Best Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt 2016
Cairo is Calling
One of the most loved and fascinating historical periods is the ancient Egyptian era. None of us can get enough of the history behind the pharaohs and the mind-boggling engineering of the world-famous pyramids. Egypt sure was something thousands of years ago, and guess what? It still is! Cairo is the country’s capital, and you’ll find plenty of old and new to explore when visiting the Middle East’s largest city. Can you hear that? That’s right! Cairo is calling!
- Arab Music Festival: Egyptian music is wonderful on the ears. It’s haunting and melodic, and you’ll find yourself swept away as you hear it throughout Cairo. If you’re visiting the city in November, check out the Arab Music Festival at the Cairo Opera House. This festival takes Egyptian music and kicks it up a notch with Western melodies. Trust me: It’s a feast for the ears!
- Belly Dancing: The Egyptians take their belly dancing seriously, and many of the professional belly dancers are celebrities in Cairo. When visiting this amazing city, there are two types of dancing you should see: Sufi, which I’ll discuss further below, and belly dancing. You’ll find belly-dancing clubs in downtown Cairo, so sit back, order a drink, and enjoy the show!
- Cairo Market: Known to the locals as Khan el-Kalili, this open-air market is the biggest in the city, and it is definitely calling your name! Head to Cairo’s heart and spend hours (I’m talking hours) wandering the stalls of goods. You’re going to find everything from foods to jewelry to kitschy souvenirs for everyone on your list. Oh, and haggle! The merchants expect it!
- Camel Ride: Y’know, can everyone say they’ve ridden a camel? Nope, probably not, but you can if you take a camel ride while in Cairo. Sure, these critters are big and extremely stubborn, and no, I really wouldn’t want to make one mad, but they are fun and kind of scary to ride, and you really have to try it. Hang on tight and experience a horseback ride of a very different kind!
- Citadel: Officially called the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, this beautiful medieval complex rests on Mokattam Hill. The Citadel is rich in medieval Islamic history, and you’ll learn all you need to know about Egypt during medieval times by wandering through the historic mosques and museums that make up the Citadel. You’ll also be blown away by the view of Cairo below!
- Egyptian Museum: This is the premiere Egyptian museum in the world. You’ll find all you can digest of ancient Egyptian history and some amazing artifacts to boot! View the pure gold death mask of the most famous pharaoh of all, Tutankhamen, then read the book of the dead (unless you’ve seen The Mummy, of course, and are afraid to), and imagine you lived in ancient Egypt.
- El Sawy Culturewheel: The El Sawy Culturewheel is the place to be in Cairo for entertainment. Shows of all varieties are put on nightly at this venue in the Zamalek district. Whether you want to laugh at a local comedian or bang your head to some serious metal music, there’s something for everyone at Sawy, even educational programs for the kids!
- Fagnoon: Unleash your inner child, and let your kids do the same, by spending the day at Fagnoon Art School. What is Fagnoon? Only the coolest place in Cairo! Kids and adults get to go crazy with face and other painting, playing with clay, and just playing at this wonderful kid-friendly establishment. You can even take a picnic lunch and enjoy it there!
- Giza, the Great Pyramids: Okay, they’re not exactly in Cairo, but they’re pretty darn close and an obvious place to visit. You cannot visit Egypt without seeing the Great Pyramids, and these amazing feats of architecture are not only one of the Seven Wonders of the World but also a quick bus ride away. You can even go inside the Pyramid of Cheops and pretend you’re Indiana Jones!
- Giza, the Sphinx: Yeah, you have to see this, too! The Sphinx is actually further away from the Great Pyramids than it appears. Still, it’s a quick jaunt and worth every minute of the ride. This amazing carving is surrounded by temple ruins, also very much worth the visit. You’ve seen a ton of pictures, but you really do need to the Sphinx for real!
- Hot-Air Balloon: After you’ve seen the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx on foot, an even better way to enjoy them is from the air. One of the most fun things to do in Cairo (well in this case, just outside of Cairo) is to take a hot-air balloon ride over the Great Pyramids. Yes, you can do this, and it’s worth it… unless, of course, you’re terrified of heights!
- Kahwa El Borsa: This place is not for the little ones. You’ve heard of a hookah; well, the Egyptians call it a “shisha,” and many enjoy a nice smoke from one. Inside the water pipe is tobacco covered in molasses, and yes, you smoke it. The best place to kick back and enjoy a shisha? The café Kahwa El Borsa near Cairo’s Stock Exchange. Hey, when in Egypt…!
- Mokattam Hills: Cairo is very crowded and quite polluted, unfortunately, but you can still catch a glimpse of a beautiful Middle Eastern sunset from Mokattam Hill. You’re already up there to see the Citadel, so hang around until sunset time because you won’t believe the glorious colors the sun and smog create.
- Wikala of al-Ghuri: This venue is located near the Khan El Khalili market, and you’ll be blown away by the Sufi dancing performed nightly. You’ve heard of whirling dervishes, correct? Well, they’re the ones who perform Sufi dancing. Sit back and watch these people whirl around and around in their glorious colorful costumes. It’s really something to see!
When you hear Cairo calling, you must answer! This is an amazing city that offers its visitors so much more than just the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. You can shop, dance, eat, drink, and wander around some historic places dating back thousands of years all set within a modern environment that offers you all of the amenities you could possibly need. Cairo is calling, so pack your bags! I’m packing mine!
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