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Cairo

Egypt travel guide

What to see in Cairo

The largest city in the Arab world: the Giza pyramids on the outskirts, Islamic Cairo, the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the Nile by night.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 5 must-see places
  • Best time: from April to January
  • Stay in Zamalek
  • Typical food: Ful medames
Photo: Ricardo Liberato · CC BY-SA 2.0

Cairo highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Pyramids of Giza

    Arrive at opening time; from the desert viewpoint you can see all three pyramids together.

  2. Sphinx

    Carved from the bedrock beside Khafre’s causeway; the terrace of the valley temple gives the best view.

  3. Khan el-Khalili

    The medieval bazaar of Islamic Cairo: haggle calmly and have a tea at El Fishawy café.

  4. Citadel

    Saladin’s fortress, with Muhammad Ali’s alabaster mosque and views over Cairo.

  5. Egyptian Museum

    A huge collection of ancient Egypt on Tahrir Square; Tutankhamun’s treasure has moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.

Where to stay in Cairo

The handiest areas for getting around and going out.

  • Recommended areas

    Zamalek

Day trips from Cairo

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

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When to travel to Cairo

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Cairo are from April to January.

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar with warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul no warnings
  8. Aug no warnings
  9. Sep no warnings
  10. Oct no warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • February, March

    Ramadan (approximate dates)

    During the day many restaurants close or open less and museum and shop hours change. The evenings, with iftar, are very special.

    What to do: Out of respect, don’t eat or drink in the street during the day; book dinner for after sunset.

Curious facts about Cairo

  • The Grand Egyptian Museum, next to the Giza pyramids, brings together Tutankhamun’s complete treasure for the first time.

Typical food of Cairo

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Cairo from your kitchen).

Ful medames
Photo: Habib M'henni · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ful medames

Fava beans slow-cooked for hours, mashed with oil, cumin, garlic and lemon: Cairo’s breakfast since the pharaohs. It’s eaten with baladi bread.

  • Serves 4
  • 30 min

Ingredients

  • 500 g small cooked dried fava beans (ful), or tinned
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Olive oil
  • Chopped tomato, red onion and parsley
  • Pitta bread
  • Salt and chilli

How to make it at home

  1. Warm the beans with a little of their liquid.
  2. Half-mash them with the garlic, cumin, salt and lemon.
  3. Transfer to a plate and drizzle with olive oil.
  4. Top with chopped tomato, onion and parsley and chilli to taste.
  5. Serve with hot bread, and a hard-boiled egg if you like.

The trick: With tahini on top, it’s the Alexandria version.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a koshari joint. The dishes you can’t miss are in the Egypt guide.

  • Abou El Sid

    Zamalek

    Recommended in Zamalek.

  • Koshary Abou Tarek

    Downtown

    Recommended in Downtown.

Frequently asked questions about Cairo

What to see in Cairo?

Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Khan el-Khalili, Citadel and Egyptian Museum.

What to see in Cairo in one day?

Don’t miss Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Khan el-Khalili, Citadel and Egyptian Museum. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

Where to stay in Cairo?

The handiest areas to stay are Zamalek.

What’s the best time to travel to Cairo?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Cairo are from April to January.

What are some curious facts about Cairo?

The Grand Egyptian Museum, next to the Giza pyramids, brings together Tutankhamun’s complete treasure for the first time.

What day trips can you take from Cairo?

Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara, Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic and Coptic Cairo and Alexandria from Cairo.

What is the typical food of Cairo?

Ful medames. Fava beans slow-cooked for hours, mashed with oil, cumin, garlic and lemon: Cairo’s breakfast since the pharaohs. It’s eaten with baladi bread.

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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.