Experience Antiquity: 10 Best Things To Do In And Around Cairo

1. Explore the past at the Egyptian Antiquities Museum

A visit to one of Cairo’s many museums should be on top of every visitor’s list. And there’s no better starting point than popping by the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, which features over 120,000 ancient Egyptian relics. There are several rooms dedicated to various timelines and key events in Egyptian history. Make sure to visit the mummy room and see them unwrapped in front of your eyes!

Egyptian Antiquities Museum

Address: Meret Basha, Ismailia, Qasr an Nile, Cairo Governorate

Website: Egyptian Antiquities Museum

2. Discover another aspect of the city at the Coptic Museum

Visiting museums are some of the best things to do in Cario, especially when they explore the multi-religious facet of this city. The Coptic Museum gives visitors a glimpse into the foundations of the Coptic Christian faith in Egypt. A large collection of ancient artifacts, bibles, sarcophagi, and icons should fascinate both history and religious buffs.

The Coptic Museum

Address: 3 Mari Gerges, Kom Ghorab, Misr Al Qadimah, Cairo Governorate

Website: The Coptic Museum

3. Enter the beautiful Mohamed Ali Mosque

Egypt is a predominantly Islamic country, and it only makes sense to visit the Mohamed Ali Mosque to gain greater insight into its rich Islamic history. This mosque was built in memory of Muhammad Ali’s son, Tusun Pasha, and surrounded by a stunning citadel. The mosque is very active and attracts both worshippers and foreign visitors who come to admire the architecture and the expansive views of Cairo.

Mohamed Ali Mosque

Address: Al Abageyah, Qism El-Khalifa, Cairo Governorate

Website: Mohamed Ali Mosque

4. Witness one of the seven wonders of the world at the Gizeh Plateau

If you can handle the high temperature, then a guided tour through the Gizeh Plateau is absolutely essential! Here you’ll be exposed to the ancient sphinxes, temples, and pyramids, which are over 4,500 years old and some of the finest attractions Egypt has to offer. You can travel on horseback, camel, or even hire a taxi and the sites can be accessed between 9:00am to 11:00pm.

Gizeh Plateau

Address: Al Haram Str., Cairo 11511, Egypt

5. Ride on horseback to the Saqqara Pyramids

The Saqqara Pyramids are the oldest pyramids in Egypt and are highly praised by archaeologists and visitors alike. One of the reasons is that’s easier to make out the hieroglyphics in the tomb areas. The best way to access these pyramids is by hiring a horse for the day. Just wear something cool including headwear as it’s incredibly hot in this area.

Saqqara Pyramids

Address: Saqarah, Al Badrashin, Giza Governorate

Website: Saqqara Pyramids

6. Get close and personal with the Giza and Keops Pyramids

Another major highlight for travelers to Cairo is visiting the great pyramids of Giza. They’re very well preserved, which is quite a fete considering how ancient these structures are. The best part is that visitors are permitted entry and may climb up the burial chambers of the Pharaohs.

Giza and Keops Pyramids

Address: Al Haram, Nazlet El-Semman, Al Haram, Giza Governorate

7. View the gorgeous Hanging Church

The Hanging Church also goes by the names of El Muallaqa, St Mary, or Sitt Mariam, and is notable for its stunning exterior façade, which is exquisitely decorated. Visitors can view the icons and mosaics that adorn the interior of the church that dates back to the 3rd-century and is another important landmark of the Coptic Christian faith.

Hanging Church

Address: Kom Ghorab, Misr Al Qadimah, Cairo Governorate

Website: Hanging Church

8. Catch a movie or do some shopping at Festival City Mall

Exploring all those pyramids and museums may get a little tiring. You might want to take things slow, perhaps catch a movie or do a bit of shopping. The Festival City Mall is a nice contemporary shopping venue that has all the amenities one could ask for. It’s also not too large, or over-commercialized so it’s an easy venue to explore without the hustle and bustle of larger malls. Operating hours are between 10:00am to midnight.

Festival City Mall

Address: Cairo 171-11835, Egypt

Website: Festival City Mall

9. Bargain to your heart’s content at the Khan Al-Khalili

While shopping malls can be a lot of fun, nothing comes close to bargaining for great deals at an authentic Egyptian bazaar. At the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar, visitors have an opportunity to browse the excellently displayed curios and chat with the friendly and helpful dealers. The stalls are perfectly arranged, and it’s easy to navigate the bazaar to find exactly what you’re looking for. Expect to find plenty of great souvenirs and gifts here such as spices, t-shirts, statuettes, jewelry, and galabiyyas.

Khan Al-Khalili

Address: El-Gamaleya, Qism El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate

Website: Khan Al-Khalili

10. Enjoy the best view of the city at the Cairo Tower

Since Cairo is such a sprawling city, it’s very difficult to gain a sense of its vastness on ground level. The Cairo Tower offers visitors an opportunity to view the city and all its important landmarks from its top-level revolving restaurant. Spend some time enjoying a local meal or cocktail, while your eyes fixate on the Nile River and the many important landmarks in the distance.

Cairo Tower

Address: El-Gezira, Cairo 11511, Egypt

Website: Cairo Tower

Cairo gives travelers a taste of the ancient world

Few cities on the planet have the same amount of ancient artifacts, monuments, and structures that one will find in Cairo. The Pyramids of Giza are the main draw, but as we’ve already seen, there are so many other wonderful things about Cairo. The diverse range of important landmarks and museums available will delight even the most ardent of history buffs.