Cairo is the largest city in the Arab world, a capital of roughly 22 million residents in its greater metropolitan area that sprawls across both banks of the Nile just south of the river's delta. Founded in 969 as the Fatimid capital and still growing today, Cairo sits between 4,500 years of pharaonic history and the demands of a 21st-century megacity that never stops expanding. The Giza Pyramids rise on the southwestern desert plateau, visible from freeway overpasses, while downtown's Belle Epoque architecture around Tahrir Square and the faded grandeur of Zamalek's riverside residences reflect the 19th and 20th-century layers. Modern suburbs including New Cairo and the New Administrative Capital 45 kilometres east continue to reshape the city's geographic centre of gravity.
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Getting to and around Cairo
Most travellers arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI), 22 kilometres northeast of central Cairo. CAI is Africa's second-busiest airport by passenger volume, handling more than 30 million passengers annually across three terminals, with EgyptAir as the flag carrier and Etihad, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, and Saudia among the international operators. Terminal 2 handles most international long-haul arrivals; Terminal 3 handles Star Alliance partners and EgyptAir; Terminal 1 handles regional and domestic services. The three terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus and a people-mover train called the APM running every 10 minutes.
From CAI into central Cairo, the options range widely. Official airport taxis priced via a fixed-rate kiosk in the arrivals hall charge EGP 400 to 550 to downtown or Zamalek, 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic. Uber and Careem operate from the airport with fares typically EGP 280 to 400, though driver location within the massive terminal complex can be confusing - use airport-specified pickup points. Airport shuttle buses 356 and 381 run to Tahrir Square and Ramses train station respectively for EGP 10 with 2-3 hour journey times due to stops. Aurum Transfers partners coordinate private sedan or SUV service for EGP 1,200 to 2,000 one way for up to four guests, with meet-and-greet at arrivals and fixed pricing regardless of traffic - worth it for first-time visitors arriving on late-night flights.
The Giza Pyramids sit 15 kilometres southwest of downtown on the desert plateau. The three main pyramids - Khufu (the Great Pyramid, 138 metres tall), Khafre, and Menkaure - along with the Great Sphinx and numerous smaller pyramids and tombs form the Memphis Necropolis UNESCO World Heritage Site. Standard admission is EGP 700, with additional tickets to enter Khufu (EGP 900), Khafre (EGP 200), and the Solar Boat Museum (EGP 200). The site opens daily 7 am to 5 pm with sunset entry options. The Grand Egyptian Museum, inaugurated in 2024 near the plateau, displays 100,000 artefacts including the full Tutankhamun collection; admission EGP 1,800 foreigners, EGP 200 Egyptians, with timed-entry tickets essential. Camel rides (EGP 200 to 500 for 30 minutes after negotiation) and horse rides (similar) are available but consistency of animal welfare varies; vet organisations recommend the Egypt Equine Aid shelter's approved operators.
Downtown Cairo centres on Tahrir Square and the Egyptian Museum (the original, still operating during Grand Egyptian transitional period, admission EGP 450 with mummy hall supplement EGP 500). The museum holds Middle and Old Kingdom artefacts, with the Tutankhamun collection mostly relocated to Giza. The Cairo Tower in Zamalek (187 metres, admission EGP 200) offers 360-degree city views including the Nile, Giza, and the Citadel. Islamic Cairo's historic district holds the Al-Azhar Mosque (founded 970, free with modest dress), Khan el-Khalili bazaar (open daily 10 am to 10 pm with coffee shops and crafts), and the Citadel of Saladin (admission EGP 600) with the 19th-century Mohamed Ali Mosque. Coptic Cairo south of downtown holds the Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa), the Coptic Museum (EGP 300), and Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Things to see & do in Cairo
Nile cruises and feluccas offer the classic evening. Felucca sails from docks along the Zamalek and Garden City corniches run EGP 400 to 700 per hour for the whole boat (up to 8 passengers). Nile dinner cruises on larger floating restaurants offer buffet dinners with belly-dance and Tanoura whirling-dervish performances for EGP 800 to 1,500 per person. Day cruises from Luxor to Aswan are a separate multi-day experience (3-7 nights, USD 500 to 2,500 per person). The Nile in Cairo itself is cleaner than reputation suggests, thanks to a multi-decade wastewater treatment investment, though swimming is not advised.
Food in Cairo runs from street food to fine dining. Koshari, a lentil-rice-pasta dish with tomato sauce, fried onions, and chickpeas, is the unofficial national dish and costs EGP 50 to 100 at chain Koshari El Tahrir or Abou Tarek's multi-floor flagship. Fuul medammes (slow-cooked fava beans with olive oil, cumin, and lemon, served with bread) and ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel) make standard breakfasts at EGP 20 to 50. Grilled kebab and kofta at Abou El Sid in Zamalek or Kebdet el Prince in Imbaba run EGP 200 to 400 per person. Upmarket options include Sequoia on the Zamalek corniche with international mains EGP 300 to 600 and Nile views. Tea culture is essential; mint tea (shai bi nanaa) at any ahwa (traditional cafe) costs EGP 15 to 30.
