12 Best Things To Do In Cairo: Timeless Journeys

Traveling to Cairo is like revisiting the past. There are a lot of things to do in Cairo. Cairo is the capital of Egypt, a country with a supremely rich history that the people of today still treat with great esteem. 

Many know Egypt for its profound ancient history. In fact, ancient Egypt was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in North Africa, if not in the whole world, for over 3,000 years. This history has left a mark through numerous monuments, documents, and artworks, among other artifacts, that continue to baffle people today.

Welcome to bustling and vibrant Cairo, where this history is given life. Today, Cairo may already be a metropolis, transformed so much from how it was in the past, but interestingly, it still seamlessly blends its ancient history with its modern charm. 

Situated on the banks of the majestic Nile River, Cairo has been a center of civilization for literally thousands of years. With its fascinating embroidery of culture, ancient landmarks, and markets that are always alive, Cairo offers an array of experiences that are bound to captivate every kind of traveler. Here’s a closer look at the myriad of things to do in Cairo. 

Here Are 12 Of The Best Things To Do In Cairo, Egypt

Traveling to Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is like seeing treasures from the past, while beholding the developments in today’s world. There are so many things to do in Cairo. Let’s take a look at some of these activities. 

1. Saunter And Shop At The Oldest Open-Air Market In The World

Open-air markets are quite popular worldwide. If you search for the best, you’ll find the Camden Market in London, Djemaa El-Fna in Marrakech, Chatuchak in Bangkok, and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, to name a few. But nothing comes close as the Khan El-Khalili souk in Cairo, as it is the oldest open-air market anywhere in the world. 

The first on this list of the best things to do in Cairo is shopping, and experiencing the sounds and smells at the world’s oldest open-air market. This souk (which is also Arabic for “open-air market) is a maze of delight that will offer you everything from spices, food, clothing, jewelry, leather bags, to antiques. 

If you are looking for places where to shop souvenirs that you can give to your loved ones back home, the Khan El-Khalili souk should be one of the best places for these. But, be prepared to bargain. When you do not bargain, you will usually pay 50 percent more than its actual price. 

Should you need to take a break and fill your stomach, there are also several restaurants, street food vendors, and coffeehouses serving Arabic coffee and shisha around the market.

2. Hidden Cairo: Make A Stop At The Secret Sufi Hall

Cairo is not just about the crowded marketplaces or the old communities, but it is also a place where you can chance upon hidden treasures, if you know where to go. Wander through a grubby street behind the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hasan and look for the sign for the Italian Institute on top of a nondescript door to find Museo Mevlevi, where you can have a good look at one of Cairo’s most charming architectural gems, and learn about the Mevlevi Sufi order.

The Mevlevi Sufi order once had a formidable presence and influence in Egypt, and this building where you are at states from the early 1800s when the order was at its height throughout the Ottoman Empire. 

Inside, you’ll see the circular sama khane, or ritual hall, that looks like it came from a vintage music box. It may look like a theatre, but the stage isn’t for actors. Instead, this was where Mevlevi Sufi dervishes, or members of this Muslim order, performed their ritual twirling beneath the pastel-washed dome. 

While you’re here immersed into the things to do in Cairo, don’t forget to head up the place’s creaky stairs to its upper arcade, where you can capture a sense of the perfect proportions of this building. 

3. Finally Be Able To See The Pyramids And Great Sphinx Of Giza – And Have A Sumptuous Breakfast There

If you are learning about Egypt, you’ll probably come across photos of the attractions with which the country is known. Specifically, you’ll see pictures of the Egyptian pyramids and sphinx on your history books and postcards. But now that you’re finally here in Egypt, you’ll be able to see them in person at last. 

The Pyramids are not in Cairo, per se, but many tourists who visit Cairo find it easy to take a tour to this iconic location as it only takes a few minutes drive from the Egyptian capital. 

The Giza Pyramid complex is 139 meters high, and consists of pyramids which are actually hundreds of royal tombs. There has to be a reason why this has stunned visitors from all over the world, and baffled scholars for several years. 

After taking a good look at the Pyramid complex, head to the Great Sphinx of Giza next. It is a giant limestone statue of a mythical creature, the sphinx, which has the head of a human and the body of a lion. From its position with the Pyramids, it is as if it acts as the guardian of the Pyramids. 

