Cairo is on most history buffs’ bucket lists, and with the 2025 opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, there has never been a better time to start planning that long-awaited trip to the sprawling metropolis that more than 20 million people call home. But Egypt’s capital has so much more to offer than the obvious historic sites. The city reveals itself in layers and it is up to visitors to peel them back. Here are our picks of the best things to do in Cairo.
1. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Undoubtedly Egypt’s most famous attraction, the three pyramids of kings Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure sit on the Giza plateau in Greater Cairo, flanked by the Great Sphinx. Visitors can go inside any of the pyramids at an additional cost, and the Great Pyramid of King Khufu is the most popular. Although it feels slightly claustrophobic and there isn’t much to see, it’s still a thrill to walk up to the King’s Chamber and its empty granite sarcophagus. Keep in mind that the area closes at 4pm in winter and 5pm in summer. There are actually nine pyramids in total on the site, hence the name of the area’s first restaurant, 9 Pyramids Lounge, which opened in 2020. Book breakfast or lunch here to kickstart a day of exploring. Alternatively, try upscale restaurant Khufu’s for a modern twist on Egyptian cuisine. Both venues opened as part of a revamp of the visitor experience at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Still to come are electric buses, a new visitor centre and standardised pricing for horse and camel rides, to eliminate the overcharging that can occur at some Egyptian sites.
2. Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
Yes, it’s touristy and, yes, you’ll be bombarded with “welcome” and “come” and “please, have a look”. Nevertheless, a visit to Cairo isn’t complete without getting lost in the winding alleys of Khan El-Khalili bazaar, where you might be enticed to buy incense sticks, small cups for mint tea or mini hookahs. Rows of cafes near Al-Azhar mosque serve hot bowls of koshary, a national favourite of rice, macaroni and lentils topped with tomato sauce and fried onions, and feteer, an Egyptian pastry served sweet or savoury. For an elevated (and air-conditioned) setting, go to the Naguib Mahfouz cafe, a tribute to the famous writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. For true Mahfouz fans, there is a museum dedicated to the author’s life and works in a small alleyway next to the Abu al-Dahab mosque. End the day with a Sufi whirling dervishes show in the open-air courtyard of the Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Centre.
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