Attractions in & around Cairo
The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt’s iconic monuments, showcase ancient engineering brilliance and remain the last wonder of the ancient world, continuing to fascinate visitors and researchers alike.
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo houses over 170,000 ancient artifacts, including Tutankhamun's complete collection and golden death mask. Opened in 1902, it's the world's largest repository of Egyptian antiquities.
Khan el-Khalili is Cairo’s legendary medieval bazaar, where centuries-old Islamic architecture, vibrant trade, and timeless cafés create a living cultural landmark.
The Great Sphinx of Giza, with its lion body and pharaoh head, represents ancient Egyptian artistry, symbolic power, and enduring cultural fascination.
Tanoura is a traditional Egyptian Sufi dance known for its colorful spinning skirts, spiritual rhythm, and deep roots in ancient mystic traditions.
Saqqara, Egypt's ancient necropolis, features Djoser's Step Pyramid—the world's oldest. Spanning 3,000 years, it preserves royal tombs and sacred animal burials.
The Valley Temple at Giza, built 2570 BCE by Khafre, features 16 granite columns and hosted sacred afterlife rituals. Explore Fourth Dynasty architecture.
The Citadel of Cairo is a historic medieval fortress and royal complex, showcasing centuries of Egyptian power, Mamluk architecture, and Islamic heritage, now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Khufu's Solar Boat is a 142-foot cedar vessel discovered 1954 near the Great Pyramid. Built without nails 4,500 years ago, it's now at Grand Egyptian Museum.
St. George Church in Old Cairo, founded 684 AD, features unique circular design, sacred healing relics & underground chapel linked to the Holy Family's refuge.
Pyramids Sound and Light Show transforms Giza into open-air theater with 50 minutes of narration, music & lighting bringing ancient Egyptian history alive.
The Djoser Pyramid at Saqqara is Egypt's first pyramid, built 2600 BCE by architect Imhotep. Standing 62.5m tall, it reopened to visitors in 2020.
The Hanging Church in Old Cairo is a 1,300-year-old Coptic sanctuary built on Babylon Fortress. Free entry, open daily 9 AM-5 PM, dress modestly required.
The Bent Pyramid at Dahshur features a rare bent profile created by ancient construction adjustments, offering insight into Egypt’s earliest attempts at smooth-sided pyramids.
Coptic Cairo features 4th-century churches and recent tomb discoveries revealing early Christian heritage. Explore the Hanging Church, Abu Serga & sacred sites.
Saint Barbara’s Church in Coptic Cairo is one of Egypt’s oldest Christian monuments, dating back to the 5th–6th century. Known for housing the relics of Saint Barbara, the church reflects centuries of Coptic heritage, architectural evolution, and deep spiritual significance.
Explore the Fortress of Babylon, a major Roman fort in Old Cairo known for its strategic location, massive towers, and enduring historical significance.
Memphis Necropolis is Egypt’s ancient royal burial site, home to pyramids, tombs, and monuments that reflect the early development of pharaonic civilization.
Al-Azhar Mosque is a landmark of Islamic scholarship and Fatimid architecture, home to the world’s second-oldest university and a symbol of Cairo’s spiritual heritage.
Teti’s Pyramid in Saqqara is an Old Kingdom monument built for the first king of the Sixth Dynasty. Known for its Pyramid Texts and unique mortuary chapel, it remains one of Egypt’s most historically important royal tombs.
Al Muizz Street is one of Cairo’s oldest and most vibrant historic avenues, showcasing centuries of Islamic architecture. Lined with mosques, palaces, and bustling markets, it offers a captivating walk through Egypt’s medieval past.
Al-Hussein Mosque is one of Cairo’s most sacred Islamic landmarks, built in 1154 and revered for housing the head of Imam Hussein. Located by Khan El-Khalili, it blends centuries of architectural heritage and remains a major pilgrimage site.
Bab al-Futuh is an 11th-century Fatimid gate in Old Cairo, famous for its massive round towers and strategic role in the city’s medieval fortifications.
Bab Zuweila is one of Cairo’s last surviving medieval gates, built in 1092 CE by the Fatimid vizier Badr al-Jamali. Famous for its towering twin bastions, massive wooden doors, and later Mamluk minarets, it served as a defensive stronghold, execution site, and ceremonial gateway. Today, it stands as one of Cairo’s most iconic historic monuments.
Al Rifai Mosque in Cairo blends Neo-Mamluk architecture with royal history. Completed in 1912, it serves as both a majestic mosque and mausoleum for Muhammad Ali’s family.
The Ibn Tulun Mosque, Cairo’s oldest well-preserved mosque, dates back to 879 CE. Famous for its vast square layout, intricate arches, and 128 ornate stucco windows, it remains a pinnacle of early Islamic architecture and a must-visit historical landmark.
