All citiesCairo Things to do and walking itinerary
Egypt Cairo travel guide
29 things to do in Cairo, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Cairo
- Egyptian Museum — museum in Cairo (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun — mosque in Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- El-Fustat — first capital of Islamic Egypt, in Old Cairo (visit ≈ 60 min)
- al-Azhar Mosque — mosque in Islamic Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Cairo Citadel — medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Mosque of Amr ibn al-As — mosque in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Muhammad Ali Mosque — mosque in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan — mosque in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Cairo Tower — free-standing concrete tower in Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Babylon Fortress — Fortification located in Coptic Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Al-Hakim Mosque — mosque in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Hanging Church — church in Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Al-Hussein Mosque — mosque in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral — cathedral (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Abdeen Palace — palace of Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Aqsunqur Mosque — mosque in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- National Museum of Egyptian Civilization — museum in Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Ben Ezra Synagogue — building in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Al-Rifa'i Mosque — mosque in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Museum of Islamic Art — art museum in Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Bab Zuweila — gate in the Old City of Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Egyptian Royal Opera House — former opera house in Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church — church in Coptic Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Al-Aqmar Mosque — mosque in Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Al-Azhar Park — public park in Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Madrassa of Al-Nasir Muhammad — building in Egypt (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bab al-Futuh — gate in the Old City of Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Bab al-Nasr — gate in the Old City of Cairo, Egypt (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Giza Zoo — zoological garden in Giza, Egypt (visit ≈ 150 min)
3-day Cairo walking itinerary
Starting point: Zamalek. The top 4 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 5.0 km · 6,740 steps · 1 h 6 min on the way): Cairo Tower
- Day 2 (≈ 9.9 km · 13,400 steps · 2 h 12 min on the way): Abdeen Palace → Egyptian Royal Opera House
- Day 3 (≈ 5.5 km · 7,390 steps · 1 h 14 min on the way): Egyptian Museum
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Cairo
- Khan el-Khalili — Great Mamluk-era bazaar whose narrow passages sell lanterns, textiles and spices. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Al-Muizz Street — Historic street lined with Fatimid, Mamluk and Ottoman monuments; an open-air museum. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Bayt al-Suhaymi — Well-preserved Ottoman-era Cairo mansion with latticed windows and a courtyard. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Gayer-Anderson Museum — Enchanting house museum in two historic homes beside the Ibn Tulun Mosque, filled with collections. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Where to stay in Cairo
- Zamalek: Quiet, leafy and upscale on a Nile island.
- Downtown (Wust El Balad): Near the Egyptian Museum, cheap hotels and lively streets.
- Garden City: Big Nile-side hotels, walkable to downtown.
- Giza (Pyramids): Hotels and guesthouses with pyramid views.
- Heliopolis: Close to the airport, Belle Époque architecture.
- Maadi: Green residential area on the metro line.
Getting from the airport to Cairo
- Cairo International (CAI): Taxi or Uber ≈ 45 min (traffic dependent)
- Sphinx International (SPX): Taxi or Uber ≈ 60 min
Getting around
The metro helps in the centre, but traffic is heavy; Uber or Careem are easier for longer trips. Agree fares first in street taxis.
Classic places to eat
- Abou Tarek: Cairo’s most famous koshari.
- Felfela: Ful, ta’miya and mezze since 1959.
- Naguib Mahfouz Cafe: Classic Egyptian food inside Khan el-Khalili.
- El Fishawy: 18th-century café in Khan el-Khalili; mint tea.
- Abou El Sid: Home-style molokhia and fatta in Zamalek.
- Zooba: Modern street food; ta’miya sandwiches.
- Groppi: Historic patisserie dating from 1891.
Romantic views
- Nile Corniche (Evening): Felucca boats glide past the lights as you walk along the Nile.
- Al-Azhar Park (Sunset): The hilltop garden looks over the minarets of Islamic Cairo.
- Qasr El Nil Bridge (Evening): From the lion-guarded bridge you watch the evening lights on the Nile.
- Giza Pyramids (Late afternoon): You watch the sun set over the pyramids at the edge of the desert.
Football stadiums in Cairo
- Cairo International Stadium: Home of Al Ahly SC, Zamalek SC
Day trips
- Great Pyramid of Giza — 12 km from the centre
- Memphis — 22 km from the centre
- Heliopolis — 11 km from the centre
- Pyramid of Djoser — 19 km from the centre
- Dahshur — 27 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Cairo
- Fine: Photographing military sites, police, bridges and government buildings is prohibited.
- Fine: Bringing a drone without a permit is banned; it will be confiscated at the airport.
- Fine: Drug offences carry very severe penalties.
- Fine: Exporting antiquities and taking coral or shells from the Red Sea are banned.
- Warning: Insulting religion or state institutions can be prosecuted.
- Warning: Same-sex relations can be prosecuted under morality laws; check official travel advice.
- Emergency: police 122, ambulance 123, fire 180
- Plugs: C/F, 220V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: Tipping (baksheesh) is expected everywhere: 10–15% in restaurants, small notes for services.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Egypt, Wikivoyage — Egypt, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Cairo travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Cairo?
- The top 4 places in the centre take about 3 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Add extra days for day trips (Great Pyramid of Giza and Memphis).
- What are the top things to do in Cairo?
- Highlights: Egyptian Museum, Mosque of Ibn Tulun, El-Fustat, al-Azhar Mosque and Cairo Citadel. The map has 29 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Cairo?
- Zamalek: Quiet, leafy and upscale on a Nile island. Other options: Downtown (Wust El Balad), Garden City, Giza (Pyramids), Heliopolis and Maadi.
- How do you get from the airport to Cairo city centre?
- Cairo International (CAI): Taxi or Uber ≈ 45 min (traffic dependent) · Sphinx International (SPX): Taxi or Uber ≈ 60 min
- How do you get around Cairo?
- The metro helps in the centre, but traffic is heavy; Uber or Careem are easier for longer trips. Agree fares first in street taxis.
- What is the emergency number in Cairo?
- Emergency: police 122, ambulance 123, fire 180.
- Do you tip in Cairo?
- Tipping (baksheesh) is expected everywhere: 10–15% in restaurants, small notes for services.
Nearby cities
Alexandria · East Jerusalem · Ramallah · Amman · Luxor · Beirut · Nicosia · Damascus
Egypt travel guide: all cities · All cities