Best Things to Do in Cairo: What’s Actually Worth Visiting?

Cairo is a city of polarizations. If you research it online, you’ll probably come across plenty of negative reviews, and when we were first planning our trip to Egypt, many people even suggested spending just one day in Cairo before moving on to Luxor and Aswan. But we believe Cairo is a rich and vibrant city that deserves to be understood on its own terms to be properly appreciated. 

We’ve now spent close to two weeks in Cairo and have learned to love what the city has to offer. Yes, it’s rough around the edges, chaotic, and messy. You’ll also need to stay alert to scams and persistent vendors. But beneath all that, we think Cairo is a fascinating city that deserves more than just a quick stop on your Egypt itinerary.

In this guide, we’ll share the best things to do in Cairo, including day trips and longer excursions, along with our honest opinions on what’s worth your time and what you can skip. We’ve also included our personal tips and recommendations to help make your visit as stress-free as possible.

Is Cairo Worth Visiting

We’ve now been back to Cairo twice, so we can confidently say that it’s worth visiting, but there’s a bit of a learning curve. Cairo is fascinating, full of life, and so rich in history, but it’s also chaotic, dirty, noisy, and seemingly nobody follows any rules. It can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you’re not used to this type of environment.

During our first visit, we chose to do a fully guided tour through Egypt, and this is how we’d recommend experiencing Cairo for most first-time visitors. It allowed us to see the major attractions without having to worry about navigating the city ourselves or getting scammed or harassed. 

A year later, we returned and decided to explore Cairo independently. We took taxis on our own, wandered through the streets, and got to experience more of the everyday local life. It was overwhelming and challenging at times, but we loved it because this is the kind of travel we enjoy.

Ultimately, we think Cairo is absolutely worth visiting, but we can understand why there are many negative experience comments from travellers online. The chaos and daily challenges can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not prepared for them. We think Cairo has a lot to offer, as long as you approach it in a way that suits your travel comfort and style.

Seeing such incredible structures built by ancient civilizations was one of those transformative experiences that changed the way we see the natural world and our human story. We included it in our list of six travel experiences we think everyone should have at least once in their life.

Should you join a Tour in Cairo

Before getting to the list of top Cairo experiences, we wanted to address this first: Should you join a tour in Cairo or explore independently. Now that we’ve explored Cairo both on a tour and on our own, here is our take.

Even as experienced travellers who normally love to travel independently, we would still recommend joining a tour for your first visit to Egypt/Cairo. And here are some of the reasons why. 

Protection from the Chaos

First is the Chaos. As mentioned before, Cairo is a chaotic city. Having a tour guide helps simplify the experience, avoid scams and pushy vendors, and allows you to focus on enjoying the incredible historical sites.

Navigating the city

Second is navigation. Although Cairo does have InDrive, which is similar to Uber, getting around to visit several sites in one day isn’t always easy.

InDrive often takes time to find you a driver, you need to have exact cash to pay, and occasionally, you’ll have to deal with a driver who is trying to scam or trick you.

We used InDrive on our second visit to Cairo, and it worked well enough when visiting one site per day. However, it would have been a headache if we needed to visit several sites within the same day. On our first trip to Egypt, we had a driver who would bring us to each site and wait for us until we were done visiting, allowing us to seamlessly visit 2-4 sites per day.

Enriching History

Third is History. Egypt is one of those places where every corner is filled with stories and history. Visiting the Sphynx, the Pyramids, Coptic Cairo, is impressive even independently, but having a guide to share the history with you really brings the place to life.

Hearing the tales of the ancient gods, the construction of the pyramids, and the pharaohs gives meaning to every stone and hieroglyph. In most places around the world, we’re happy to explore without a guide, but Egypt is one of those places where having a guide explain the history makes a huge difference.

Best Things to do in Cairo (and if it’s really worth it)

We’ve now been back to Cairo twice, and we’ve realized that the city is so much more than just the pyramids. It’s funny really because when we talk to the locals, they always ask “why travel all the way here to see the pyramids, it’s just a pile of rocks”. 

