Cairo was the gateway to our adventure through the lands of the Pharaohs. It's a city well known primarily for being the base for exploring the last remaining ancient wonder, the Pyramids of Giza.
However, when we were reading about what to do in the city, we noticed that another characteristic was mentioned a lot: Chaos. Just as Buenos Aires is called “the city of fury” and New York “the city of lights,” Cairo could well be called “the city of chaos.”
It's a city that tourists tend to escape from. They stay just long enough to visit the Pyramids and the museum, and then they leave. In my opinion, that's a big mistake. Because beyond the madness that reigns in the city, there are other truly interesting places to see and discover.
In this post, I'll tell you about the top things to do in Cairo, and I'll also share some thoughts I brought back from the capital. You can read and learn more or less before coming, but it's your senses that will ultimately determine whether or not you connect with Egypt's capital.
Table of Contents
Our arrival at Cairo airport
We arrived at Cairo Airport on a flight from Malta. It was 2:30 AM when we landed, a rather unusual time to begin this journey.
If you want to know more about our visit to Malta, I wrote an article about the days we were there
Since there is little traffic at the airport at that time, it didn't take us long to complete the entry procedures. If you don't have the entry visa to the country, there you can get it instantly by paying a few USD 25 dollars (you can also pay in Euros).
Important: Some countries require visas to be obtained in advance; it's best to check with your country for specific details.
If you want to change money to Egyptian pounds, next to the window where you get the visa, there is a 24-hour currency exchange office. I always recommend changing as little as possible at the airport, because the exchange rate is unfavorable compared to changing in the city.
Taxi drivers in the departure hall
As we exited the airport arrivals hall, despite the late hour, we began to feel the harassment so common among Egyptians. In this case, it was the taxi drivers who were trying to take us to the hotel. As well-intentioned as they may seem, I would avoid taking a taxi with them if possible.
They repeatedly offered to call our accommodation. I had read about a common practice here, where they "kindly" offer to help and then rudely demand a tip. So we went with the premise of "not accepting help from anyone" unless circumstances warrant it.
We had already booked a taxi with our accommodation. We just had to find the driver holding the little sign with our names behind the fence.
It took a few minutes that felt like an eternity. The man wasn't there when we arrived, we had no Wi-Fi signal or phone chip to contact the hotel, and taxi drivers kept approaching us, urging us on, telling us no one was coming or that they wanted to "help" us.
By this time, it was already 3 a.m., and we had no other way to get to the city center. They say there are local buses that stop at the terminal (the 400 and 500) and others on the outskirts (after taking a transfer), but at that hour, we didn't want to risk getting stranded.
Luckily, 15 minutes later, the kind man appeared with our names. In a "no English" voice, he told us he was running late.
If you want to be on the safe side, you can book a private transfer with Civitatis, who will arrange to take you from the airport to your hotel.
The positive thing about arriving at that hour was the traffic. There was no one on the highways or in the city center. The guy accelerated to 120 km/h, without functional seatbelts (welcome to Egypt), and in less than 40 minutes we were at the hotel doors.
If you want more information on how to get around the country and other useful information, I recommend checking out the guide to traveling through Egypt, ideal for planning your adventure.
How to get from Cairo Airport to the Center
To get from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to the city center, you have several options depending on your budget, comfort, available time, and arrival time:
Official taxi or Uber/Careem
- White taxis: These are equipped with meters, but it's a good idea to confirm that they're activated before starting your trip.
- Uber and Careem: Reliable and popular ride-hailing apps in Cairo. You can request them upon arrival and pay in cash or by card.
- Estimated time: Between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Approximate cost: Between 150 and 250 EGP (around 5 to 8 USD).
Public buses and BRT
- Internal Airport Shuttle: Connects the terminals with the airport bus station.
- From there: You can take public buses to key points such as Tahrir Square or the Abdel-Moniem Riad bus station.
- BRT (Bus Rapid Transit): A modern electric bus system that connects the airport to Adly Mansour Station, from where you can access other transportation lines.
- Cost: Very cheap (less than $1 USD), but may be less convenient if you have a lot of luggage.
Metro (line 3)
- Currently, the metro does not go directly to the airport.
- The nearest station is Adly Mansour, accessible by BRT or taxi.
- From there, you can connect to other metro lines to reach the city center.
How to get around Cairo
Cairo is a large, chaotic, and densely populated city. Nearly 16 million people live in its metropolitan area, making it the eleventh most populous city in the world.
To get around, the most advisable option, in my opinion, was to use the subway and Uber or taxi. We prefer to use Uber primarily so we don't have to negotiate the price with each taxi driver and avoid having to take us to friendly businesses to buy groceries.
We took several and had no problems with any of them. The only thing worth mentioning is that they generally don't speak English, and if you have to coordinate a pickup point through the app, it can sometimes be a bit complicated. But with Google Translate, you can reach a good understanding, although it sometimes translates anything (as in the image below).
