Cairo, a megalopolis of more than 20 million inhabitants, is a city that leaves no one indifferent. Chaotic, fascinating, exhausting and captivating at the same time, the Egyptian capital concentrates priceless treasures: the legendary pyramids of Giza, the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum, the thousand-year-old souks and a bustling urban life.
Use this guide to plan a 2026 trip to Cairo: the sights you cannot skip, the districts worth wandering, practical tips and well-paced itineraries so every day of your stay counts.
Cairo in Brief
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Recommended duration | 3-5 days minimum |
| Best period | October - April (20-25°C) |
| Daily budget | £30-£60 (comfort) |
| Essentials | Pyramids, GEM, Khan el-Khalili, Citadel |
| Transportation from airport | Taxi/Uber: £10 (45 mins) |
Cairo’s Must-See Sites
1. Giza: the Pyramids and the Sphinx
Of the ancient world's Seven Wonders, only the Giza pyramids survive, which makes them the obvious first stop on any Cairo trip. Three principal pyramids stand on the Giza Plateau:
Khufu (Great Pyramid): 146 meters high, 4,500 years old, the largest
Khafre: Slightly smaller but appears higher (raised platform)
Mykerinos: Smallest of the trio, yet beautifully finished
For 4,500 years the Sphinx has kept watch over the plateau: a legendary beast with a lion's body and a human face, most likely that of Khafre.
Practical advice: Arrive as soon as it opens (8 a.m.) to avoid crowds and the heat. Entry into the Great Pyramid (supplement £20) is fascinating but claustrophobic. The evening Sound and Light show (£30-£50) offers a magical experience.
2. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
NEW 2025 - The Grand Egyptian Museum opened in November 2025 and has become the cultural visit no Cairo trip should miss. Just 2 km from the pyramids, this remarkable building holds:
100,000+ artifacts including 50,000 exhibited for the first time. The Complete Tutankhamun Collection (5,400 objects combined). Khufu's solar boat (43 meters, 4,500 years). The colossal statue of Ramses II (83 tons, 11 meters).
| GEM information | Details |
|---|---|
| Entrance fee | ~£40 (60 USD / 1,300 EGP) |
| Schedules | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (until 9 p.m. Wed/Sat) |
| Reservation | Mandatory on visit-gem.com |
| Duration of visit | 3-4 hours minimum |
| Transport from center | Uber: (15-20 mins) |
Tip: Combine pyramids + GEM in the same day (near 2 km). Start with the pyramids early in the morning, then GEM mid-day when it's warmer outside.
3. Khan el-Khalili: The Millennium Souk
Khan el-Khalili, the best-known souk in Cairo, feels lifted straight from the Thousand and One Nights. Established in the 14th century, its tangle of lanes holds hundreds of stalls and shops selling:
Gold and silver jewelry (rue des orfèvres). Spices, perfumes and essential oils. Crafts: lanterns, copper, leather, fabrics. Souvenirs and antiques (be careful of copies).
El-Fishawi café has not closed its doors since 1773 and runs 24 hours a day; it is a Cairo institution. Take a mint tea or a Turkish coffee and watch traders and visitors weave past.
Shopping tips: Nothing has a fixed price here, so haggle every time (open at 30-50% of what is quoted). Late afternoon brings the keenest prices. Entry is free; give yourself 2-3 hours to wander.
4. Saladin’s Citadel
High on Mokattam Hill, Saladin's Citadel has looked down over Cairo for 800 years. For 700 of those, this medieval stronghold was the seat of Egypt's rulers.
Strong points:
Mohammed Ali Mosque: Ottoman masterpiece with alabaster domes
Panoramic view: The whole city spread out below you (the pyramids show on a clear day)
Museums: Military, police and royal carriage collections
Entrance: ~ (120 EGP), allow 2 hours of visit
5. Coptic Cairo: Where the Holy Family Sheltered
In the Coptic quarter you meet a different Egypt, one that has been Christian for 2,000 years. Tradition holds that the Holy Family found shelter here during their flight into Egypt.
Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa): A 3rd-century church raised over a Roman gateway
Saint-Sergius Church: Crypt where the Holy Family would have lived
Ben Ezra Synagogue: Egypt's oldest, dating from the 9th century
Coptic Museum: Egyptian Christian art (~£0, 2 hours of visit)
6. Islamic Cairo: A Thousand Minarets
Nowhere else on earth packs in so many medieval Islamic monuments as Islamic Cairo, which UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site.
Al-Muizz Street: Over a kilometre of medieval buildings running between Bab el-Fotouh and Bab Zuweila
Al-Azhar Mosque: Dating from 970 and home to the world's oldest university
Sultan Hassan Mosque: The 14th-century pinnacle of Mamluk building
Tip: Come on a Friday morning for the atmosphere of prayers, or midweek for a quieter wander
Excursions From Cairo
Saqqara and Memphis
Saqqara lies 30 km south of Cairo and holds the world's oldest pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, raised 4,700 years ago. Spread across 6 km², the site draws far fewer visitors than Giza yet rewards you every bit as much.
Nearby Memphis served as the first capital of a united Egypt. Its open-air museum shows off the Colossus of Ramesses II alongside the Alabaster Sphinx.
