Cairo

Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is not just about Pyramids, it is a bustling capital city with lots to see and do. As well as the many museums and attractions, Cairo also offers some great shopping opportunities and a good choice of bars and clubs.

Cairo

Amongst the noise and chaos of 16 million residents, Cairo does offer the odd oasis of calm and tranquillity as well as many places to visit and enjoy. The city's Islamic quarter helped to create its nickname of the 'City of a Thousand Minarets' due to the large number of mosques, making up for many of the city's must see sights.

An entry Visa is required for Egypt and costs approx 15 GBP per person.

Read more about: Things to do | Out and about | Cairo Reviews

Cairo Hotels (48)

The Fairmont Nile City Hotel offers its guests a luxurious stay and is well suited to both the business and leisure traveller. Features of the hotel include a full service spa and a rooftop terrace wi...

The landmark Ramses Hilton sits on the east bank of the Nile in the heart of Cairo, just steps from the Egyptian Museum and just a short drive from the Great Pyramids of Giza....

The Novotel Cairo Airport Hotel has ample facilities to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable holiday....

The Cataract Pyramids Resort is located within the lovely panorama of the great pyramids, surrounded by farms and greenery and at the same time central. Located within a pollution free landscape it i...

The Amarante Pyramids Hotel is situated in the Giza area of Cairo, around 4km from the Pyramids and Sphinx. A relaxing pool area at the centre of the hotel makes this a good base to enjoy the hectic c...

Situated on the highest hill in the Heliopolis area of Cario, the Baron Hotel has a great view of the Baron Empain Palace....

The Beirut Hotel is a popular choice for those who like to stay close to the city....

This small and friendly hotel offers a great place to stay without the hustle and bustle of the larger hotels....

The Concorde Dokki Hotel is a small friendly hotel located in the centre of town with a unique and family atmosphere....

The Concorde El Salam Hotel is situated in the fashionable suburb of Heliopolis....

This beautiful hotel is in an ideal location for those who want to explore the historic city of Cairo....

Cosmopolitan Hotel is a lovely hotel more than 80 years old. It is in a great location especially for business users. Families and couples are welcome....

Dusit Thani Lakeview Hotel is a stylish 5 star complex. This hotel is perfect for business and leisure guests, families and couples are welcome....

Ideally located with views of the Nile, pyramids and botanical gardens, this Four Seasons Hotel would suit both the business and leisure traveller....

Situated at the Nile Plaza, the Four Seasons Hotel offers great views of the Citadel and the River Nile....

Located in the centre of the residential and diplomatic sector, the Golden Tulip Flamenco Hotel offers great views of the river Nile....

Ideally located, Golden Tulip Narmer Pyramid Hotel is the perfect base for exploring the historic attractions of Cairo....

This luxurious hotel offers everything you would require to ensure your stay is a relaxed and enjoyable one....

The Grand Pyramids Hotel makes the ideal base for visiting the ancient sites and historic monuments of Cairo....

Located close to the Egyptian Museum, subway station and numerous food outlets, this hotel is ideal for those visiting the city on a budget....

Located right in the centre of the Garden City district, the Helnan Shepheard Hotel offers comfortable accommodation with great views of the Nile....

A five star hotel offering elegant and well equipped accommodation as well as a great range of facilities which would suit all holidaymakers seeking a touch of luxury....

Hilton World Trade Centre Hotel is in a perfect location with great views. This hotel is well suited to business users. Couples and families are welcome....

Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi is a stylish luxury hotel welcoming families and couples to enjoy a relaxing stay as well as business users....

A mid-range, value for money hotel offering modern accommodation and a position close to the biggest shopping centre in Egypt....

Guests will love the calm atmosphere and enjoy relaxing after a busy day sightseeing or on important business meetings....

This friendly hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms with great views from the roof top swimming pool....

Guests are well catered for at the Intercontinental Citystars Cairo Hotel with many great facilities on site and in the surrounding area....

This luxurious hotel is a perfect base for exploring the area and visiting all the attractions that Cairo has to offer....

The Karvin Hotel offers guests a high standard of comfort, quality and service at an excellent value. Set in a good location the hotel is ideal for exploring the area....

This small family owned hotel offers a warm and personal service....

The Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel is surrounded by landscaped gardens and offers magnificent views of the Giza Pyramids....

This elegant hotel offers a welcoming and relaxing environment....

Situated in the centre of downtown Cairo, this hotel is one of the largest hotels in Cairo....

Opened in 1869, this five star hotel is set in spacious grounds in walking distance of the Pyramids of Giza. It offers a range of leisure facilities and services as well as luxurious accommodation....

