Egypt’s capital, Cairo, with the Nile River flowing through it is a sprawling city most famous for having the Giza Pyramids complex, one of the seven wonders of the world, the mysterious Great Sphinx along with the Citadel of Salah El Din, and the Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, with its treasure trove of antiquities, plus the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum which is scheduled to open later 2023 or early 2024.
Below is our YouTube video exploring the mesmerizing beauty and historical significance of Cairo, Egypt, and the iconic Great Pyramid of Giza! Please give it a watch.
The metropolitan population of Cairo is 22 million so be prepared for a very busy city that doesn’t sleep. We arrived around 2:00 am, and as we were being driven to our hotel in Giza near the pyramids, there was a lot of traffic on the “freeways” and shops were open with lights a-blaze and many people standing around outside.
Speaking of the freeways and roads, we highly recommend that you not rent a car and attempt to drive on your own. Many of the roads are under construction, with no marked lanes and even where there are, they seem to be totally optional. Drivers weave in and out of lanes, often driving in the middle of two lanes, and honking their horns in a language that only locals can understand. It is not unusual to see camels and donkeys pulling carts among the traffic on the secondary roads.
The people of Cairo do have things figured out in a way that we can only marvel. There are no cross walks, and people cross four-lane busy roads, darting in and out among the cars. They have no formal bus system but there are 1960’s era Volkswagen Beetles with the side doors removed, affectionately called “flying coffins”. They got that name because they don’t really stop, they slow down, and people just jump in and out. There are no formal routes, it’s all done by hand gestures, and it somehow works!
Also, first time visitors to Cairo should also note that since there is no scheduled formal garbage pickup, you will see a lot of garbage on the streets and there is sandy dust and dirt everywhere. However, try not to be put off by that and keep an open mind. Cairo and Egypt as a whole, has a lot to offer travellers who embrace a different experience.
We typically are not “tour people” and usually explore countries on our own, however, we did hire a driver and Egyptologist at each place we visited in Egypt.
Top Things to See and Do in Cairo
Pyramids of Giza
Our first stop took us to the timeless marvels of the Pyramids of Giza. The Pyramids of Giza sit about 18 km southwest of downtown Cairo on the Giza Plateau and are open daily from 8 am to 5 pm from October to March, and from 7 am to 7 pm every day between April to September. Public transportation is not readily available within walking distance, so it’s best to grab a taxi or take a bus tour to the site unless you’re fortunate enough to stay at the Marriott Mena House Hotel which is walking distance to the Pyramids.
You have to marvel at the sheer magnitude of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the largest of the three pyramids, also, ponder the mysteries of their construction as you wander the ancient grounds.
For entry to the Giza Pyramids grounds, it’s 200 EGP (6.13 Euro). In contrast, a ticket for entry inside the Great Pyramid is 400 EGP (12.25 Euro), but please verify opening times and costs when you plan your trip. We didn’t go inside the pyramids as there is nothing really to see, and you have to crouch and bend over in the cramped walkways, so it really depends on what you want to experience.
Great Sphinx
Adjacent to the pyramids about a half a kilometer away lies the enigmatic Sphinx, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. Gaze upon this iconic statue believed to be over 4,500 years old and contemplate the stories and legends that have shrouded it in mystery throughout the ages. The Sphinx was carved in place from limestone and is among the world’s largest statutes.
Ancient Memphis
Memphis once the capital of ancient Egypt is located about 15 miles south of modern Cairo on the west bank of the Nile River in the local town of Mit Rahina. Memphis and its Necropolis is an open-air museum that exhibits a limestone colossus of King Ramesses II (1305-1237 BC) and an alabaster sphinx. A mud-brick building was built around the King Ramesses statue, complete with viewing platform to protect it from the elements.
Saqqara Necropolis
The Saqqara Necroplis is approximately 19 miles south of modern Cairo in Badrashin where you will find the oldest complete stone building complex known in history, the Pyramid of Djoser, built during the Third Dynasty. This is the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. In addition to being home to Egypt’s oldest pyramid, Saqqara is the largest archaeological site in the country.
Carpet Schools
Saqqara is also home of many carpet schools where women and girls are trained in the art of hand-made carpets. We visited the Akhnation Carpet School, which was interesting to see but unless you’re interested in buying, I’d skip it.
Citadel of Salah El Din
Perched atop a hill overlooking the city, the Citadel of Saladin, also known as the Citadel of Cairo, is a medieval Islamic-era fortification that offers panoramic views of Cairo and its surroundings. We explored this medieval fortress, built in the 12th century to defend against Crusader attacks, and marvel at its stunning architecture and historical significance. While there you also have to visit the iconic Muhammad Ali Mosque, with its towering minarets and exquisite domes.
Muhammad Ali Mosque
The Muhammad Ali Mosque which stands on the highest point inside Salah El-Din Citadel was opened in 1848. The mosque consists of two sections: the first section is called a house of prayer, and the second section is the courtyard.
