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Cairo

Pyramids on the skyline, medieval mosques, Nile feluccas and world-class museums

Browse Cairo

Cairo is a thrilling, chaotic sprawl where the last of the ancient wonders meets a thousand years of Islamic and Coptic history and the ceaseless energy of the modern Arab world. Our local picks run from the pyramids of Giza and the treasures of the new Grand Egyptian Museum to koshary counters, Nile feluccas and the medieval lanes of Al-Muizz Street. More hand-picked recommendations are on the way – filter by category and budget below.

Cairo at a glance

  • Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
  • Best time to visit: October to April
  • Highlights: the Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo
  • Where to stay: Zamalek or the Giza pyramids area
  • Local picks: a growing set of hand-chosen tips
  • Getting around: cheap taxis and ride-hailing, plus a metro

Where to stay in Cairo

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Zamalek

Abou El Sid

★ 4.4
$$
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Islamic Cairo

Al-Azhar Mosque

★ 4.6
$
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Islamic Cairo

Al-Muizz Street

★ 4.6
$
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Manshiyat Naser (Garbage City), Mokattam

Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE)

Why it matters: founded in 1984 by philanthropist Yousriya Sawiris, the Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE) works alongside the Zabbaleen recycling community of Manshiyat Naser, training local women to turn factory offcuts, glass and discarded wrappers into rugs, quilts, bags and jewellery, a stable income in one of Cairo’s poorest districts. Visiting its workshop-boutique pairs a first-hand look at the world’s most efficient informal recycling system with handmade goods bought directly from the makers. Buy a patchwork quilt or a recycled-glass pendant and your money goes straight back into the community. Tip: go with a reputable local guide, dress modestly, and always ask before photographing residents.
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Citadel

Cairo Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali

★ 4.6
$
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Agouza

Cairo Jazz Club

★ 4.4
$$
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Old Cairo

Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church

★ 4.6
$
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Downtown

Dahab Hostel

★ 4.4
$
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Giza

Dinner with Pyramids at Rooftop7000

★ 4.2
$$$
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Downtown Mall (داون تاون مول)

This is a modern place for shopping and having fun, you can also find international brands and famous restaurants around, it’s not so far from Cairo center and you can also find…
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Downtown

El Horreya

★ 4.3
$
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Zamalek

Fair Trade Egypt

Why it matters: launched in 1998 as Egypt’s first fair-trade organization, this Zamalek nonprofit links dozens of artisan groups across the country to a fair market, safeguarding traditional crafts that mass production had pushed to the brink. Two floors of a quiet apartment are packed with handmade kilims, Bedouin embroidery, Siwan pottery, recycled-glass and Nubian basketry, every price tag traceable to the maker. Come for genuine, guilt-free souvenirs and skip the tourist-bazaar markups of Khan el-Khalili. Tip: it sits on the first floor of an apartment building on Yehia Ibrahim Street, open Sun-Thu, so ring the bell and take the lift up.
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Downtown

Felfela

★ 4.3
$
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Giza

Giza Sunrise Pyramids Tour with Camel and Breakfast

★ 4.7
$$
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Giza

Grand Egyptian Museum Entry Ticket

★ 4.8
$$
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Giza

Grand Egyptian Museum, Pyramids and Sphinx Tour with Lunch

★ 4.7
$$$
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Downtown

Koshary Abou Tarek

★ 4.5
$
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Zamalek

Malaika Linens

Why it matters: founded in 2004 by designers Goya Gallagher and Margarita Andrade, this women-led Egyptian linen house created Threads of Hope, a free embroidery school that has trained hundreds of marginalised local and refugee women in Downtown Cairo, each graduate earning a living hand-finishing luxury cotton for brands worldwide. The hand-embroidered bedlinen, tablecloths and robes are museum-shop quality (the Met carries them) and rooted in Egypt’s long thread-work tradition. Buy a hand-stitched pillowcase or table runner as a keepsake with a genuine backstory. Tip: Malaika is carried at several Zamalek design galleries rather than one flagship, so call ahead, as showrooms keep boutique hours.
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Book your trip to Cairo

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Cairo travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Cairo?

Three to four days covers the Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic and Coptic Cairo and a felucca on the Nile, at a manageable pace.

Where is the best area to stay in Cairo?

Leafy Zamalek island is calm and central for restaurants and nightlife; staying out by the Giza pyramids buys you an unforgettable view, while downtown puts you near the old museum.

What are the best things to do in Cairo?

Browse the local picks above, from the pyramids and Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum to Al-Muizz Street, the Citadel and a sunset felucca ride on the Nile.

What is the best time to visit Cairo?

The cooler months from October to April are far more comfortable for sightseeing; high summer brings intense desert heat.

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