Set within 9 acres of gardens on the outskirts of Cairo, the Oasis Hotel offers a comfortable base just a 10-minute drive from the Great Pyramids of Giza....

This city hotel is a good base for exploring the delights of Cairo....

Situated on the island of Zamalek, the President Hotel offers a comfortable base for exploring the many sights of the city....

With its central location, this hotel offers a wealth of facilities and is ideal for either the business traveller or families seeking the extra space and amenities in the suites....

The Pyramisa Suites Hotel and Casino are and ideal choice for all guests and offer luxury and prestige....

A well appointed hotel offering guests a comfortable standard of accommodation. The hotel is close to the historical sites and the River Nile....

The Santana Hotel is a small and friendly hotel that offers basic accommodation in a quiet area, ideal for business use and holidaymakers...

Located on the west bank of the River Nile, the Cairo Sheraton Towers and Casino Hotel is one of Cairos finest landmarks....

The hotel is situated on the southern tip of El Gezirah Island, close to the city centre and the business district and shopping area of Zamalek....

The Sonesta Cairo Hotel is a modern hotel located in a tropical landscape. With a variety of amenities it is an ideal choice for both business and leisure travellers....

A great place to chill out away from the hustle bustle of Cairo yet still have access to some of the nearby historic attractions....

The Victoria Hotel is a colonial style hotel and was built at the beginning of the twentieth century. The hotel is an ideal base for those wishing to explore the surrounding area....

The Windsor Hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Cairo, within easy reach of the Egyptian Museum, Opera Square and Khan Khalili Bazaar. The hotel is an ideal choice for the budget traveller....

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Things to do

No visit to Cairo is complete without a tour of the city's most famous landmark; the Pyramids and their guardian the Great Sphinx. Located on the Gisa Plateau just a few kilometres south of the city, it's a great spot for a camel ride and is also the site of the Giza Sound and Light Show.

The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities offers a deeper insight into the country's captivating history; collections include the treasures of King Tutankhamen, statues and royal mummies.

Another must do is a trip to the buzzing Khan El-Khalili Market, whether it's to barter or simply to gaze in wonder at the hustle and bustle of this colourful market which dates back to 1382. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the countless stalls sell an array of locally produced goods from spices to lamps, and jewellery to souvenirs. The Fishawi's Ahwa is one of Cairo's oldest coffee houses and offers a true taste of Egyptian culture, open 24-hours every day for 200 years this is great place to watch the world go by and smoke a shisha pipe.

Islamic Cairo forms a large part of the city housing numerous mosques throughout, some attached to an Islamic school, called a madrasa, hospitals (maristan), and some with tombs and mausoleums. Major mosques include the Mosque of Mohammed Ali (named after a 19th century ruler) found in the walls of the Citadel, the Mosque of Ahmed Ibn Tulun is the oldest mosques in Egypt and one of the largest in the .

Coptic Cairo is where you will find many of Egypt's churches including the Hanging Church (the centre of Coptic worship) and the Ben Ezra synagogue, Egypt's oldest synagogue.

The Pharaonic Village is a good place to learn the history and experience the lifestyle of Egypt in the time of Pharaohs, beginning with a one-hour boat tour which sails along canals as you pass by recreated scenes of life in ancient Egypt.

Out and about

With the exception of Giza's pyramids, Cairo's main sights are all on the east bank and easily reached by taxi or Metro. Traffic is heavy at most times of the day, and the metro particularly busy during rush-hour.

It's important for tourists visiting a Muslim country to dress conservatively particularly in cities away from the beach resorts; in Cairo men should avoid short shorts or a sleeveless top, while women should not wear shorts, low or tight tops.

From the Khan El-Khalili lively bazaar to the air-conditioned 21st century shopping centres, Cairo offers a place to barter for a bargain or splash your cash on the latest designer gear. If you're looking for fabrics, including Egyptian cotton head to the Wekalat al-Balah neighbourhood, the Tentmakers Bazaar for appliqué work and Mohammed Ali Street; for musical instruments and, although you probably won't want to buy, the Camel Market makes a fascinating trip. This is, and has been for over a thousand years, truly a shopper's paradise.

Restaurants in Cairo offer a wide range of cuisines and include Indian, Thai, Japanese, French, Italian and of course Egyptian. There are numerous snack stalls and street restaurants, hotel restaurants and Nile boat restaurants, where you can enjoy a journey along the Nile while you dine.

Graph displaying average temperatures throughout the year at Cairo

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