Cairo Travel Guide 2025

Why Visit Cairo

Cairo is one of the world's truly great cities — enormous, chaotic, ancient and utterly unforgettable. The last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza, stands at the edge of the city, visible from rooftops across the sprawling metropolis. The Egyptian Museum holds the golden mask of Tutankhamun and thousands of years of pharaonic treasures. The medieval Islamic quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage site of mosques, madrasas and bazaars that has been continuously inhabited for over a thousand years.

With 22 million people in the metropolitan area, Cairo can be overwhelming. The traffic is legendary, the noise is constant and the hustle from touts near tourist sites is relentless. But beneath the chaos is a city of extraordinary warmth, hospitality and cultural depth. Egyptians are genuinely some of the friendliest and most welcoming people you'll meet anywhere, and the sense of deep history — from the pharaohs to the Islamic Golden Age to modern Egypt — is palpable on every street.

Cairo is also excellent value for money. A meal at a local restaurant costs €2–5, a night in a comfortable hotel is €30–60, and even the pyramids — arguably the most famous monuments on earth — charge a very reasonable entry fee. The new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), opened near the pyramids, is the most significant museum opening of the 21st century.

Top Neighbourhoods

Giza — The Pyramids

Technically a separate city across the Nile, Giza is home to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. The new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is here. The area around the pyramids is touristy and full of persistent touts, but the monuments themselves are life-changing.

• Daily budget: €30–60

Downtown (Wust al-Balad) — The Colonial Centre

Built in the 19th century to resemble Paris, downtown Cairo has faded belle-epoque architecture, the Egyptian Museum (old location), Tahrir Square and some of Cairo's best street food. Gritty but fascinating. The area comes alive at night.

• Daily budget: €25–50

Islamic Cairo — The Medieval City

Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Al-Azhar Mosque (founded 970 AD), the Citadel of Saladin and the stunning Mohamed Ali Mosque. Narrow medieval streets packed with workshops, spice shops and copper craftsmen. One of the most atmospheric urban areas on earth.

• Daily budget: €20–40

Zamalek — The Island Oasis

An upscale residential neighbourhood on Gezira Island in the Nile. Tree-lined streets, embassies, art galleries, the Cairo Opera House and some of the city's best restaurants and cafes. Feels like a different world from downtown Cairo. Sequoia restaurant on the northern tip has spectacular Nile views.

• Daily budget: €40–80

Coptic Cairo — Christian Heritage

One of the oldest Christian areas in the world. The Hanging Church (Al-Moallaqa, 7th century), the Coptic Museum, the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Church of St. Sergius (where the Holy Family is said to have sheltered). A peaceful enclave. Most sites are free or very cheap.

• Daily budget: €15–30

Local Cuisine

Egyptian food is hearty, flavourful and astonishingly cheap. The cuisine revolves around bread, beans, grilled meats and a rich tradition of street food.

• Koshari: Egypt's national dish — a carb-lover's dream of rice, lentils, macaroni, chickpeas, crispy fried onions and a tangy tomato-vinegar sauce. It costs EGP 30–60 (€0.60–1.20) at street stalls. Abou Tarek in downtown Cairo is the most famous koshari restaurant — four floors packed with locals eating nothing but koshari. A large plate is EGP 50 (€1).

• Ful Medames: Slow-cooked fava beans mashed with olive oil, lemon, garlic and cumin. Eaten for breakfast by millions of Egyptians daily. Served with fresh baladi bread. EGP 15–30 (€0.30–0.60) at street vendors. Felfela in downtown is a beloved spot.

• Ta'ameya (Egyptian Falafel): Unlike Middle Eastern falafel made from chickpeas, Egyptian ta'ameya is made from fava beans, giving it a bright green interior and lighter texture. EGP 5–10 (€0.10–0.20) each. Eat them stuffed in baladi bread with tahina and salad.

• Shawarma: Chicken or beef carved from a rotating spit, wrapped in bread with tahina, pickles and garlic. EGP 40–80 (€0.80–1.60). Kazouza in Zamalek and Abu Shakra are excellent.

• Molokhia: A stew made from jute leaves (similar to spinach), cooked with garlic and coriander, served over rice with chicken or rabbit. Uniquely Egyptian. EGP 60–100 (€1.20–2) at local restaurants. Andrea in Giza (an outdoor restaurant near the pyramids) is famous for theirs.

• Kofta and Kebab: Minced meat kofta and grilled lamb kebab, served with bread, salad, tahina and grilled vegetables. EGP 100–200 (€2–4) for a generous plate. Abou El Sid in Zamalek serves them in a beautifully decorated traditional setting (mains EGP 250–400 / €5–8).

