Looking for the best things to do in Cairo?

Just about every kid goes through an ancient Egypt interest phase — and it’s an itch that’ll only get scratched by visiting the country, starting with the sprawling capital of Cairo. More than 20 million people call this city home, as do the mighty Pyramids of Giza, not to mention museums stacked with ancient artifacts, bustling bazaars, incredible eateries, buzzing nightlife, and so much more. With all this on offer, you’ll have no shortage of things to do in Cairo.

1. Explore the Pyramids of Giza

Show us a traveller who’s been to Cairo but skipped the Pyramids of Giza and we’ll eat our sandals. The only remaining wonder of the ancient world, these imposing icons of the Egyptian landscape are the stuff of dreams for history buffs. However, you might be misguided if you think there are just the three pyramids (there are nine on the site, though Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure are the main attractions, along with the Great Sphinx). It’s technically incorrect to list the Pyramids of Giza in a Cairo attraction list, but we’d be remiss not to include them. The plateau is in Giza, a separate governorate from Cairo, which sits just across the Nile, and Cairo is the chosen base for most travellers visiting the historic site.

You can get into two of the three main pyramids for a fee, though they are pretty claustrophobic. If you can push past the feeling, it’s quite a feat to visit the King’s Chamber. It’s not every day you get to walk the pages of a history book, so lap it all up as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Book a camel ride around the area to make it really memorable – just make sure you remember your camel’s name when regaling your friends with tales of your adventures.

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2. Shop in Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

The Khan el-Khalili Bazaar features on most Cairo lists and for good reason. Can you really say you’ve experienced Cairo if you haven’t twisted yourself through the chaotic alleys of Khan el-Khalili? It's a hub for local people and tourists alike. Be ready to haggle and handle enthusiastic stall owners. It’s a great spot to pick up curios to bring home for friends and family.

Beyond the chaos, the market has a rich history dating back to the 14th century. It’s astounding to walk the same alleys that Egyptians have for centuries as centres for trade and commerce. Take a heady whiff of the spice stalls, admire the dazzling jewellery, and pinch yourself – you really are in Cairo. Then go find someone selling fiteer (layered pastry) and sample iconic Cairo food. If you’re interested in enjoying the Cairo nightlife, time your visit to Khan el-Khalili for the evening and stick around downtown.

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3. Gawk at the Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to be just that — the largest museum in the world devoted to archaeology from a single civilization. Built super close to the Pyramids, the museum will house tens of thousands of artifacts, including the total Tutankhamun collection under one roof for the first time ever when it opens fully in July 2025. The absolutely massive museum has been planned for decades, with its opening delayed several times. Certain areas are currently available for visiting, including the main galleries, the Grand Staircase with views of the Pyramids, plus the casual sight of a 10.97m (36 ft) tall Ramses II statue that’s thousands of years old. It’s not called a ‘grand’ museum for nothing.

Twice a year, the sun will shine onto the face of the statue in the lobby, echoing the solar alignment that happens at the Abu Simbel temple in southern Egypt, on another Ramses II statue (there are a bunch of statues of him, since he reigned for almost 70 years). Word has it that the museum, when it opens fully, will have 30,000 artifacts, many of which haven’t been displayed elsewhere. It’s drool-worthy for anyone with even a vague interest in history, so anticipation is high.

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4. Visit the Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum might have taken some of its best pieces, but the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square (yes, that same Tahrir Square of 2011 Egyptian Revolution fame) is still stuffed with thousands of incredible ancient artifacts. Travellers will find no shortage of statues, jewels, and treasures from the Old Kingdom to the Roman era.

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5. Wander through the Citadel

The Citadel was the Egyptian seat of government for around 700 years, but the history of the UNESCO World Heritage Site goes way further than that. Salah El Din ordered its construction in 1176 to fortify against the Crusaders. Over the years, the site has expanded. There are museums to explore, though not of the same calibre as the Egyptian Museum. Worth seeing, though, is the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, completed in 1857, and the Gawhara Terrace for the views alone. Perched up on the Mokattam hills, you can spot the Citadel from anywhere in Cairo.

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6. Take in the views from Cairo Tower

Are you a sucker for a good view? Beeline for Cairo Tower. It offers incredible views over the city, and you can even see the Pyramids of Giza on a clear day (late afternoon is usually best). Located on Gezira, an island in the Nile, the 187-metre-high (613.5 ft) tower was designed to look like a lotus flower. Entry isn’t that expensive, saving you a few bucks for the 360 Revolving Restaurant or the Sky Window café. Be prepared for queues – Cairo residents and tourists alike are fond of the views!