The Sultan Hassan Mosque, built in the 14th century, is a Bahri Mamluk architectural marvel in Cairo, renowned for its grand portal, extensive madrasas, and historic significance.
The Suez Canal, Egypt’s iconic waterway, connects Africa and Asia, handling thousands of ships yearly and shaping international trade.
Al-Hakim Mosque, Cairo, is a stunning Fatimid-era mosque built between 990–1013 CE. Famous for its grand courtyard, distinctive minarets, and rich history, it remains a key cultural and religious landmark.
The Ben Ezra Synagogue, founded in the 11th century in Old Cairo, is Egypt’s oldest Jewish monument and the discovery site of the renowned Cairo Geniza.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Find everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip.
You know a country is safe when you’re able to stroll its streets without a care in mind soaking in your surroundings and enjoying the local hospitality. Egypt has always been and still is one of the Safest Tourist Destinations in the world. In addition, the safety of our customers is a top priority in all our Egypt tours, Egypt Holiday’s pyramids and Nile Cruise, and every trip to Egypt we offer as Memphis Tours Egypt, a local service provider in the Travel Industry.
Egypt has over 30 protected areas, including several officially recognized national parks such as Ras Mohammed, Wadi El Gemal, and White Desert.
Egypt is full of iconic sites and experiences. Must-see ancient landmarks include the Giza Pyramids, Luxor’s temples (Karnak, Valley of the Kings), and Abu Simbel. Vibrant cities like Cairo and Alexandria offer history, markets, and museums, while the Red Sea resorts (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh) are perfect for diving and relaxation. For unique desert escapes, visit the Siwa Oasis. Don’t miss a Nile River cruise connecting Luxor and Aswan for temples along the riverbanks.
A Nile cruise Luxor to Aswan usually lasts 4–5 days and covers Egypt’s must-see ancient sites, including Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple. Most cruises include meals, guided tours with an English-speaking Egyptologist, onboard entertainment, and comfortable cabins with Nile views. Options range from budget to luxury, with some cruises also offering Abu Simbel extensions.
Modern Egyptians blend tradition and modernity, with strong family ties, vibrant urban communities, and cultural practices shaped by history. Many enjoy arts, music, and a lifestyle linked to the Nile River.
Tours can range from 1-day trips to multi-week adventures. Short trips focus on Giza and Cairo, mid-range tours add Nile cruises and Luxor, while extended packages may include Red Sea resorts and deeper cultural exploration.
Tours can range from 1-day trips to multi-week adventures. Short trips focus on Giza and Cairo, mid-range tours add Nile cruises and Luxor, while extended packages may include Red Sea resorts and deeper cultural exploration.
No, the pyramids were not built by slaves. Archaeological evidence shows they were constructed by tens of thousands of skilled, paid workers who received food, housing, and burial honors. These laborers were organized into crews, respected for their work, and likely served as part of a national project, not as enslaved people.
Egypt and Jordan tours combine two iconic destinations in one trip. You’ll explore Egypt’s highlights like the Pyramids of Giza, Cairo, Luxor, and a Nile cruise, then continue to Jordan to visit Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. Most tours include guided sightseeing, accommodation, transport, and internal flights or cruises, with options ranging from budget to luxury and trips lasting from about 7 to 15 days or more.
Egyptian temples were monumental homes for gods and pharaohs, where priests performed daily rituals, offerings, and ceremonies to maintain cosmic balance (Ma’at) and honour the gods. They also recorded history and pharaohs’ achievements in hieroglyphs.
Egyptian architecture is monumental and symbolic, built to last. Think pyramids, temples, and tombs, made from stone and mudbrick, decorated with hieroglyphs and reliefs, and often aligned with stars or cardinal points.
River Nile cruises are usually all-inclusive, making them a hassle-free way to travel between Luxor and Aswan. Most cruises include accommodation on 5-star ships, all meals, drinks, onboard entertainment, and guided excursions to famous sites like the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. Airport or hotel transfers are often included too, with options ranging from standard to luxury and sometimes combined with Red Sea stays.
River Nile cruises are usually all-inclusive, making them a hassle-free way to travel between Luxor and Aswan. Most cruises include accommodation on 5-star ships, all meals, drinks, onboard entertainment, and guided excursions to famous sites like the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. Airport or hotel transfers are often included too, with options ranging from standard to luxury and sometimes combined with Red Sea stays.
Egypt trips offer a mix of history, culture, and relaxation. Most trips include visits to the Pyramids of Giza, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, often combined with a Nile River cruise. You can also add beach time on the Red Sea in places like Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. Options range from classic sightseeing tours to family-friendly and luxury itineraries, with guided tours, transport, and accommodation usually included.
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