This Cairo Travel Guide has everything you need to know to plan the perfect first trip to Egypt!
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I was on a magic carpet ride the first time I remember seeing the pyramids. My middle school history teacher, Mr. Harris, traveled around the world during his summer breaks. Then, when school resumed, he took our class on what he called “a magic carpet ride”, where he projected travel photos on the screen and told us stories of his adventures. There was always a good history lesson and lots of popcorn involved! I have dreamed of traveling to Egypt to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza ever since.
My dream came true in September 2021, when after attending a wedding in Greece, I hopped on a short flight from Athens to Cairo, Egypt. Cairo is unlike anywhere I have ever visited. The driving, for one, stood out to me as the roads do not have lines, I never saw a working stoplight, there are no pedestrian crosswalks, but somehow it seems to work for the Egyptians. Everything is the same dusty, desert, neutral color including the tall buildings which sometimes display unfinished roofs so they can easily add more floors when needed. There are cars speeding around honking to make their presence known, and tons of people moving about, some carrying baskets stacked high with bread atop their heads. Cairo is one of the largest cities in the world, but amidst the chaos, it is a vibrant place full of treasures.
How to Get to Cairo
While it sounds like a faraway land, Egypt is quite accessible from the US as flights will take you directly to Cairo International Airport. You can find direct flights aboard EgyptAir from JFK or IAD. We visited Greece prior so had a short connection from Athens. If you are looking to fly a certain airline there are many easy connections from Europe for your trip to Cairo.
Where to Stay in Cairo
I recommend staying somewhere close to the Nile River so you have views of this amazing landmark. It’s a safe area with several nice hotel options.
Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza
We knew Egypt may be a risky place to travel so made sure to stay in a nice and familiar hotel. It was a number one requirement to stay along the Nile River so we looked at the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons. We ultimately felt the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza was nicer and loved that they had large balconies to watch the sunset over Cairo. We booked during lockdown and before vaccines and scored a rate of less than $200/night. Compared to most Four Seasons properties, the rates seem to be quite lower in Cairo.
The Rooms
The rooms were well appointed with nice decor, comfortable beds, pictures of ancient egypt, and large balconies overlooking the Nile River. The sun sets across the river and there is no better view than from a high floor balcony with a cup of tea in hand…while wearing a FS robe!
Dining
There seem to be some incredible restaurants in Cairo, but we did not feel comfortable venturing out on our own at night. We dined at the hotel each night and had some great meals. The first night our flight got in late so we ordered room service! We dined at Zitouni and 8 the following two nights. Zitouni is known for their Egyptian food and we had lots of it. We shared several mezzes and loved the muhammara dip. I was hesitant to try the Egyptian wine, but we ordered a white and it was quite good! The last night, we had dinner at the hotel’s Chinese restaurant called 8 which was amazing. You’ll want to make reservations in advance. We also enjoyed lunch at the pool restaurant and drinks at the Upper Deck Lounge.
Service
The Four Seasons app makes it so easy to communicate with the hotel especially for being so many time zones away. We were able to arrange transportation from the airport and secure dinner reservations. We arranged for airport transfers, but were surprised to find someone waiting for us upon exiting the plane. At CAI, they allow people to meet you and assist through customs and security. This was the NICEST amenity in a country where we knew zero of the language. Entering Egypt was a breeze especially because we purchased visas online ahead of time. Read my travel tips below for more on this.
What to do in Cairo
We hired a Cairo travel guide through Egypt Tailor Made tours after I scoured the internet for reviews. We knew we wanted to have a local with us and it was pretty inexpensive for having two people, a guide and a driver, with us for two days. In Egypt, tour guides are considered “Egyptologists” and must be native Egyptian and pass rigorous testing requirements. Our guide was Heba and she is a fabulous person with a real deep knowledge for her country. Definitely ask for her if you visit.
The security in Egypt is incredibly serious and made me feel safe. On entering our hotel and every attraction, they have dogs to sniff around the vehicle and you must go through a metal detector. It was much easier having locals to help navigate this.
Great Pyramids of Giza
This is most likely why you are coming to Egypt in the first place, but the pyramids are truly more remarkable than you can imagine. The Great Pyramids of Giza are one of the original seven wonders of the world and the only ancient one still standing. I was blown away listening to our guide, Heba, tell us the history as I admired these massive structures. It is unbelievable to touch the pyramids and know they were built more than 5000 years ago.
We did not go inside the pyramids because from what I hear it is a very small space and no artifacts inside. I also can’t imagine how hot it must be in there. There is an additional fee if you choose to enter.
Photo op: You must go to the panorama spot to see all of the pyramids in a line. There are 9 pyramids including the queen’s pyramids. I did not want to get on a camel, but it was worth it for the view.
Great Sphinx of Giza
The Sphinx is one of the oldest and largest statues in the world. The Ancient Egyptians built these to protect tombs and temples. The combination of the human head on a lion’s body is thought to be a symbol of strength and intelligence.
Photo ops: before you enter, walk up the hill to see the Sphinx with the pyramids lined up behind it. Once you do enter, people crowd around the front to take photos, walk past all those people and take the same great photos.