Another option is the city's scheduled buses. Google usually shows you the routes they take. But the only time we tried to take one to the Pyramids, they tried to charge us a ridiculous fare because we were tourists (we dismissed it).
Lastly, and least recommended, are the minibuses that stop anywhere. They're cheap, but given the way they travel, and not knowing where they're going, we didn't even consider them :D.
Where to stay in Cairo
Our hotel, the Cairo Plaza Hotel, It was located in what they call the “downtown" ," or rather, the city center. It occupies the top floor of a building that leaves a lot to be desired (three floors covered in filth and no elevator), but once you walk through the hotel doors, things change dramatically. It's reasonably priced, clean, has good facilities, and a good breakfast. Recommended.
Downtown is an area of old, dirty buildings and noisy during the day (which isn't the case in Cairo o_O), but it's very convenient for travelers. From there, we're close to some points of interest within walking distance, such as the Museum or the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, or even the metro for further afield.
In any case, there are options for all tastes and budgets. For example, in the "modern area" of the city, located on Gezira Island in the middle of the Nile, we can find more upscale and expensive accommodations.
What is the city of Cairo like?
With dawn, we saw the desolate landscape we'd encountered downtown at night change. Now everything was bustling. Chaos.
Just a few meters away, you feel the bombardment of our senses. Horns blaring incessantly from every passing car. People talking or arguing on every corner. Pleasant smells, some not so pleasant. Garbage strewn in the streets and sidewalks. In just a few minutes, Cairo shoved in our faces what everyday life in Egypt would be like.
State of the city
In the few days we spent in the Egyptian capital, I noticed a significant degree of deterioration in its infrastructure. The buildings are old and in very poor condition. Many, with people living inside, appear to have been half abandoned.
You see rubble and trash everywhere, and people are just acting like they're doing nothing, throwing more filth on top of what's already there. Will anyone clean it up afterward?
It felt like I was in a post-war city. Abandoned and left to its inhabitants. Let them sort themselves out.
Traffic outside the highways is literally chaotic. There are no rules or right-of-way. Everyone seems rushed, agitated, and eager to pass each other, even when there's no room. Pedestrians walk along the streets and cross wherever they please. It's the law of the jungle: every man for himself.
Sometimes I feel like societies like this one achieve a certain harmony within this chaos. For example, in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand or Vietnam, it's common to find ourselves crossing amidst a sea of motorcycles, coming and going without traffic lights. But everything proceeds with a certain calm and uneventful flow. However, here in Cairo, we witnessed several minor accidents between cars and pedestrians in a short period of time. Goodbye to my theory of order within chaos :(.
Security in Cairo
One of the many questions that came to mind when we decided to go to Cairo was about security in the city. Is it safe to walk the streets? Are there frequent attacks?
My answer is that Cairo is safe. We never felt like anything bad could happen to us (except for one time on the way to the Pyramids, which I'll tell you about in another post).
For those of us who live in Latin America, it's common to live with insecurity; we know when something smells fishy. But in Cairo, at least in the areas we visited, we didn't experience that feeling.
In any case, it's always advisable to be cautious. If our instinct tells us not to go somewhere, it's best to listen to it. Egypt, like any Muslim country in the region, has severe penalties for theft or crime, but it never hurts to be careful.
As for attacks, which used to occur regularly, this is no longer the case today. If something were to happen, which happens very rarely, it would likely happen at a protest or demonstration. Therefore, just in case, avoid large gatherings of people.
Rest assured, these are relatively calm times in Egypt. It's a good time to get to know her.
Men and Women of Cairo
We'd read that men tend to look at foreign women in a way that's, let's say, slightly uncomfortable for them (even when they're accompanied by their partner). My ex-partner was able to see this from the plane we arrived in Egypt on. And after walking around the city for a few minutes, she discovered how common it was to find those glances fixed on her.
At least they didn't shout rude things or "Arab compliments" at her as she passed by, something that used to happen frequently in Argentina until not long ago. What I can't tell you, because it wasn't our case, is how they behave around women traveling alone. I owe you that.
Another detail we noticed when we left Cairo was that those lustful glances diminished. In cities like Aswan and Luxor, Mary was mostly stared at by local women rather than men. They seemed more "conservative" to us. Dressed in their black robes, completely covered from head to toe—even their hands were covered—they always wore the veil, moving around alone or in groups with other women and children.
The guys from the blog Marking the Pole They wrote several articles about the Muslim woman and the hijabThey are very enlightening in this regard.
I would have liked to chat with them and get to know them better, understand them, and learn at least a little about the world they live in. But it wasn't to be. In general, throughout the entire trip, we had the feeling that they avoided us or at least weren't comfortable with us around them. It remains a matter of unfinished business.
