Last updated on November 12th, 2026 at 07:07 pm
Cairo’s top attractions are the Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo with the Citadel, Coptic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili and a sunset on the Nile. Below are 21 places worth knowing, each with a short note and a link to our full guide. If you only have a few days, start with our 3-day Cairo itinerary.
Here are the big ones at a glance, with the time to allow and the foreign adult ticket (checked October 2026; prices change, so check before you go).
| Place | Area | Time | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giza pyramids and Sphinx | Giza | 3 to 4 hours | EGP 700 (inside the Great Pyramid is extra) |
| Grand Egyptian Museum | Giza | 3 to 4 hours | EGP 1,830 |
| Egyptian Museum | Tahrir, Downtown | 2 hours | EGP 550 |
| Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque | Islamic Cairo | 2 hours | EGP 550 |
| Khan el-Khalili and Al-Muizz Street | Islamic Cairo | 2 to 3 hours, best in the evening | Free to walk |
| Coptic Cairo | Old Cairo | 2 hours | Churches free; Coptic Museum has a ticket |
| NMEC (royal mummies) | Fustat | 1.5 to 2 hours | Check at the gate |
| Saqqara and Memphis | South of Giza | Half a day | Separate tickets for each site |
With three days you can see all of these: Giza and the GEM on day one, Islamic Cairo on day two, and the Egyptian Museum, Coptic Cairo and the NMEC on day three. See our 3-day Cairo itinerary and the full ticket price list.
The list is roughly in order of priority for a first visit. Day trips from Cairo (Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur) are at the end.
The one sight nobody skips: the Great Pyramid, Khafre, Menkaure and the Sphinx. Go at opening time. Giza pyramids guide.
A historic museum with fine Old Kingdom art; Tutankhamun and the royal mummies have moved to other museums. Egyptian Museum guide.
The historic bazaar, best in the evening, with the famous El Fishawy café. Khan el-Khalili guide.
Founded in 970, one of the oldest mosques in Cairo and home of Al-Azhar University. Al-Azhar guide.
An open-air museum of Fatimid and Mamluk buildings, magical at night. Al-Muizz Street guide.
The Hanging Church, Abu Serga, the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Coptic Museum. Christian and Islamic Cairo day trip.
Tutankhamun’s complete treasures, Khufu’s boat and a staircase of colossal statues. GEM guide.
The Ottoman-style mosque on top of the Citadel. Mosque of Muhammad Ali guide.
One of the world’s best collections of Islamic art, in a beautiful building near Bab El Khalq. Museum of Islamic Art guide.
Leafy, café-filled island in the Nile, good for evenings. Zamalek guide.
A green park with views of the Citadel and old Cairo. Al-Azhar Park guide.
The oldest pyramid site in Egypt, with Djoser’s Step Pyramid. Saqqara day trip guide.
A 19th-century royal palace in Downtown Cairo, now a museum of royal gifts, weapons and decorations. Check opening days before you go.
Home of the royal mummies in Fustat. NMEC guide.
A medieval fortress with wide views and several mosques. Citadel guide.
Egypt’s first capital, now a small open-air museum with a colossal statue of Ramesses II, usually combined with Saqqara.
A huge 14th-century Mamluk monument below the Citadel. Sultan Hassan guide.
A museum-palace on Roda Island with gardens and Islamic-style halls. Manial Palace guide.
A 187-metre tower with a viewing deck over the Nile. Cairo Tower guide.
The oldest mosque in Cairo in its original form, with a spiral minaret. Ibn Tulun guide.
The Bent and Red pyramids, south of Saqqara, with very few visitors.
For the pyramids, the museums and a thousand years of Islamic architecture in one lively city. Read our Cairo first-timer’s guide.
Cairo was founded by the Fatimids in 969, beside the far older Memphis and Fustat.
On the Nile in northern Egypt, where the valley opens into the Delta.
Yes, if you plan by area and don’t try to see too much in a day.
Ancient, Coptic, Islamic and modern layers in one city.
History lovers, photographers and food travellers.
October to April.
Uber between areas, walking within them.
30–60 minutes to Downtown. A private transfer avoids haggling.
Within areas, yes.
Three days for the essentials.
Yes, with normal care.
See the full list above.
With a guide for the big sights.
The pyramids, the GEM and a felucca are the favourites.
Saqqara, Dahshur, Memphis, Alexandria and Fayoum.
Recommended for the big sights.
Pyramids and GEM by day, Khan el-Khalili at night.
Pick the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum first, give Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo a day each, and fill the rest with the places that match your interests. Group them by area to save time in traffic.
Book this experience: Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum day tour – hotel pickup and an Egyptologist guide, from $30.
Top Attractions in Cairo – A Guide to First-time Visitors
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Guided trips with bottled water, transfers and hotels arranged for you.