Then beyond the incredible museums and markets, there are several lesser-known but equally fascinating palaces, local neighbourhoods, and hands-on experiences to immerse yourself in Cairo. And when you’re not sheltered by a tour, hopping from point A to point B, you’ll actually get to see more of the real side of Egypt and its people. 

Below, we’ll share our favourite experiences from our two trips to Cairo, along with some of our favourite day trips and multi-day adventures that you can include in your Cairo itinerary, and finally what is worth visiting.

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1) Explore the Pyramids of Giza and Sphynx (5 ways)

To many of the locals, the Pyramids is ‘just a pile of rocks’ but for us seeing it for the first time, and even returning for a second visit, they remain an absolute architectural marvel that takes our breath away.

Visiting them not only transports you back 4,000 years to the time of the Pharaohs, but also makes you wonder how such an incredible structure could have been built back then, a feat that would be difficult to replicate even with today’s technology. 

On our first visit, we did the classic tour visiting the designated stops around the Pyramids and Sphynx while learning about its history. But there are, in fact, many other ways to experience the Pyramids that are totally worth including in your itinerary. 

Here our 5 recommended ways to enjoy the Pyramids:

A) Visit the Pyramids of Giza on a Classic tour

For your first visit, we would recommend joining a guided tour to explore the Pyramids and the Giza Plateau. This is how we first visited and it was really helpful way to understand the layout of the plateau, see the main sites, and learn about their history.

Although many itineraries and tours combine a visit to the Pyramids with the Grand Egyptian museum, we would recommend visiting them on separate days since you can easily spend 3-4 hours at each site. However, if you’re really short on time, you can do this private 8 hour Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum Tour. 

A Classic tour of the Pyramids should include the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the Great Sphynx, and ideally the panoramic viewpoint.

If you want to go inside the pyramid, that requires an additional payment. However, based on feedback from other travellers, we don’t think it’s necessarily worth the extra cost since it is very crammed, dark, and lacks hieroglyphic artwork.

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B) Explore the panoramic views of the Pyramids

Ideally, your guided tour will include the panoramic viewpoint but we’ve noticed that many tours skip it. In our case, we had to return to the pyramids a second time to experience it and it was absolutely worth it.

From here, you can see up to 9 pyramids lined up in the distance. 

What makes this spot special is that you’re standing in the vast, open desert rather than on the official paved roads. It gives you a much greater sense of immersion, almost as if you’ve stumbled upon an incredible archaeological discovery yourself. Make sure not to miss this!

How to Reach the Panoramic Viewpoint

After entering through the official Pyramids Visitor Center entrance, take the free shuttle and get off at the first stop. Walk east, towards the end of the viewing platform, past the coffee shops and restaurants, until you reach the sand.

You’ll know you’re heading in the right direction when you see the camels and horse carriages. Someone will likely tell you that you’re not allowed to walk there and that you must take a camel instead. Ignore them and continue walking east. After about 10-15 minutes, you’ll see a higher hill with more camels. That’s the panoramic viewpoint!

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C) Rooftop hotel view of the Pyramids

There is something undeniably magical about being able to see the Pyramids both day and night, right from the comfort of your hotel room or rooftop terrace. On our first trip to Cairo, we would spend hours at sunset admiring the pyramids right from our hotel rooftop while enjoying some local egyptian food. 

After researching countless hotels in Giza with rooftop views of the Pyramids, we chose Le Pacha Boutique Hotel and couldn’t have been happier with our choice. It was affordable, had beautifully decorated rooms, and, best of all, offered a fantastic view of the Pyramids and Sphinx right from the rooftop restaurant.

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D) Pyramids sound and light show

The Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids is often recommended as a must-do experience in Giza, but in our opinion, it isn’t really worth it.

The show lasts around an hour, and tickets cost about $20, but the production feels quite outdated. We expected clear storytelling and animated projections, but instead, it was mostly the Pyramids being lit up in different colours while a narration told the story.

