Top 10: What to Do in Cairo (+ Tour Packages)

Egypt is a country on everyone’s bucket list. The best part? It’s even more incredible in real life! For most travelers, the capital city of Cairo serves mainly as a base for exploring the world-famous Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But we believe it deserves more attention than that! In this blog, we’ll give you the definitive list of what to do in Cairo, from the must-visits to the lesser-known gems. Let’s get into it!

1. Visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx

Over 4,500 years old, the ancient Pyramids of Giza should be a bucket list item for every traveler. The pyramids are exactly in Cairo, though the city serves as the main gateway to the legendary site, which is located just 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Cairo’s city center.

Despite the passage of thousands of years, the complex has stood the test of time and remains as majestic, and awe-inspiring as it would have been when they were built. The star of the site is of course the Great Pyramid—a stunningly large structure, which stands 450 feet (140 meters) in height. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest, and by far the best preserved of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The other main highlight of the complex is, of course, the Great Sphinx a mysterious guardian carved in 2,500 BC to protect the tomb of Chepren. The complex as a whole has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and continues to serve as a symbol of human innovation.

See the Pyramids on this Pyramids of Giza & Cairo tour, or, check out more ways of seeing the Pyramids of Giza with Civitatis!

2. Explore the Grand Egyptian Museum

Very close to the pyramids of Giza is the Great Egyptian Museum. This museum has been in the works for over twenty years, opening with limited access in February 2023. The grand opening is set for the summer of this year (2025). Within, you’ll find invaluable sculptures of gods and pharaohs, sarcophagi, stones and columns carved with hieroglyphs, and multiple funerary objects. Once fully open, the museum will display some 50,000 pieces from Ancient Egypt, almost half of which are to be displayed for the first time ever.

Discover this brilliant new museum on this guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum or as part of this Pyramids of Giza + Grand Egyptian Museum tour.

3. Discover the Cairo Citadel and Alabaster Mosque

Moving on to Cairo itself, our next entry is the Citadel of Saladin—an ancient fortress built in the 12th century to help defend the city against the Crusaders. The settlement was once home to around 100,000 people and remained the seat of government and royal residence for the next 700 years. Today, this landmark defines the city’s skylines and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A highlight of the complex is the Muhammad Ali Mosque, a 19th-century mosque commissioned by the then ruler of Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha. The mosque is built according to Ottoman and European styles, making it a highly unique landmark in the city.

You can visit the Cairo Citadel for yourself by grabbing an entrance ticket at the ticket office. However, if you plan on exploring the city a little bit more, you can see the citadel, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and much more as part of this Complete Cairo Tour with tickets.

4. See the Al-Rifa’i Mosque

Also, don’t miss Cairo’s Al Rifa’i Mosque. This stunning landmark isn’t just about impressive architecture—it’s the eternal resting place of Egypt’s royal family, including Kings Fuad I, Farouq, and Al-Rifa’i, after whom the mosque is named.

What’s more, just across the way stands the incredible Mosque of Sultan Hassan, one of the world’s most important Islamic sites. Originally built as a madrasa (a center for Islamic learning) in the 14th century, this 223-foot-tall (68 meters) would have been one of the largest mosques in the world at the time of its construction. For a deeper dive into Cairo’s past, join this Cairo Historical Tour!

5. Experience the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

We now approach the southern area to enter the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a must-visit for history buffs visiting Cairo. Known by its acronym NMEC, this museum houses more than 20 incredibly well-preserved royal mummies and intricate sarcophagi.

This museum brings visitors on a journey through Egypt’s history, from prehistoric times to ancient Egypt, and the various civilization which have left their mark on the country.

6. Walk Through Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church

Next up on our list of things to do in Cairo is to explore the Coptic neighborhood of the city. One of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, Coptic Cairo forms part of Old Cairo and is home to much of the city’s Christian community. In fact, it is said that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph took refuge here during their when fleeing from King Herod. Hence, the important historical value of this area.

