's Christian heritage.

Good to know in Cairo

• Use the Cairo Metro (Line 1, 2, or 3) for rides as low as $0.10-0.20; it is fast, safe, and far cheaper than taxis or ride-hailing apps, Uber and Careem are affordable backups at roughly $1-3 per short trip.
• Tipping ('baksheesh') is deeply embedded in Egyptian culture: tip bathroom attendants $0.05-0.10, restaurant servers 10%, and anyone who assists you at a site $0.50-1, carry small bills at all times.
• Do not drink tap water in Cairo; stick to sealed bottled water (1.5L bottles cost under $0.30 at any kiosk) or use a filtered bottle, even locals avoid it.
• The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square offers free entry to Egyptians on certain national holidays; foreigners rarely benefit, but student discounts (ISIC card) cut the $15 ticket to around $8, always ask at the window.

Trip essentials