At least we got to experience it for free directly from the rooftop of our hotel, La Pacha Boutique Hotel!

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E) Horseback Riding around the Pyramids

A unique way to experience the Giza Plateau that we rarely see mentioned online is on horseback. Unlike the other popular ATV tours, going on horseback really makes you feel like an explorer and you get to see the pyramids from a whole different perspective. 

On our second visit, we did a 2 hour horseback riding experience at sunset and it was really enjoyable. Starting from the ranch, you’ll explore the vast desert behind the Pyramids, outside the main tourist area of the Giza Plateau. This also means you won’t need to pay for another entrance ticket to the plateau.

Horseback riding can be quite expensive, but we found Giza Stables by Viger, which offered us a two-hour ride for just 600 EGP per person. The owner, Eslam, was really friendly, and arranging the ride with him through WhatsApp was easy.

2) Explore Cairo’s Essential Museums

To see in person some of the most incredible architectural marvels of ancient Egypt, you’ll be visiting sites like the Giza Pyramids, Sphynx, Saqqara, and Memphis.

But many of the smaller and more delicate artifacts created during that era are safely preserved and can only be seen in the museums of Cairo.

These include the golden mask of Tuthankaman, considered one of the most valuable artifacts in the world; the remarkably lifelike statues of Prince Rahotep and his wife Nofret at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square; and the royal mummy of Ramses II at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

Which Cairo Museum Should You visit

Most first-time visitors to Cairo will be short on time, so you’ll need to prioritize which museums to include in your itinerary. So, which ones should you visit?

Option 1: Grand Egyptian Museum

Without hesitation, the Grand Egyptian Museum is a must-visit.

Not only is it considered one of the largest and most modern archeological museums in the world, but it’s also home to the treasures of Tutankhamun, including his famous golden mask, his inner coffin made of solid gold weighing around 110 kg, and his golden throne.

The museum is so massive and impressive that we actually ended up going back a second time!

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Option 2: The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square

The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square houses more than 150,000 artifacts spanning thousands of years of ancient Egyptian history. Among its highlights are the remarkably lifelike statues of Prince Rahotep and his wife Nofret, as well as the pyramidion, the stone capstone that once sat at the top of a pyramid made from a material that does not exist on earth.

Compared to the GEM, it’s a more compact and crammed museum, with an older building and displays that aren’t as well organized. We visited with our guide and really enjoyed the experience, but it was an intense amount of information to take in.

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Option 3: National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)

Finally, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is particularly known for its Royal Mummies Hall, which displays the mummies of 20 prominent ancient Egyptian rulers. It has the least amount of artifacts compared to the other two but if you’re keen on seeing the actual mummies, this is the museum to visit.

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Which Museum Would we Choose?

If we were to choose two Museums to visit, we’d go with the GEM (which now houses many of most impressive artifacts from the Egyptian Museum of Cairo), and the Civilization Museum to see the mummies, which are not found in the other two.

The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square is impressive, but with many of its fascinating artifacts now transferred to the GEM following its official opening, we feel the GEM offers a more impressive overall experience.

Of course there are many more museums like the Islamic Art Museum, Gayer-Anderson Museum, Coptic Museum, October war Museum, and more!

Should you go with a guide to the Museum

Definitely! although the descriptions are decent at the museums, it only provides some brief factual information and does not tell the entire story. With a guide, they will help you weave together a story of the pharaohs and the ancient times, and help you better understand each artifact and what it was meant for. 

At the Grand Egyptian Museum, you can opt for a tour with their own official guides (this is what we did), otherwise, you can join a dedicated 3-5 hour Grand Egyptian Museum Guided tour like this one.

As mentioned earlier, if you have the time, we recommend visiting the Pyramids and the GEM on separate days, as you can easily spend 3–4 hours at each site to truly appreciate everything they have to offer.

3) Prince Mohamed Ali Palace

The Mohamed Ali Palace isn’t included in most first-time itineraries to Cairo, but we visited it on our second trip and think it’s well worth considering. 

