Cairo Travel Tips: What to Know Before Visiting Egypt’s Capital

Cairo is a big dusty city that many travelers merely use as a base camp for visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza. Due to this image its hidden treasures are often skipped on a quick stopover. In this blog you will discover all the spots that make this one of the most interesting cities in the Middle East and North Africa. A vast amount of beautifully decorated mosques, an Islamic era citadel, a medieval old city, loads of river side 5 star hotels and a vibrant downtown dining scene will make it hard to squeeze in the Pyramids in your itinerary.

General tips when visiting Cairo in 2026

🚕 Take an Uber > Just as common nowadays as in all other major cities and the most convenient way to get around. Cheap and no bargaining with the drivers as everything is handled via the app. At some major attractions, like the Egyptian Museum you might get an in-app message from the driver that the Uber price is too low. Just cancel the trip and search again. If you’re really up for an exciting, but suicidal trip, take the motorbike option!

💵 The country currency is the Egyptian Pound. Although some cash is always handy because you always need to tip someone in Egypt, you can use your debit card (like Meastro) almost everywhere. Do bring a back-up credit card.

👕 Most men walk in long pants in the evening. Especially in the spring it can still be chilly. Women; make sure to bring a scarf or similar to cover your head and shoulders when visiting holy sites. There are many mosques you visit on the inside!

🕣 There is a 21:00 evening clock for shops and street lighting at the time of writing due to the war in the region involving Iran. It’s a power saving measure and doesn’t really affect the bigger hotels.

🤳 Social Media is a very common practice by now in Cairo and the perfect way to discover all the hip dining spots!

Top 7 things to do in Cairo Egypt

☑️ Giza Pyramids 
☑️ Grand Egyptian Museum
☑️ Cairo Citadel (Muhammad Ali Mosque)
☑️ Cairo Tower
☑️ Bab Zuwayla (Islamic Cairo)
☑️ Al Tahrir Square (Coffee)
☑️ Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan

Tips when visiting the Cairo Tower

👀 Buy a ticket for the Cairo Tower visiting platform, even if you just want to visit the cafe. A ticket comes with a time slot you can take the elevator up, mind you; this can easily be half an hour. This might not be convenient if you’re rushing to catch the sunset (trust us we know). Luckily you can buy an express add on, but still there is a queue (as everyone gets this fast lane ticket). Please be aware that your ticket includes a drink at the cafe, so make sure you don’t let it go to waste! Another friendly tip; there is also a rotating restaurant on one of the Hiltons. Make sure you go to the correct tower (again trust us…).

Tips for visiting the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo

Visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza is a breeze compared to years ago. Back then visiting was mainly done via organised tours, due to the location on the outskirts of Cairo and the distance between the sites themselves. If the heat didn't wear you down, it was definitely the swarms of persistent sellers peddling trinkets and all kinds of cons (except a pyramid scheme). Nowadays you can take a cab or uber to the new entrance and buy a ticket from a desk or machine.

🎟️ What Tickets To Buy for the Pyramids

Make sure to immediately buy the add-on tickets for visiting any of the pyramids interiors if you plan to, you can’t do this later on. The pyramids can be a bit claustrophobic and are quite empty on the inside. The Menkaure pyramid is a bit less intense in terms of fitness. A great visit is the Mars Ankh tomb in the eastern cemetery next to Kufu’s pyramid (the big one without the cap on top). It’s easily accessible (although finding it between the ruins might be a small challenge) and offers a prime example of an original tomb including hieroglyphs and a burial shaft. Especially worth it if you’re not making it to Luxor.

🧭 The best route to visit the Pyramids

After the entrance you first encounter an exhibition about the construction of the pyramids; a truly marvelous example of what people can achieve when they work together (and no, they’re not built by aliens).

From here you can grab the hop-on-hop-off bus (make sure they run if you want to visit early to beat the crowds). The first stop is the panoramic view and a great place to start sightseeing and get the famous “look at me I’m shoving or picking up a pyramid” pictures. You can also grab a camel ride down to the pyramids from here and the cost for this is clearly indicated by big signs.

The second bus stop is only relevant if you have a ticket to the Menkaure pyramid. The third stop is between the Khafre and Kufu pyramids and a perfect location to wander between these ancient world wonders and admire them up close. The fourth stop is at the Sphinx and from there you can take the bus back along the same route. Depending on the temperature, your stamina and general interest in ancient architecture, a visit can easily take a halve day.

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Tips for sightseeing when you have time left in Cairo

These side quests are not your typical route… from quiet, spiritual corners to chaotic streets full of life. Hidden gems, unexpected contrasts, and moments that make you pause.

• Coptic Caïro 
• Al Azhar Mosque
• Khan el-Khalili Souks
• House of Zaynab Khatun
• Garbage City
• Cave Church
• Nile River (cruise)
• Downtown Food & Drinks

Tips when visiting the Cave Church

⛪️ The Cave Church is a popular tourist attraction on the outskirts of Cairo. However, to get there you’ll need to take an Uber or Taxi that needs to plow its way through a slum also known as Garbage City. This is a (smelly) attraction in itself but please note that traffic can be very slow, keep valuables away from open windows and it’s hard to get a ride back. The most convenient way is to book a round trip with a taxi that knows the way.

Tips when visiting Khan el-Khalili

Khan el-Khalili is a hectic place in the old city, known as Islamic Cairo. It’s a neighborhood filled with bustling markets that offer the authentic crazy souk experience. Dive right in for your typical souvenirs, and Arabian lamp, fresh herbs or our favorite; a djellaba to causally stroll around the house. As always, remember to haggle and be kind! The Al-Azhar Mosque is a great place to start your souk search.

Tips for dining and drinking in Downtown Cairo

Our Lunch and Dinner Food Reviews for Cairo City Centre Egypt

👍👍👍 Luuma (Zamalek)
👍👍👍 Zaza Cuisine (Zamalek)
👍👍👍 Taboula (Garden City)
👍👍 Zio Marco (Zamalek)
👍👍 Tasht Tut (Zamalek)
👍👍 Roy's Smokehouse (Zamalek)
👍 Oldish (Zamalek)
👍 Egypt McDonald's (Zamalek)
👎 Bigga / Beggah (Downtown)

Great places for coffee and drinks in downtown Cairo
Check this list when you’re around and need to beat that Cairo heat!

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Gingko (Boulaq - Fairmont Nile City)
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 La Poire (Downtown - Tahrir Square)
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Simonds (Zamalek)
👍🏻👍🏻 Rüst (Zamalek)
👍🏻👍🏻 Cairo Tower (Gezira Island)
👍🏻👍🏻 Hilton (Zamalek)
👍🏻👍🏻 Zamalek Rooftop (Zamalek)
👍🏻 Dawar el Omda (Coptic Cairo)

Maybe your experience or dish is better, try all of them for yourself!