About Cairo
The city of a thousand minarets — the Great Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Islamic Cairo, and the mighty Nile flowing through 21 million lives.
Cairo is the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, a chaotic, exhilarating metropolis where Pharaonic, Islamic, and modern layers collide. The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx stand at the city's western edge — the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), opened near the pyramids, is the world's largest archaeological museum with over 100,000 artefacts including the complete Tutankhamun collection. Islamic Cairo — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — contains the densest concentration of medieval Islamic architecture on Earth: the Citadel, Al-Azhar Mosque, and hundreds of historic mosques and madrasas. Khan el-Khalili, the 600-year-old bazaar, remains the city's commercial and sensory heart.
Highlights
🏛️
Great Pyramids & Sphinx
The last ancient Wonder — 4,500 years old, on Cairo's doorstep.
🏺
Grand Egyptian Museum
World's largest archaeological museum — 100,000+ artefacts.
🕌
Islamic Cairo (UNESCO)
Medieval mosques, madrasas, and the Citadel of Saladin.
🛍️
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
600-year-old market — gold, spices, perfume, and lanterns.
🚢
Nile Cruises
Dinner cruises and felucca rides on the world's longest river.
Best For
Travel Tips
Key Facts
- Timezone
- Africa/Cairo
- Currency
- EGP (Egyptian Pound)
- Airport
CAI
📅 Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
✈️ Travel Information — Cairo
Everything you need to know before you go
Visa Requirements
1
Climate: Hot desert (BWh)
Monthly Temperatures
Safe
💰
EGP
Egyptian Pound
🏷️
ج.م
Symbol
⚡
220
Voltage
〰️
50
Frequency
Widely Spoken
English, French
🏛️ Top Attractions in Cairo
6 attractions
Landmark
👨👩👧👦
Great Pyramids of Giza
The last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Three pyramids — Khufu (Great Py…
Museum
👨👩👧👦
Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
The world's largest archaeological museum, near the Giza pyramids. Over 100,000 …
Cultural
👨👩👧👦
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
A 600-year-old souk in Islamic Cairo with narrow lanes selling gold, silver, bra…
Historical
👨👩👧👦
The Citadel of Saladin
A medieval Islamic fortification on Mokattam Hill, built by Saladin in 1176. Hou…
Experience
👨👩👧👦
Nile Dinner Cruise
A 2-hour dinner cruise along the Nile through central Cairo with live entertainm…
Historical
👨👩👧👦
Al-Azhar Mosque & Islamic Cairo
Founded in 970 AD, Al-Azhar is one of the world's oldest universities and mosque…
🏨 Where to Stay in Cairo
3 accommodations
Hotel
$$$$
Marriott Mena House, Cairo
★
★
★
★
★
Giza
A legendary 1886 palace hotel at the foot of the Pyramids — guests enj…
Hotel
$$$$
The Nile Ritz-Carlton
★
★
★
★
★
Downtown / Garden City
Overlooking the Nile and Tahrir Square, this Ritz-Carlton occupies a p…
Hotel
$$
Le Méridien Pyramids
★
★
★
★
★
Giza
A more affordable option near the Pyramids with pyramid views from upp…
🍽️ Where to Eat in Cairo
3 dining spots
Restaurant
$$
Abou El Sid
Egyptian · Indoor
Halal
Cairo's most celebrated Egyptian restaurant, in a gorgeous Zamalek townhouse wit…
Cafe
$
El Fishawy Café
Egyptian
Halal
Cairo's oldest café, over 200 years old, in the heart of Khan el-Khalili. Mint t…
Street Food
$
Koshary Abou Tarek
Egyptian · Indoor
Halal
Vegetarian
The most famous koshary restaurant in Cairo — a 4-storey establishment serving o…
🛍️ Shopping in Cairo
2 shopping destinations
🕌 Souk
Khan el-Khalili
Gold
Crafts
Spice
10 AM-11 PM
Cairo's 600-year-old bazaar — gold, silver, brass lanterns, papyrus art, perfume oils, spi…
🏬 Mall
Mall of Egypt
Fashion
Electronics
10 AM-12 AM
Egypt's largest and most modern mall in 6th of October City with 400 stores, Ski Egypt (in…
🌙 Nightlife in Cairo
2 venues
Local Regulations
Alcohol available at hotels, licensed bars and restaurants, and some liquor stores (Drinkies chain). Egypt is relatively liberal for the region. 21+ for bars and clubs.
🎤 Live Music
$$
Cairo Jazz Club
Cairo's most iconic live music venue — jazz, rock, electronic, and Arabic fusion…
🌃 Rooftop
$$$$
Crimson Bar & Grill (Nile Ritz)
A rooftop bar at The Nile Ritz-Carlton with panoramic Nile and city views, craft…
🚌 Getting Around Cairo
✈️ Airports
✈️
Cairo International Airport
CAI
📍 22 from city center
🚐 Airport Transfers
🚇 Public Transport
🚕 Taxi & Rideshare
📱 Uber
Base: EGP 10 · EGP 3.50/km
📱 Careem
Base: EGP 10 · EGP 3.50/km
📱 InDriver
Base: Negotiated · Varies/km
💡 Getting Around Tips
right
Downtown and Zamalek are walkable but chaotic. Cross streets with confidence — cars will not stop.
Essentially 7 AM-10 PM. Cairo traffic is legendary.
📦 Book Cairo with Lavisa
Everything you need for your trip — all in one place
🗺️
Cairo & Pyramids Tour
Pyramids, Sphinx, GEM, and Islamic Cairo guided tours.
From AED 149
🚐
CAI Airport Transfer
Private sedan from Cairo airport to your hotel.
From AED 79
ℹ️ Practical Information — Cairo
📅 When to Visit Cairo
Peak Season
Shoulder Season
Off-Peak
🏆 Best Months:
🥇 Sep
🥈 May
🥉 Jun
Jan
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 17° / 7°
🌧️ 8d
$$$$$
🎆 New Year
Feb
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 17° / 7°
🌧️ 8d
$$$$$
🛍️ Dubai Shopping Festival
Mar
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 27° / 17°
🌧️ 5d
$$$$$
🌙 Ramadan (approx.)
Apr
🟡 Shoulder Season
🌡️ 27° / 17°
🌧️ 5d
$$$
🎉 Eid al-Fitr (approx.)
📚 Spring Break
May
⭐
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 27° / 17°
🌧️ 5d
$
Jun
⭐
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 37° / 27°
🌧️ 3d
$
🐑 Eid al-Adha (approx.)
☀️ Summer Holiday Starts
Jul
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 37° / 27°
🌧️ 3d
$
🎪 Dubai Summer Surprises
Aug
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 37° / 27°
🌧️ 3d
$
Sep
⭐
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 27° / 17°
🌧️ 5d
$
📚 School Year Starts
Oct
🟡 Shoulder Season
🌡️ 27° / 17°
🌧️ 5d
$$$
Nov
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 27° / 17°
🌧️ 5d
$$$$$
🇦🇪 UAE National Day (Dec 2)
Dec
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 17° / 7°
🌧️ 8d
$$$$$
🎄 Christmas & NYE
❄️ Winter Break
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