Unlike the ancient temples and pyramids Cairo is famous for, this palace offers a glimpse into a much later period of the Egyptian royal history (19th century). And what makes it particularly interesting is that the prince designed the palace himself, combining different architectural influences, including Ottoman, Persian, Moroccan, and Andalusian styles.

This creates a beautiful architectural mix of Islamic and European influences, intricate geometric patterns, carved wooden ceilings, colourful tiles, and ornate decorative details throughout. 

The main highlights are the palace mosque and the residence of Prince Mohamed Ali, where the elaborate interiors showcase the craftsmanship that went into every detail.

The grounds are relatively compact, and you can explore the main highlights in about an hour, which makes for an easy addition to your Cairo itinerary.

4) Enjoy the riverbank of the Nile

During your visit to Cairo, it’s important not to spend all your time hopping from Museum A to Archaeological Site B. Make sure to set aside some time to explore the local neighborhoods and experience everyday life in the city.

On our second visit to Cairo, we stayed in the trendy neighbourhood of Zamalek, which was perfectly situated near the river Nile. As the lifeblood of Egypt, the river has shaped the country’s history and sustained its communities for thousands of years, flowing through some of Egypt’s most iconic destinations, from Cairo and Luxor to Aswan.

Here are 4 ways to experience the beauty around the Nile: 

Sunset Stroll on El Corniche

El Corniche is a new and modern boardwalk located right along the river nile, providing an exclusive access to a peaceful stretch of the riverbank and a lovely place for a walk. It is located on the Eastern side of Zamalek and is best enjoyed near sunset time. 

There’s a small entrance fee of 25 EGP (less than $1), which we felt was well worth paying. Having controlled access makes for a more relaxed experience, with fewer unwanted interruptions. When walking around Tahrir Square, downtown, and Qasr El Nil Bridge, we were often approached by people selling things, offering unsolicited directions, or insisting we pay for photos. El Corniche felt like a welcome escape from all that, allowing us to enjoy the Nile without being bothered.

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Boardwalk and local drinks near Qasr El Nil Bridge

Although we loved walking along El Corniche, we also wanted to experience the more local side of Cairo and see where Egyptians hang out. One of our Egyptian friends took us to the riverbank just across Qasr El Nil Bridge, where locals gather to relax and enjoy the Nile. 

There is no entrance fee here and we got to mingle with the locals, sipping on hibiscus tea and eating a chickpea drink. You simply grab one of the plastic stools, settle in by the river, and enjoy incredible views of the Nile while watching everyday life unfold around you. It felt like a much more authentic glimpse into Cairo. 

The spot we visited is right in front of the InterContinental Cairo Semiramis by IHG, and you’ll find a local vendor here selling food and drinks at really affordable prices. 

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Felucca Ride

Feluccas are traditional Egyptian sailboats that you’ll often see calmly drifting along the Nile. For one of the most unique perspectives of Cairo, and a perfect escape from the traffic and noise of the city, you can opt for a simple 2 hour Private Felucca ride or for something even more special, this Private Felucca ride with dinner and drinks!

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Dinner Cruise

Finally, for a complete and enchanting evening experience, including belly dance show, live entertainment, and a delicious meal, we would recommend this 3 hour Nile Cruise Dinner Tour! 

5) Mohamed Ali Mosque + Citadel

It’s hard to miss the Mohamed Ali Mosque and the Citadel when exploring Cairo.

On our first trip, we were driving along the highway, weaving through the city’s buildings, when suddenly the massive citadel appeared on a rocky hilltop, crowned by the unmistakable domes and towering minarets of the mosque.

It reminded us of our time in Istanbul, with its grand Ottoman-style mosques, and there was something captivating about seeing such an impressive place of worship rising above the chaos of the city.

What You’ll see at the Mohamed Ali Mosque + Citadel

The Citadel itself dates back to the 12th century, when it was built by Saladin as a defensive fortress. Today, its most recognizable landmark is the Mohamed Ali Mosque, also known as the Alabaster Mosque because of the pale stone covering its walls. 

