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Cairo Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 3 days

Best Time: October to April Read More

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"The City of a Thousand Minarets"

Cairo Tourism

Nestled on the banks of the timeless Nile River, Cairo unfolds as a captivating blend where the intrigue of the past harmonizes effortlessly with the pulse of present-day living. The Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, monumental guardians of an age-old saga, command awe on the outskirts. Within the city's heart lies the Egyptian Museum, a treasure trove of antiquities that beckons history enthusiasts. Wander through Khan El Khalili, a labyrinthine bazaar alive with vibrant colors and aromatic spices. Amid the labyrinthine streets, find solace in centuries-old mosques and indulge in delectable local flavors. Cairo, a kaleidoscope of eras, promises an immersive odyssey through Egypt's history.

Cairo is a warm, tropical and beautiful city with innumerable attractions ranging from the Gigantic pyramids of Giza to the seemingly endless Nile. In addition, it houses numerous mosques, castles and churches and thus, came to be known as "the city of a thousand minarets". Boasting a rich history and society, Cairo perfectly blends modernity and olden culture. 

Downtown Cairo can seem European and modern with squares and grand buildings, while Tahrir Square is the heart of Cairo. Islamic Cairo is a labyrinth of mosques, souks and breathtakingly beautiful Islamic monuments. The oldest neighbourhood is Coptic Cairo, the site of the Roman settlement of Babylon. It is famous for its historic Christian monuments.

Take a stroll in the local streets and explore the brilliant city, which is an abode to the best Pharaonic landmarks in the entire country. The iconic rarities are marvellously showcased in the massive Egyptian Museum of antiquities, leaving everyone spellbound. Witness the land of contrasts with the daily hustle and bustle of the busy downtown and the extravagance at Zamalek. The city of Cairo will surprise you with every attraction.

Must Know Before You Travel to Cairo

  • Major tourist hotels are located in Central Cairo while luxury hotels are located along the banks of River Nile. To experience the best nightlife and restaurant scene, stay in Zamalek neighbourhood. 
  • To see the pyramids of Giza, the best option is to stay at a hotel in Giza for a night. This will save travel time
  • Avoid people standing outside popular tourist attractions in Cairo claiming that the attraction is closed or you need a guide to enter.
  • Head to a bar in Zamalek or Downtown Cairo for stunning sunset view of the Nile

Top Hotels In Cairo

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Shopping in Cairo

Cairo is packed with little boutiques and unique shops. Souq al-Gomaa is a famous weekly market selling a lot of fun and quirky items, including vintage clothes and other interesting objects. Khan Misr Touloun is a beautiful shop selling arts and craft items like wooden chests, pots, puppets and chunky jewellery. It is located just opposite the Ibn Tulun Mosque. You can also visit malls like Festival City Mall, City Stars Mall, etc or the popular female fashion store, Mix & Match.

Nightlife in Cairo

Cairo is very lively at night. Most bars and discos close after midnight, but they are all a lot of fun to visit. Zamalek is the best area to visit to see what the nightlife is like. Baladi bars or people's bars, are very popular here but not safe for women travelling alone. Laubergine, Pub 28, El Horrea, which is the best Baladi bar, Cairo Sheraton for belly dancing evenings and Cairo Jazz Club are some of the more popular ones.

History of Cairo

Cairo was established in 2,000 BC. The then ruler was King Menes. He was the one who united Upper and Lower Egypt. With the advent of the 1st century, the Babylon fortress was built by the Romans, on the Nile River. Cairo went on to be recognized as the city of Fustat by the Fatimids only later, in the 10th century.

Language of Cairo

Arabic is the official language spoken here. A large number of the population can also speak English. Italian, French, Russian and German are also spoken here.

Cairo Customs

  • The people of Cairo tend to dress well and expect the same from those they meet. So, wearing good clothes is necessary here.
  • Egyptians are big on manners and being polite. So, if you are offered a drink or some food, it is considered impolite to decline it.
  • Between men and women, the woman is supposed to extend her hand for a greeting first and not the man.
  • The word for the tip here is "Baksheesh" and it is common for taxi drivers and other staff to ask for it. However, there is no obligation to tip the person. But a lot of their workers rely on these tips due to an inadequate salary, so it is always kind to leave them some money.

Best Time to Visit Cairo

Cairo Photos

Cairo, Egypt

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FAQs on Cairo

What are the things to do in Cairo?

The top things to do in Cairo are Pyramids of Giza, Al-Azhar Mosque, Khan el-Khalili, The Citadel, Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo), Asfour Crystal Factory. You can see all the places to visit in Cairo here

What are the places near Cairo?

The top places near to Cairo are Luxor which is 503 km from Cairo, Aqaba which is located 368 km from Cairo, Jerusalem which is located 425 km from Cairo, Amman which is located 494 km from Cairo, London which is located 3512 km from Cairo

What are the top hotels in Cairo?

There are 919 in Cairo which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Cairo are Green Katamia-Height Golf Panorama, Sandra's place 2, Luxury 230m2 3 beds apartment in Gharb el Golf compound (Fifth settlement), Hossam Ali Elshaer pyramids view apartment with private rooftop, El-Shorouk Housing gate2, New Cairo, Al Rehab Studio.. You can see all the hotels in Cairo here

How much does a package cost for Cairo?

The packages for Cairo start at INR 62990 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

What is the local food in Cairo?

The local Egyptian cuisine is known for its distinctive simple cooking and rich flavours. Some of the most popular dishes include aish, pita breads, Falafel, and Ful medames, which is also considered the national dish of Egypt.
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What is the best time to visit Cairo?

The best time to visit Cairo is the pleasant spring or autumn or deep winters. March-April and October-November offer a comfortable season of light breeze and mild temperatures. The hotel rates are fairly cheap at this time and the entire trip is relaxing and delightful. While heavy winter months of December and January are also enjoyable, the hotel rates around this time are at their peak and the city is overcrowded with tourists. One must absolutely avoid visiting in the summer as the scorching heat and the dust storms may get the better of you.
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Cairo Reviews

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Saifudeen Habeebulla

on The Egyptian Museum 5 years ago
Very amazing stories of pharoas dead body. It keeps without any chemical experiment.
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