11 Things To Do In Cairo: Have A Memorable Trip To The White Desert

23 Mar 2023

Written by

Roopam

Cover Image Credit: soupysquirrel for Pixabay Cairo, the capital of Egypt has many famous minarets in it. And this is the reason it is also called as The City Of The Thousand Minarets. It is the best place to explore the culture of Egypt and its history. Tourism industry is flourishing in Egypt. Egypt entertains around 8 million tourists every year making it one of the major sources of income for Egypt. Cairo is one of the most visited cities in the world because of the beautiful architecture and alluring sights. One can find various museums, mosques, and pyramids in Cairo. Here is a list of things to do in Cairo, the white desert.

Best Time To Visit Cairo

Image Source March-April and October-November are the best months to visit Cairo. These are the months when the temperature is a bit pleasant and the crowd is less. These months provide the most budgeted trip to Cairo as hotel rates are also low because of less crowd. The winter months of December and February see the maximum crowd because the evenings are pleasant and cool in these months and it becomes easy for sightseeing. Don’t visit the place in summers if you can’t take the heat.

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Things To Do In Cairo

Cairo is the best place to visit to explore the culture of Egypt. You can witness the best of Cairo at the time of sunset as the monuments look all the more beautiful with a gleaning orange light around. Add these things to do in Cairo to your list and know more about the culture of Cairo.

1. Egyptian Museum – Visit

Image Credit: TINTYPEPHOTOS for Pixabay This museum is also called the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities because this museum has a huge collection of antiquities of Ancient Egypt. One can also find a collection of coins and papyrus in the museum. It is preferable if you hire a guide as he would provide you with full information about the place. One of the best things to do in Downtown Cairo is to visit this historic museum. So, don’t forget to pay a visit to this place. Location : Tahrir Square, Cairo Key Attraction: Tomb Tutankhamun Golden Hoard

Must Read: 5 Stunning Villas In Cairo For A Comfortable & Refreshing Vacation

2. Khan El Khalili Bazaar – Shopping

Image Credit: MonicaVolpin for Pixabay Khan El Khalili is one of the most vibrant marketplaces that one can visit. It is the best Arabian Market of Cairo with restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and whatnot. If you love to know the history of a place, then you would be interested to know the history of this place as well. You can shop for clothes, jewelry, spices, and perfumes as well. There is no fee to enter this market. So, hanging out in this market with your friends is one of the best free things to do in Cairo Egypt. Location: Islamic District of Cairo Key Attractions: Ancient Arches, mosques nearby

3. Pyramids Of Giza – Explore

Image Credit: TheDigitalArtist for Pixabay This is one of the most popular places to visit in Cairo as it is one of the seven wonders of the world. They are around 4500 years old. Also, don’t forget to visit the Great Sphinx standing next to the Pyramid of Giza. Only 300 visitors are allowed on a daily basis to visit the pyramids, so you should try to visit the place in the morning when enough tickets are available. And don’t forget to get yourself clicked the iconic photo of kissing the Sphinx, it is one of the unique and adventurous things to do in Cairo. Location: Giza Plateau, Southwest of Cairo Key Attraction: Sound and Light show at Giza Pyramid at night

4. Mosque-Madrassa Of Sultan Hassan – See The Architecture

Image Credit: DEZALB for Pixabay It is a massive but beautiful piece of architecture. It is one of the largest mosques in the world whose construction began in the year 1356. It is the height of the tomb, which is the major attraction for the tourists. It is the best spot for photography. The mosque is a must-visit on your visit to Cairo, though some people believe it to be one of the non-touristy things to do in Cairo, the decision rests totally on you. Location: Old City of Cairo Key Attraction: Tremendous Height of The Mosque

5. Cairo Jazz Club – Party!

Image Credit: Sarah Canbel for Pixabay If you love music and party, then this is totally for you. Cairo Jazz Club is a must-visit to enjoy the best of bands in Cairo. You will experience the best of the nightlife of Cairo here. One can enjoy the best of music with the best of food here. You will surely end up dancing on interesting music and enjoying your life fully. Do visit this club if you love music and dancing. It is one of the best things to do in Cairo at night. Location: Cairo, Egypt

6. Al Azhar Park – Walk Through

Image Source It is one of the best parks in Cairo. Earlier it was a dumping ground which was later converted into a beautiful garden having fountains, restaurants and recreation areas as well. The entry fee to the park is 10 Egyptian pounds and it is worth a pay. The park is open till midnight and looks all the more beautiful at night. One of the unique things to do in Cairo is watching the sunset at this park. Location: Islamic Cairo (Eastern Edge) Key Attraction: Ayyubid Wall

7. Bab Zuwayla Minaret – Climb

Image Source For some fascinating top views of Cairo, you need to climb the Bab Zuwayla Minaret. But make sure you do that before 5 PM or you’ll be met with closed doors. The views from up there are simply amazing and you would regret missing this experience of seeing the antique and rustic houses of Egypt from the top. Climbing all the way up for some views may sound like one of those crazy things to do in Cairo that delight only thrill-seekers, but trust me, those views up there will be worth your while!

