Cairo Egypt Holidays
Cairo
Holidays
The city of a thousand minarets — the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum and the extraordinary medieval Islamic city of Khan el-Khalili
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Flight Time
5h from UK (direct)
Best Time
October to April
Country
Egypt
Suppliers
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Cairo Holiday Guide
Cairo is one of the great cities of the world — the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the medieval Islamic city of Khan el-Khalili are all extraordinary. Allow at least 3 days.
The Grand Egyptian Museum (opened 2023) is world-class. Day trips to Luxor (1 hour by air) and Alexandria (2 hours by road) are excellent additions.
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Popular Areas in Cairo
Average Temperatures
Jan
19°C
Feb
21°C
Mar
25°C
Apr
30°C
May
35°C
Jun
38°C
Jul
39°C
Aug
39°C
Sep
36°C
Oct
31°C
Nov
25°C
Dec
20°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Cairo
The Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum and the extraordinary medieval city that make Cairo one of the most overwhelming destinations on earth.
Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World — the Great Pyramid of Khufu (built c.2560 BC), the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure stand on the Giza Plateau on the western edge of Cairo. The scale of the pyramids is overwhelming in person — the Great Pyramid was the tallest structure in the world for 3,800 years. The Sound and Light Show at night is spectacular.
The Great Sphinx
The Great Sphinx is the most iconic monument in Egypt — a massive limestone statue of a lion with a human head, 73 metres long and 20 metres high, carved from a single outcrop of rock. The Sphinx faces east towards the rising sun and is believed to represent the pharaoh Khafre. The Sphinx is best seen in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is golden.
Grand Egyptian Museum
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is the largest archaeological museum in the world — a spectacular new museum at the foot of the Giza Plateau housing over 100,000 artefacts including the complete treasures of Tutankhamun (displayed together for the first time). The museum opened in 2023 and is one of the most extraordinary museum experiences in the world.
Khan el-Khalili
Khan el-Khalili is the most famous bazaar in the Arab world — a vast medieval market in the heart of Islamic Cairo with hundreds of shops selling gold, silver, spices, perfume, textiles, ceramics and souvenirs. The bazaar has been trading continuously since the 14th century. The El-Fishawi cafe (open continuously since 1773) is the most atmospheric cafe in Cairo.
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo is one of the finest medieval cities in the world — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 600 listed monuments including the Citadel of Saladin, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Al-Azhar Mosque (the oldest university in the world) and the extraordinary medieval street of Al-Muizz. The density of Islamic architecture is overwhelming.
Coptic Cairo
Coptic Cairo is the oldest part of the city — a walled enclave with some of the oldest Christian churches in the world, including the Hanging Church (built in the 7th century over a Roman gatehouse), the Church of St Sergius (built over the cave where the Holy Family is said to have sheltered) and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. The Coptic Museum has an extraordinary collection.
Food & Restaurants
Cairo has an extraordinary food scene — from street food (koshari, ful medames, ta'ameya) to world-class restaurants. The Koshary Abou Tarek (the most famous koshari restaurant in Cairo) and the Sequoia restaurant (on the Nile at Zamalek) are both exceptional. The Nile dinner cruises are a popular and atmospheric way to experience the city at night.
Practical Tips
Cairo is best visited in the cooler months (October to April). Allow at least 3 days — one for the Giza Plateau and GEM, one for Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili, one for the Egyptian Museum and Coptic Cairo. The Cairo Metro is cheap and efficient. Taxis and Uber are widely available. The Egypt e-visa can be obtained online before travel.
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