Cairo was my first stop of many on my 10 day trip in Egypt. The capital city is ranked as the largest urban area in Africa and the Middle East, so there are naturally a lot of things to do there. However, the ones listed in this post are experiences every first time visitor should make a point to enjoy.

I recommend travelling with an organized group for your first time in Egypt. I toured Egypt with Bucket List Travel and had an amazing time. Mention The Stickered Suitcase when you book with them to receive a special discount!

Where to Stay

Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa

Square – Pyramids, Al Remaya, Kafr Nassar, Al Haram, Giza Governorate 12561, Egypt

I’m not compensated by the hotel for telling you this. I just really enjoyed my stay at Le Méridien Pyramids and can’t imagine a more perfect place to have as a base for exploring Cairo. I recommend requesting a pyramid view room with a balcony. It was so nice coming back to my room, sitting on the balcony, and listening to the sounds of Cairo while looking at one of the wonders of the ancient world. They also have 3 delicious restaurants, sheesha, 2 pools, a spa room, a few shops, and overall just really good service.

If you don’t want to stay in a hotel, you can also get AirBnBs super cheap in Cairo. Just research the area and read reviews before booking!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission from your purchase which will go toward bringing you more travel tips, tricks, and tidbits!

Here are my top recommendations for what to do in Egypt’s capital city:

Don’t just go to the pyramids. Go inside.

I am proud to say I overcame my claustrophobia by going inside The Great Pyramid. Imagine practically crawling in a narrow passageway up several stories at a 45 degree angle … and people are crawling back down as you try to go up, and just when you think you’re going to die of exhaustion (and claustrophobia) you’re rewarded with a sarcophagus. Several times, I held my hands out to touch the walls in awe. It was amazing to be in a structure so old and renowned.

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While you’re at the pyramid complex, visit the Great Sphinx.

The Sphinx sits proudly beside a walkway where tourists crowd to get that perfect Instagramable photo. My advice to you is to forget the perfect Instagram photo (because it’s harder to get than it looks) and just appreciate the Sphinx’s majestic beauty! She is a magnificent sight to behold, especially with the pyramids serving as a backdrop.

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Eat Like Anthony Bourdain at Abou Tarek

Widely considered to be Egypt’s national dish, koshary consists of lentils, pasta, chickpeas, and rice tossed in a tomato based sauce. You then have the option of adding garlic vinegar and crunchy fried onions (which you should definitely do). Each restaurant’s recipe for koshary tastes slightly different, and the koshary at Abou Tarek reigns supreme. I mean, if it’s considered the best koshary in the Middle East, I think it’s fair to assume it’s the best koshary in the world. It was definitely my favorite dish I had during my trip and made my list of 12 Foods You Need to Eat in Egypt. Keep an eye out for the friendly mastermind behind Abou Tarek, who is always willing to do his signature pose for the cameras!

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Visit a Papyrus Institute

The Papyrus plant grows along the Nile River and is what Ancient Egyptians used to make writing parchment. My tour group visited Golden Eagle Papyrus (in Giza), where we got to see firsthand how Papyrus paper is made, and then got to shop for some artwork printed onto Papyrus paper. It’s a little bit of a tourist trap, but Papyrus art is the perfect souvenir to buy in Egypt. It’s beautiful, authentically Egyptian, lightweight, and easy to transport back home. Golden Eagle Papyrus has some really lovely pieces. You can choose among hundreds of designs, including getting your name printed in hieroglyphics with scenes from ancient Egypt. I came back with 5 pieces total to give as gifts and got them at a really great price. As with all of Egypt though, you MUST bargain to score the best deal.

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Visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha

This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. When I walked into the mosque, I was instantly brought to tears by its beauty and the overwhelming sense of peace throughout the mosque. The Ottoman inspired building has ornately painted ceilings with gorgeous chandeliers and globular lights that hang in a circular pattern. The effect is mesmerizing. Outside the mosque, you can get panoramic views of Cairo (featured in the first image of this post).

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While you’re at the Mosque, don’t miss the peaceful open courtyard just outside one of its entrances

Surrounded by tall alabaster arcades, the courtyard is a serene place to pause before entering the mosque. Look for the clock tower, which holds a brass clock gifted to Muhammad Ali by King Louis Philippe of France in 1845. During my visit, the fountain and clock tower were under repair, but the courtyard was still stunning and serene.

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See King Tut’s Sarcophagus and over 120,000 Other Artifacts at the Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities

The Egyptian Museum is massive and filled to the brim with all sorts of ancient Egyptian artifacts. You can easily spend half a day browsing its corridors. Some of my favorite parts of the museum’s collection include the statues of Rahotep and Nofret, King Tutankhamun’s death mask and treasures from his tomb, and the statues of Akhenaten with their famed elongated faces.

The Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in Cairo in 2020. Upon completion, it will be the largest museum dedicated to a single civilization in the world. During my visit, the new museum was almost finished and the modern glass facade looked impressive! I will definitely be visiting when I return!

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St. Sergius and St. Bacchus Church

I would set aside several hours to explore Coptic Cairo. I did not get to spend nearly as much time there as I would have liked, but I did get to see the highlights. St. Sergius and St. Bacchus Church dates back to the 4th century. Another tear inducing place for me, the small church is said to have been built on the same spot where Mary and Joseph stopped to rest with Jesus toward the end of their escape from Herod into Egypt. Go to the back of the church and down the stone stairwell to see the famed cave where the Holy Family stayed.

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Hanging Church

The Hanging Church is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, dating back to the 3rd century, and also the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo. To enter the church, you pass through a pretty courtyard with colorful modern art adorning its walls. The church houses 110 religious icons and sits atop the southern gatehouse of the Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo.

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See The Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids

The pyramid sound and light show allows you to see the pyramids and the Great Sphinx up close from a different perspective. Seats are set up in front of the pyramids and a light show is projected onto the iconic landmarks. Narrators tell stories about some of the most famed figures and events throughout Egypt’s fascinating history. If you don’t want to have to pay the price for the show, head to the rooftop terrace of the nearby Pizza Hut or go next door to Abou Shakra and request a seat by the window. You won’t be able to hear the show, but you will see the pyramids and Sphinx lit up. I recommend ordering the stuffed pigeon or okra tajin at Abou Shakra.

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Have a site to see that isn’t listed? Tell me about it in the comments below!