Cairo Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Cairo
As travel restrictions begin to ease up, you’re probably thinking of traveling again. What better place to go than Cairo? With comfortable weather year-round and a proven knack for attracting all kinds of tourists, going there is a given. But with so much to do in the desert city, how can you narrow it down to the best things to do and see?
Cairo is a city with a rich history and culture. With so much to see, create a plan before you visit. Knowing what to do and where to stay ahead of time will ensure that you get the most out of your Cairo vacation.
Well, there are a few must-dos and sees in the city of Cairo that you can’t miss. From top attractions to popular activities, here is your ultimate guide to the City of a Thousand Minarets!
Top Attractions in Cairo
1. See the Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are among the wonders of the world. Everyone should have the chance to see it in their lifetime. Located on the edge of the city, this series of pyramids may get a bit hot and crowded during the tourist season. But it is worth it to see them.
It’s also much easier to see the pyramids than you might think! One can easily take a taxi or a metro ride to the edge of Giza’s suburban sprawl to see them. The pyramids are only 13 kilometers southwest of the main part of Cairo.
If you really want a unique experience with the pyramids, though, book a private trip for about $50 USD. What do you get for this price? A half-day expedition allows you to see the pyramids AND the Great Sphinx. You’ll also enjoy a camel ride and a free lunch. It’s a good value!
2. Visit one of Cairo’s Many Mosques
Modern-day Egypt is a predominately Muslim nation. As such, there are plenty of historic mosques to see if you have a chance. They have beautiful architecture and stand in many places around the city.
For example, suppose you happen to be spending some time in Historic Cairo. In that case, the Al-Azhar Mosque is among the most influential in the country, and the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan is an architectural innovation. For more modern mosques, one can go to Al-Fath Mosque for more modern mosques, which has the city’s largest minaret.
When you do visit a mosque, remember to be respectful to the Islamic religion and its worshippers. Wear modest clothing, take off your shoes in the prayer room, and bring a hair covering. Here is a useful guide for dressing properly when visiting a mosque.
3. Walk around Downtown Cairo
Unofficially nicknamed “The Paris of the East,” downtown Cairo is full of iconic landmarks, shops, and restaurants you do not want to miss on your trip!
If you’re sincerely interested in history or culture, you can visit the Egyptian Museum or the Museum of Islamic Art. If you want a modern shopping experience, Omar Effendi is the country’s oldest department store. If you want affordable but authentic Egyptian food, GAD offers Egyptian food at a reasonable price!
The Experience Flying into Cairo Airports
International Cairo airports are just like any typical airport, with customs and immigration and everything. There are also places to exchange currency and obtain a rental car.
However, you will most likely obtain a visa upon arrival to the country, which you’ll need to enter Egypt. You will pay $25 for it, and your passport must be valid for at least six months in order to obtain it. To avoid any hold up at the airport, be prepared to get the visa!
If you are confused about getting a visa on arrival, here is a good quality government resource
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Cairo
Tickets to fly into Cairo can be over $1000 if you are not careful enough to find good, cheap ticket prices! Here are three tips on how to fly cheap to Cairo:
1. Travel to Cairo during the offseason!
The Cairo tourism season lasts from March to August, and it is incredibly difficult to find a cheap flight during that time. Plan your trip for the fall or winter (though there is a tourist increase in December, so be mindful of that).
2. Cross-check with various airlines!
Your local airline might not be the cheapest option out there. Sometimes, it’s cheaper to book with a European airline and stopover than fly one way with an American one. Kayak is a handy website that allows you to view flight prices from various airlines to your destination.
3. Pack as lightly as possible!
Most airlines these days charge for checked baggage, and that can be a rip off if you’re only going on a vacation! Try and fit everything you need into one carry-on and personal item. Don’t forget that you can buy toiletries once you arrive in the city!
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
Just like any city in the world, Cairo has both good and bad neighborhoods where you can stay. Some of these are no-brainers, but others may be a bit surprising. For example, there is often danger in the areas near the pyramids. Here are the best places to stay when you visit Cairo:
Zamalek
Zamalek is the perfect place for most travelers, whether you are going at it alone or with your loved ones. It has a wonderful nightlife scene for those traveling alone, a lot of places to eat and shop. It is also perfectly safe to walk around there!
Ma’adi
If you want to stay somewhere with plenty of greenery, then Ma’adi is the place for you. It’s also safe to walk around in, full of good eateries and shops, and is much more peaceful than the often chaotic Downtown Cairo.