Inside, you’ll find a beautiful marble courtyard and an impressive prayer hall beneath a massive central dome, filled with ornate decorations and enormous chandeliers. The scale and intricate details of the interior are well worth taking the time to appreciate. 

We actually spent around 20 minutes lying on the mosque floor, simply staring up at the ceiling and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

Then beyond the mosque, the citadel also houses several other museums, including the Military Museum and the National Police Museum (which are included in the ticket). We explored independently and spent around two hours wandering through the complex.

And if you are interested in more islamic historic monuments, you can also check out Mosque of Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa’i Mosque.

How to Visit Mohamed Ali Mosque

We visited the mosque and citadel independently on our second trip to Cairo. It is easy to do so by taking Indrive from your hotel. The Entrance fee for the Mohamed Ali Mosque and citadel, including the mosque and museums, is 550 EGP for foreign adults.

Alternatively, you can opt for this day tour that conveniently combines a visit to Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan Al-Khalili market, and Coptic Cairo. 

6) The Cave church + Coptic Cairo

One of the things that fascinated us during our visit to Cairo was discovering the mix of cultures and religions that coexist in the city. Although Islam is the dominant religion, Christianity also has a long and important history here, which you can discover through its many churches and religious sites. 

One of the most remarkable is the Cave Church, also known as the Monastery of Saint Simon. Carved into the cliffs of Mokattam Mountain, it’s one of the largest churches in the Middle East, with an enormous amphitheatre-like space that can accommodate thousands of worshippers.

Visiting the Cave Church was on our list, but unfortunately, we ran out of time and had to prioritize other experiences. Getting there independently can be a little complicated, so without enough time to organize the visit properly, we decided to leave it for another trip.

Nonetheless, if you want to explore Cairo’s Christian heritage, this Coptic Cairo tour is a great way to do so. It includes the Cave Church, the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, the Church of Saint Barbara, the Hanging Church, and other important religious sites.

Is the Cave Church and Coptic Cairo Worth Visiting

We didn’t get a chance to visit the Cave Church, but we did explore Coptic Cairo with a guide.

To be honest, Coptic Cairo was one of the experiences in Cairo that excited us the least. Having visited many churches before, we found the architecture and artwork quite familiar, and it didn’t have the same wow factor as the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, and other ancient sites.

7) Try Traditional Egyptian Food in Cairo

One of the best ways to discover Egypt is through its food. Egyptian cuisine is full of flavour, spices, and colour, with a mix of traditional dishes that reflect the country’s rich culinary heritage. 

But we’ll be honest, discovering all the incredible food can be challenging on your own. Many menus are written in Arabic, the streets can be chaotic to navigate, and more often than not, you might have no idea what a dish is or what to order. For this reason, we always recommend booking a food tour, where a local can take you to tried-and-tested favourite spots and introduce you to dishes you might otherwise miss.

This Cairo Food Adventure includes 40+ tastings and a walking tour. The experience lasts 3 hours and introduces not only to the culinary culture, but also the history of the city! 

Here are some of our favourite dishes we discovered during our two trips to Egypt:

• Koshari
• Ful
• Ta’ameya
• Hawawshi
• Shawarma
• Molokhia, and more!

8) Explore Islamic Cairo at Khan el-Khalili Market + Tanour show

There’s no doubt that when researching Cairo, you’ve come across photos of vibrant local markets filled with colourful lamps, golden ornaments, and traditional cafés. This is Khan el-Khalili market, along with Al-Muizz Street nearby.

We briefly explored the market on our first visit to Cairo, and it’s a full sensory experience. The narrow alleys are packed with traditional Egyptian souvenirs, colourful pillows, tea sets, tawla boards, and cafés where locals gather to smoke shisha.

It’s chaotic, crowded, and can feel a little overwhelming, so we recommend going with a private guide who can help you navigate the market and find what you’re looking for.

Tanoura Show Details

To make the experience even more memorable, head across the street to Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Center for a Tanoura show. This traditional Egyptian folk dance features performers spinning continuously in colourful skirts, accompanied by live musicians.