Egyptian Museum
We were hoping the new Grand Egyptian Museum would open prior to our trip, but we were not so lucky. We got to visit the current museum located in Cairo not far from our hotel. It is incredible to see all of the old artifacts that are quite similar to things we use today. For example, the jewelry, makeup brushes, and shoes have not changed that much in 5000 years! This is definitely a must see spot following the pyramids.
Citadel of Saladin
You will definitely want to explore Islamic Cairo during your trip to Egypt. The Citadel of Saladin is one of the most iconic monuments of Islamic Cairo. It was started by Sultan Salah al-Din and completed by subsequent rulers in 1176. For approximately 700 years it was home to Egypt’s rulers from the 9th to 13th century.
Mosque of Muhammed Ali
The Mosque of Muhammed Ali sits inside of the Citadel. It is also known as the Alabaster Mosque as the entire exterior is coated in beautiful alabaster.
Khan el-Khalili
Khan el-Khalili was built in the 14th century and is a famous bazaar (or souk) located in the center of historic or old Cairo. It takes up a massive area with people selling spices, lanterns, textiles, and so many other goods. You will find many cafes serving traditional Egyptian food and coffee. It is frequented by tourists and locals alike. To commemorate our bucket list trip to Cairo, we bought a small traditional Arabian candle holder and small statues of Hatshepsut and King Tut that make great bookends! Adjacent to Khan el-Khalili is…..
El Moez Street
El Moez Street is a long pedestrian street home to tons of examples of beautiful medieval architecture in old Cairo. You will see stunning mosques alongside vendors selling everything from olives to handcrafted goods. It’s free to roam the street, but there is an entry fee if you choose to check out the mosques.
Felucca Ride on the Nile River
When in Egypt, you MUST get out on the Nile River. Take a ride in the charming, wooden felucca’s to enjoy the sunset. The Four Seasons Cairo set it up for us and the felucca’s are waiting right across the street.
Mena House Cairo
After a long morning exploring the pyramids, head around the corner to the Mena House restaurant. You’ll enjoy a laid back lunch or tea while taking in the pyramid filled skyline.
What to pack for Egypt: A Conservative Country
Since Cairo is very much the desert the climate tends to be HOT. It was at least 95F during the days we were there in September. It is a subtropical desert climate with mild winters (November- February) and hot, sunny summers. Read my full packing guide here.
I find it very important to be respectful of the culture when you are visiting someone else’s home. The people in Egypt are typically seen in clothing that fully covers their bodies. The women wear long pants or dresses covering their ankles and tops that cover at least their shoulders. Almost every woman I saw was wearing some form of head covering. That being said, here are the simple rules I suggest you try to follow:
For women: cover knees (at very least), shoulders and chest. You do not have to wear a headscarf, but I did bring one in case I felt uncomfortable being that I have blonde hair and blue eyes. I never did wear it, but you may need it inside a mosque.
For men: wear long pants and short sleeve shirts and you will be fine.
Egypt Packing list
- Flowy clothing since it is hot
- Maxi/midi skirts and dresses
- Tops that cover shoulders
- Tennis shoes – lots of walking and sand at pyramids
- Sandals
- Headscarf just in case!
- SPF
- Sunglasses because it is bright in the desert
Egypt Entry Requirements – You need a visa!
As an American citizen, you can travel to Egypt right now! You simply need a visa to enter the country and can apply for it in advance to make going through customs a breeze. Here is the only approved portal to purchase your tourist visa for $25USD. Your passport should have 6 months validity.
There are no longer any covid-19 related restrictions in place. As always, double check before your trip as things are always changing.
Egypt Travel Tips and FAQ
Finishing this Cairo travel guide with all of my top tips and answers to some frequently asked questions.
Beware of dogs – there are dogs that checkout the cars at every hotel and attraction before you are allowed to enter. I appreciated the sense of security!
Yes, you will need visas – purchase these online prior to your trip. It costs $25USD and is so easy to complete. This is the only approved portal that will not charge additional fees – https://www.visa2egypt.gov.eg/
Drones are not allowed in Egypt so do not bring one. There is a lot of security to exit the airport so don’t try it. We connected in Greece so left ours at the airport with Care 4 Bags and picked it up on our return flight.
EgyptAir did not seem to be super reliable. We were delayed both times almost missing our connection and they did not communicate while we sat on the tarmac for hours. I also recommend splurging for business class if you can. The economy seats are quite close together with no legroom.
Yes, I recommend that you hire a guide and one that includes your tickets for easy entry.
Getting through customs is super easy if you have a guide. They are allowed to great you at your gate and usher you through customs. They handled everything. We stayed at the Four Seasons and arranged an airport transfer through the hotel which included this service.
Read this book before you go: When Women Ruled by Kara Cooney is a fabulous exploration of the remarkable six female pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.
Final Thoughts
I am thrilled to finally check Egypt off my bucket list. We were hesitant about safety so only planned to stay close to Cairo for this trip. However, there is so much to see around the country that I wish we had more time. Look at visiting the Valley of the Kings or spend time in Alexandria if you’re planning a trip to Egypt. Ask me anything by using the comment form below!
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