Garden City
If you are going to Cairo for business or just want some good views of the Nile River, then stay in Garden City. It has plenty of luxury hotels and beautiful scenery, and is walking distance from Zamalek!
Downtown.
Downtown might be a little too rough for those who aren’t seasoned travelers, but it’s good for people who want adventure and an authentic Cairo experience. It has cheap hostels for backpackers and is good for walking as long as you’re careful.
Popular Hotels in those areas
One popular hotel in each of the above Cairo areas are as follows:
- The Golden Tulip Flamenco Hotel (Zamalek): This mid-range 4-star hotel has free wifi and air conditioning, as well as excellent service! The hotel rooms themselves may be a little small, but it’s worth it for a view of the city or even the Nile River!
- Holiday Inn Ma’adi (Ma’adi): Ma’adi is more notable for its Airbnbs. So, there are not as many hotel options. However, this 4.6-star hotel is only a little more than $104/night and has free wifi! It also has a pool and a business center, if you are in need of either.
- Kempinski Nile Hotel (Garden City): Garden City has plenty of luxury hotels, but this one is the most popular of them all. It might be a little bit of a splurge, but you can get free soft drinks, 24-hour butler service, and some amazing quality restaurants!
- The Nile-Ritz Carlton (Downtown): For those who do not wish to stay in a hostel, this hotel is a 5-star beauty along the Nile River with gorgeous views and Egyptian flair. It’s also a short distance from the sights and attractions of downtown Cairo!
Popular Airbnb Places in those areas
Solo Travelers
For those who prefer Airbnbs, there are plenty of popular places to choose from!
- Basil Studio in Villa: Less than $40/night and has almost a 5-star rating! It has a shared pool, free wifi and more!
- Super Clean Entire Apartment (Ma’adi): One of the highest-rated Airbnbs in Ma’adi, this 2-bedroom apartment is near several amenities and has free parking!
- Royal dreaming apartment Tahrir square steigenberg (Downtown/Garden City): This 4.74-star place is the most stayed-at Airbnb in Garden City! It’s close to Cairo’s downtown attractions and is a walking distance from the Nile!
Top Things to do in Cairo
1. Take a Ride on the Nile!
Whether it is day or night, taking a boat ride on the Nile River is one of Cairo’s most popular attractions. So, it’s no surprise there are plenty of river cruise options you can enjoy!
You can go for a simple ride on a traditional Egyptian sailboat, take a dinner cruise in the evening with beautiful sights and wonderful entertainment, or even take a boat at the right time to see the gorgeous Cairo sunset.
2. Take a Guided Tour!
Cairo is a city full of ancient history and modern surprises. There are plenty of guided tours for almost every kind of person or interest out there!
If you’re interested in Cairo’s architecture, you can go on an Islamic Cairo Art and Architecture Day Tour, for example. If you’re more interested in Egyptian culture, take the Full-Day Tour from Cairo: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara. The possibilities are endless!
3. Visit one of Cairo’s Malls!
As a modern metropolis, Cairo is home to several shopping malls offering a truly unique experience.
The Cairo Festival City Mall is the top-rated of them all, with many modern stores and delicious restaurants. The City Stars Mall is also highly-regarded, with beautiful architecture and many floors of shops!
Coolest Airbnb Experiences in Cairo
As with the case of Airbnbs to stay at, there are plenty of engaging Airbnb experiences in Cairo. Here’s just a taste of what is available:
- Downtown Cairo’s Barathon: Are you interested in a taste of the growing Cairo alcohol scene? If so, try this bar crawl. It takes you to multiple bars all across downtown Cairo for 3 ½ hours at just $20/person!
- Arabic class and walking tour in Cairo: For those who want to learn a little Arabic while in Egypt, this 3-hour course will familiarize you with Arabic sounds, simple phrases for day-to-day interaction, and even includes a chance to practice your newly-acquired skill!
- Cairo highlights: For those who want all that Cairo has to offer, this 7-hour tour will take you around the museums, mosques, and other glorious sites of the city, with transportation and drinks included in the mere $5/per person cost!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Your ultimate guide to Cairo, from what to see and do to where to stay to what the best experiences are. Just don’t forget that the best kind of vacation involves doing the activities you’d enjoy. So, don’t be ashamed to leave one or two attractions off the list. Bon voyage!
