Cairo & Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — and the only one you can still see with your own eyes. The three main pyramids (Cheops, Chephren, Mykerinos) stand on the western outskirts of Cairo on the Giza Plateau, along with the Great Sphinx and several smaller subsidiary pyramids and burial fields.

The Great Pyramid (Cheops Pyramid)

Built around 2560 BC for Pharaoh Cheops (Khufu). Originally 146.6 m high (now 138.7 m due to the missing capstone), it consists of an estimated 2.3 million stone blocks with an average weight of 2.5 tons. It was the tallest structure in the world for over 3,800 years. How it was built remains a subject of scientific debate to this day.

You can enter the interior of the Cheops Pyramid — a narrow, low passage leads to the King's Chamber with the empty granite sarcophagus. It is stuffy, cramped, and claustrophobic, but a unique experience. Extra ticket required (400 LE, limited number per day — arrive early!).

Chephren Pyramid

The second-largest pyramid (136 m) often appears larger than the Cheops Pyramid due to its elevated position on the plateau. A portion of the original white limestone casing is still preserved at the top — a hint of how dazzlingly white the pyramids must have looked.

The Great Sphinx

The Sphinx (73 m long, 20 m high) has been guarding the plateau for over 4,500 years. The lion's body with a human head (presumably representing Pharaoh Chephren) is carved from a single limestone rock. The missing nose is NOT due to Napoleon — it was likely knocked off by a religious zealot in the 14th century.

Practical Tips for Visiting

• Arrival: Be at the entrance by 7:00 AM (opening). The large tour groups arrive from 9:00 AM — between 7 and 9, you'll have the pyramids almost to yourself.
• Best Photo Spot: The Panorama Point (Viewpoint) on the backside of the plateau, about 2 km from the main entrance. From here, you can see all three pyramids in a row. Accessible by foot, camel, or electric bus.
• Camels and Horses: The camel and horse owners on the plateau are notorious for aggressive sales tactics and inflated prices. If you want to ride: Negotiate the price BEFOREHAND (150–300 LE for 30 min. is fair), set the duration precisely, and pay NOTHING until the tour is over.
• Sound & Light Show: Every evening, a sound and light show takes place at the pyramids (from 6:30 or 7:30 PM depending on the season). 350 LE. Touristy, but atmospheric — the illuminated pyramids at night are an experience.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is the largest archaeological museum in the world and Egypt's new crown jewel. It is located just 2 km from the pyramids and houses over 100,000 artifacts from all eras of ancient Egyptian history — including the complete treasure of Tutankhamun (5,398 objects), displayed fully for the first time in a specially designed wing.

Highlights

• Tutankhamun Gallery: The golden death mask (11 kg of pure gold), the sarcophagi, the golden throne, the canopic jars — everything Howard Carter found in tomb KV62 is united here. This area alone requires at least 2 hours.
• Grand Staircase: A monumental staircase with the 12 m high statue of Ramses II. (from Memphis) and 87 other colossal statues, arranged chronologically from the Old to the New Kingdom.
• Mummy Room: The Royal Mummies Hall displays 20 royal mummies, including Ramses II. and Hatshepsut. Separate ticket required.
• Children's Areas and Multimedia: Interactive stations, 3D reconstructions, VR experiences — the GEM is also excellently designed for families with children.

The museum was planned and built over 20 years (cost: over 1 billion USD) and is an architectural statement: The building with its triangular facade echoes the pyramid shape and offers a direct view of the Pyramids of Giza from the terrace.

Islamic Cairo (also Fatimid Cairo or Old City) is the largest contiguous medieval old city in the Islamic world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 800 listed mosques, madrasas, mausoleums, and palaces are packed into a few square kilometers — a living open-air museum that is also a vibrant residential area.

Al-Muizz Street (Sharia al-Muizz li-Din Allah)

The grand street of Islamic Cairo stretches over 1 km from Bab al-Futuh (Gate of Conquest) in the north to Bab Zuweila in the south. It is the densest concentration of medieval Islamic architecture in the world. Every building tells a story: mosques from the 10th century, Mamluk madrasas, Ottoman fountains, caravanserais.

Sultan Hassan Mosque

One of the largest and most impressive mosques in the Islamic world, built 1356–1363 by Sultan an-Nasir Hasan. The facade is 36 m high, the minaret at 81.6 m is one of the tallest in Cairo. The courtyard with the four iwans (vaulted halls, one for each Sunni school of law) is of overwhelming size and harmony.

Al-Azhar Mosque & University

Founded 970 AD — the oldest university in the world (even before Oxford and Bologna). The al-Azhar Mosque is the spiritual center of Sunni Islam. The courtyard with its marble floors and minarets from various eras is a place of tranquility amidst the chaos.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

The most famous bazaar in Egypt and one of the oldest in the world — a trading place since the 14th century. Narrow alleys full of spice merchants, gold and silversmiths, perfume makers, alabaster and papyrus traders. Yes, it's touristy and the touts can be annoying, but the atmosphere is unique. Haggling is a must — start at 20–30% of the initial price.

