Cairo is the capital of Egypt, a city rich in world famous history, it is a great place to explore Egyptian history and culture. Even though Cairo is an ancient city; but it is also a modern metropolis. If you are visiting Egypt then Cairo must be on your Itinerary.
10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Cairo
1. The Great Pyramids Of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are the number one thing you need to visit whenever you are in Cairo. Pyramids are royal tombs, and discoveries are done in that area. You will also find The Great Sphinx of Giza there; which is a large limestone statue with the body of a line and the headed of a human, this is an iconic symbol and it is a must see.
2. Rich History
Egypt has a rich history that goes back thousands of years, but Cairo especially contains an abundance and diversified history. Places such as the Great Pyramids of Giza as mentioned above, as well as Coptic Cairo, and many Islamic locations that you can visit an immerse yourself in that history.
3. The Food
Egyptian cuisine is very flavoursome and delicious, my friends loves it when we eat Egyptian food, and you will too. There is a variety of options you can choose from that will also suit your dietary needs even if you are vegetarian or vegan. It is not only savoury dishes, but it also sweets!
4. The Nile River
It is a must when visiting Cairo to cruise the longest river in the world which is the Nile River, because this is the perfect getaway. Going on a cruise or a boat ride in Nile River is great and most importantly and enjoyable experience. You will find a lot of boats with different sizes that you can take, you can either go on a quick ride in a small boat, or you can find a big boat where lunch/dinner is included and enjoy the amazing views of Cairo.
5. Unique Architecture
Cairo has a mixture of baroque and neoclassical architectures; which includes cathedrals, mosques and palaces. You will find a combination of old and new, with beautiful modern buildings found near historical landmarks and ruins.
6. Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt is one of oldest civilisations in the world as well as the most interesting, and as mentioned before; you will find The Great Pyramids of Giza which is the only standing ancient wonder. You will also find a lot of ancient tombs and statues, as well as museums to know more about the history.
7. Khan El Khalili Market
This is the world's oldest open air market, Khan El Khalili Souq is filled with antiques, jewellery, spices, food, and much more. The word 'Souq' in Arabic means open air market, and this is the best place to buy souvenirs. Be ready to bargain as you should never accept the first price the merchants tell you, also do not follow a vendor to the back of his shop as this is usually a trick. You will also find a lot of coffeehouses around the market that serve Arabic & Turkish coffee.
Disclaimer: Beware for pickpockets, they can have a scarf that they use to cover your bags which will then give them the chance to steal something, the area will be crowded so you should pay good attention to your belongings.
8. The Egyptian Museum
A great way to go back in time is by visiting The Egyptian Museum which is the home of the world's greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts. It is recommended to plan to stay between 2 to 4 hours exploring the museum. Make sure to visit the Tutankhamun Gallery.
9. The Hanging Church
The Hanging Church is built on top of the ancient Roman Fortress of Babylon hence the name 'The Hanging church'. This is one of the oldest churches in Egypt and it dates back to the third century, and the church belongs to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. You can see how the church is hanging through glass floor areas in the church and through a small window in the church.
10. NMEC - The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is dedicated to telling the story of Egypt's human history, but mainly this is where you will find the Egypt's most famous Royal Mummies. 22 mummies are displayed in a specially designed Royal Mummies Gallery.
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How to Get to Cairo
Cairo International Airport is the busiest airport in Egypt and serves as the primary hub for several airlines. So, it will be easy to reach Cairo that way, and chances are you will find a direct flight from where you are coming from.
How to Move Around Cairo
Moving around Cairo is easy since services like Uber and Careem are accessible and cheap as well so it will be easy to hop from one place to another. You can also use a taxi but you will need to pay in cash as they do not accept credit/debit cards.
Best Time to Visit Cairo
The best time to visit Egypt in general is between October and April, but when it comes to Cairo, if you are looking for a nice and warm weather, then it is best to visit in October, November, and April. You can of course visit Egypt during the summer, but it gets really hot during that time.
Accommodations in Cairo
Since Cairo is a huge city, there is a vast variety of hotels that you can find. If you are looking for luxurious hotels, then you will find them along the Nile River or near the Pyramids of Giza such as the Four Seasons, Sofitel Cairo El-Gezirah& Marriott Mena House. If you are looking for mid-range options, then you will find them in Zamalek - my favorite district - and Garden City districts, such as Steigenberger El Tahrir & Hotel Longchamps. If you are looking for budget friendly hotels; then you will find them in Downtown district such as Cairo Golden Plaza Hotel & Osiris Hotel.
If you prefer to stay in an Airbnb then you will be able to find a lot options that suits your budget, you will find a lot of hostels if you prefer to stay there. The point is; Cairo is a large city so your options are endless, and it doesn't matter where you stay in Cairo since you will enjoy it regardless. You can book your accommodation through Booking.com, which is the one I use the most, or if you wan to stay in a hostel you can book through HostelWorld. You can also use Agoda, Trivago, or Vrbo to book your accommodations. I know most people have a favourite website or app to use, so just choose what you prefer best.
Best Cafes & Restaurants in Cairo
Sea Salt Cafe & Bakery (Gluten-free, vegan options available)
Eish + Malh (Gluten-free)
Zooba (Best Koshari in Cairo)
The Bakery Shop (Desert)
Naguib Mahfouz Cafe (Located near Khan El Khalili)
Abou El Sid (Egyptian cuisine)
If you wan to find more cafes & restaurants to try, then you can do so through TripAdvisor.