Cairo, Egypt
Home of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx
Egypt’s Capital on the Nile River and one of National Geographic’s top 5 culture destinations for 2023.
Places to Stay
Budget: (<$100/night)
Mid-Range: ($100-$250/night)
Hotel: Marriott Mena House (pictured)
Airbnb: Jacuzzi by the Pyramids
Luxury: ($250+/night)
Things to do
Visit the Egyptian Museum (pictured): A really fascinating place! This was my first experience seeing real mummies. You can find everything found from King Tut’s excavation here; although, pictures are not allowed in this area. You can also see some of the animals that were mummified including alligators. A must see in Cairo!
Tour the Pyramids and Sphinx: There are many pyramids in Egypt, but Cairo is home to the Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest Egyptian pyramid. The Great Pyramid is also the only remaining seven wonders of the ancient world and dates back to 26th century BC. It’s truly astonishing to see in person not just because of the size, but how precise everything was made. There are several different ways that guides will tell you how it was constructed, but the true way is not known.
See the the Pyramids at night: The Sound and Light show is a show where the Sphinx narrates the pharaonic history of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. My dad and I thought it was a cool seeing the pyramids in different colors at night and seeing the Sphinx illuminated and telling the stories that were displayed on the walls next to it. Tickets are ~$20 USD and VIP tickets that allow you to sit in the front row are ~$25. You can purchase tickets here.
Take a cruise down the Nile river
Visit Church of Saint Sergius and Bacchus and the Hanging Church
Places to Eat
Abou Tarek (pictured): Conde Naste Traveller Middle East called Abou Tarek “an absolute must visit for first timers in the city.” The restaurant is known for it’s signature dish - koshary. Koshary is the Egypt’s national dish and it consists of Egyptian fried rice, brown lentils and chickpeas, adds in macaroni and vermicelli noodles, and douses the entire combination in piquant tomato juice seasoned with lemon, vinegar and chili.
Al Khal Egyptian Restaurant: The top Egyptian restaurant on Trip Advisor. Al Khal has live cooking in a classic Egyptian atmosphere with live music Thursday-Saturday.
Bab Al Qasr: Inside the Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski hotel, located close to the Cairo International Airport, you will find a Lebanese restaurant that’s known for the live performances in addition to the delicious food.