The 13 Best Things to do in Cairo, Egypt

Searching for the most effective issues to do in Cairo?

Cairo is likely one of the nice cities of the traditional world. Dwelling to a few of the oldest pyramids and artifacts discovered wherever on earth, this 10 million robust megacity can also be Egypt’s largest metropolis in addition to its capital.

As a well-liked vacationer vacation spot for hundreds of years, town’s notorious air pollution, noise and crime haven’t detracted from its continued place alongside the vacationer path.

15 Finest Issues to do in Cairo Egypt

Fashionable Cairo is filled with life and vigor, and whereas most guests concurrently love and hate town for various causes, there’s little doubt that vibrant Cairo have to be skilled not less than as soon as in your life.

Attending to Cairo by air is comparatively straightforward. Whether or not you’re flying from London or New York, or have Sharjah to Cairo tickets, with essentially the most reasonably priced airfares within the off-season of November to March (excluding Christmas).

See the Pyramids of Giza (Giza Necropolis)

When folks consider Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza are on the high of the record.

The biggest pyramid on the Giza Plateau, in addition to all of Egypt, is the Nice Pyramid. Identified regionally because the Pyramid of Khufu (for the pharaoh it was initially constructed for within the early twenty sixth century BC), its slim passages will be explored. Nonetheless, the large exterior is what folks typically marvel at.

Farther south alongside the plateau is the Pyramid of Khefre (also called the Pyramid of Chephren). It consists of an inside tunnel that may be explored. The smaller Pyramid of Mycerinus (also called the Pyramid of Menkaure) stands proper subsequent to it.

This space on the sting of Cairo makes a terrific half day go to. You may get right here by metro, taxi or by becoming a member of a tour. If you wish to get essentially the most out of it, a tour is strongly really helpful.

Guess the riddle of The Nice Sphinx

Additionally positioned on the Giza Necropolis on the entry to the Giza Plateau, stands the Nice Sphinx of Giza. Seemingly guarding the large pyramids, the lion-bodied and pharaoh-faced Sphinx is as iconic with historic Egypt because the pyramids themselves.

Constructed round 2500 BC for the pharaoh Khafre (the builder of the Second Pyramid at Giza), the Sphinx is a big monolith carved from the bedrock of the plateau that served because the quarry for the pyramids and different monuments within the space. It’s thought by a couple of that the top of the Sphinx might have been carved first out of a pure bedrock that was beforehand sculpted by the wind to present it form. The realm round it was excavated afterwards to offer blocks for the pyramids.

Float alongside the Nile River

Cairo is a good leaping off level for a Nile River cruise. The northward flowing Nile is the longest river in Africa and is usually believed to be the longest river on the earth. It meanders by means of 11 African nations and splits in two simply north of Cairo to empty into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Nile fuels hydro dams and offers irrigation all alongside its route. Nonetheless, Cairo has a beautiful unspoiled river entrance that’s excellent for a water cruise. You may select between occasion boats, historic boats and in a single day and all-inclusive choices. Some packages additionally embrace guided excursions to the Pyramids and different landlocked websites.

Get misplaced on the Egyptian Museum

Also referred to as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities or the Cairo Museum, the Egyptian Museum is likely one of the largest museums within the area, in addition to one of many oldest archaeological museums within the Center East.

It homes over 120,000 Egyptian artifacts, a lot of them pharaonic in nature. Usually portrayed in books and flicks, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo is a good place to get misplaced prior to now.

That includes every little thing from mummies and superbly intricate gold masks, to pottery, papyri, sarcophagi and jewellery, the museum homes a few of Egypt’s most prized collections. The museum was based in 1901.

The museum is open day-after-day from 9 am to five pm. Entrance tickets price 200 EGP for adults and 100 EGP for college kids.

Wander by means of the Nationwide Museum of Egyptian Civilizations (NMEC)

The primary of its variety in Egypt, the NMEC shows the historical past of Egypt from prehistoric instances all the way in which to as we speak. It’s a big museum with properly over 50,000 artifacts, together with the picket Coffin of King Ramses II and the gold foiled leaf cartonage (historic Egyptian mix consisting of linen or papyrus held along with glue) coffin of Nejim Ankh.

Gathering artifacts from all the foremost museums within the area and opened in 2017, its assortment of Pharaoh mummies is sort of in depth in addition to its assortment of Greco-Roman, Medieval, Islamic and up to date.

Cut up into two everlasting collections, you possibly can discover each the chronological facet and the thematic facet.

The Nationwide Museum of Egyptian Civilizations is open day-after-day from 9 am to five pm.

Entrance tickets price 200 EGP for adults and 100 EGP for college kids.

Admire the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo

The Hanging Church, extra formally referred to as the Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is likely one of the oldest church buildings in Egypt. The primary iteration of the church seemingly dates to the third century, and can also be referred to as the Suspended Church or Al-Moallaqa. It was constructed by edict of the Roman emperor Diocletian.

The Hanging Church isn’t really hanging. As an alternative, the hanging identify happened as a result of it’s constructed on high of, or hanging over, the gates of an previous Roman fortress.

It’s a singular construction, with a roof formed within the supposed construction of Noah’s Ark. The altar is very stunning, with lotus-shaped inlaid picket panels adorning the wall above the altar.

Entrance to the Hanging Church is free, however donations are accepted.

The Coptic Museum is positioned by the Hanging Church. It homes the most important assortment of Coptic artifacts on the earth. The doorway price for foreigners to the Coptic Museum is 40 EGP (Egyptian Kilos).

Benefit from the view from the Cairo Citadel

The Cairo Citadel is also called the Citadel of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin), or the Citadel of Saladin.