Insider Tip: The historic Fishawi Café (allegedly open since 1773, 24/7) is the place for a mint tea or Turkish coffee amidst the bazaar hustle. Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz also sat here.

Coptic Cairo (Masr el-Qadima) is one of the oldest Christian quarters in the world. Here, in the shadow of the Roman fortress of Babylon, the Holy Family is said to have found refuge during their flight to Egypt. The district is an oasis of tranquility — shady alleys, ancient churches, a cemetery where time has stood still.

Hanging Church (Al-Mu'allaqa)

The Hanging Church, built on the remnants of a Roman gatehouse, is the most famous Coptic church in Egypt. Its name derives from the fact that the nave "hangs" over the passages of the old fortress gate. The wooden pulpit from the 13th century, the ivory and ebony inlaid iconostases, and the over 100 icons from the 8th–18th centuries are breathtakingly beautiful.

Ben Ezra Synagogue

The oldest synagogue in Cairo (6th century, repeatedly rebuilt), where the famous Cairo Geniza was discovered in 1896 — an archive of over 300,000 Jewish manuscript fragments from the 9th–19th centuries, offering a unique window into medieval Jewish life.

Coptic Museum

The Coptic Museum houses the world's largest collection of Coptic art and artifacts: textiles, wood carvings, icons, manuscripts (including the famous Nag Hammadi writings). A small but exquisite museum that tells the 2,000-year history of Christianity in Egypt.

The Citadel of Saladin (Qalʿat Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn) sits atop a hill overlooking Islamic Cairo and was the seat of Egyptian rulers for over 700 years (1183–1874). From here, Saladin ruled, the Mamluks reigned, and Mohammed Ali resided — the founder of modern Egypt.

Mohammed Ali Mosque (Alabaster Mosque)

The dominant structure of the Citadel is the Mohammed Ali Mosque (1830–1848), recognizable by its two slender minarets and large dome. It is built in the Ottoman style (inspired by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul) and entirely clad in alabaster. The interior, with its chandeliers and carpets, is impressive. In the courtyard stands a clock sent as a gift by the French King Louis-Philippe — in exchange for the obelisk now on the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

Panoramic View

The real highlight of the Citadel is the panoramic view from the terrace: On a clear day (best in the morning or after a rainy day), you can see all of Cairo spread out at your feet — the minarets of the Islamic quarter, the Nile, and in the distance, the pyramids of Giza. However, most days, a haze hangs over the city.

Downtown Cairo (Wust el-Balad) is the heart of modern Cairo — a district with wide boulevards, Belle Époque architecture, and the legendary Tahrir Square, which became a symbol of the Arab Spring during the 2011 revolution.

Tahrir Square (Midan at-Tahrir)

The "Square of Liberation" is Cairo's central traffic hub and historical focal point. Today, it is a roundabout with the restored Obelisk of Ramses II. (relocated here from Tanis), surrounded by the pink building of the Egyptian Museum (the old museum, now partially moved to the GEM), the Mogamma administrative building, and the Nile Ritz-Carlton.

Egyptian Museum (old museum)

The Museum at Tahrir Square (opened in 1902, built by Marcel Dourgnon) is still worth visiting even after the opening of the GEM. Many artifacts remain here, and the building itself — with its dusty showcases and the charm of another era — offers something the modern GEM cannot: atmosphere. Entrance 200 LE.

Corniche & Nile

The Corniche el-Nil — the promenade along the Nile — is especially atmospheric at sunset. Feluccas offer short sailing tours (from 100–200 LE for 30 min., negotiate the price!). The island of Gezira with the Cairo Tower (187 m, observation deck 100 LE) offers one of the best views over the city.

Zamalek

The upscale district on the Nile island of Gezira is Cairo's most cosmopolitan corner: galleries, boutiques, rooftop bars, international restaurants. The 26 July Street is the main artery with cafés and bookstores. Zamalek feels like another city — quieter, greener, more Western. Many of the better hotels and restaurants are also located here.

Cairo is a street food paradise. Forget the hotel restaurants — the best food is found on the street and in simple local restaurants where Egyptians eat. The cuisine is simple but ingenious: legumes, fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and endless amounts of bread.

€ Street Food & Budget

Abou Tarek · 16 Maarouf St, Downtown — THE Koshari temple of Cairo. For decades, Abou Tarek has served nothing but Koshari in three sizes (small 25 LE, medium 35 LE, large 45 LE). Four floors, always full, always good. The national dish in perfection.

