Location: Cairo
Top Things to do in Cairo
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What to do and see in Cairo, Cairo Governorate: The Best Things to do
Cairo’s an ancient city that also happens to be a modern metropolis—it’s one of the biggest cities in the Middle East and has the traffic and noise issues to prove it. But as long as you’re not looking for solitude, Cairo—the City of the Thousand Minarets—is a splendid place to explore Egyptian history and culture. (Editor's note: Our list was compiled before political unrest prompted many countries to issue travel warnings for Egypt. If you're currently planning a trip to Egypt, please consider the risks and monitor your government's travel alerts.)
Restaurants in Cairo
1. Cairo Citadel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,197 reviews
This massive stone fortress, built by Salah ad-Din in the 12th century, was crowned with the Mosque of Mohammed Ali 700 years later.
Reviewed By dr_j_now - Germantown, United States
This wasn't necessarily on our personal radar, but it was part of the group tour so obviously we came. It's worth seeing; it's an amazing old site overall and very impressive, especially considering when it was all built. If visiting the area, be sure to dress and act appropriately here especially, as the Mohammad Ali Mosque is one of the main buildings here and must be visited if you're here. Even though it's an impressive building, it is really a bummer that they used limestone from the Great Pyramids to construct it. From the courtyard we got lucky and it was apparently a "clear" day (still quite hazy) and we had a nice view of the city, including the Pyramids in the distance. Overall it was definitely worth a short stop.
2. Al-Azhar Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 359 reviews
The oldest university in the world is built around this ancient mosque, which has been the center of Islamic scholarship since 975 AD.
Reviewed By Visit100Countries - San Francisco, United States
It is worth a visit especially if you are familiar about how powerful this mosque and university in the islamic world. To date, students all over the world go there to learn a special branch of Islam. The school was very powerful up to recently and still has some weight in Egypt and beyond.
3. Al-Azhar Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 922 reviews
Reviewed By limegreenchalk - Macon, United States
If you've had enough of noise and are looking for a green space in which to relax, this park is a great option. There are several cafes in which you can get something to eat, as well.
4. Mosque of Muhammad Ali
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,595 reviews
Located in the Citadel, this mosque was built between 1824 and 1857 in the Ottoman style by Mohammad Ali Pasha, a ruler of Egypt.
Reviewed By Underawanderingstar7 - Exeter, United Kingdom
Beautiful Mosque ???? and well worth a vist Glad I visited this unusual Mosque as I think it’s a beautiful Building reminds me a little bit of the East End Mosque in London well worth a vist
5. Cave Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By travellerJudy - Greater Sydney, Australia
I just love this place. It is peaceful and the rock carvings are incredible. The story of the miracle of Mokattam is also very special.
6. Cairo Festival City Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 411 reviews
Reviewed By 531mahmouds
The most beautiful mall in Egypt , full of stores of famous brands from all over the world , also when you need to eat you will find varities of restaurant , the mall contains a huge parking for cars , also you there is a high class cinemas & a large foid court , when you visit Cairo Festival City Mall it will be unforgettable visit .
7. Nile River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,992 reviews
Stretching for 4,187 miles, the longest river in the world flows from its major source, Lake Victoria in east central Africa, through Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia and northwards into Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.
Reviewed By Necessiter
We were looked after from start to finish - excellent service. We travelled as 2 couples on the Blue Shadow II - we were on the second from top deck and the boat is fabulous - huge rooms, lovely top deck, excellent food in the spacious dining room (buffet-style). Staff are very friendly and attentive - nothing is too much bother. Also we paid tips up front so no issues with that. Our guide was excellent - gave us a full programme overview the night before, arranged all transport, stayed with us on every trip and very knowledgeable. The 4 of us had our guide and driver for every excursion to ourselves - the included ones and the extras. The included tours are comprehensive with a typical day being an early morning tour and back to the boat by noon for lunch, relaxing afternoon watching the Nile go by followed by evening meal. We did the Abu Simbel and balloon rides as extras plus the bird watching (excellent afternoon trip). Abu Simbel is worth the wake up call and 3 hr drive there and back - we left at 04:30, toured the site for 2hrs and back for lunch at 12:30 (our driver was swift!!). The balloon ride is very very gentle with awesome views. We added in an overnight stay in Cairo at the end to see the Pyramids and museum - brilliant experience and well worth the extra day. Orbital have been superb - cannot fault them at all.
8. The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
This famous museum houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyption artifacts (more than 120,000 items on display) featuring the famous Tutankhamun collection with its beautiful gold death mask and sarcophagus and the royal Mummy room, which houses an additional eleven Pharaonic dignitaries.
Reviewed By AdelA650 - Cairo, Egypt
It is the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyption artifacts (more than 120,000 items on display) featuring the famous Tutankhamun collection with its beautiful gold death mask and sarcophagus and the royal Mummy room, which houses an additional eleven Pharaonic dignitaries.The new museum opens in October 2020 so most of the artefacts here are being packed up to transfer, but still very interesting.
9. Khan Al-Khalili
Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, this busy and colorful open-air bazaar is filled with unique and exotic items from spices and perfumes to jewelry and souvenirs.
Reviewed By 724ranaa
The place has a taste that u’ll never find in any Arabic market/ Souq, the shops, souvenirs, bazars food, cafes, silver & gold, textiles, costumes, music...everything is beyond imagination. If u’ll go u must have a drink in El Fishawy cafe & enjoy the oriental music there, do Henna drawings (like tattoos), have a lunch or dinner at Nageeb Mahfouz or Farahat restaurant or restaurants just before the The gate to Khan Elkhalili area. Also a big recommendation for silver shop Mohamed Ameen (very famous there), have a walk by the Khan Elkhalili & El Moez street where mosques & building 700 years old with magnificent lightings. Enjoy prayers at El Hussein Mosque, also the show wekalet elghoory can’t be missed if u’r going on Wednesdays (I think Mondays as well, check the schedule before u go). In front of it Al Azhar park where some restaurants & greenery area with corridors to have a nice walk. There is Al Azhar park garage to park ur car, just 5 min. Walk to Khan El Khalili, & there is are toilets at the Gas station just in front of the garage.
10. Coptic Cairo
Once known as the Roman stronghold of Babylon, Cairo’s oldest section is the ancient heart of the Coptic Christian community featuring five original churches, the first mosque built in Egypt and the oldest synagogue, all representing three of the major world religions.
Reviewed By 902stepheno - Cairo, Egypt
Once again I was fortunate to be with a group hosted by an excellent tour guide to show us around the Historic Religious Complex in Old Coptic Cairo. Our tour started at the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As before moving on to the Ben Ezra Synagogue and a vast collection of ancient Coptic churches including the famous Hanging Church. The architecture and the history associated with these places of worship were fascinating as it was inspiring. I would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting Cairo.