It’s a formidable and spectacular defensive fortress, attributable to its strategic location on the Muqattam Hills.

It’s additionally probably the greatest areas to get pleasure from an unrestricted panoramic view of Cairo.

There’s so much to see right here, together with the Muhammad Ali Mosque, constructed by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1848 AD, and the Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque, which was the royal mosque throughout the Mamluk interval. The location additionally incorporates the Nationwide Police Museum, and the Nationwide Army Museum.

Daytime foreigner entrance price, grownup: EGP 200, evening visiting foreigner entrance price, grownup: EGP 160.

Chill out within the inexperienced oasis of Al Azhar Park

Al Azhar Park is a beautiful, restful break from the noise and busyness of Cairo.

There’s loads of greenery, together with palm timber, with kids’s play areas, fountains, a lake, and eating places. There are even journeys by golf cart contained in the park.

Situated by the Previous Metropolis of Cairo, Al Azhar Park is an expansive 30 hectares (74 acres). The park was initially a 500-year-old dumping floor, which was reworked right into a inexperienced oasis with waterfalls, citrus timber, and gardens. It opened in 2005, and price in extra of 30 million USD.

Whilst you’re on the park, go to close by Al-Azhar Mosque, which is Cairo’s first mosque, commissioned in 970. Admission to the mosque is free.

Admission to Al Azhar Par isn’t free. Foreigner tickets are EGP 30, and EGP 35 on Sunday.

There’s a lot to do and see in historic Cairo that we couldn’t cease at simply the standard high 10 Cairo points of interest. In the event you’re on the lookout for some extra bucket record gadgets for sightseeing in Cairo, listed here are 5 extra concepts.

Discover the Cave Church

Visiting the Cave Church is likely one of the most original issues to do in Cairo.

The Cave Church, or Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, is positioned within the Mokattam mountain in southeastern Cairo. To get to the Cave Church, you’ll must undergo Rubbish Metropolis.

Rubbish Metropolis is a poor settlement on the base of Mokattam Hill on the outskirts of Cairo. It has Cairo’s largest focus of Zabbaleen rubbish collectors, with an economic system which revolves round gathering and recycling town’s rubbish.

Garbage from higher Cairo will get collected by the Zabbaleen and brought to the Rubbish Metropolis settlement. Residents then separate the rubbish from the recycling. There’s rubbish all over the place – the roofs, streets, and so forth.

The Cave Church is hand carved out of the mountain. The Cave Church itself is tranquil, peaceable, and clear inside.

With a seating capability of 20,000 it’s the most important church within the Center East.

The Cave Church is free to go to.

Carry your bargaining expertise to the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar

Within the coronary heart of Islamic Cairo, the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar is a busy and colourful open-air bazaar. You’ll discover every little thing from spices to perfumes to souvenirs to jewellery to hanging lamps.

There’s so much to see right here, together with Cairo avenue outlets stuffed with haggling shopkeepers, slim alleyways, buskers, bars and eating places.

Bank cards aren’t accepted within the majority of the outlets at Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, however USD and Euros are sometimes accepted.

There’s no price to enter the bazaar.

Store till you drop on the Cairo Pageant Metropolis Mall

This contemporary mall has all of the requisite options you’d anticipate in a mall, together with worldwide chain shops, a cinema, eating places and a meals court docket. It additionally connects to IKEA.

There’s even a dancing fountain attraction.

It’s an enormous, trendy place, with free Wi-Fi, procuring cart leases, and valet parking. You may even lease an influence financial institution in your telephone.

When you have children, you’ll love the stroller rental, mommy’s room, and youngster identification bracelets. There’s additionally Magic Planet, with rides, video games, and enjoyable for the children (and adults).

There’s no price to go to the mall.

Stroll Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Road

Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Road (recognized regionally as Al-Muizz) is a significant avenue within the walled metropolis of Historic Cairo.

Considered one of Cairo’s oldest streets, it dates again to the muse of the unique walled metropolis within the tenth century.

Working north-to-south, the road grew in fame partly to its proximity to the favored markets within the space, just like the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar, in addition to the massive and delightful buildings constructed alongside it, particularly in direction of the northern part with its finely restored Mamluk buildings.

At only one kilometer in size throughout the walled metropolis, working from gate to gate, traversing its size is a simple stroll for most individuals.

A few of the highlights alongside Al-Muizz embrace the Madrassa of as-Salih Ayyub, inbuilt 1247 and a effective instance of Islamic structure. Immediately throughout from the madrassa is the attractive Madrassa of Qalaun, thought of by many as one of many Mamluk interval’s best architectural triumphs.

Accomplished in 1293 by Qalaun’s son, Muhammad al-Nasir subsequent to it has an inside stuffed with effective marble, mother-of-pearl mosaics, intricate tile work, and stained-glass home windows. Farther north is the youthful Madrassa of an-Nasr Mohammed (inbuilt 1309) with tons of ornate detailing.

Subsequent, you might have the Egyptian Textile Museum with a large assortment that spans the Pharaonic period proper as much as the Islamic interval. in addition to the massive and spectacular Sultan Hassan Mosque (Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan).

Benefit from the views on the Cairo Tower

Located on the Nile Island of Gezira is the Cairo Tower. Standing at 187m or 614ft, it’s the tallest construction in Egypt and the tallest in North Africa. This free standing tower of concrete is second solely to the Pyramids of Giza in reputation, and its round commentary deck and revolving restaurant on the high have a few of the greatest views in Cairo.

Dwelling to the district of Zamalek and the vast majority of Cairo’s arty boutiques and hipster eating places, the Nile Island of Gezira that the Cairo Tower sits on can also be a terrific place to hang around with pals and discover.

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