If you’re early on your visit to the complex, there’s the 9 Pyramids Lounge that offers breakfast at the Pyramids, with freshly baked bread, feta cheese, Tahini salad, and more on their menu. Whether you are early for breakfast or not, visiting these iconic symbols of Egypt are must-try things to do in Cairo. 

Welcome to our “things to do in Cairo” story! You may also want to visit this article where we’ve listed Cairo as one of the best photographic locations in the world. 

4. Make Sure To Stop By Egyptian Museum

If there’s a not-to-miss museum on your things to do in Cairo list, that has to be the Egyptian Museum. If you are yearning for more real-life experiences with artifacts from ancient Egypt, this is the place to be. 

Housing some of the world’s most important collections of ancient Egypt, the Egyptian Museum is very accessible to anybody visiting Cairo as it is just located within the city’s downtown, particularly on the north side of Midan Tahrir. 

Inside its domed and oddly pinkish building, the glittering treasures of King Tutankhamun and other pharaohs are showcased, alongside mummies, jewelry, eating bowls, and even toys of Egyptians whose names are lost to history. Be sure to stop by the Egyptian Museum.

5. Explore Cairo, Together With Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Nile Cruise And Air Balloon In This Eight-Night Tour

Cairo is a magnificent place in itself. But, if you want to fully explore other impressive attractions in Egypt while you are in Cairo, opt to join an eight-night tour where you’ll get to see various places other than Cairo. 

This tour lets you see many of Egypt’s highlights in just over a week. You’ll begin in Cairo where you will see the Great Pyramids before boarding an overnight train to Luxor to see more beauty, plus ride a hot air balloon. 

Then, you will take a cruise down to Aswan, stopping at ancient temples and other sights along the way with your knowledgeable Egyptologist guide. If you want to enjoy the things to do in Cairo and around but have a limited time, this tour is for you.

6. Go On An Action-Packed Tour Of Cairo

With so many things to do in Cairo, you got to be pairing them only with the best experiences. Hate to make things a little boring? How about hopping on an action-packed tour of Cairo? 

This tour is quite unique from others as it offers a variety of activities within one day (best choice if you have limited time in Cairo).

First, you will visit the Giza pyramid complex and the Great Sphinx before taking a quad bike ride and a camel ride, that’s right, in the surrounding desert. After taking a break while wandering around marketplaces selling souvenirs, you will get ready for a dinner cruise with a belly dancing show along the Nile River. 

Headed to Egypt, or bound to enjoy the best things to do in Cairo? Don’t forget to bring your camera with you for some amazing shots. Learn about the best photography spots in Egypt here. 

7. Understand Cairo’s Islamic Heritage At The Museum Of Islamic Art

The majority of Egypt’s people are Muslims, so it is just right that there’s a museum showcasing this heritage. Visiting the Museum of Islamic Art is one of the best things to do in Cairo. 

Located right at the edge of the Islamic Cairo complex, this museum holds some of the world’s finest collections of Islamic art, not to mention being Egypt’s (and one of the entire Middle East’s) most beautifully curated museums. 

What’s on display, though, is just a sliver of the 80,000 objects this museum owns, but the selections and curations are stunning. Learning Egypt’s Islamic heritage is best here. 

8. Treat Yourself To Some Surprises At The Fascinating Cairo Citadel

Here are more things to do in Cairo. How about treating yourself with some surprises at the fascinating Cairo Citadel? 

The pharaohs, Cleopatra, and the Egyptian pyramids may be the stars of Egyptian history, but as you visit the Cairo Citadel, you’ll learn that the country’s history is more than just those. This citadel is actually a Medieval Islamic fort built during the height of the Crusades to protect the city it overlooks today with panoramic views. 

Wandering around the premises of this place, you’ll come across elegant minarets, sweeping courtyards, and lavish palaces that seem to take you to another age back in time. Don’t miss the iconic Mosque of Muhammad Ali rising above the citadel’s atmospheric ramparts.

9. Mingle With The Locals At Sharia Al Muizz Li Din Allah

Aside from the Pyramids and its museums, Cairo is also dotted with public spaces where people converge. One of the most popular is the Sharia Al Muizz Li Din Allah.

Otherwise known as the Sharia Al Muizz, this place is actually named after the Fatimid caliph who conquered Cairo in 969 AD (Fatimid is a caliphate that ruled parts of north Africa, Egypt, and Syria from 909 to 117). 

Since then, Sharia Al Muizz has become a grand thoroughfare where tourists can enjoy themselves with the presence of storytellers, entertainers, and food stalls. 

