Best Tourist Spots In Cairo

T he capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world, Cairo has a rich cultural history, breathtaking architecture, and an incredible energy few places around the world can boast of. Founded in 2000 BC, the city has an incredible history, symbols of which are scattered around even today. 

Here’s our guide to the best tourist spots in Cairo that greet flocks of thousands of wonderstruck visitors each year. 

The Pyramids Of Giza 

It is only fit to begin this list with what the city is best known for The Pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the world and the only ancient one to remain intact even today. Located on the West Bank of the River Nile, the Great Pyramid was built over 4000 years ago and is just as regal and awe-striking as it probably was back then.

Visitors come from around the globe to gaze at this incredible mount of ancient architecture, and tourist guides and locals are quick with old folklore and tales to mesmerize them even more. There’s nothing quite like viewing these majestic creations in person, and it’s even better to explore the enthralling narrow passages, etched with history and magic at every turn. 

The Coptic Museum 

Located in the heart of Old Cairo, The Coptic Museum is a testament to the epic cultural and historical hub Cairo truly is. Established in 1908, the incredible museum houses many breathtaking Coptic arts, tracing history from Cairo’s initial days of Christianity to the modern Islamic period. History and art gurus will delight in the many intricately sculpted pieces that narrate the history of the Ptolemaic period, but the building of the museum is as incredible as the art it houses. With its intricate wood-carved structure, rich textiles, and old mosaic walls, the building has a majestic aura and magical ability to transport modern visitors hundreds of years back in time. 

The Hanging Church of The Virgin Mary 

One of the oldest churches in Cairo, the history of this building dates back to the third century. The building gets its curious name from its structure, as it is built on the ruins of two old towers from the Fortress of Babylon. With its rustic outlook, sleek marble pillars, and large doors inlaid with ivory and ebony, the church has all the marks of a breathtaking piece of historical Arab architecture.

The sublime building features over one hundred holy icons, as well as inscriptions in ancient Arabic and Coptic. Apart from its awe-striking appeal, the church also has great historical significance. It commemorates the Virgin Mary and was once the place to host synods to determine when Easter should be celebrated. 

The Khan el Khalili Bazaar

There’s no better way to dwell in the heart of a city’s energy than to frolic around one of its most famous marketplaces. The Khan el Khalili Bazaar in Medieval Cairo is a rich world of its own, with its vibrancy, constant hustle and bustle, and of course, stalls upon stalls of rich spices, aromatics, perfumes, and luxurious fabrics.

If you’d like to take some souvenirs back home with you, the Khan el Khalili market is the place to get them. Established in the 14th century, the Bazaar remains one of Cairo’s most busy places, with bewitched tourists and busy locals thronging in masses of colorful, bustling crowds. 

The River Nile 

No itinerary for Cairo is complete without a cruise down the very river featured in endless tales of war, love, and loss. From floating restaurants, nightclubs, and cruise boats, there are plenty of options on how you wish to sail atop the same majestic river Cleopatra once did!

You can opt for a luxurious cruise on a fully-equipped floating hotel with a sun deck, lounge bar, entertainment centers, inner swimming pools, and every kind of facility you can think of. 

For an unforgettable, true cultural experience, you can hop aboard a felucca (traditional sailing boat) for a leisurely cruise along the Nile. If you make it there at dusk, there’s no feeling quite like serenely bobbing on one of the most famous rivers in the world as the call to prayer echoes from nearby mosques and the gorgeous sun dips into the horizon. 

These were the best tourist spots in Cairo, one of the most popular tourist hotspots in Egypt, known to Egyptians as “Umm ad Dunya”- The Mother of the World.