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7. Dive into Saqqara’s archaeology

About 40km (24.8 mi) southwest of Cairo lies Saqqara, a necropolis of the ancient city of Memphis, named for the god of the necropolis, Sokar. This hefty archaeological site is practically an open-air museum, with Egyptian history on full display. Pharaohs from many dynasties are buried here, and while walking around, you’ll see the Step Pyramid of Djoser (thought to be the world’s oldest pyramid). Archaeological excavations are ongoing and continue to unearth sarcophagi and statuettes. There’s so much to see here that it’s well worth springing for a guided tour, even just to pick up fascinating trivia.

8. Visit mosques in Islamic Cairo

This area of the capital is worth a visit for the countless ancient mosques, such as the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, which dates from 876. For history aficionados, the Al-Rifa’i Mosque may be of interest as it’s the final resting place of the Mohammed Ali family as well as the last shah of Iran.

9. Amble around Al Azhar Park

In the '80s, the Aga Khan wanted to create a massive park for one of the most populated cities in the world. The result is Al-Azhar Park, a sprawling mass of greenery in the centre of Cairo. This ‘green lung’ has plenty of viewpoints from which to take in the cityscape, along with plants and trees carefully chosen to suit the region’s soil and climate. It’s a lovely spot to walk along or enjoy a casual picnic. There are echoes of Egypt’s history in the symmetrical layout, use of pools and fountains, as well as a formal axis with a water channel along its length.

10. Gaze at Al Azhar Mosque

Rumour has it that Cairo’s fabled nickname, the ‘City of a Thousand Minarets', was inspired by this spectacular mosque. Built during the Fatimid Caliphate in the 970s, this grand mosque was named for the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter, Fatima ‘az-Zahra’, meaning ‘the shining one’. Because of its central location, it became a hub of knowledge, theology, and education in the city. The tradition of scholarship slowly grew into Al-Azhar University, the second oldest continuously run university in the world. Visiting Al Azhar allows you a glimpse into the historic influence of Islamic teachings in the city, along with an opportunity to appreciate the unique architecture of the Fatimid period.

11. Witness history at the Hanging Church

Christianity has its early roots in Egypt, and one of the capital's oldest churches is the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo, thought to have been founded in the seventh century but possibly earlier. Its name seems grim but actually comes from the fact that the church is located above the gatehouse of Babylon Fortress, which once protected a canal that connected the Nile to the Red Sea. A building steeped in mystery and historical significance, the church is said to have been the site of numerous visions of the Virgin Mary.

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12. Marvel at Bab Zuweila's minarets

Another towering architectural monument built by the Fatimids, Bab Zuweila may be two of the most famous examples of Cairo’s thousand minarets. Originally built as two watchtowers on either side of the city’s southern gate, it is one of the only remaining examples of the 1000-year-old fortification that once encircled medieval Cairo. The inner tower is cramped, narrow, and claustrophobic without any windows. However, once you reach the top, you are offered a spectacular view of the Cairo skyline.

13. See the mighty Ibn Tulun Mosque

While Al Azhar may be the most famous mosque in Cairo because of its cultural significance, Ibn Tulun Mosque is the oldest that still has its historic fabric. (Amr ibn al-As Mosque in Coptic Cairo is the oldest in Africa but has been heavily restored.) Originally commissioned in the 870s, 100 years before Al Azhar, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun remains the largest by area in Cairo more than 1000 years later. One of its most popular features is its singular minaret with a spiral staircase winding around the outside. Most minarets in Egypt have staircases on the inside, but the minaret at Ibn Tulun Mosque naturally took major architectural influence from older buildings, including the Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq and even the Great Lighthouse of Alexandria, a wonder of the ancient world.

14. Sail the Nile

How could you visit Egypt without traversing the entire reason that the civilization could flourish in the first place? The Nile River, the longest river in the world, has been the key to life in Egypt for millennia. Nearly all of the major ancient sites in Egypt were built along the banks of the Nile, with the river being the genesis of commerce, trade, travel, and agriculture in Egypt since the Early Dynastic Period. Sailing on a felucca (a traditional sailboat) along this historic waterway is a must when visiting Cairo.

15. Visit the Cave Church

One of the most unique and lesser-known experiences in Cairo is a visit to Saint Simon the Tanner Monastery, known as the Cave Church because its carved straight into the rock face of the Mokattam Hills. This area is sometimes referred to as 'Garbage City' because it's home to many of Cairo's garbage collectors. Saint Simon the Tanner Monastery is a sprawling church complex that can hold up to 20,000 people at once, making it one of the largest churches in the Middle East.