Egyptian Museum
We ventured into the heart of Cairo to explore the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts. You can lose yourself in a treasure trove of mummies, sarcophagi, and priceless relics dating back to the time of the pharaohs.
One of the most magnificent highlights for us was the golden treasures of Tutankhamun and the hauntingly beautiful statues of ancient deities. You can take photos in most of the museum except in the King Tut rooms, where is you do take a photo, the guards will come over and watch you while you delete them.
Khan El Khalili Bazaar
No visit to Cairo would be complete without a visit to the bustling Khan El Khalili Bazaar. You can get lost in a labyrinth of narrow alleyways filled with vendors selling everything from exotic spices and fragrant oils to intricate carpets and handcrafted souvenirs.
When you enter the bazaar, know that the vendors are going to try to sell you their goods and some will be pretty aggressive. It can get a bit overwhelming but if you are aware of it going in, you’ll be better equipped to reject the pretty zealous vendors. Don’t let this deter you from visiting the markets however, they are just trying to earn a living like everyone else and so enjoy the experience. If you are planning on buying something don’t forget to haggle for the best deals!
Where to Stay in Cairo
We stayed at the wondrous and luxurious Marriott Mena House Hotel overlooking the beauty of the Pyramids. It features upscale hotel rooms with indulgent bedding, marble bathrooms and private balconies with fantastic views It’s set at the base of the Pyramids so hotel guests can walk a short distance right to one of Egypt’s most popular attractions.
Is it Safe to Visit Egypt?
We had the security of our own dedicated Egyptologist and a separate driver who were from the area who had intimate knowledge of the area and ensured our safety. Although this was a bit expensive, the other option would be for individuals to join large or small tour groups.
Tourists at popular tourist sites such as the Giza Pyramids, most likely will be confronted somewhat aggressively by people who want to show you their items for sale, to offer you guide services or to see something special or to direct you the proper way to something on site. These individuals will most likely be wearing official looking IDs which make them look legitimate but don’t be fooled, the IDs only allow them to be in the area. Visitors using a certified Egyptologist, even a pre-booked guide or taking an organised tour, are likely to face fewer difficulties.
Pickpockets, purse snatchers and scammers are the biggest risk for visitors to the popular tourist sites around Egypt, and especially where there are large crowds.
A popular scam in the warmer months is the water vendors who will most likely overcharge you and then most likely will claim they have no change if you’re paying with larger bills. In 35 degrees heat you have few options but move on.
Also be wary of anyone blowing a whistle at the pyramids who attempt to direct you in a certain direction. They trying to direct you to where their goods are.
One thing we found quite interesting in all of Egypt is that visitors are tracked for their own safety. We’re not sure how tours work, but because we hired a private Egyptologist and driver, they were required to give their assigned code name to the guards at the time of each entry and departure from a location so that the tourism department knew if we safely arrived at our planned destinations.
Some things to be aware of:
Gifts are not gifts! Avoid this scam where someone will try to give you a free gift, or they may even try to drape a scarf on your shoulders or thrust it in your hands as a way of showing that you have selected that item then they’ll ask you for payment and they can get very aggressive about it.
Many Egyptians are very friendly and helpful but not everyone is sincere. Many people will approach visitors to give directions, offer suggestions but be very cautious, these are usually scams to get you to visit their shop or their friend’s shop. There are reports of these helpful souls following a visitor for an hour trying to build trust and manipulate where they go, all along appearing to be very helpful. We recommend avoiding these usual scams at all costs.
Another practice you’ll find in Egypt is if you’re buying a product or service many vendors will avoid talking about price and saying things like “don’t worry about it we’ll figure it out later”. This is a huge red flag. Always, always, agree to the price up front. Always communicate the price and be confident and assertive about it. Otherwise, you’ll be taken advantage of and be a walking ATM.
How to handle scammers or aggressive vendors:
- Reject them with confidence. Just say “no thank you” or “no” and continue walking, although you may have to do it a number of times. In Arabic, no thank you is: “la, shukrun”, or “la halas” which means no, enough / it’s done.”
- Don’t make eye contact.
- Ignore them after you say no and continue walking.
- If none of this works, just state that you’re going to contact the Tourism Police. In Egypt these fellows don’t like the Tourism Police.
Other Helpful Tips While Visiting Cairo
Get permission before taking photos of locals:
A big no-no wherever you’re travelling is taking local’s photos without their permission. Please keep in mind that you’ll probably have to tip for that privilege but it’s a very small price to pay.
Don’t pet the street dogs and cats:
Egypt has a great many street dogs and cats. Just beware that unless you have all your vaccines and you’re not afraid of being bitten or scratched it’s recommended that you not pet them.
Best Time to Visit Cairo?
In the summer months temperatures in Egypt can get very hot. We were there is early September and day-time temps were in the mid-to-high 30’s, and in the south in Aswan, temperatures were in the mid-forties.
How many days do you need to visit Cairo?
We’d recommend a minimum of 3 nights depending on the time of day you arrive and where you’re coming from. You can see all the above sites in two full days.