Cairo is the capital of Egypt, and it’s ancient and full of history. It’s large and is the most populated city in the middle east. Cairo is on the famous and beautiful Nile River. It is the ideal place to visit if you want to learn about Egypt’s rich history and culture.
Since Cairo does offer so many amazing sights to take in and places to visit, you will want to make a list of The Best Things to do in Cairo and What to do in Cairo to get organized before you leave and ensure you see all the city has to offer.
What to do In Cairo
Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara & Memphis
Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, and Memphis tour is a private tour and includes lunch.
You will love this tour of the Giza pyramids, the Saqqara necropolis, and Memphis. Our extremely knowledgeable tour guide will take you far back in history to the time of the pharaohs.
The tour guide will go over the rich history of the amazing Pyramids of Giza. You will not want to miss this tour when you travel to Egypt.
Ben Ezra Synagogue Tours
This historical synagogue is in the Fustat part of ancient Cairo, Egypt. According to history, the Egyptians built the church where the Pharaoh’s daughter discovered baby Moses.
Ben Ezra Synagogue is the oldest existing synagogue in Cairo. In the 8th century, It was originally a Christian church. The temple had to be restored and rebuilt through history. The Egyptians constructed the building standing today in 1892. You will view Turkish inspired patterns within the synagogue of stars, rectangles, floral work, and pentagons.
Hanging Church (Suspended Church) Tours
Moreover, this church was named the Hanging or sometimes the Suspended Church because the ancient Egyptians built it over the Water Gate of Roman Babylon. The church was built and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. You will see the stairs that wind from the forecourt at the building entrance to the gorgeous 19th -century twin bell towers sit on top.
The Egyptians renovated the inside of this ancient church quite a few times throughout the centuries. The beautiful building has three tunnels, vaulted, and beautiful aisles. In front of the altar, areas are 13 tall pillars built to represent Christ and his disciples. You will also enjoy a fantastic view of the gate’s twin towers.
Cairo Opera House Tours
The Cairo Opera House sits within the National Cultural Centre. The opera house hosts regular performances by the Cairo Opera, the Cairo Symphony, and visiting musicians.
The historical Cairo Opera House was constructed in 1869 and was the first-ever erected on the continent. Verdi’s Rigoletto was the first performance ever put on here. Italian architects Avoscani and Rossi redesigned The Cairo Opera House after the original structure caught fire and burned down in 1971.
Lovers of opera will enjoy the historical collection of concert brochures, documents, and photos recounting the opera house’s history. You can see Main Hall performances, a Roman-style amphitheater, an open-air theater, and a few smaller venues within the complex. Many of the guided tours of Cairo pass right by the opera house. Get your tickets to the show online.
Cairo Day Tour to Giza including Nile Dinner Cruise and Lunch
The Nile dinner cruise is an excellent way to enjoy a night on the Nile. This fascinating and unforgettable tour goes all the way to Giza and begins in Cairo. Moreover, have dinner at the Nile Maxim cruising restaurant for two hours while cruising.
Have a relaxing night and enjoy the mouth-watering foods on the Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise. Also, get to enjoy the dance show and observe the beautiful lights of Cairo. The cruise will also include:
- Choice of set menu
- Belly Dancer & Oriental Show
- Western Show
- Choose between the Nile Cruise and the Pharaoh Cruise
Top Things To Do in Cairo
The Old Cairo Tours
Old Cairo is on the east bank of the Nile in south Cairo. It dates way back to the early sixth century. Old Cairo is home to the famous crumbled Roman fortress and countless early medieval churches.
Old Cairo attracts visitors who want to learn all about the city’s medieval history. You’ll find it within the compound of Coptic Cairo. Other sites include the Abu Serga Church, the Coptic Museum and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Hanging Church, and the Roman fortress. Since the historical sites are close to each other, you can easily hop around on the same day and visit all of them.
Islamic Cairo Tours
Islamic Cairo is known by many as the “City of a thousand minarets.” You will go back in history and venture into the city’s past. The tour includes Fustat, the thousand-year-old walled city, and the Cairo Citadel, founded by 12th-century leader Saladin. Cairo’s Sights are scattered throughout a large area because Cairo is in many cities.