Foul Mohamed Ahmed · Sharia Tahrir, Downtown — The best ful medames cuisine in the city. Ful (mashed fava beans with oil, lemon, cumin) and ta'amiya (Egyptian falafel made from fava beans, not chickpeas!) wrapped in warm flatbread. Breakfast of champions for 15–30 LE.

Kazouza · 14 Sayyed el-Bakry, Zamalek — Fresh sandwiches, liver (a classic Egyptian street food), shawarma. The local alternative to the chains. 20–50 LE.

€€ Local Restaurants

Zooba · 26 July St, Zamalek — Modern Egyptian street food in a hip atmosphere. Ful in a bowl, ta'amiya wraps, halloumi sandwiches, fresh juices. Shows how good Egyptian food can be when made with love. 100–200 LE per person.

Koshary el-Tahrir · Midan Tahrir — Another Koshari classic, right on Tahrir Square. Perfect after a museum visit. 20–40 LE.

Abou el-Sid · 157 26 July St, Zamalek — Upscale Egyptian cuisine in an oriental setting with lanterns and carpets. Molokhiya (jute leaf soup), mahshi (stuffed vegetables), roz bel laban (rice pudding). 200–400 LE per person.

€€€ Upscale

Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant · Khan el-Khalili — In the historic wikala (caravanserai) of the bazaar. Mezze, grilled dishes, oriental desserts under a lantern-decorated ceiling. Touristy, but atmospheric and the food is solid. 300–500 LE.

Sequoia · 53 Abu El Feda, Zamalek (northern tip of the island) — Rooftop restaurant on the Nile with a view of the city. International cuisine with oriental accents. Sundowners and shisha here are a Cairo highlight. 400–700 LE.

Coffee & Tea

Cairo drinks tea (shai, شاي) — black tea with lots of sugar, served in small glasses. Or Turkish coffee (ahwa, قهوة), served in a copper pot, with or without sugar (order “sada" = without, “mazbout" = medium, “ziyada" = sweet). The traditional Ahwa cafés (coffeehouses) are male domains, but tourists are welcome. Order a tea, play backgammon, and watch the hustle and bustle.

About 30 km south of Cairo lies Saqqara — Egypt's oldest necropolis and home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is about 200 years OLDER than the Pyramids of Giza. Together with the nearby Memphis (the former capital of the Old Kingdom), Saqqara forms a fascinating excursion destination that is much less crowded than Giza.

Step Pyramid of Djoser

Built around 2650 BC by the ingenious architect Imhotep, the Step Pyramid (62 m high, 6 steps) is the oldest monumental stone structure of mankind. It marks the transition from flat mastaba tombs to true pyramids. The surrounding temple complex with its colonnade halls and false facades is elaborately restored and provides a unique insight into the architecture of the Old Kingdom.

Memphis

The former capital of Ancient Egypt (founded around 3100 BC) is now an open-air museum with the impressive lying Colossus of Ramses II. (10 m long, carved from a single limestone block) and an alabaster sphinx. Little remains of the city's former splendor — but the colossus alone is worth the detour.

Getting Around in Cairo

Uber/Careem: Absolutely the best option. Affordable (10 km = 60–100 LE / 1.20–2 €), air-conditioned, GPS-navigated, no haggling. See the price beforehand in the app. Works reliably throughout Cairo.

Metro: Cairo has three metro lines — clean, fast, air-conditioned, and dirt cheap (8 LE/ride). Line 1 (Helwan–El Marg) is relevant for tourists: Stop Sadat (Tahrir Square), Mar Girgis (Coptic Cairo). The front carriages are women-only — men are not allowed to enter.

On Foot: In Downtown, Zamalek, and Islamic Cairo, much can be done on foot — but crossing the streets is an extreme sport. Tip: Wait for a local and cross the street alongside them. The traffic will flow around you if you walk steadily. NEVER stop abruptly!

Safety

Cairo is generally safe for tourists — violent crime against foreigners is rare. The main issues are pickpocketing (especially in buses and bazaars) and scams/touts. Avoid remote alleys at night, keep your phone secure, and leave expensive valuables in the hotel safe.

Accommodation

• Downtown/Tahrir: Good location for first-time visitors. Hotels of all price ranges, near metro and museums. Noisy but central.
• Zamalek: More upscale, quieter, cosmopolitan. Best restaurants and bars. A bit more expensive, but the best choice for comfort.
• Giza (near the pyramids): Makes sense if the pyramids are the main goal. Hotels with pyramid views from 40 €/night. Far from the center (30–60 min. by Uber).
• Garden City: Quiet diplomatic district between Downtown and the Nile. Four-star hotels with good value for money.

Cairo with Children

Cairo is challenging with children (heat, chaos, air quality), but the GEM is fantastic for families, and kids love the pyramids and camels. Tips: Always have enough water, sunscreen SPF 50+, avoid midday heat (museum visits in the afternoon), and use Uber instead of public buses.