Information about showtimes can be limited, but performances typically start around 7:30 pm, and tickets for foreigners cost just 90 EGP, which is a steal! If you’re interested, we recommend checking with your tour company or maybe a staff at your hotel since tickets can only be purchased on the spot. There is a guided tour available for the Tanoura show but it costs a lot more than if you went independently. 

Is Khal Al-Khalili Market Worth Visiting

In our honest opinion, Khal el-Khalili market isn’t high on our list of must-do things in Cairo. The market feels somewhat geared towards tourists and the atmosphere there is very chaotic. We would far prefer spending more time discovering the Pyramids, museums, or mosques.

9) Explore Downtown around Tahrir Square

Tahrir Square is one of Cairo’s most famous plazas, known for its role in Egypt’s modern history, particularly the 2011 revolution. Its name means “Liberation Square” and is linked to Egypt’s independence movement, although the square was officially renamed after the 1952 revolution. 

Located in the heart of downtown Cairo, it’s surrounded by local shops, restaurants, cafes, and more. According to our local Egyptian friend, this is where the locals go on the weekend to hangout.

There aren’t any specific landmarks you need to tick off here, but rather, we recommend simply strolling through the surrounding streets and experiencing everyday Egyptian life.

Day Trips From Cairo

Next we’ll cover some of the best experiences that can be included as days trip or multi-day trips from Cairo.

10) Day Trip: Saqqara Pyramids (step pyramid) & Memphis

One of the most popular day trips from Cairo is to the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, followed by a visit to Memphis to see the massive statue of Ramses II. Located around an hour from Cairo, these two archaeological sites can easily be combined into one day and showcases some of Egypt’s incredible ancient treasures beyond the Pyramids of Giza

Saqqara Pyramids

The highlight of Saqqara is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built over 4,600 years ago. Standing around 62 metres tall, it’s considered the earliest large-scale stone pyramid in Egypt.

Saqqara is also where you can actually enter in the chambers under one of the pyramids and see the beautiful artwork and hieroglyphs.

What makes it even more fascinating, though, is finding a massive stone sarcophagus inside the chamber. The sarcophagus itself is far larger than the narrow entranceway, which you have to almost crawl through to get inside, leaving you wondering how they even managed to get it in there in the first place.

Memphis

Next, you’ll head to Memphis, once the capital of ancient Egypt. The main attraction here is the colossal statue of Ramses II, which lies inside a two-level museum that lets you get remarkably close to its intricate details. There’s also a small collection of other statues to explore, including an impressive alabaster sphinx.

11) Day Trip: Alexandria

Alexandria is a fascinating city to add to your Egypt itinerary and can be done as a day trip from Cairo.

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the story goes that he chose this spot along the Mediterranean coast to establish a new city that would become one of the greatest centres of learning and culture in the ancient world. 

Today, you can visit the famous Bibliotheca Alexandrina, explore the impressive Qaitbay Citadel built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, discover ancient Roman catacombs, and stroll along the Mediterranean waterfront. 

We visited Alexandria as part of our Siwa Oasis road trip, which also helped break up the long 10-hour drive across two days.

We’ll be honest, our visit to Alexandria was a bit rushed, so we didn’t get to experience all the highlights. However, Alexandria is one of our Egyptian driver’s favourite places, and he returns there every year, which makes us think it deserves a little more time than we were able to give it!

How to Visit Alexandria

You can do a day trip to Alexandria from Cairo.

This is a 10-12 hour tour and includes all the famous sites in Alexandria like the Library of Alexandria, Catacombs Of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, Roman Amphitheatre and more. However, if you have time, we would recommend spending at least one night there. 

12) Extended Trip: Siwa Oasis

If you have time, Siwa Oasis is an amazing multi-day trip that you can add to your Egypt Itinerary.

Here, you’ll discover a completely different side of Egypt, tucked away in the vast Western Desert near the Libyan border. You’ll find the ancient Shali Fortress, built in the 12th to 13th century using a unique mixture of salt, mud, and clay, turquoise salt lakes, endless date palm fields, and towering sand dunes. You’ll also have the chance to discover the unique Siwan culture, which has its own language, traditions, and Amazigh (Berber) heritage.

