Top 10 Things to do in Cairo 2026 | Egypt Travel Guide
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Museum of Islamic Art
Museum · Bab al-Khalq
Closed for years after a 2014 car bomb; a good start or end point for exploring historic Islamic Cairo.
Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
Temple · El-Khalifa
An iron door off the courtyard leads into the Sultan's mausoleum, where the original stalactite pendentives survive.
Al-Rifa'i Mosque
Temple · El-Khalifa
Sits directly facing Sultan Hassan Mosque on Midan Salah al-Din, below the Citadel.
Cairo Citadel (Saladin Citadel)
Historic site · Islamic Cairo
Gawhara Terrace has the best panorama in town; the on-site museums are worth it more for their buildings than their exhibits.
Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad
Temple · Islamic Cairo · brief mention
Located just northeast of the Muhammad Ali Mosque.
Khan el-Khalili
Market · Islamic Cairo
Skip the touristy main drag for the side alleys; enter easiest from Al-Azhar Street opposite Al-Azhar Mosque.
El Fishawy Café
Cafe · Islamic Cairo · brief mention
Known for syrupy Arabic coffee and sweet tea served at a rapid-fire pace.
Al-Muski Street
Shopping · Islamic Cairo · brief mention
Gold and silver workshops cluster north of its junction with Al-Muizz Street; the spice market lies just south.
Al-Hussein Mosque
Temple · Islamic Cairo · brief mention
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Museum · Fustat
About a 3 km walk or short taxi ride from Coptic Cairo's churches, so easily combined.
Step Pyramid of Djoser
Historic site · Saqqara · brief mention
Red Pyramid
Historic site · Dahshur · brief mention
Bent Pyramid
Historic site · Dahshur · brief mention
Babylon Fortress
Historic site · Old Cairo · brief mention
Coptic Museum
Museum · Old Cairo · brief mention
Hanging Church
Temple · Old Cairo
Substantially rebuilt in the 9th century; sits next door to the Coptic Museum.
Church of Saint Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga)
Temple · Old Cairo
Called the real highlight of the district for many Christian travellers.
Ben Ezra Synagogue
Temple · Old Cairo · brief mention
Mosque of Amr ibn al-As
Temple · Old Cairo · brief mention
Al-Azhar Mosque
Temple · Islamic Cairo
Enter via the Gate of the Barbers, leave shoes at the entrance; the courtyard gives the best minaret views.
Egyptian Museum
Museum · Downtown
Poorly labelled, with empty cases as items move to the GEM; go straight to the Tutankhamun galleries. Metro to Sadat.
Giza Pyramid Complex
Historic site · Giza Plateau
Reachable by metro to Giza plus a local minibus to the entrance; many visit by tour with a camel or horse ride.
Great Pyramid of Giza
Historic site · Giza Plateau
The interior holds little beyond a plain chamber with an empty sarcophagus.
Pyramid of Khafre
Historic site · Giza Plateau · brief mention
Pyramid of Menkaure
Historic site · Giza Plateau · brief mention
Great Sphinx of Giza
Historic site · Giza Plateau · brief mention
Grand Egyptian Museum
Museum · Giza
Khufu's solar boat, once behind the Great Pyramid, was moved here.