Duration: Half day (4-5h) | Entrance: ~£10 | Transportation: Taxi/organized excursion
Alexandria
2.5 hours by road or train, the pearl of the Mediterranean deserves a full day: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, catacombs of Kom el-Chogafa, citadel of Qaitbay, maritime corniche. Ideal for a day trip or overnight stopover.
Recommended Itineraries
3 Days in Cairo: The Essential
Day 1 - Giza: Pyramids at 8am opening → Sphinx → Lunch with a pyramid view → Grand Egyptian Museum in the afternoon
Day 2 - Historic Cairo: Citadel first → Al-Muizz Street and Islamic Cairo → Khan el-Khalili late afternoon into evening
Day 3 - Choice of: Coptic Cairo + Ancient Egyptian Museum OR Saqqara/Memphis excursion
5 Days in Cairo: Complete Immersion
Days 1-3: Essential program above
Day 4: Saqqara and Memphis (half day) + Zamalek district and felucca at sunset
Day 5: Alexandria day trip OR shopping + traditional hammam
→ See our tours pairing Cairo with a Nile cruise
Practical Information
Getting Around in Cairo
Uber/Careem: Option #1 - Reliable, air-conditioned, prices displayed (3-9 on most trips)
Metro: 3 lines, clean and efficient (~£10/trip). Avoid rush hours
Classic taxi: Negotiate BEFORE you go up. Count 50-100 EGP for common journeys
To avoid: Driving yourself; Cairo's traffic is famously chaotic
Where to Sleep in Cairo
Giza (near the pyramids): Handy for the plateau and GEM. Marriott Mena House (unbeatable view), Pyramids View Inn (cheaper)
City centre / Tahrir: Well placed for every sight. Nile Ritz-Carlton or Steigenberger El Tahrir
Zamalek (island on the Nile): Chic residential area, relative calm. Cairo Marriott, boutique hotels
Garden City: Embassies, calm, near Coptic Cairo. Four Seasons Nile Plaza
→ Egypt travel budget for detailed prices
Where to Eat in Cairo
Essential street food:
Koshari: The national dish (1-11) - Try Koshary Abou Tarek (Tahrir Street)
Foul and Taameya: Typical Egyptian breakfast (1-12)
Shawarma: Cairenes have been queuing at Abou Shakra since 1947
Recommended restaurants:
Sequoia (Zamalek): Nile view, fusion cuisine, trendy atmosphere
Felfela: Institution since 1959, authentic Egyptian cuisine
The Pasha 1901: Restaurant boat on the Nile, several atmospheres
Safety and Advice
Visitors are generally safe in Cairo. A few sensible precautions:
Avoid demonstrations and gatherings. Do not photograph military or police installations. Beware of unofficial “guides” to the pyramids. Women: cover shoulders and knees in religious places. Cross the streets carefully - traffic doesn't stop!
→ Egypt visa guide for entry formalities
FAQ: Visit Cairo
How many days does it take to visit Cairo?
Minimum 3 days for the essentials (pyramids, GEM, Khan el-Khalili, Citadel). Ideally 4-5 days to include Saqqara, Coptic and Islamic Cairo, and enjoy the atmosphere without running.
Which months suit a Cairo trip best?
From October to April for pleasant temperatures (15-25°C). Avoid June-August (35-40°C) unless you tolerate the heat well. The air-conditioned GEM allows you to visit comfortably even in summer.
Should you make time for the Grand Egyptian Museum?
Absolutely ! It is now THE museum to visit in Cairo. The complete collection of Tutankhamun brought together for the first time, the solar barque of Khufu, and 100,000 artifacts make this an unforgettable visit. Reserve online at visit-gem.com.
Is Cairo safe for tourists?
Yes. The tourist districts are well policed and Egyptians tend to be warm towards visitors. Keep valuables out of sight, mind your pockets in crowds and steer clear of any demonstrations.
How to avoid pyramid scams?
Turn down self-appointed “guides” with a polite but firm no. Ignore anyone charging for “compulsory photos”. Agree a camel-ride price BEFORE you climb on (50-100 EGP at most for 10-15 min). Booking through an agency spares you all of this.
Conclusion: Prepare Your Visit
Cairo is a city that requires energy and open-mindedness, but which generously rewards those who venture there. Between the thousand-year-old pyramids, the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the lively souks and the bustling Cairo life, each day promises memorable discoveries.
Sem Elegant Voyage arranges your Cairo stay around seasoned English-speaking guides who know the city street by street. We pair the headline sights with genuine local experiences, well away from the coach-tour crowds.
→ Complete Egypt Travel Guide 2026
→ Explore our Egypt tour packages
→ Request a personalized quote
Our associated guides
- → The Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- → Our practical guide to visiting the Giza pyramids
- → Cairo at night: what to do?
- → Visit to the Coptic Quarter of Cairo
- → Al-Azhar Mosque and Islamic Quarter of Cairo
- → Dahshur and the red pyramid
- → Visit Memphis and Saqqara
- → Cairo Museum of Islamic Art
- → National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
- → Hammam in Cairo: authentic experience
- → Spice Market and Khan el-Khalili
Planning Cairo with an English-speaking agency on the ground: