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Looking for the best things to do in Cairo? You’ve come to the experts!
The Egyptian capital is known for its ancient wonders, but what not everyone realizes is that it’s also a very modern city, with way more to see than the pyramids. Don’t get me wrong, they’re epic, but with day trips, desert safaris, and sailing cruises on offer, there’s also a lot more to enjoy.
When we visited Cairo, we were super keen to see and do as much as possible! By the end of our time here, I think we had ticked off as much as humanly possible, and now, we’ve rounded up our top 10 choices. This list will help you to plan an unforgettable adventure, so stay tuned.
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we love the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE experience in Cairo was this private tour to the Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum! Having a private guide to teach us all about this ancient place was priceless, and we loved the ease of this tour.
Check out the 5,400+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
- Don't Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Things to do in Cairo, Egypt
- 1. See the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and the Great Sphinx with a private guide
- 2. Cruise down the Nile River on a private sailboat
- 3. See Alexandria’s historic sights on a day trip from Cairo
- 4. Get off the beaten path and see the pyramids of Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur
- 5. Take an overnight camping trip in the White Desert
- 6. Fly to Luxor for the day
- 7. Go on a desert safari – sandboarding, camel riding, dune bashing, and waterfalls
- 8. Eat your way through Cairo
- 9. Explore the Khan El-Khalili Market with a local guide
- 10. Learn about Cairo’s historic churches
- Where to Stay in Cairo, Egypt
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Cairo, Egypt
1. See the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and the Great Sphinx with a private guide
- Price: $115 – $155 USD
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 2 am or 9 am
- Highlights: seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, visiting the mask of Tutankhamun in the Egyptian museum, exploring the Valley Temple
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, all entrance fees, professional tour guide, lunch, private tour
- Rating: 5 stars (check 5,900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Of course, seeing the Pyramids of Giza is the number one thing to do in Cairo! We just could not go all the way to Cairo and not see one of the most famous landmarks in the entire world, and neither should you.
We not only booked this guided tour because it was the top-rated option in Cairo, but also because we knew that visiting the pyramids on your own can be pretty tricky. This is one of the most iconic ancient sites on the planet, so it’s also very busy and rife with scams if you’re not careful. The hassle of navigating the city on your own, haggling prices, and figuring out tickets can be overwhelming, but this tour took care of everything for us.
And believe me when I say that the pyramids themselves are absolutely breathtaking! Standing in front of them – plus the magnificent Great Sphinx – was an experience that neither of us will ever forget.
After exploring the pyramids, we continued onto the Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world. We were blown away by it all, and having a guide to share insights on all of the exhibits made all the difference. We especially loved the Tutankhamun exhibit, where we got to see his world-famous mask. It was surreal!
We loved this tour because it made it so easy to see Egypt’s most iconic sights! In fact, the entire day was surprisingly relaxed. This is hands down the best way to visit the pyramids from Cairo, so do yourself a favor and book it ASAP!
Check out the 5,400+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
2. Cruise down the Nile River on a private sailboat
- Price: $50 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 10 am – 10 pm
- Highlights: traditional felucca sailing boat cruise, stylish furnishings, attentive crew, meal on board, private tour for just you and your group
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, 2-course meal, bottled water, tea or coffee
- Rating: 5 stars (check 650+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Sailing down the Nile on this private luxury felucca was the most magical experience that I had in Cairo! The felucca was beautifully decorated, with elegant furnishings and lots of space to relax. And since we had it all to ourselves, we truly felt like VIPs.
We booked this tour at sunset, so that we got to watch the sun sink over the Nile. We loved admiring Cairo’s skyline from the river – it was such a relaxing way to take it all in!
Of course, what made it even better was that we got to enjoy such a delicious meal as we glided down the river. We went for beef koftas and Egyptian bread pudding for dessert, but there were tons of other delicious options, like vegetable moussaka and chicken shish kebabs.
Since this was a private boat ride, it was also a super romantic experience for us! There was even the option to arrange extras like cakes and flowers. We think it would be such a fantastic way to celebrate a special occasion, such as a birthday, anniversary, or even an engagement!
If you want to feel like a celebrity for the night, then I highly recommend booking this tour. And honestly, for $50 USD per person, it’s insane value for money. There aren’t many other places in the world where you can do a private, luxury cruise with a full meal for this little, so we suggest taking full advantage of this tour while you’re in Cairo.
Secure your spot on this cruise here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you set sail!