8. Loft 21 – Have A Drink

It’s not just about sitting in Loft 21 and having a refreshing cocktail or two. It’s about what you can do in addition to having a good drink here with friends that makes it one of the most popular places in Cairo. The rooftop seating of this place is simply amazing and will give you unbeatable views of this city, especially when it’s all lit in the evening. If you are seeking a great place to view the sunset in Cairo, then you must head over to Loft 21. Gazing at the colorful sunset from up here with a delicious drink in hand is among the most relaxing things to do in Cairo.

9. Fasahat Soumaya – Try Local Egyptian Food

Not many know about this place, which makes it one of the most wonderful and offbeat places to head down to for dinner with your loved ones. The aroma itself will want you to come inside and try everything on the menu. The place is run by a brilliant chef and you will love his home-style cooking, but only if you visit between 5 and 7 PM! You can locate the eatery in a small passageway between 15 and 17 Youssef El Gendy. There aren’t many tables, but the food is so excellent and the ambiance so cozy that you’ll want to wait for as long as it takes.

10. Day Trip To Alexandria

Image Source Coming to Cairo and not seeing Alexandria is a sin! It had served as the capital of Egypt under the leadership of Alexander the Great who had conquered Egypt at that time and founded the city of Alexandria. When here, you must also visit the world-famous Library of Alexandria that will tell you a great deal about the glorious history of Egypt. All in all, it will make for a wonderful day trip from Cairo.

11. Zabbaleen – See The Cave Churches

Image Source Take your exploration of Cairo one step further and traverse into the cave churches of Zabbaleen. The best part about this place is that it’s not crowded with tourists like other typical attractions of this city, which will help you explore it properly and without any hassles. Belonging to the garbage collectors community of Cairo, this Coptic cave church is located in a beautiful village called Mokattam Village. Out of the various cave churches situated in this area, the monastery of St. Simon the Tanner is the biggest and seats over 20,000 people at a time! Make sure you are accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.

How To Reach Cairo

Image Credit: Pixabay By Air The nearest airport to Cairo is the Cairo International Airport. It is around 21 km from Cairo. There are frequent flights to Cairo from Indian cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, and New Delhi. Once you reach Cairo International Airport, you can book a cab or taxi for yourself. By Road If we look into the map of Egypt, we find that we can reach Egypt by road. It is around 4500 km from India. But it is not a suggested way because one has to pass through Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, and seeing the political conditions, it can prove a bit risky. By Train Egyptian railways have a good inbuilt railway system. You can easily travel from one city to another within Egypt. Even Cairo is very well connected in this railways network. So, it is also a good option to choose from.

Further Read: 12 Picturesque Beaches In Egypt For A Travel Experience You’ll Never Forget

Cairo is the best city to visit to know about the culture and history of Egypt. You can do everything starting from exploring a museum and artifacts to enjoying the dance and music at a nightclub. Also, don’t forget to pay a visit to one of the oldest seven wonders of the world. Planning an international trip? Book a trip to Egypt with TravelTriangle and don’t forget to add these things to do in Cairo to your list. Have a fantabulous vacation with your family. Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Cairo

Here are some common questions that might help further:

What are the top tourist attractions in Cairo?

Cairo is renowned for its ancient culture and humongous pyramids situated in the desert. Some of the best tourist attractions that you can visit in Cairo are the museum of Egyptian antiques, Nile River, Coptic Cairo, Al-Azhar park, Khan-Al Khalili, Cairo citadel, Cave Church, Hanging Church, and much more.

What are the best outdoor activities in Cairo?

Some of the best outdoor activities that you can do in Cairo include quad-biking and camel riding in the desert, hot air balloon rides, felucca boat ride, Pyramids tour, exploring the Egyptian museum, visiting the Red Sea, exploring Coptic and Islamic Cairo, etc.

Is it safe to visit Cairo during covid times?

The Egyptian Government has opened its borders for international travelers and issued some mandatory guidelines such as individuals with complete vaccinations are not required to produce a negative RT PCR test during departure, unvaccinated individuals are required to produce a negative RT PCR test done 72 hours prior to departure. Children below the age of 12 years of age are exempted from producing covid tests. Important protocols such as wearing face masks, using hand sanitisers, and social distancing should be followed in a public place.

What should you not miss in Cairo?

The best things that you must do during your Cairo tour include visiting the Museum of Egyptian Antiques, exploring various cafes in Cairo, visiting the Mohammed Ali Mosque, and exploring the Pyramid and great Sphinx.

What is Cairo famous for?

Cairo is known for its rich culture and ancient history during the reign of the Roman Empire. Cairo is renowned for the popular architectural marvels such as the Pyramids of Giza, several historical churches, the Nile river, and the Red Sea.

What is there to do in Cairo at night?

Some of the best things to do at night include going for a nice dinner on a luxurious cruise ship on Nile river, enjoying the light show at Giza Pyramids, Islamic sites tour, shopping in Egyptian markets, visiting the Opera house, and enjoying a felucca ride.

What is the best time to visit Cairo?

The best time to visit Cairo is between October and April because the weather in Egypt is quite pleasant during this period and exploring the famous tourist attractions becomes much more enjoyable.

How many days are required to explore Cairo?

For a short vacation, at least 2-3 days are required to explore the major tourist attractions in Cairo such as the Pyramid of Giza and Coptic Egypt. For an extended relaxing vacation, 5-7 days are sufficient for a Cairo tour.