The most valuable landmark in the city is the Hanging Church, which was named as such for the way it stands over the gate of the ancient gate of the Babylon Fortress, an Ancient Roman structure in the old city. Inside, marvel at the church’s wooden ceiling, which was built in the image and likeness of Noah’s Ark.

The neighborhood also features remarkable sites like St. George’s Church, the St. Barbara Complex, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. To see all of these sites and more, and to learn more about the area, check out this guided tour of the Coptic Neighborhood.

7. Go on a Nile River Cruise

One of the best ways to see the city, hop on a boat and explore Cairo from the iconic river Nile. This legendary river provided ancient Egypt with fertile soil and water for irrigation. The Nile was also central in the construction of the pyramids, providing a means of transporting the building materials long distances across the continent.

Go on this Nile cruise (with dinner and a show included), and enjoy wonderful views of the city lit up at night, as you tuck into a wholesome meal, alongside some live singing and dancing!

8. Shop at Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

We can not talk about the must-see in Cairo without mentioning the Jan el-Jalili Bazaar, one of the largest and most famous bazaars in the world. Featuring over 1,000 stalls, this complex features countless stalls selling coffee, jewelry, perfumes, lamps, spices, clothes, souvenirs, and much more!

If you decide to buy something in the bazaar, bear in mind that the price you are given is not a set price—it will be far above what the vendor expects to sell that item for. So, don’t be afraid to haggle for the item until you reach a more reasonable price, and also be prepared to walk away if you can’t strike a deal! Polite negotiation is an integral part of the shopping experience and a normal cultural custom in Egypt.

Incredibly, the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar is open 24 hours, and there are lots of ways to see the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar with Civitatis.

9. Admire the Al-Azhar Mosque

Less than a 10-minute walk from the Khan el-Jalili Bazaar we come across the Al-Azhar Mosque, whose origins date back to the 10th century. Like the mosque-madrasa of Sultan Hassan, this building has long served not only as a place of worship but also as a center of learning. To this day, the Al-Azhar Mosque continues to attract students from all over the world.

Its white marble courtyard, massive library, and ancient study rooms each give you a sense of the significance of the mosque—one of the most important in the Muslim world.

10. Enjoy the View from Cairo Tower and Al-Azhar Park

To finish off our list, we’ll take a look at two of the best viewpoints of the city: Cairo Tower and Al-Azhar Park. The Cairo Tower, located on Gezira Island, has an observatory and even a revolving restaurant. Tickets are fairly inexpensive (around $5) and can be obtained directly from the building’s ticket office. The views are always great, but at sunset, Cairo is truly stunning!

Al Azhar Park on the other hand is one of the most beautiful green spaces in the city. This park is among the largest in the world—covering around 75 acres (30 hectares) between the Jan el-Jalili Bazaar and the Cairo Citadel. This lung of greenery is the best way to escape the chaos of the city center and also offers fantastic views of the city. A great way to enjoy the park is on this night tour of Al-Azhar Park & dinner. After the sun sets, this area of lush vegetation lights up, and provides the perfect setting for a traditional Egyptian dinner!

Fun fact: Al Azhar Park was built in 2005 on land that was once a landfill!

Book an All-Inclusive Tour Package in Egypt

While you can easily visit Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza, and other tourist destinations in the country by yourself, another great option to visit is booking a tour package. These packages generally start in the country’s capital, and include accommodation, tickets to landmarks, and more. There are merits to traveling by yourself and with a tour package. The advantage of course, of a tour package is that you don’t need to construct an itinerary. Check out tour package options with Civitatis:

• Egypt 8-day All-Inclusive Tour
• Egypt + Lake Nasser Tour Package: 11 Days
• Egypt 11 Day All-Inclusive Tour
• Egypt Tour Package: 15 Days All-Inclusive

Cairo has lots to offer: historic Mosques and churches, bustling bazaars, fascinating museums, and, of course, the pyramids of Giza at its doorstep. Of course, there are more things to do in Cairo than what we’ve fit into this list. So, if you’re still looking for things to do, check out more tours & activities in Cairo with Civitatis, and fill your trip!