This list of the best places to see in Cairo It will help you discover and not miss anything about all the charm of this chaotic and essential city.
The capital of Egypt, with its more than 20 million inhabitants and horrible traffic, is that kind of city that you hate at first sight but without knowing very well how, as the hours go by, it makes you fall in love with it little by little, while you discover its wonders and the kindness of its people.
Getting lost in the huge bazaar of Jan el-Jalil, looking for the great treasure of Tutankhamen in the Egyptian Museum, discovering the Coptic neighborhood, climbing to the Saladin Citadel to see the Muhammad Ali Mosque or trying its delicious cuisine, are some of the many things to do in Cairo.
We cannot forget that in addition to all these experiences, you have less than 20 kilometers the only one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World that is preserved, the impressive Pyramids of Giza.
Based on the experience of the time we spent in the city during our trip to Egypt in 11 days we have made a list of what we believe are the 10 essential places to visit in Cairo.We start!
1. Citadel of Saladin
The Citadel of Saladin, located on the hill of Mokattam, is one of the best viewpoints and one of the places to see in Cairo more essential
This old fortress with high walls and large towers, was built by order of Saladin in 1176, to defend the city from the crossed armies.
Inside the citadel are interesting buildings such as the beautiful Al-Nasir Mosque, with its tile-decorated minarets, the Ottoman-style Gawhara Palace, the Mohammed Ali Tomb, the Yusuf Well and above all, the impressive Mosque of Muhammad Ali. This mosque, also known as the Alabaster Mosque, was built between 1830 and 1848 following the model of the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul and it is highly recommended to visit its interior, where you have to dress properly, to sit on the floor of the immense central vault, decorated with mosaics and precious stones, in which you will forget for a moment the chaos and the noise of the streets.
Visiting hours: every day from 08h to 17h. In winter it closes an hour before.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali
2. Bazaar of Jan el-Jalili
Getting lost in the old and endless Bazaar of Jan el-Jalili is, without a doubt, one of the Top things to do in Cairo. Its origins date back to 1382 when this place was a caravan, a resting place for traders' caravans and gradually became, over time, a large market with about 1000 stores. Stalls selling similar products are concentrated in certain areas of the bazaar, such as the alley of species or jewels. In your walk you can also not miss streets like Sikka Jan el-Jalili and Badestan, which still retain the ancient essence of the caravazar in addition to other popular places on the market and what to see in Cairo, like Fishawi coffee, which has been open for more than 200 years without interruption.
After finding all these points, we recommend you forget the map and wander through its labyrinthine streets, while you hear the bargaining between merchants and tourists.
A great option to learn about the history of the most interesting places in the city such as this bazaar is to book this tour of Cairo with a guide in Spanish, which includes hotel pick-up and tickets.
Bazaar Jan el-Jalili
3. Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza, located 20 kilometers from Cairo, are the dream of every traveler and one of the most unforgettable places to visit in Egypt. This wonder of the Ancient World built around 2500 B.C., is formed by three large pyramids with the tombs of the pharaohs Cheops, Chephren and Micerinos.
The belief in Ancient Egypt was that by building these pyramids, in which the rays of light were reflected, the pharaohs would reach eternity and a place among the gods in the afterlife.
It is also worth entering inside the pyramid of Cheops, not suitable for those who suffer from claustrophobia, to see the burial chamber with the sarcophagus, and visit the museum that contains a perfectly preserved Solar Ship.
In addition to the Pyramids, near the Pyramid of Chephren, there is the 20-meter-high Sphinx, which with its famous profile, has become another of the country's symbols.
You can reach the pyramids from Cairo by taxi, Uber or bus. Whatever your choice, we recommend you to enter early to not share the experience with many tourists and organized groups. An interesting option to learn more about the history of the pyramids is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish that leaves at 8 in the morning with which you will be picked up at the hotel. In addition to the Pyramids, this tour includes the stepped Pyramid of Zoser, the first one built in Egypt and Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt,
Visiting hours: every day from 8 am to 5 pm.
The Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza
Our recommended hotel in CairoOur recommended accommodation in Cairo is the Steigenberger El Tahrir, located 200 meters from the Egyptian Museum, a few meters from the popular Tahrir Square. In addition to its fantastic location, this 4-star hotel stands out for its excellent staff attention, a spectacular breakfast and rooms with every comfort.
If you have a tighter budget you can stay at the Paris Hostel, which has a location similar to the first hotel and an excellent quality / price ratio.
4. Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum, located in the claiming Tahrir Square, has the largest collection of objects from the time of Ancient Egypt and is another of the must-see places in Cairo.
Built in 1902 to protect the country's treasures, it was not until 1922 with the arrival of the 3,500 pieces of Tutankhamun's treasure, which became one of the most visited places in the country. The collection has been completed with the recovery of many objects that were stolen or pillaged during the wars and that were in foreign museums or private collections.