3. See Alexandria’s historic sights on a day trip from Cairo
- Price: $39 – $125 USD
- Duration: 10 – 12 hours
- Time: 6 am or 7 am
- Highlights: Roman Amphitheatre, the corniche and harbor, the Pharos of Alexandria, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Montazah Palace Gardens, Stanley Bridge, the Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi, El Nabi Daniel Mosque
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, lunch (if selected), entrance fees (if selected), Egyptologist guide (if selected)
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 730 reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
It’s no secret that it gets pretty hot in Cairo, so we couldn’t wait to visit the coastal city of Alexandria and feel that Mediterranean breeze on our faces! Well, that was one reason – we also were keen to dive deep into the history of a city that has helped shape the course of human civilization.
We wanted a stress-free experience, so we booked this tour. There is the option to just book a private driver for the day, but we went for the VIP option so that we benefited from an expert guide, entry fees, and lunch. It meant that we had nothing to worry about throughout the day!
We began at the Bibliotheca, which is a modern architectural masterpiece that houses an ancient library – how cool is that?
From there, we went on to explore the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, an underground labyrinth that’s actually one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. We’re so glad that we had our guide, Yasir, to teach us about the history of this eerie site.
We loved visiting Saint Mark’s Cathedral, which is the oldest church in Africa, as well as the Roman Amphitheatre, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria – so that’s two World Wonders that we ticked off! We’d be here all day if we told you everything that we saw, but I think it’s safe to say that we had our fill of ancient and medieval history. If you don’t have time to stay overnight in Alexandria, then booking this tour is a must!
Check out the HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
4. Get off the beaten path and see the pyramids of Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur
- Price: $35 – $60 USD
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 7 am – 10 am
- Highlights: enjoying fewer crowds at Egypt’s less-visited pyramids, learning about Ancient Egypt from an expert Egyptologist, visiting Memphis
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, private transport, private Egyptologist guide, admission fees, bottled water, lunch (if option selected)
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We love getting off the beaten tourist track, and as much as the Pyramids of Giza are a must see, we couldn’t resist the chance to explore some quieter attractions. This half-day tour proved to be a perfect escape from crowded tourist spots, and one of the most fascinating parts of our trip!
We were picked up right on time by our guide, Hazem, and driver, Mohammed, who were both so friendly and professional. Hazem’s deep knowledge of Egyptian history brought each site that we visited to life, beginning with our first stop, Saqqara. It’s home to the pyramid of Djoser, aka the oldest one in Egypt.
Then, we visited Memphis, Egypt’s ancient capital. We loved seeing the enormous statue of Ramses II up close, as well as the Alabaster Sphinx.
But for me, the highlight of the day was Dahshur, where we got to see the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. Both of them were incredibly cool, especially the Bent Pyramid, whose asymmetry proves how the Egyptians perfected the art of construction through trial and error. These sites were so much quieter than the Pyramids of Giza, which made visiting them so enjoyable.
We opted to include lunch, and the meal that we got was absolutely delicious. This tour was so much fun, and we’re really glad we got to experience some quieter ancient sites.
Don’t miss out on this tour – book your spot here before it sells out!
5. Take an overnight camping trip in the White Desert
- Price: $105 – $117 USD
- Duration: 2 days, 1 night
- Time: 6 am or 6:30 am
- Highlights: exploring the Black Desert, visiting the Crystal Mountain Ridge, staying overnight in the White Desert, seeing the Bahariya Oasis, soaking in a hot spring
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off; 3 meals per day; air-conditioned transport; tent accommodation with mattresses, blankets, and sleeping bags
- Rating: 5 stars (check 400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
The White Desert is a stunning National Park that’s home to wind-sculpted chalk formations that look as though they belong in a surrealist painting! But since the desert is a 4-5 hour drive from Cairo, we knew that we were much better off booking this overnight tour.
We were picked up early to head out to the Black Desert, where we clambered into a 4×4 to explore. The black basalt-topped mounds made us feel as though we were on another planet, and we even got to climb up one of them for panoramic views of the landscape.
Later on, we made a stop to swim in a natural spring, and we got to stop and photograph Crystal Mountain, a natural ridge that sits between two oases. It’s a natural arch made entirely of calcite crystal – how cool is that?
However, it was the White Desert that really stole the show. The chalk formations were straight out of a sci-fi movie, and we got to go sandboarding here, which was so much fun.
We reached our campsite around sunset, where we stargazed before falling asleep in a cozy, comfortable tent. Then, the next morning, we woke up to a stunning sunrise and enjoyed a hearty breakfast before making our way to the Bahariya Oasis on the way back to Cairo.
This tour was an epic experience that we’ll never forget. We can’t believe that it only cost us $117 USD each, given that it included all of our food, accommodation, travel, and activities. We suggest that you snap up this bargain before it sells out!
Reserve this popular tour now and pay later when you book in advance here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Fly to Luxor for the day
- Price: $88 – $750 USD
- Duration: 8 – 12 hours
- Time: 4 am – 9 am
- Highlights: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahary, the Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Karnak,
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, return flights to Luxor (if selected), private Egyptologist (if selected), guide, lunch with a soft drink, all admission fees (if selected)
- Rating: 5 stars (check 400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: no
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing Luxor’s ancient sites, this private tour is a must! It allowed us to fly to Luxor and back in just one day, and since we booked the all-inclusive option, we didn’t have to organize anything ourselves.
We were picked up from our hotel and whisked off to the airport by a super friendly driver, then before we knew it, we were on our way to Luxor!
Our guide, Remon, met us at the airport with a warm smile, and we headed off to explore the Valley of the Kings. We loved seeing all of the carvings inside this fascinating site, which are still colorful after thousands of years. While King Tut’s tomb required an extra ticket, it was totally worth it!
Next, we visited the Temple of Hatshepsut, a majestic ancient structure that was built by Queen Hatshepsut during her reign. We were fascinated as Remon taught us all about this female pharaoh, who was one of the most prolific builders in Ancient Egypt. Then, we had a simple but delicious lunch – I mean, you really can’t go wrong with falafel, can you?
We then headed to Karnak Temple, which was the largest one ever built. Its sheer size was mind-blowing! The day ended at the iconic Luxor Temple, which was the perfect place to wrap up the tour before flying back to Cairo.
This tour was a dream come true for anyone with an interest in ancient history. And since it was a private tour, it felt so personal. Be sure to book the option with flights, admission tickets, and a guide included, because then everything will be sorted for you, and all you need to do is enjoy the day!
Reserve this tour now to access flexible payment and cancellation options!
7. Go on a desert safari – sandboarding, camel riding, dune bashing, and waterfalls
- Price: $130 USD
- Duration: 10 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: visiting the Wadi El-Rayan nature reserve, dune bashing, sandboarding, camel riding, seeing waterfalls, photo stop at the Mudawara Mountains, delicious barbecue lunch in the desert
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off from Cairo or Giza, transport, all activities, lunch, professional guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 350+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
You can’t miss the chance to explore the desert while you’re in Cairo, and we absolutely loved this desert safari tour! It offered a mixture of adrenaline, breathtaking landscapes, and amazing food.
The day kicked off with a scenic drive to Wadi El Rayan, with a photo stop at Qarun Lake on the way. Once we reached the desert, the fun really began, as we went dune bashing in 4x4s, and sandboarding down the golden dunes. Climbing back up again was a workout, let me tell you!
We also visited the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls, which are part of a natural oasis within the desert. Our guide, Fares, shared facts about the local wildlife and landscapes with us, and we got to take a camel ride along the banks of the lake, which was definitely an experience to remember.
For lunch, we settled in for a barbecue feast at a cozy Bedouin camp. It was so full of flavor, and the setting made it extra special. Before we headed back to Cairo, we stopped at the Magic Lake to snap some photos, and we also had time to admire the strange silhouettes of the Mudawara Mountains.
Sounds amazing, right? It was! What made the day even better was that our driver, Mohamed, and our guide, Fares, did everything they could to ensure that we had an amazing day.
Book this tour with over 300 5-star reviews here!
8. Eat your way through Cairo
- Price: $47 – $51 USD
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 6 pm
- Highlights: choose between street food or signature dishes, exploring Cairo on foot with a local guide, learning about the local culture
- Inclusions: enough samples for a full meal, coffee and tea, soft drinks
- Rating: 5 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
For foodies like us, this Cairo food tour is an absolute must! I have to admit that we had some trouble deciding whether to go for the street food option or the specialty restaurants, but ultimately we chose the former because we wanted to eat like the locals do.
It paid off – we loved every dish we got to try, from sizzling kebabs and fresh falafel to sweet treats like basbousa and knafeh!
Honestly, everything we tried was so delicious, and we loved exploring the city on foot with our local guide, Sarah, who took us to so many local hotspots we would have totally missed otherwise. We couldn’t have gone further off of the beaten tourist track, so we really felt as though we got to see the real Cairo.
But while we loved the street food, we would love to try the specialty restaurant option in the future. It’s the perfect choice for those who are looking for a more refined experience or want to deep dive into the flavors and nuances of Egyptian cuisine.
Cairo is known as “the Culinary Capital of the Middle East”, so you can’t miss the opportunity to do a food tour while you’re in town, and we loved every second of this one. Whichever option you choose, you can’t go wrong by booking this tour!
Check availability and book this tasty tour here, before spots fill up!