You will enjoy the atmosphere in the warren of shops then catch a unique performance in Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Center.
Cairo Citadel (Citadel of Saladin) Tours
The Cairo Citadel stands tall above the modern city and is one of Old Cairo’s most notable sights to see. It was built initially by Saladin during the 12th century. The fortress complex houses museums, mosques, and palaces.
Most visitors see the Citadel as part of their Old Cairo tour. The tours include Islamic Cairo and highlight such attractions as the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the Sultan Hassan Mosque. Because they are close in location, you can also visit Coptic Cairo and see unique sites, including the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Hanging or Suspended Church.
Alabaster Mosque (Mosque of Muhammad Ali) Tours
The impressive and towering Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha is located in the Citadel of Cairo and is also called the Alabaster Mosque. Egyptians constructed the mosque using mostly alabaster stone. Therefore, it’s also called the Alabaster Mosque.
The ruler of Egypt, Muhammad, was in power from 1805 – 1849. He lies in a marble tomb as you enter the mosque. This mosque is still considered one of the most impressive in Cairo today. You will learn about the architecture of the enormous complex. As you walk the medieval fortifications, a military wall built for defense, your guide will explain the buildings’ history and Egyptian artifacts.
Best Things To Do in Cairo
Egyptian Museum (Museum of Egyptian Antiquities) Tours
An Italian construction company designed and built the Egyptian Museum in 1902. At the time they made it, the building was a masterpiece of contemporary museum design.
The Egyptian Museum features more than 100,000 artifacts and unbelievable collections. It would help if you planned to visit this museum for more than one day as you won’t make it through everything in one visit. It’s also a great idea to purchase a skip the line ticket as the lines can get long at times.
Memphis Tours
During Egypt’s Old Kingdom period, pharaohs who built the pyramids lived in Memphis. Most of the original architecture isn’t standing today, but you will tour the spectacular Mit Rahina open-air sculpture museum.
This tour allows you to experience some of Egypt’s vibrant history and visit some of the best attractions. You definitely won’t want to miss this tour of Memphis. Some of the tour highlights include the sacred bulls for the Serapeum temple at Saqqara and an alabaster sphinx with the beds used to mummify.
Khan Al-Khalili Tours
The Khan Al-Khalili bazaar has a history dating back to the 14th century and is Cairo’s signature shopping destination. You’ll want to visit and enjoy all the best streets, houses, and vendors that Egypt has to offer. You will find spices, gold, shisha pipes, toys, and costumes.
Our knowledgeable guide will lead you to quality goods and explain the many historic buildings. They will also help you navigate the narrow passageways and streets. The walking tours generally visit Sultan Hassan Mosque and Al-Azhar Mosque as well.
You won’t want to miss the gold district of the Khan Al-Khalili. Learn about the extensive history of one of the most authentic areas on earth. You will have the opportunity to snap brilliant photographs of the Islamic arched gateways and towering piles of spices. You will also get the chance to enjoy the delicious and traditional coffee shops.
City of the Dead Tours
The City of the Dead is in Cairo, Egypt. The city includes expansive Islamic-era elaborate tomb monuments and cemeteries.
The City of the Dead tour is a four-mile-long tour through cemeteries that date back to the Mamluk times of the 1200s. Five hundred thousand residents live in the City of the Dead today. All families traditionally kept a mausoleum; these days, some families use them to live in and for burials. The cemeteries include various shops and cafés.
Nile River Tours
The Nile is the world’s longest river and is a massive 4,150 miles long. The river flows through the Sahara desert and passes through quite a few cities, including Khartoum, Aswan, Luxor, and Cairo.
A cruise on the Nile is an experience you won’t want to miss when visiting Egypt. You will view Cairo’s famous skyline on a dinner cruise and enjoy learning about the eclectic collection of ancient wonders. Also, multi-day cruises are available and run up and down the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, affording awe-inspiring sights to see.
Final Thoughts
Explore the ancient pyramids, cruise down the Nile River, and visit old museums, churches, opera houses, and synagogues. The possibilities are endless. The Best Things To Do in Cairo will depend on personal preferences.
Take the time to explore all options before leaving for the trip and plan out which will be the most interesting for you. A trip to ancient Cairo, Egypt, is a once in a lifetime trip that you will always remember.