We decided to combine our five-day Siwa Oasis trip with visits to Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh, which were along the way and helped break up the roughly 10-hour drive across two days. More commonly, though, you’ll find organized tours to Siwa that last between two and four days.

To get a better idea of what you can experience in Siwa Oasis, check out our dedicated Siwa Oasis Road Trip guide.

Is Siwa Oasis Worth Visiting

Definitely! but only if you have an extra 3-4 days available in your Egypt Itinerary. Otherwise we would prioritize visiting Cairo, Luxor, Dahabiya Nile Cruise, and Aswan.

How to Visit Siwa Oasis

Theoretically it is possible to visit independently by bus, but we would not recommend it. The journey is very long and Siwa Oasis is quite vast, so getting around between the sites without your own transport can prove challenging.

Instead we would recommend going on this 3 Day Siwa Tour, or ideally this 4 day Private Siwa Tour. In our case, we went with a Oriental Tours Egypt who organized a fully private and customized itinerary through Egypt.

This post is part of our series about Egypt. If you want to learn more about the traveling in Egypt including itineraries, travel tips, recommended activities and more, check the guides below:

14 Unique Things to Do in Luxor: Complete 4-Day Itinerary

How to Visit Abu Simbel: Everything You Need to Know (2026) 

Is Siwa Oasis Worth Visiting? An Honest Review + Best Things to Do

Best Egypt Nile Cruise: Sailing on the Dahabiya Amoura

13) Extended Trip: Black or White Desert

The Black and white desert is yet another exciting multi-day trip that you can add to your Egypt Itinerary. Unlike Siwa Oasis, the desert is located only 4-5 hours from Cairo, making it easier to reach. 

Here you’ll discover the dark volcanic hills of the black dessert and the surreal white rock formations of the white desert, which look almost like giant sculptures scatted across the sand. Along the way you’ll pass through the Bahariya Oasis, stop at crystal mountain, and explore the otherworldly landscapes of The Valley of Agabat.

Most trips last just two days and one night, with the highlight being an overnight camping experience right in the middle of the desert. Facilities are minimal, but you’ll get to enjoy a campfire dinner, incredible stargazing, and the feeling of waking up surrounded by these unique natural formations. 

If you’re after pure nature immersion and don’t mind roughing it a bit, this 2-day Black and White Desert camping Tour⁠ is a great choice. If you prefer something a little more exclusive, there’s also this 2-Day Bahariya Oasis Black and White Desert Tour.

Is The Black and White Desert Worth Visiting

Yes, but depends on what you’re after. The Black and White Desert is perfect for those who want to explore stunning natural landscapes and isolation in the remote desert, whereas Siwa Oasis has a mix of ancient archeology, Amazigh culture, natural landscapes and villages.

How Many Days Needed for Black and White Desert

Trips typically are 2 days and 1 night, which is shorter than Siwa Oasis which takes between 3-4 days.

How Many Days do you need in Cairo

Most first time visitors seem to spend only 1-2 days in Cairo, ticking off the Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum only before moving on to Luxor and Aswan. However, if you have the time, we would highly recommend spending at least 4 days in Cairo.

On our first trip, we scheduled 2 days in Cairo on our arrival, and then 3 more days at the end of our trip after visiting Abu Simbel and then spending 5 days in Siwa Oasis. Then on our second visit to Egypt, we spent 10 days in Cairo and still had tons of things to experience.

In short, there is no shortage of things to do in Cairo even if you spend 2 weeks there, but for most travellers we would recommend about 3-4 days to properly experience the city. 

How to Get Around in Cairo

Cairo is an absolutely chaotic city where road lanes and red lights often feel more like casual suggestions than actual rules. Getting around can be an adventure in itself, so for most first-time visitors, we highly recommend booking a private tour with a driver who can take you between the main attractions and wait for you while you explore.