9. Explore the Khan El-Khalili Market with a local guide
- Price: $10 – $100 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 8 am – 9 pm
- Highlights: exploring one of the biggest bazaars in the Middle East; the chance to shop for local favorites; enjoying a local lunch; learning about the market from a guide; felucca ride, visit El-Moez Street, and Al-Azhar Mosque (if selected)
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, private guide (if selected), local lunch, extra activities included in VIP tour
- Rating: 5 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
The Khan El-Khalili bazaar is a must-visit in Cairo! Although as travel bloggers, we’ve done our fair share of market tours, this specific one really stood out.
The basic version of the tour only included transport to the market and lunch, but we wanted to dive deep into the soul of this market, so we booked the tour with a guide. It was worth every penny!
Our guide, Doaa, was knowledgeable and funny, and to be honest, we wouldn’t have known where to begin without her insider knowledge. However, with Doaa’s guidance, we learned how to haggle, navigate, and shop like locals!
She also took us to the very best stalls and showed us where to find the most authentic souvenirs. Since this was a private tour, we were able to tell her which goods we were most interested in, and she customized the experience to suit our preferences.
This tour was a real adventure for us, and there’s also the option to include a felucca ride or visit some of Old Cairo’s other highlights if you haven’t already. If you’re short on time and want to dive deep into Cairo’s culture, then definitely book the guided, all-inclusive version of this tour.
Book this all-inclusive private tour before dates fill up!
10. Learn about Cairo’s historic churches
- Price: $28 – $51 USD
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 8 am – 11 am
- Highlights: exploring the Coptic Cairo neighborhood, the Hanging Church, the Cave Church, the Church of Santa Barbara, the Church of Saint Sergius, learning about Cairo’s religious heritage
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, professional guide, bottled water
- Rating: 5 stars (check 175+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Visiting Cairo is an opportunity to dive into Egypt’s rich religious heritage. The Coptic Cairo area provides a fascinating window into the ancient Christian faith in Egypt, so we couldn’t resist the chance to explore it on this church tour!
The churches in Old Cairo are steeped in history, and we kicked off with a visit to the iconic Hanging Church, which was one of the city’s first! Then, we went to the Church of Saint Sergius, where the Holy Family is said to have sheltered when they fled to Egypt. It was also very interesting to go to a synagogue and learn about the history of Judaism in Cairo, and how it intertwines with Christianity.
The undisputed highlight of the day, though, was the incredible Cave Church of Saint Simon. As the name suggests, it’s literally built into a cave – we had never seen anything like this before! It’s huge, too, as it’s one of the biggest churches in the Middle East. The setting is truly the perfect place for worship, as it feels so spiritual and serene there.
I’ll be honest, we didn’t expect to enjoy visiting Cairo’s churches as much as we did, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. For anyone with even a vague interest in history, this tour is a must-do, because it reveals a totally different side to Cairo!
Check availability and book this historic tour in advance here.
Where to Stay in Cairo, Egypt
Cairo may be a bustling city, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a tranquil stay! There are lots of great options, whether you want to be right downtown, have a Nile River view, or be a little outside the city but wake up looking at the pyramids – my personal preference! Here are three fantastic accommodation options for those with a luxury, mid-range, or budget taste.
Luxury – $$$
If you’re looking for an upscale stay, the Fairmont Nile City is an easy choice. You can choose between city or Nile River views, enjoy the Art Deco decor, relax in the rooftop pool, or dine at one of the restaurants onsite. The rooms are exquisite, ranging from standard hotel rooms up to a Presidential Suite.
Prices can get as low as $170 USD but average around $250-$400 per night. You can check out all the options and book this stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Hilton Cairo Grand Nile is an excellent hotel option at a moderate price point! Located along the Nile River, you can enjoy views from your room, whether you have a twin or king room. The rooms are comfortable and modern, and you can dine at one of the seven onsite restaurants or relax at the spa.
Rooms are well priced, starting around $150 USD. You can book this stay on Booking.com!
Budget – $
You don’t have to break the bank to get Pyramid views from your hotel! Pyramids Height Hotel is a budget friendly hotel, offering an outdoor pool, sauna, garden, terrace, and restaurant. The rooms are quaint and simple, but clean and provide everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Prices start at $50 USD per night and can be booked on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all of the hotels in Cairo here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
While the great pyramids might have initially drawn you to Cairo, I hope this list has shed some light on all the other amazing things you can do here! We were amazed by this city in so many different ways that I can see why it’s on so many traveler’s bucket lists. So get out there and explore Cairo!
If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out our other travel guides! We’ve been all over the world and have put together lots of resources to help fellow travelers plan their perfect getaway. Here are a few related blogs that might be helpful:
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