Although the antic pyramids represent the main reason tourists want to come here, there are other unique things to do in Cairo.
Crossed by the longest river in the world and defined by a fascinating history, loved by some and maybe hated by others, Cairo is a city like no other. The capital of Egypt will redefine the term “chaotic” for you because the over 20 million souls here are extremely loud and active.
The crowd is so dense that you will need at least 4 days in Cairo to get to know the city. That is because of the infernal traffic, especially during peak hours, making it difficult to move from one place to another.
Best options for a last-minute trip to Cairo
If you are on the last hundred meters with planning a vacation in Cairo, then this list is your main help to do it quickly and efficiently:
Best experiences and tours in Cairo:
♦ Dinner Cruise on the Nile River
♦ Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Saqqara & Memphis Tour
♦ Entry Ticket and Guided Tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum
Best hotels to stay in Cairo:
♦ The St. Regis Cairo – Nile view, Arabic style
♦ Marriott Mena House – best hotel with a great view of the pyramids
♦ Grand Bayan Hotel – amazing views of the Nile
Of course, you can opt for the subway, but I avoided it, knowing about the major accident that had happened there just a few days before my arrival.
Only if you leave the prejudices at home, and also manage to ease the cultural shock will you be able to enjoy Cairo. For example, the city is home to the second oldest university in the world, after the one in Fez, Morocco. Interesting, right?
I spent almost 4 days in Cairo, during which boredom did not occur in the program. Here is what I’ve been able to visit in Cairo in 4 days and what I recommend to you:
Where to stay in Cairo
When you visit Cairo, you have 2 options. Either you stay in a hotel in the city, or you choose to stay somewhere near the pyramids. Or, you can spend two inside the city and 2 in a hotel near the pyramids of Giza. The best area to stay in Cairo is Gezira.
These are my recommendations for accommodation in Cairo:
- budget: El Otel -balcony, spacious rooms, breakfast
- mid-range: Kempinski Nile Hotel– restaurant, spa, pool, wow view, delicious breakfast, bar
- luxury: The Nile Ritz-Carlton – luxurious rooms, fitness centers, restaurant, spa, swimming pool, excellent location
And a gorgeous hotel with a pyramid view:
Marriott Mena House – fitness center, beautiful view of the pyramids, gardens, spa, bar, swimming pool
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Unique things to do in Cairo in 4 days
Visit the Egyptian Museum | Cairo in 4 days
⇒ Check out rates and book the tour
Watch: my vlog at the Egyptian Museum
Ride on the Nile | 4 days in Cairo
Whether you choose a felucca or a bigger, more modern boat with an engine, a ride on the Nile is a must when visiting Egypt.
They have been used since the Pharaonic era and wandered the Nile for millennia. So don’t miss the opportunity to balance on the same waves as Cleopatra did thousands of years ago.
If this is not a good reason for you, then the thought that you are on the longest river in the world will make you change your mind. The Nile crosses 11 African countries and stretches over 6000 kilometers.
I recommend you choose the sunset as the best time of the day. The sun will decorate the sky with beautiful pastel colors, and your ears will enjoy some lovely Arabic music.
⇒ Check out rates and book the boat ride on the Nile
Watch my vlog: Boat ride on the Nile in Cairo, Egypt
Check out these fantastic tours in Cairo ⇓
Try the Egyptian cuisine | Unique things to do in Cairo in 4 days
Aside from the rich antic history, Cairo has no shortage of delicious gastronomy. Don’t leave the Middle Eastern hectic city without trying foul, falafel, koshary, Egyptian shawarma, and especially the tasty Egyptian pancakes. I can still remember their taste while writing this article.
I’m not sure you are reading this on an empty stomach, so I won’t post any photos of them.
However, I will post 2 photos from one of the best restaurants I’ve tried in Cairo, Beit Ward. Bonus: it’s super Instagrammable, and the staff is super kind and polite.
A very famous dish in Cairo is the stuffed pigeon. I wanted to warn you because I was shocked to see it on the menu for the first time.
⇒ Check out this amazing Cairo food tour
Admire the panorama of the city from the Citadel
For the privilege of admiring the city from above, we must thank sultan Saladin. The one who had the brilliant idea of raising a fortification on top of Mokattam hill, right in the city’s center.
