Things to Do in Cairo

The last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the Giza Plateau holds the Great Pyramid, smaller pyramids and the Sphinx overlooking the desert and city edge. Best experienced with an early start to beat heat and crowds, or at sunset when the light turns golden.

Vast collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts including royal mummies, statues and treasures from Tutankhamun. The classic pink Egyptian Museum overlooks Tahrir Square, while the new Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza offers a more modern, spacious experience as exhibits gradually move over.

Maze-like historic souq and surrounding streets packed with mosques, madrasas and medieval lanes. Great for photographs, tea in historic cafés and picking up souvenirs, but also where haggling and tourist touts are at their most intense.

Hilltop fortress complex with sweeping views over Cairo and multiple mosques and museums. The Ottoman-style Mosque of Muhammad Ali dominates the skyline and the courtyards make a good escape from street-level traffic and noise.

Compact historic district with some of Egypt's oldest churches, the Hanging Church, synagogues and the Coptic Museum. A quieter, more contemplative corner of the city with layered Christian, Jewish and Muslim history.

Landscaped hilltop park built on a former landfill, offering some of the best skyline views of Cairo's minarets and the Citadel. Popular with locals at sunset; combines well with a meal in one of the park's restaurants.

Evening stroll or boat trip along the Nile, with feluccas (traditional sailboats) and modern dinner cruises offering views of Cairo illuminated at night. A gentler way to experience the city and feel its scale from the water.

Self-guided walk through renovated early 20th-century buildings, cinemas and cafés in Downtown, where a slow but visible revival is underway. Ideal for architecture fans, people-watching and understanding Cairo's modern history.