Shopping centres on Khan el-Khalili, which has operated as a market since the 14th century. Genuine antiques, pashmina shawls, silver jewellery, and hand-painted papyrus are available but require knowledge to avoid fakes and skill to bargain - expect to pay 40 to 60 percent of opening ask. Souvenir specialists on adjacent streets sell cartouche jewellery, alabaster figurines, and spice blends. The Talaat Harb and Qasr El Nil streets in downtown hold 20th-century department stores and tailor shops. For modern shopping, Mall of Egypt in 6th October City and Cairo Festival City Mall in New Cairo hold international chains, multiplexes, and dining at Western price points.
Tours & experiences
Top tours & experiences in Cairo
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Neighborhoods & food in Cairo
Accommodation in Cairo spans five-star Nile-view resorts to budget options in downtown and Islamic Cairo. The Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza and Marriott Mena House (at Giza with pyramid-view rooms) anchor the luxury tier at USD 350 to 800 per night. Four-star chains including Ramses Hilton, Fairmont Nile City, and Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah run USD 150 to 300. Boutique options in Zamalek such as Golden Tulip Hotel and the heritage-building Longchamps Hotel charge USD 80 to 180. Budget travellers find family-run pensions in downtown at USD 30 to 70 with breakfast. The New Administrative Capital and New Cairo have newer business hotels at USD 120 to 250 but are far from heritage sites.
Transport within Cairo uses the Metro, Uber, taxis, and river buses. The Metro (3 lines, 78 stations, EGP 6 to 14 per ride) is the fastest way to move across the city during rush hour when traffic gridlocks; women-only cars are designated on each train. Uber and Careem are reliable for door-to-door service at EGP 30 to 150 per cross-town ride. Licensed white taxis are metred but drivers may refuse to use the meter; agree a price upfront. The Nile River Bus operates scheduled services between Maadi, Downtown, and Imbaba for EGP 10 per ride, a traffic-avoiding scenic option in the morning and afternoon rush.
Day trips and regional connections. Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast is 2 hours 30 minutes by high-speed train (EGP 200 to 300 one way) or 3 hours by road. Saqqara and Dahshur south of Giza hold the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Red and Bent Pyramids, quieter than Giza with combined admission EGP 500 - accessible by car or guided day tour. Memphis, the ancient pharaonic capital, is 25 kilometres south with an open-air museum holding the colossal Ramses II statue. Fayoum Oasis, 100 kilometres southwest, offers desert lakes, Wadi El Rayan waterfalls, and whale-fossil sites at Wadi El Hitan UNESCO reserve.
Practical info & when to visit
Practical notes. Cairo runs on Eastern European Time (UTC+2) year-round as Egypt paused daylight saving in 2014 (reinstated 2023 with summer shift UTC+3). The Egyptian pound (EGP) is the currency; USD and Euro are widely accepted at hotels and larger tourist businesses but at poor rates - pay in EGP for value. Cards work at hotels, chain restaurants, and airports but cash is king for markets, taxis, and smaller venues. ATMs at Banque Misr, CIB, and NBE take foreign cards with EGP 75 to 150 fees. Tipping (baksheesh) is everywhere - budget 10-15 percent at restaurants, EGP 20 for hotel porters, and small notes (EGP 10-20) for bathroom attendants, tour guides, and service providers. Arabic is the national language; Egyptian Arabic uses a distinctive dialect. English is widely spoken in hotels, tourist sites, and Zamalek/New Cairo but less downtown.
Seasonally, October to April is the comfortable-weather window, with temperatures 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and minimal rainfall. November, March, and April are the sweet spots for pyramids visits. May to September is hot at 30 to 40 degrees Celsius with peaks above 42; start pyramid visits at dawn. Ramadan (varies annually by lunar calendar, around February-April through late 2020s) shifts restaurant hours - many close during daylight and reopen at iftar with special menus. Coptic Christmas (January 7) closes some Coptic sites. Friday is the official weekend plus Saturday; banks and government offices are closed, though tourist sites stay open.
A closing frame: Cairo rewards travellers with more history, architecture, food, and street life than any other African capital - and some of the densest heritage on earth per square kilometre. Between Giza, the Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo, Coptic Cairo, and the Nile, three to four nights covers the essentials; add Alexandria, Saqqara, and Fayoum, and the week earns itself. The chaos rewards pre-planning, a good local guide, and flexibility around traffic.