• Feteer Meshaltet: A flaky, layered pastry similar to puff pastry. Can be savoury (with cheese, minced meat) or sweet (with honey, cream, Nutella). EGP 60–120 (€1.20–2.40). A must-try at any feteer restaurant.

• Basbousa: A semolina cake soaked in rose water or orange blossom syrup, topped with almonds. Sweet, fragrant and available at every pastry shop for EGP 10–20 (€0.20–0.40) per piece. El Abd Bakery in downtown has been making it since 1969.

Budget Breakdown

| Category | Backpacker | Mid-Range | Comfort | |----------|-----------|-----------|---------| | Accommodation (per night) | €5–15 (hostel) | €30–60 (hotel) | €80–200 (luxury hotel) | | Food (per day) | €3–8 | €10–20 | €25–50 | | Transport (daily) | €1–3 | €5–10 | €15–30 (taxis/Uber) | | Attractions (daily) | €5–10 | €15–25 | €30–50 | | Daily Total | €15–35 | €60–115 | €150–330 |

Getting Around

Cairo Metro

Three lines covering the main tourist areas. Clean, efficient and air-conditioned (on newer trains). The first two carriages are reserved for women only.

• Single ride: EGP 8 (€0.16)
• Single ride (2 stations): EGP 6 (€0.12)

From Cairo International Airport (CAI)

• Uber/Careem: EGP 200–350 (€4–7) to central Cairo (45–90 minutes depending on traffic)
• Airport shuttle bus: EGP 35 (€0.70) to Tahrir Square
• Taxi: EGP 300–500 (€6–10) — always negotiate before getting in. Use the meter if they agree, otherwise set a price.

Uber & Careem

Both ride-hailing apps work well in Cairo and are the recommended way to get around. Prices are very cheap by European standards — most rides within central Cairo cost EGP 50–150 (€1–3). Much safer and more predictable than negotiating with taxi drivers.

To the Pyramids

• Uber from downtown: EGP 80–150 (€1.60–3), 30–60 minutes
• Metro Line 3 to Kit Kat station then a short taxi ride
• Bus 357/355 from Ramses Square (very cheap but crowded and slow)

Nile River Taxis (River Bus)

A scenic and cheap way to travel. The river bus runs from Old Cairo (Masr al-Qadima) to various stops along the Nile.

• Ticket: EGP 5 (€0.10) per ride

Walking

Cairo is walkable in specific areas (Zamalek, Islamic Cairo, Coptic Cairo) but crossing major roads can be genuinely terrifying. There are few pedestrian crossings and drivers don't stop. Watch locals and cross with them — safety in numbers.

Practical Tips

1. Baksheesh (tipping) is a way of life. Everyone expects a tip — bathroom attendants (EGP 5–10), hotel porters (EGP 20–50), restaurant waiters (10–15%), guides, parking attendants, anyone who "helps" you (even unsolicited). Carry a stack of small bills at all times.

2. Bargain at Khan el-Khalili. The first price quoted is typically 3–5x the real price. Start at 20–30% of the asking price and work up. Walk away if you're not satisfied — they'll often call you back with a lower offer. Only bargain if you're genuinely interested in buying.

3. Dress modestly, especially women. Cover shoulders and knees in public. At mosques, women must cover their hair (scarves are usually available at the entrance). Egypt is a conservative Muslim country and modest dress shows respect and reduces unwanted attention.

4. Don't drink tap water. Always use bottled water — a 1.5L bottle costs EGP 5–10 (€0.10–0.20). Use bottled water for brushing teeth too in your first days until your stomach adjusts.

5. The Egyptian pound has devalued significantly. As of 2025, 1 EUR is approximately 50 EGP. This makes Egypt incredibly cheap for European visitors. ATMs dispense EGP — use ones attached to major banks (CIB, NBE, Banque Misr). Some dispense USD. Always decline dynamic currency conversion.

6. Fridays are different. Friday is the holy day. Many shops close on Friday mornings (reopening after noon prayers), but mosques and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar are atmospheric. Friday traffic is lighter — a good day for visiting the pyramids.

7. Best time to visit the pyramids. Arrive at opening time (8:00 AM) or in the late afternoon (3:00–4:00 PM). Midday is brutally hot and the most crowded. The Sound and Light show in the evening (EGP 300 / €6) is touristic but the pyramids illuminated at night are genuinely impressive.

Frequently Asked Questions