Hundreds of years later, other sultans and governors contributed to the look of the Citadel by adding mosques and palaces. The view looks like this:
READ MORE: The 6 best things you can do in Egypt.
Visit the most beautiful mosque in Cairo, Muhammad Ali Mosque | Cairo in 4 days
If you instantly remember Istanbul once you arrive, you must know that it’s not a random feeling. The mosque is very similar to the one in the Turkish city, also known as the Blue Mosque.
The official name is Muhammad Ali and had been built as a tribute to one of the sons of Muhammad Ali, Pasha. It’s a vast and beautiful mosque, visible thanks to its location.
⇒ Book this tour to visit the Mosque
Get lost in Khan el-Khalili bazaar
The construction previously started to serve as a mausoleum for the Fatimid royal family but turned into a bazaar many years later.
Here, you can find basically everything that goes through your mind, from decorations to clothing, souvenirs, spices, perfumes, oils, gold, silver, semi-precious stones, handmade objects, fabrics, food, and narghile, and the list can go on forever.
I don’t necessarily recommend coming here for shopping but rather for the experience and to admire the still well-preserved architecture in some places.
In Khan el-Khalili bazaar, it’s all very chaotic, and the vendors can get pretty annoying while trying to sell you stuff.
Also, I advise you to be extremely careful with your belongings. Don’t hesitate to negotiate the final price if you wish to buy something.
⇒ Find the best hotels in Cairo.
Go see the pyramids | Cairo in 4 days
Undoubtedly, the primary purpose of your trip to Cairo is to visit the three pyramids, undeniable proof of the hypnotic past of Egypt. Many people told me that I would be disappointed by their appearance. After all, who doesn’t want to see them at least once in a lifetime?
So I’m glad I didn’t have big expectations before coming here because I was surprised to discover the enormity of these constructions of over 5000 years by still unclear procedures.
I was amazed by their greatness and the stories hiding behind the eroded huge stones.
There are many legends concerning the pyramids, but one thing is sure. The Great Pyramid is the only Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that we still get to see nowadays. Therefore, Giza Plateau must be on everyone’s bucket list!
The tallest and the oldest among them, Khufu (Cheops in Greek), initially measured 147 meters, but because of the meteorological phenomena of the past millennia, it’s now 8 meters shorter.
Approximately 2 million blocks of stone were used to build it, which is WOW! For a few millennia, no other construction on the entire planet has managed to overcome it in terms of height.
Another symbol of Egypt very much worth mentioning is the Sphinx, situated right in front of the Great Pyramid. The construction portrays a mythological creature with a lion’s body and a woman’s head.
Many uncertainties surround the Sphinx. Some of them refer to the date of construction, others to the face it represents.
The only sure thing is that the Sphinx is the most significant construction in the world, built from only one piece of limestone.
⇒ This is one of the best-rated tours to see the pyramids
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Shopping at Cairo Festival City
If you wish to be away from all the hustle and bustle of the city, then a visit to Cairo Festival City is exactly what you need. Not necessarily because you will find peace here, but because it’s much cleaner.
And you will also discover a modern Cairo with beautiful fountains, shows, lots of restaurants, and plenty of cafes.
Keep in mind that is located 30 km from the city center. Therefore, it will take you a while to get here, given the traffic.
Transport in Cairo
For the whole period of our stay in Cairo, we hired a driver. His name is Mohammed, a very good man, extremely kind and very good driver and connoisseur of the city. If you want to use his services, this is his number, and you can communicate on Whatsapp +20 106 5103746
Things to know before visiting Cairo
Are 4 days in Cairo enough?
Considering that it is one of the largest cities in the world, you need a few days or maybe even a week to visit it and see the most important tourist attractions in Cairo. But to tick off the objectives presented in this article, 4 days in Cairo should be more than enough.
What is the best time to visit Cairo?
The best times of the year to visit Cairo are spring and autumn, when the temperatures are proper, and the city is not so crowded. Summer is scorching, and it would not be too comfortable to walk around Cairo, while in winter, Cairo hotels are more expensive because most tourists choose to visit during that period.
Is Cairo safe?
Cairo is generally a safe destination and one of the safest places in Egypt. However, I would not recommend traveling alone as a woman in Cairo because some men can become pushy.
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