This is a list of the top-rated attractions and things to do in Cairo. Cairo, Egypt’s huge capital city and home to some of the world’s greatest wonders, including the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and, of course, the mummies, is likely to be one of the first places you visit on your journey to Egypt.
Aside from the Pyramids, there are a variety of other top-rated attractions and things to do in Cairo. It’s a city of contrasts, where old and modern coexist, where the living and the dead coexist (in the so-called City of the Dead), and where opulent hotels coexist with crowded (but dynamic) souks.
Museums with rare artifacts, fashionable rooftop bars, old mosques, synagogues, cathedrals, and much more can be found here. Let’s dive into the top-rated attractions and things to do in Cairo.
Top Things to do in Cairo
The vast city of Cairo offers a diverse range of tours and activities. It is home to the Giza pyramids, the world’s most famous ancient landmarks. This city of wonders will show you a unique contrast: some people live in cemeteries, while others live in luxury along the Nile River. Cairo is a must-see destination. It has a radius of 90 kilometers and a population of about 20 million people. Its tourist attractions are spread throughout the city.
How to do things and tours in Cairo
Cairo, as previously said, offers several tourist sites, museums, detours, and things to do. One of the mistakes that people make while organizing their trip to Cairo is booking excursions in the west and east on the same day, which is not a smart idea, especially in a bustling city like Cairo. Travelers do not conduct enough research to learn about the distances between sites and the dreadful traffic in Cairo.
Cairo Classic Tours are divided into two main day tours:
1 – Pyramids area day tour: travelers visit the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara Pyramids, and Memphis ancient city.
2: Cairo City Day Tour: Travelers visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, Coptic Cairo, Islamic Cairo, Saladin’s Citadel, and the tourist bazaar at Khan El-Khalili.
The following is a list of attractions and things to do on the west and east of Cairo (the division line is the Nile River).
Attractions on the west side of Cairo (Giza side):
- Giza pyramids
- The Great Sphinx (Inside the pyramids area)
- Giza Sound and Light Show
- Saqqara Pyramids
- Imhotep Museum (Inside Saqqara)
- Abu Sir pyramids
- Dahshur pyramids
- Abu Rawash pyramids
- Memphis, an ancient city
- The Grand Egyptian Museum
- Papyrus museums, hand-made carpets, and perfumeries.
Attractions on the east side of Cairo:
- The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
- Coptic Cairo
- The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
- Islamic Cairo
- Citadel of Saladin
- Fatimid Islamic Cairo
- El Muez Street
- Nile Dinner Cruises
- Belly dancer shows
- Dervish show
- Cairo’s Opera House
- The Museum of Modern Art
- Cairo Tower
- Downtown Cairo
- Al Azhar Park
- Baroon Palace