Bein Al Qasreen, the part of Sharia Al Muizz, is a living reminder of the great palace complexes that flanked its streets during the Fatimid era. Today, the great Mamluk complex features some of the city’s most beautiful minarets, domes, and striped-stone façades. If you are looking to feast your eyes into something really spectacular, heading over here is one of the best things to do in Cairo.

Loving this “things to do in Cairo” piece? You might also want to read this related story. Click this link for the article. 

10. Seek A Refuge With Nature At Al Azhar Park

Or, you can take a rest and relax at Al Azhar Park, located on the eastern edge of Islamic Cairo. One of the city’s biggest parks, it is interesting to note that it was formerly a garbage dump, but now houses fountains, manicured gardens, restaurants, and recreation areas. 

For many tourists heading here, the highlight of the place is the Ayyubid wall, which Salah El-Din, the founder of the Ayyubin Dynasty, over 800 years ago. Love nature? You will surely appreciate the wide array of international flora here at Al Azhar Park. Also one of the best things to do in Cairo. 

11. Taste Egyptian Street Food At Kebdet El Prince

What’s a trip without journeying through your destination’s food scene? Here in Cairo, it’s not just any kind of food, but the finest street food you’ll ever come across with. We’re referring to Kebdet El Prince. 

Located at the heart of the Imbaba neighborhood in Cairo, Kebdet El Prince is a haven for street food lovers, especially, as well as those who are looking to experience authentic Egyptian street food. 

You can start with the basics: molokhia or jute mallow, and kebda or liver. For more adventurous palates, they can try mombar or stuffed sausage, and sorbet kaware’ or cow’s foot soup. 

Think you have room for more? Indulge your sweet tooth with some dessert next door at El-Malky topping everything off with some mint tea from a coffee shop across the street. If you are looking for the best gastronomic things to do in Cairo, don’t miss visiting this place.

12. Learn How Christianity Influenced Egypt At Coptic Museum

Who says that the only religion in Egypt is Islam? While the majority of Egyptians are Muslims, it is interesting to note that Christianity also has an important place in this country. Intrigued? Read on. 

Coptic belief is also relatively huge in Egypt. The term is used to denote either the members of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the largest Christian body in the country, or as generic for Egyptian Christians. And here in Old Cairo, there is a museum that tackles this. 

Founded in 1908, Coptic Museum displays Coptic art from the earliest days of Christianity in Egypt right toward the arrival of early Islam. The museum is filled with wonder, for instance with the intricate wood carving in all its galleries that house the treasures. They include sculpture that showcase obvious continuity from the Ptolemaic period, walls of monastery frescoes, and rich textiles. 

It has around 1,200 pieces on display, so allow yourself a couple of hours if you want to see them all. Things to do in Cairo can’t get any better than this.

If you loved this “things to do in Cairo” guide, don’t forget to share this around online! We have more stories like this on our blog, such as the best things to do in Jerusalem, another city in the Middle East. 

Things To Do In Cairo: What Are The Best Hotels In The City?

Seeing views of the city while in your hotel room is among the features you should look for when choosing a hotel where to stay at in Cairo. This city in Egypt is teetering with so much beauty that even in the hours before you doze off and sleep, this grandeur should still unfold before you. Aside from the best things to do in Cairo, let’s find out some of the best hotels in the city.

• The St. Regis Cairo
• The St. Regis Almasa
• Kempinski Nile Hotel
• Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza
• Hotel Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah
• InterContinental Cairo Semiramis
• The Nile Ritz Carlton
• The Fairmont Cairo, Nile City

Egypt Is Where It All Begins

The Pyramids, royal mummies buried in tombs that send chills down your spine, pharaohs, and Cleopatra – these are just some of things that will pop in your mind when you think of Egypt. But of course, there will be more. Are you ready to explore Cairo, a city in Egypt, the country that started it all in human history? 

Chaotic yet rich in history, Cairo is a city seemingly stuck between its timelines. Here, you will get to see donkey carts driven down a dusty road, together with honking cars that add to the traffic in this Egyptian city. Amid this fascinating chaos, you may run into a friendly local that shouts to you, “Welcome to Egypt!” Then, you’ll be whisked away to the best things to do in Cairo. 

Your Cairo experience shall transcend time and history. Cairo is where the timeless treasures from the past meet with the present and future. Egypt is where it all begins.