In addition to the Tukankhamun Treasure with its famous mask, other interesting pieces are the royal mummies, the figure of the Sitting Scribe, the Statue of Zoser and that of Akenaton, the Palette of Narmer and the Triad of Micerino.
Visiting hours: Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Sunday closes at 9 p.m. and Friday at 4 p.m.
Egyptian Museum, one of the places to visit in Cairo
5. Hanging Church, one of the places to see in Cairo
The Hanging Church or the Holy Virgin Mary, is one of the oldest in Egypt and one of the places to visit in Cairo. Built in the third century A.D., on one of the towers of the Babylonian Fortress of Roman origin, for a time it was a mosque until it returned to the hands of the Coptic Christians who converted it is its most important sanctuary. It is worth entering inside to see the main marble altar and the 13 pillars that represent Jesus and the apostles.
Visiting hours: every day from 8 am to 5 pm.
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish in Cairo by travelers:- Full Egypt, 8 days all inclusive
- Full Egypt + Red Sea, 11 days all inclusive
- Excursion to Alexandria
- Excursion to Abu Simbel by plane
- Fayoum oasis excursion- More tours and excursions in Egypt here
6. Coptic Neighborhood
The Coptic Quarter, one of the oldest and where a large part of the city's community of Egyptian Christians is housed, is another of the best places to see in Cairo.
These places known as Copts already lived in this area of the city, where the Gospel places it as the place where Jesus' family took refuge during their exile to Egypt, before the conquest of Egypt by the Arabs.
Strolling through its streets where Christian and Jewish history are mixed, with details in many buildings of the Byzantine and Arab culture, is a real pleasure for the senses.
Among the most prominent places in the neighborhood are the Fortress of Babylon, the Coptic Museum with its famous Nag Hammadi Manuscripts, the Church of Saints Sergio and Bacchus, where it is believed that the Holy Family, the aforementioned Hanging Church, took refuge. Ben Ezra Synagogue, the church of San Jorge and that of Santa Bárbara.
Abu Sarga Church in the Coptic District
7. Al-Azhar Mosque
The Al-Azhar Mosque, located in the historic center, is one of the most important in the city and another of the essential places to visit in Cairo. Built between 970 and 972 this mosque has acted until today as a university and center of studies of Islam. It also has great weight in social, religious, political and legal life, when laws are passed that subsequently apply to the rest of the Islamic world.
Inside, you can see the impressive white marble patio, madrasas study rooms, the prayer room and the library.
Very close to the mosque is also the spectacular Wikala caravan of five-story al-Ghouri, which we recommend not to miss.
Visiting hours: every day from 9 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 5 pm.
Al-Azhar Mosque, one of the places to see in Cairo
8. The Nile
Taking a boat trip on the mythical Nile River, the second longest river in the world, is one of the Top things to do in Cairo.
This river has been key in the development of Egypt, by providing water and resources to one of the most desert areas in the world, something that the pharaohs took into account when building the vast majority of temples and monuments on the banks of this river.
Although to be able to make the most beautiful part of the Nile and visit the most important temples, you will have to move to Aswan or Luxor, from Cairo you can make a small cruise of a few hours to see the city from another perspective. One of the best options for this is to book this evening cruise with dinner and live music, with which you can enjoy the illuminated city views.
If you want to complete the experience with a multi-day cruise on the Nile, one of the best tips for traveling to Egypt, stop by taking a direct flight to Luxor or a night train to Aswan or Luxor. Between these two cities the most famous cruises are made, which have a duration of 3 or 4 days, sailing at night and visiting by day, places like the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Karnak and Luxor, among many others.
If you travel for free, a great option is to book in advance this 4-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan or this 3-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor, both with good opinions and recommended by travelers.
The Nile
9. Ibn Tulun Mosque
The Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun, is the oldest in the city that is preserved in its original form and another one of the must-see places in Cairo. This huge mosque, built between 876 and 879 in clay bricks, has a sober oriental decoration in which arches and domes abound. Inside the temple stands out its large courtyard of 90 square meters surrounded by arcades and with a large central fountain.
In addition, it is also worth climbing to the top of an original stepped minaret, to enjoy fantastic views of the city.
Ibn Tulun Mosque
10. Bab Zuwayla Gate
Bab Zuwayla is one of the three doors that are preserved from the walls of the Old City and our last recommendation of places to see in Cairo. Product of the construction of a second wall to better protect the city during the convulsive eleventh and twelfth centuries, this door, in addition to its history, unleashes its two high minarets that were used to spot possible invaders and that today are two fantastic city viewpoints.
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to see in Cairo, add yours in the comments.
