Cairo Travel Guide: 12 Best Things to Do, from Zamalek to Islamic Cairo
Escape to Zamalek and Gezira Island, sail a felucca at sunset, explore Islamic and Coptic Cairo, the Citadel and the city's great museums – a practical guide to Cairo.
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Cairo is loud, chaotic and enormous – and utterly fascinating. Behind the traffic lie a thousand years of mosques and madrasas, ancient churches, grand belle-époque streets and quiet green islands in the Nile. This guide helps you find both the city's great sights and its calmer corners.
A calmer Cairo
1. Stay or stroll in Zamalek
The leafy district of Zamalek, on the northern half of Gezira Island, is Cairo's most relaxed neighbourhood, with embassies, villas, art galleries, bookshops and some of the city's best restaurants and cafés.
2. Go up the Cairo Tower
The 187-metre lattice tower on Gezira Island has a viewing platform with a 360-degree panorama over the Nile and the city – on a clear day all the way to the Pyramids. Sunset is the best time.
3. Visit the Cairo Opera House complex
South of Zamalek, the Opera House grounds include concert halls, gardens and the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art. Check the programme for opera, ballet and classical music evenings.
4. Sail a felucca at sunset
Hire a traditional felucca sailboat from the Corniche for an hour on the Nile as the sun goes down – a peaceful escape from the city's noise.
5. Relax in Al-Azhar Park
Built on what was once a rubbish dump, this beautiful landscaped park has fountains, gardens and wonderful views of the domes and minarets of Islamic Cairo and the Citadel.
Historic Cairo
6. Walk Al-Muizz Street
The heart of medieval Cairo is lined with some of the finest Islamic architecture in the world – mosques, madrasas, mausoleums and merchants' houses. Evening is especially atmospheric.
7. Shop and sip tea in Khan el-Khalili
Cairo's great bazaar dates back to the 14th century. Browse lanterns, spices, perfume bottles and brass, then stop for mint tea at El Fishawy, one of the city's oldest cafés.
8. Climb to the Citadel
Saladin's medieval fortress dominates the skyline. Inside, the Ottoman-style Mosque of Muhammad Ali is the city's best-known landmark, with views across Cairo.
9. Explore Coptic Cairo
In Old Cairo, the Hanging Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the excellent Coptic Museum tell the story of Egypt's Christian and Jewish communities.
Museums
10. The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square
The historic pink museum still holds thousands of ancient treasures, including statues, papyri and jewellery, in a wonderfully old-fashioned setting.
11. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
In Fustat, the NMEC's Royal Mummies Hall displays the mummies of some of Egypt's most famous pharaohs, including Ramesses II.
12. The Grand Egyptian Museum
Next to the Pyramids, the new GEM is a must – see our complete guide to the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Practical tips
- Use ride-hailing apps for fair, fixed prices.
- Dress modestly and bring a scarf for mosques.
- Plan around traffic: group sights by area – Islamic Cairo in one day, Giza in another.
Continue your trip with our 10-day Egypt itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best area to stay in Cairo?
Zamalek, on Gezira Island, is leafy, central and calmer than most of the city. Downtown is good value and close to the Egyptian Museum, while hotels near Giza are best if you mainly want the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
How do I get around Cairo?
Ride-hailing apps are the easiest and most affordable way to get around. The metro is useful for Downtown, Coptic Cairo and some other areas but is very busy at rush hour.
How many days do you need in Cairo?
Three days covers the Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo at a comfortable pace.
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