What to do in Cairo
Beyond my perceptions of the city's decaying state, there are truly incredible sites to explore. Since we were only spending three days in Cairo (one of which would be dedicated to the Pyramids of Giza), we tried to make the most of the other two.
Of the most important things to see in Cairo, we chose to visit the Citadel of Saladin, part of the area called “Islamic Cairo", he Jan El Jalili Bazaar, he Coptic Quarter and the Cairo Museum.
– Visit the Citadel of Saladin
The Saladin Citadel is a medieval Islamic fortification that was fortified by the ruler Saladin, between 1176 and 1183 AD to protect it from the Crusaders.
Within the citadel we have several sites to visit. For example, you can visit the National Police Museum, he National Museum of the Military, the Al-Nasser Mohammed Ibn Kalawoun Mosque (with a very nice interior patio) and the Mohammed Ali Mosque (or Alabaster Mosque).
Inside the citadel, we can also enjoy a terrace with one of the best panoramic views of the entire city. You can see other mosques in the city and, in the distance, if the weather permits, the silhouettes of the Pyramids of Giza.
Admission to the Saladin Citadel in 2025 is EGP 550 (EGP 275 with student discount). However, please check the official website for updated opening hours and prices.
How to get to the Citadel of Saladin
To get to the Citadel of Saladin from downtown, the most practical way is to go on a Uber either TaxiWe prefer to use Uber in Cairo (which works very well) to avoid haggling endlessly with taxi drivers for every place we wanted to go.
The citadel can also be reached on foot, but it is a fairly long distance from the city center.
Alabaster Mosque or Mohammed Ali
The Mosque is located at the top of the Saladin Citadel. It was the largest mosque built in the first half of the 19th century, between 1830 and 1848, and is also the most visible in the Egyptian capital due to its elevated location and the height of its minarets.
It was one of the most beautiful Mosques we saw throughout the trip we made through Istanbul, Malta, Egypt, Jordan and Israel (perhaps along with the Blue Mosque in Istanbul). It looks very imposing on the hill, and if we add the light brown color of the alabaster (a stone similar to marble), the result is a unique architectural piece.
Sultan Hassan Mosque
The Sultan Hassan Mosque It is considered the finest piece of architecture from the early Mamluk period, a time of architectural splendor.
Unfortunately, we didn't make it in time to get in; it closes between 4 and 5 p.m., but we were still able to appreciate it from the outside.
It is close to the Saladin Citadel (visible from the terrace), so you can get there by walking for just 15 or 20 minutes.
Visit other Mosques in the Islamic Quarter of Cairo
There are other interesting Mosques to see nearby, such as the Ibn Tulun Mosque wave Madrasa of Sarghatmish, but unfortunately we didn't get to explore them all. It's not for nothing that they call this part Islamic Cairo.
Feel the Khan El Khalili Market
Another must-see in Cairo is a stroll through the streets of the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Several pedestrian blocks are filled with stalls selling all kinds of items. Ornaments and travel souvenirs, papyrus, carpets, clothing, jewelry—anything you might be interested in buying in Egypt can be found here.
It's a world of people and shouting everywhere, but the selection of products is vast. You have to haggle and compare prices at several stalls before buying something specific. What costs 100 pounds in one store costs 80 pounds in another, and that's before the official bargaining has even begun.
It ends up being exhausting having to haggle over everything. You can't calmly look at anything without being pestered by vendors, but the best thing we can do, to avoid going crazy, is to treat it as a game.
They will confront us with different strategies to convince us to buy from them, sometimes even a little violent (like what happened to us in Luxor, where after negotiating for a few minutes and wanting to leave, the seller stood in front of us and shouted at us while splashing drops of slime in our faces :D, corona virus detected!!!).
We generally shopped at stores where we were least bothered. Where we could browse and choose freely, then start haggling. We bought magnets, ornaments, and even a beautiful scroll at various market stalls.
– Tour the Coptic Quarter
He Coptic Quarter It is in the old part of the city, crisscrossed by narrow streets, and where you can find many churches such as The Church of St. Mary, The Church of St. Sergius, The Chapel of St. Barbara either The Hanging Church (They call it that because you have to go up some stairs to enter).
The term Coptic It refers to Egyptians who profess some type of Christian faith, whether in the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Coptic Catholic Church, or the Coptic Evangelical Church.
Also within the neighborhood, we can visit the Coptic Museum, where manuscripts from the 4th century (written in Coptic) and other archaeological pieces from the peoples of yesteryear are deposited.
Admission to the Coptic Quarter is free, but the Coptic Museum requires a fee. Its price as of 2025 is approximately 3 euros (1.5 euros with a student discount).
