top of page
alana074

Visiting Cairo? Here are 6 City Sites & 2 Day Trips You Can't Miss


Mosque, Cairo
Cairo, Egypt

Making the decision to visit Egypt is in itself an exhilarating experience.  

 

For most travelers, it’s a truly once in a lifetime experience, one they have grown up wondering if they would ever really make happen. And the moment you finally decide to go it’s a big deal. Very few visitors will make their own travel arrangements and for good reason.  

 

For such a momentous trip, and such an iconic destination, you don’t want to get it wrong. Most people’s biggest fear is to miss the best experiences and go on the wrong ones. So it’s no surprise that working with a certified and experienced travel advisor is your first stop. 

 

Together we’ll curate your itinerary, one that will fit your own personal travel style and interests. While you won’t be able to see and experience absolutely everything, we can make sure you hit the biggest and best that Egypt has to offer.  

 

We’ll start our planning in Cairo, where the majority of visitors land. Known as the city of a thousand minarets, Cairo is the natural starting point for your visit to Egypt.  

 

Most travelers spend two or three days here, but you could easily spend more.  

 

There’s so much to explore in the fascinating city, from ancient religious sites and bustling markets to world-class museums, not to mention the history and culture and architecture. 

 

Plus, it’s your hub for day trips to the pyramids. 

  

Here are some of the popular city sites : 

  1. Bab Zuweila 

    As you walk through Old Cairo, visiting Al Azhar Mosque and the Tentmakers' Souk, make a stop at Bab Zuweila (bab means “gate” in Arabic). It’s one of the last gates still standing in the Old City.  


    Here, you’ll find two of Cairo’s famous minarets. Be sure to head to the rooftop for panoramic views.  

 

  1. The Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan 

    Architecture lovers will be in awe. Home to the tallest minaret in Cairo, this massive mosque and madrasa (Islamic college) is one of the best examples of Mamluk architecture in the world.  Built in the mid-1300s, the monument is still appreciated today for its innovative architectural components. 


  1. The Egyptian Museum / Grand Egyptian Museum 

    The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square in Cairo is considered one of the best museums in the world, with an astonishing collection of antiquities. 


    The Grand Egyptian Museum, when it opens near the Pyramids of Giza, will replace the Egyptian Museum. The new museum will be larger, more modern, and even more renowned than its predecessor. 


    Whether you visit the old or new location, you won’t be able to see everything in a single visit, but you must check out the famous Tutankhamun Galleries. Beyond that, you can decide what treasures interest you most. 

  

  1. National Museum of Egyptian Civilizations 

    If you’re fascinated by mummies, you’ll want to make a stop here. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilizations (NMEC), dedicated to telling the entire story of Egypt's human history, is the permanent home of the Royal Mummies Collection. You can expect to see Ramses II and III, Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I, Seti I and II, and more!  


  1.  Coptic Cairo 

    Near NMEC, you can visit the Christian stronghold of Old Cairo called Coptic Cairo.  The area is filled with many biblical sites, including the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, where local legend says Mary, Joseph and Jesus sought refuge from King Herod. 


    Just outside the quarter, you’ll find the first mosque built in Egypt: Mosque of Amr Ibn al-As. 


  1.  The Nilometer on Roda Island 

    Ancient Egyptians used the nilometer to measure the Nile River’s clarity and water level to determine if there would be famine or flood. Head over to Roda Island to see this fascinating piece of Egyptian history often overlooked by visitors to Cairo. 

  

  

And here are two popular day trips: 

  

  1. The Pyramids of Giza 


    The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
    Pyramids of Giza

    You can’t plan a trip to Egypt without the pyramids! About 10 miles from Cairo, the sprawling Giza Necropolis is home to the iconic Great Sphinx and Great Pyramid, as well as many other structures that have endured the last 4,500 years. 


    The massive ancient tombs, still so mysterious to modern humans, never fail to delight and leave visitors in awe. 

  

  1. Dahshur & Saqqara 

    Dahshur & Saqqara 
    Dahshur

    Less than 20 miles from Cairo, you can visit "the other pyramids" …pyramids that are even older than those in Giza. 


In the royal necropolis of Dahshur, ancient Egyptians perfected their pyramid-building skills. You can see their first attempts.  And in Saqqara, you’ll find the 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world’s oldest. Check the news before you visit. Ongoing excavations here mean ongoing discoveries that often make headlines. Your trip to Egypt is sure to be life changing in many ways and I look forward to helping you plan out the details. 


Ready to start your adventure in Egypt? Whether you’re eager to explore the wonders of Cairo, soak in the ancient history of the pyramids, or dive into the fascinating sites off the beaten path, there’s so much waiting for you. I can’t wait to help you make this dream trip a reality! If you’re looking for expert advice on the best spots, need help with booking your flights and accommodations, or just want to chat about your options, reach out to ALL Travel today. Let’s curate the perfect itinerary together and make sure you experience Egypt at its very best. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime journey—contact us now and let’s get started!


コメント


bottom of page