What to Do in Cairo Besides the Pyramids?

What to Do in Cairo Besides the Pyramids?

What comes to your mind when you think of Cairo or Egypt? Most probably, you may think of huge pyramids, isn’t it? However, there are many places to visit in Cairo or Egypt apart from the pyramids. In this blog post, we’ll discuss places to go in Cairo with friends. Let’s get started.

Unique Things to Do in Cairo

It might be difficult to narrow down places to visit in Cairo in one day since there are several things you can do besides the pyramids. Therefore, if you are visiting Cairo for the first time, you might be interested to know what to do in Cairo besides the pyramids. Here, we have listed a few activities that you can do in Cairo.

• Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum is Cairo’s largest museum. It features thousands of ancient Egyptian artifacts. This museum is massive, but to focus on the highlights, you may need more time, at least one or two days in Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum is connected to the Giza Plateau through a new bridge, so it becomes easy for visitors to visit the Giza Pyramids as well in the morning and them head to the GEM in the afternoon.

• Khan el Khalili Bazaar and El Moez Street

If you are looking for places to visit in Cairo at night, you can’t overlook Khan el Khalili Bazaar and the UNESCO World Heritage site of El Moez Street, where you can explore the beautiful 1,000-year-old Islamic architecture, and wander through various goods, from spices, t-shirts to keychains and artwork.

Egyptians flock to El Moez Street and the Khan el Khalili Bazaar in the evening and on weekends to hang out or go for a walk, and during the holy month of Ramadan, the place is filled with local Egyptians enjoying an iftar or suhoor.

Since El Moez Street and Khan el Khalili is a public area that is outdoors, you can visit any day or any time. For the folks wondering about places to visit in Cairo at night, Khan el Khalili is often recommended.

• Tours Via Nile Cruise

If you don’t like traffic and twisted streets, it would be a great idea to choose a Nile cruise from one of the best Nile cruise companies, like Nile Cruisen. The Nile River runs through the centre of Cairo, and you will cross it many times while you are in the city. You can have a dinner cruise, which will take you along the river at night, with live entertainment.

• Coptic Cairo

About 20% of Egypt’s population belongs to the Coptic Orthodox faith, and there’s no better place to feel that heritage than in Coptic Cairo. Often referred to locally as “Old Cairo,” this district serves as the historic soul of the city’s Christian community. It’s a remarkable pocket of history where you can wander past 1,000-year-old churches and the weathered remains of a 2,000-year-old Roman fortress, all while catching a glimpse of one of Egypt’s few remaining Jewish synagogues.

If you’re planning a visit, the Hanging Church and the Cavern Church of Abu Serga—where the Holy Family is said to have sought shelter—are absolute essentials. If your schedule allows, it’s well worth ducking into the serene Church of St. Barbara or the iconic, domed Church of St. George to round out the experience.

• Whale Valley

This is one of the amazing places to go in Cairo with friends. In some ways, you will be amazed after visiting this place because it is a really special place. At this place, you can see ancient fossilised skeletons of a whale. It features an impressive selection of fossils on display, including the basilosaurus, a 20-metre-long carnivore with legs, which demonstrates the evolution of whales from land-dwelling mammals into marine creatures.

Conclusion

Cairo offers much more than the pyramids, with rich history, vibrant streets, cultural landmarks, and unique experiences. Exploring beyond the iconic sites reveals the true spirit of the city and makes any visit far more memorable.