How to get to the Coptic Quarter
From downtown, it's very easy to get there by metro. The Sadat station in Tahrir Square is the only metro station that can drop us off right at the entrance to the neighborhood (Mar Girgis station).
Cairo Museum
Although I'm not a museum lover, I couldn't miss the one in Cairo. And it's a good thing we went, because the wealth of exhibits on ancient Egyptian civilization are unmissable.
They have so many things to display that they've long outgrown the space. Everything is cramped, dusty, and crowded. Added to this is the fact that they have hundreds of items still stored in storage, waiting to be released someday. But I feel that this decaying state gives it a charm all its own.
Important: The new Giza Museum is now open, but I understand that this museum is still operating.
The museum is organized by the different periods of ancient Egypt. On the ground floor is a collection of papyri from the last two millennia. There are also objects from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, including statues, paintings, and sarcophagi. These include objects found in the tombs of several pharaohs, as well as many others found in the Valley of the Kings.
On the upper floor is the Tutankhamun's treasure, where the Mask is, and the exhibition continues in chronological order with objects from the last dynasties, among them those from the XXI and XXII dynasties of Tanis, including the golden mask of Pharaoh Psusennes I. The collection ends with the display of several pieces from the Roman period, such as a mosaic with the head of Medusa.
A special mention deserves the Mummy RoomThe degree of preservation of the bodies of pharaohs from thousands of years ago is INCREDIBLE. Seeing Ramses II, for example, lying there before me, blew my mind.
That mummified little body, 3,000 years ago, was the most important pharaoh in all of Egyptian history, the architect of Egypt's great wonders, and now he was there, in front of everyone, separated only by a glass window. Tremendous. (No photos because they're not allowed.)
How to get to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
If we're downtown, near Tahrir Square, we only have to walk a few blocks to get there. Very easy.
Price to enter the Egyptian Museum
Ticket prices for 2025 were EGP 550. However, please check the official website for updated hours and prices.
Pyramids of Giza
In this article I wrote about the visit we made to the Pyramids of Giza on our ownThey detail how we managed to get there without booking a tour, and all the challenges we had to overcome to get there.
Private tours of Cairo
Disclaimer: The following tours contain affiliate links. This means that if you book through them, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's a way to support my work and help me keep this space alive, filled with stories and travel advice. Thanks for joining me on the journey ;)!
How many days to stay in Cairo
For my part, I would have liked to have spent at least three full days in Cairo, plus one day to dedicate to the Pyramids. I was left wanting to walk around a bit more, see the modern part of Gezira Island (where the tower is located), or wander the narrow streets of historic Cairo.
Because despite all the negative things I mentioned earlier about the city's decaying state, there was something about it that drew me in. Old, dirty, and chaotic as it is, it sparked an interest in me that I would have liked to explore by staying a couple of extra days.
What is the best time to go to Cairo?
The best time to visit Egypt is generally from March to May and from September to November, but the climate varies greatly depending on the region you visit. It's best to avoid Cairo in summer, as it's scorching hot, along with dust, pollution, and noise.
We went in February and the weather was lovely. Mild in the afternoon and cool at night.
Next steps of the Egypt Itinerary
In the next article about this trip through Egypt, Jordan and Israel I will tell you about how the odyssey of Visit the Pyramids of Giza on our own.
Or you can choose other posts I wrote about Egypt, such as:
If you have any comments or questions about this trip, please feel free to leave them below and I'll try to answer them as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your time and we'll see you in another article.
Hello Fernando, I'm Fernando Sanint from Colombia, I have carefully read your article about your trip to Egypt and I found it very interesting and enjoyable. I would like to know a little more about this wonderful trip, since I am thinking of traveling with my wife next year if Covid allows us... I see that you are missing more days in Cairo, will 5 days be enough with the visit to the pyramids and I think the new Cairo museum will be open next year... I hope so... Greetings and I await your comment.
Hello Fernando! How are you? First of all, thank you for reading my blog.
Look, as I wrote in the article, I would have liked to spend at least three full days in the city and another day exclusively for the pyramids, so at least four days. I think you'll be more than fine with five days (as long as you don't neglect other points of interest in the country).
A visit to the pyramids, if you want to enjoy them at your leisure, can take all day. I don't know how big the new museum will be, but it'll definitely take a few hours (the current museum takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on how much time you spend).
And within the city, you have historic Cairo, Islamic Cairo, Saladin Fortress, the Coptic Quarter, "modern" Cairo, markets, etc. It also influences each person's tastes and desire to walk. For example, my partner wanted to leave right away, but I liked it there and would have liked to stay a few more days if I could.
I don't know how tight they are in days, but if they are loose then at least 4, and 5 even better to walk more relaxed.
I didn't get around to writing articles about the other places I visited, such as Luxor, Aswan, and Dahab, but if you have any questions, feel free to write to me.
Greetings and good luck!!