Travel guide · Egypt
Cairo travel guide
The Pyramids of Giza, medieval minarets and life on the Nile
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wael El Sisi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Cairo is one of Africa's largest cities, sprawling along the Nile where the river valley meets the delta. On its western edge the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum hold the legacy of the pharaohs, while east of the river Islamic Cairo's mosques, minarets and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar form one of the largest collections of medieval Islamic architecture in the world. Most visitors stay Downtown, in Zamalek or near the pyramids and get around by ride-hailing and metro. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are October–March.
Key facts
- Country
- Egypt
- Best time to visit
- October–March
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- CAI, SPX
- Mid-range daily budget
- $70–$150 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, Tutankhamun's treasures and Islamic Cairo
Why visit Cairo
- The Great Pyramid of Giza, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, and the Great Sphinx still overwhelm in person.
- The Grand Egyptian Museum displays the complete treasure of Tutankhamun together for the first time.
- Islamic Cairo's Al-Muizz Street, Al-Azhar Mosque and the Citadel hold a remarkable concentration of medieval monuments.
- Saqqara's Step Pyramid and the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur make an easy day trip with far fewer crowds than Giza.
- Street food such as koshari and ta'ameya, and evenings in coffeehouses and on the Nile, make daily life part of the visit.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 19 things to do.
Historic site · Giza
Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Khufu, built about 4,500 years ago and the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, stands with the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and smaller queens' pyramids on the desert plateau west of the Nile.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Views
Landmark · Giza
Great Sphinx
Carved from the bedrock of the plateau, the lion-bodied Sphinx is about 73 metres long and 20 metres high and is usually associated with the pharaoh Khafre.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Photo spot
- After dark
Museum · Giza
Grand Egyptian Museum
Opened in full in 2025 about 2 km from the pyramids, the GEM is described as the largest museum in the world devoted to a single civilisation.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Fustat
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Beside the Ain el-Sira lake in Fustat, NMEC tells Egypt's story from prehistory to the present, and its dimly lit Royal Mummies Hall holds the mummies of rulers such as Ramesses II and Hatshepsut, moved here in a televised parade in 2021.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Market · Islamic Cairo
Khan el-Khalili
Cairo's great bazaar has traded since the 14th century in a tangle of lanes selling lanterns, brass, spices, perfume oils, textiles and silver, among old caravanserai gateways.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Shopping
- Free
- After dark
- Food
Religious site · Islamic Cairo
Al-Azhar Mosque
Founded in 970, Al-Azhar is one of the oldest continuously working centres of Islamic learning in the world.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
Where to stay
Downtown is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$ · Best for budget, culture, solo travellers and first-timers
Downtown
Belle-époque boulevards, Tahrir Square and budget hotels
$$$ · Best for couples, first-timers, food lovers, families and nightlife
Zamalek
Leafy Nile island of embassies, cafés and boutique hotels
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples and quiet stays
Garden City
Quiet curving streets and Nile-front luxury hotels
$$ · Best for first-timers, families and couples
Giza Pyramids area
Hotels with pyramid views on the edge of the desert plateau
What to eat
- Koshari — Egypt's national comfort food layers rice, brown lentils, macaroni and chickpeas under a spiced tomato sauce, topped with crispy fried onions, a garlicky vinegar dressing (da'a) and chilli sauce.
- Ful medames — Fava beans stewed slowly overnight, mashed with oil, cumin and lemon and eaten with baladi flatbread; the default Cairo breakfast.
- Ta'ameya — Egyptian falafel made with fava beans rather than chickpeas, which makes it green and herby inside; usually stuffed into baladi bread with salad and tahini.
- Molokhia — A garlicky green stew of finely chopped jute leaves finished with fried garlic and coriander, served with rice or bread and often with chicken or rabbit.
- Stuffed pigeon — Small pigeons stuffed with spiced freekeh (green wheat) or rice, then roasted or grilled until crisp; a Cairo favourite for special occasions.
- Feteer meshaltet — Flaky, buttery layered pastry baked in a hot oven, eaten sweet with honey, cream or sugar, or savoury with cheese and meat.
When to go
The best time to visit Cairo is October to March, when days are warm and sunny and the Giza plateau is comfortable to explore; November, February and March are especially pleasant. From June to September highs regularly reach 35°C or more, so plan outdoor sightseeing for early mornings and museums for the afternoon heat.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | December–February | Mild, sunny days around 20°C and cool nights; the busiest and most expensive season, especially at Christmas and New Year. |
| Spring | March–May | Warming quickly, with occasional hot, dusty khamsin winds; March is pleasant, while May is already hot. |
| Summer | June–August | Very hot and dry, with highs around 35°C; low season for Western visitors, with lower hotel prices and quieter sites. |
| Autumn | September–November | The heat fades through September and October, and November brings ideal sightseeing weather. |
Getting there and around
Cairo International (CAI) is about 20 km north-east of Downtown; taxis, ride-hailing and pre-booked transfers take about 45–90 minutes to Downtown, Zamalek or Giza depending on traffic. Sphinx International (SPX), west of the city, handles fewer flights and is closer to the pyramids.
Cairo is huge and its traffic notoriously heavy, so plan days by area: Giza and the GEM; Downtown and the Egyptian Museum; Islamic Cairo and the Citadel; and Coptic Cairo with NMEC. The metro is fast for the centre and Coptic Cairo, while ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to reach Giza and Islamic Cairo.
Plan your days
Three days covers the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and the Citadel, and Coptic Cairo with the mummies at NMEC. A fourth day adds Saqqara and Dahshur; with longer, add Alexandria or continue south to Luxor and Aswan.
Practical information
- Currency
- EGP
- Language
- Arabic (Egyptian) and English
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is chlorinated, but visitors should drink bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 122 police, 123 ambulance, 126 tourist police
- Tipping
- Restaurants often add a service charge, but leaving another 5–10% for the waiter is customary.
The most common problems are persistent touts and commission-driven 'helpers' at the Giza plateau and Khan el-Khalili, and very heavy traffic — cross busy roads alongside locals. Women may face unwanted comments, and heat and dust are real hazards from April to September.
Flights to Cairo
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Cairo?
Three days covers the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and the Citadel, and Coptic Cairo with the mummies at NMEC. A fourth day adds Saqqara and Dahshur; with longer, add Alexandria or continue south to Luxor and Aswan. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Cairo?
The best time to visit Cairo is October to March, when days are warm and sunny and the Giza plateau is comfortable to explore; November, February and March are especially pleasant. From June to September highs regularly reach 35°C or more, so plan outdoor sightseeing for early mornings and museums for the afternoon heat.
+What is Cairo known for?
Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, Tutankhamun's treasures, Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili, Koshari and The Nile. The Great Pyramid of Giza, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, and the Great Sphinx still overwhelm in person.
+Is Cairo expensive?
Cairo is very affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $70–$150 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Cairo?
No — driving in Cairo is chaotic. Use ride-hailing and the metro in the city, and hire a car with a driver for Saqqara, Dahshur, Alexandria or Fayoum.