Egypt · Discover your travel guides
Egypt Travel Guides
Egypt, a land of ancient wonders and modern marvels, beckons travelers with its rich history and captivating cultural experiences — and Cairo, its bustling capital on the banks of the Nile, is the gateway to the nation’s treasures.
- 10 things to do in Cairo
- Authentic Egyptian cuisine
- Tailor-made by Egypt specialists
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Your travel guide…
Cairo, gateway to Egypt’s treasures
Situated along the banks of the Nile River, Cairo, the bustling capital of Egypt, stands as a gateway to the nation’s treasures. With its fusion of Islamic architecture and historical significance, Cairo holds a magnetic allure that draws visitors from around the globe.
This introductory guide sheds light on the enchanting highlights of Egypt’s capital — from the iconic Pyramids of Giza to the city’s historic mosques, markets and museums — and the flavors you’ll find along the way.
Cairo on the NileYour travel guide to Cairo
What to do as you discover Cairo!
Ten experiences that show the city at its best — ancient wonders, sacred sites, lantern-lit markets and the Nile at sunset. Pick one to explore.
Ancient Egypt1 of 10
Discover the Pyramids and Sphinx
Relive history by visiting the Pyramids and Sphinx. These colossal structures, built ages ago, reveal the secrets of Egypt’s past. Gaze at the towering pyramids that once held mighty pharaohs and discover the enigmatic Sphinx, a statue with a lion’s body and a human face.
Guided tours provide fascinating insights, or you can wander independently. The Pyramids and Sphinx are not just sights; they’re windows to a world that’s both captivating and mysterious.
Museums2 of 10
Visit the Royal Mummy Gallery
In the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, there’s a special place called the Royal Mummy Gallery. Inside, you can see more than 20 royal mummies, like Ramses II.
It’s amazing how well some of these mummies are preserved, even though they’re thousands of years old. One mummy, Queen Tiye, still has her curly hair!
Markets3 of 10
Shop at Khan El Khalili
When you’re done exploring El Moez Street, you can’t miss Khan El Khalili — a big market where you can find all sorts of things to take home as souvenirs or gifts, from fancy gold and silver items to fun little trinkets.
The market looks really beautiful when it’s dark, all lit up with lights and lanterns, but be ready for lots of people and bargaining.
Historic Cairo4 of 10
Walk along El Moez Street
Cairo has been around for more than a thousand years, and to experience its old side, take a walk on El Moez Street — a long street full of historic buildings such as mosques and palaces.
The street is also home to the famous tentmakers’ market, and the United Nations considers El Moez Street to have the greatest concentration of treasures from the Islamic world.
Historic Cairo5 of 10
Explore the Cairo Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque
The Cairo Citadel is like an old castle that’s almost a thousand years old. For a very long time, it was where Egypt’s leaders worked and lived, and even today it’s an important place with mosques and museums — including the famous Mohamed Ali Mosque.
When you’re up high in the Citadel, you can see all of Cairo — if the sky is clear, you might even spot the Pyramids in the distance.
Sacred Cairo6 of 10
Discover Coptic Cairo
In Coptic Cairo, you can see churches that go back over a thousand years, to a time after the ancient Egyptian religions and before the arrival of Islam. People say that even the Holy Family stayed here for a while.
It’s a place to explore on foot: churches, a Roman fort, a Jewish synagogue and a museum — and you can also buy books and souvenirs.
Sacred Cairo7 of 10
Admire Sultan Hassan and Al Rifai Mosques
Close to the Cairo Citadel stand two stunning mosques, Sultan Hassan and Al Rifai. Even though they look similar and sit side by side, they were built around 500 years apart.
Sultan Hassan Mosque, built in 1359 AD, is very important in the Islamic world and is celebrated by historians as an architectural masterpiece. Al Rifai Mosque, built much later, holds the tombs of the royal family, and people still go there to pray.
Nile & views8 of 10
Take a Boat Ride on the Nile
The Nile River has been important for Egypt for a very long time. To really enjoy it, take a ride on a felucca, a small boat with a sail. It’s peaceful and lets you relax away from the busy city.