Ride Hailing apps like Indrive

Another option is to get around independently using ride-hailing apps like InDrive and Uber.

In our experience, though, this can sometimes be frustrating. It can occasionally take 10–15 minutes for a driver to accept your request, followed by another 10 minutes or more for them to navigate the traffic and reach you.

We also had a driver try to scam us once or twice, although we feel this is becoming less common thanks to increased monitoring by the tourist police.

Transport Options to Avoid

As for the options we would avoid, driving yourself, taking a local taxi, and taking the bus would be at the bottom of our list.

Cairo’s traffic is definitely overwhelming and you’ll quickly notice that every single car has large dents and scratches on them. Then according to our local Egyptian friend who is also a driver, he said never trust the local white taxis since they are all ‘harami’ (thief). Finally, navigating the bus system can be challenging if you don’t speak Arabic or know the city well.

What to do if only have 3 days in Cairo

For most travellers visiting Egypt, you’ll only have around 2–3 days in Cairo before moving on to Luxor and Aswan. As you can see from our list above, there are so many incredible experiences in Cairo that are well worth your time. 

However, if you’re short on time and only have three days, this is how we would recommend planning your itinerary to make the most of your visit.

Day 1 in Cairo

Visit the Pyramids of Giza, the panoramic viewpoints, and the Sphinx (3–4 hours), then head to the Grand Egyptian Museum (another 3–4 hours) (this tour includes the Pyramids and GEM in one day).

I know we previously recommended not visiting both on the same day, but if you’re short on time, it makes sense to combine them since they’re located close to each other. Just be prepared for a full day!

Day 2 in Cairo

Take a day trip to the Step Pyramid of Saqqara and Memphis to discover more of Egypt’s ancient history. If you still have some energy in the evening, you can also go horseback riding near the Pyramids.

Day 3 in Cairo

Start with the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, then visit the Mohamed Ali Mosque and the Citadel. To end your trip, spend some time enjoying the Nile, whether that’s a relaxing walk along El Corniche, a sunset felucca ride, or a dinner cruise.

Where to Stay in Cairo

Choosing where to stay in Cairo is a big decision that can significantly shape your experience of the city. We’ll cover this in more detail in a separate guide, but here are our quick recommendations based on our stays in three different areas.

Stay in Giza if:

You want to wake up to views of the Pyramids and don’t mind the surrounding chaos. We stayed at Le Pacha Boutique Hotel and spent countless hours and evenings at the rooftop restaurant enjoying the incredible pyramid views, including the Sound and Light Show.

Stay in Zamalek or Downtown Cairo If:

You prefer a trendier, more walkable neighbourhood with convenient access to downtown, Tahrir Square, and the Egyptian Museum. These areas also feel less chaotic than Giza, and you can reach the Pyramids in around 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic.

We stayed at an AirBnB but downtown is filled with some of the best hotels including Novotel Cairo, The Nile Ritz Carlton, and Ramses Hilton.   

Stay in New Cairo if:

You prefer a more modern, peaceful side of the city and don’t mind being farther from the main attractions. The drive to Giza can take around 45 minutes or longer, depending on traffic.

We stayed at Villa Mango Hotel, which was absolutely beautiful and offered a peaceful escape from the chaos of central Cairo.

Our Recommendation

We’ve stayed in all three areas, and each has its own advantages.

However, if this is your first visit to Cairo, we’d recommend staying in Giza with a view of the Pyramids. There’s something special about enjoying one of the world’s most iconic landmarks right from your hotel!

Using WISE card in Egypt

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Summary: Best Things to do in Cairo

Cairo might not be love at first sight, but we believe it’s a city worth giving a chance. Beyond the chaos, traffic, and persistent vendors, you’ll find incredible history, fascinating local culture, and experiences that go far beyond the Pyramids of Giza. 

Our biggest advice is to come with an open mind, be prepared to be guarded against scams and vendors, give yourself enough time to explore, and choose the way you experience Cairo that suits you best. If you can embrace its rough edges, you might just find yourself loving this city as much as we do.

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