Go Local in Cairo
A City At its Peak Outside of Tourist Zones
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest metropolitan area in both Africa and the Middle East. It’s the truest metropolis of the Arab world - and offers just about anything you could want to get up to. It’s also loud, chaotic, polluted and pushy; just wait for your first experience trying to buy something by shoving your way through a dense crowd waving money in your outstretched hand.
While most people associate Cairo with the ancient pyramids, for me, the joy of Cairo is just exploring what the city offers its locals. From eating koshary at Abou Tarek to jumping on random local buses going the direction I wanted, I consistently found non-touristy Cairo vibrant, exciting, and friendly. It was a place where something would always catch my eye - and a unique (albeit sometimes intense) experience could be always found.
If I’m being honest, I found the tourist destinations of Cairo overstimulating in terms of tourist crowds and salespeople - and underwhelming in terms of the sites themselves. Especially compared to the rest of Egypt, which hosts many the the world’s greatest heritage sites, Cairo just isn’t a city to spend your time bouncing from destination to destination; you will find yourself disappointed. To get the most out of your time in Cairo, just lean into the constant bustle and pushy energy of the city, and I think you’ll find something to love.
Head to Giza for the Pyramids
I think it’d be a miss to be in Cairo and not go to the Pyramids and Sphinx in Giza - the only ancient world wonder still standing. Known primarily for their sheer scale - truly enormous ancient constructions - they can be a little underwhelming when viewed up close (kind of like crumbling piles of rock).
If you’re not good in chaos and uncomfortable situations, I don’t recommend going on your own - as the public transit is challenging, the taxis will try to scam you, and the “queue” to buy a ticket is nearly unbearable. Most people will be better off going on a group tour that handles all of the thorny logistics for you - and keeps you out of the densest crows.
Prepare to walk around the pyramid complex for 2-3 hours as it’s sprawling. I think the pyramids are most spectacular from a distance, though, so stay in the area after and grab food at a restaurant with a view of the complex.
There is an optional second ticket to climb through the tunnels in a pyramid. I did the medium pyramid tunnels, and I didn’t think it was worth it. They’re just narrow, short, unventilated shafts to move through without adding much to the sites you see. If you think you’d regret not doing it, go ahead and buy the extra ticket. If you’re claustrophobic at all, though, definitely skip the experience.
Stroll Through the Traditionally Religious Quarters
There are two historic districts of Cairo proper most commonly explored by tourists:
The Islamic Quarter - a walled old city centered by Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah Al-Fatima Street - has one of the largest, most dense sets of Islamic architecture anywhere in the world.
In the south of Cairo, the Coptic Quarter offers a view of historic Christian Egypt - including its churches and graveyards.
You can always hop on a city tour to explore both districts - but I think it’s also perfectly satisfying to just walk around these areas.
Other Things to Do
Again, I wouldn’t try to pack your days in Cairo with sightseeing. If you’re at the end of your Egypt trip, be cautious about how much awe and excitement energy you really have left after everything you’ve seen. If you’re at the beginning, remember that you’ll need lots of energy for all the sites throughout the country. If you find yourself with plenty of energy and time, though, here are the most common other things to get up to.
Head to a Museum: Cairo has the largest museums in Egypt - and if you want to learn more about Acient Egyptian history you should go to the Egyptian Museum (which has the treasures to Tutankhamun’s Tomb) or the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (which houses most of the mummies).
Shop: On the outskirts of Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili Market is the largest shopping area in the city - and has pretty much anything you could need. It still feels very local - so you won’t get harassed like the markets around major heritage sites. I recommend grabbing foul (the local bean purée often eaten for breakfast) with vegetables from one of the many stands.
Explore Salah El Din Citadel: In the south of Cairo, this Citadel was the seat of government for 700 years - and houses a magnificent mosque.
And if Cairo overwhelms you, as it does many, don’t be afraid to leave. Take a one or two day trip up to Alexandria, or just move onto your next city. You can almost certainly find something additional to do in Luxor if you extend your stay there.