The best time is at sunset, when the city lights start to twinkle on the water.
Ancient Egypt9 of 10
See the Oldest Pyramid in Saqqara
If you love pyramids, you’ll want to go to Saqqara. There, you can see the oldest pyramid in Egypt, the Pyramid of Djoser.
It looks different from the famous ones at Giza because it has steps — it’s like a prototype for the others. You can also find many interesting tombs there.
Nile & views10 of 10
Enjoy a Pyramids View While Eating
After seeing the Pyramids up close, you can still enjoy them from a distance while having a meal. Don’t rush — take your time to eat and drink while you look at the ancient wonders.
Go during the day or at sunset for the best view; once it gets dark, it’s hard to see them without special lights.
These are just a few of the many reasons why Egypt should be your next visiting spot! So, what are you waiting for?
Book My TripA taste of Egypt
Authentic Egyptian Cuisine
A captivating blend of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and African flavors. Browse the menu to see what to order.
The essentials
Egyptian cuisine is a captivating blend of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and African flavors, reflecting the nation’s rich history. Bread is a constant companion to dishes, while aromatic spices infuse recipes with depth.
- Aish BaladiA type of flatbread served with almost every meal
- Cumin, coriander & cardamomThe aromatic spices behind so many recipes
Hearty stews & tagines
Hearty stews and tagines, slow-cooked with a mix of meats or seafood, vegetables and spices, are comforting staples of Egyptian kitchens.
- MolokhiaA green leafy vegetable stew — Egyptian comfort food
- TaginesSlow-cooked meats or seafood with vegetables and spices
Do not miss the street food
Do not visit Egypt without exploring Egyptian street food — from bustling markets to street corners, it’s where many of the country’s favorite flavors live.
- KoshariA mix of lentils, rice, pasta and chickpeas
- HawawshiMeat-stuffed sandwiches
- KebabsAn array of grilled kebabs
For those with a sweet tooth
Desserts add a decadent touch to every Egyptian meal — don’t leave without trying these.
- BasbousaSemolina cake
- KunafaShredded phyllo pastry
- BaklavaLayered, syrup-soaked pastry
Traditional beverages
Traditional drinks add unique flavors to the experience, whether you’re cooling off or warming up.
- KarkadehHibiscus tea
- SahlabA warm milk pudding
Egyptian hospitality, generous portions and a diverse range of flavors make every culinary exploration a delight. From bustling markets to street corners, Egypt’s cuisine offers a tapestry of tastes waiting to be savored.
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Beyond Cairo
Keep exploring Egypt
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Tell us what you’d love to see, taste and experience. We’ll shape Cairo and the rest of Egypt around you and handle every detail.
Book Your Travel ExpertPhoto credits
- Cairo skyline and the Nile at dusk — Andrew A. Shenouda from Cairo, Egypt, CC BY 2.0
- Cairo skyline rising above the Nile — Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
- Great Sphinx of Giza with the Pyramid of Khufu — kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Inside the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Cairo — Nabbegat, CC BY 4.0
- Lantern-lit lanes of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Cairo — V Manninen from Funland, CC BY 2.0
- El Moez Street at dusk, Islamic Cairo — Mohammed Moussa, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mohamed Ali Mosque at the Cairo Citadel — kallerna, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo — Radosław Botev, CC BY 3.0 pl
- Sultan Hassan and Al Rifai Mosques, Cairo — Mahmoud Mostafa Ashour, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Feluccas sailing on the Nile — Myousry6666, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara — Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Pyramids of Giza seen across the plateau — Warren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United St, CC0
- A platter of Egyptian koshari — Dina Said, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Basbousa semolina cake — stu_spivack, CC BY-SA 2.0
- A bowl of molokhia — Yosi I, CC BY 2.5
- A glass of karkadeh hibiscus tea — claralieu, CC BY 2.0
- Sacks of spices and grains at an Egyptian market — Effeietsanders, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Street-food cart in a Cairo lane — Foua42000, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Great Sphinx of Giza — Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Feluccas sailing the Nile at sunset in Luxor — Marc Ryckaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Great Temple of Ramesses II, Abu Simbel — Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0