Cairo · Giza · Egypt

Cairo and Giza

The capital of Egypt and the pyramid plateau: Islamic Cairo, the Coptic quarter and the museums; and in Giza the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara and Dahshur.

Cairo and Giza

In the photo: The Nile and the island of Gezira, with the Cairo Tower at its center.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Cairo and Giza form a single urban area on both banks of the Nile, just before the river fans out into the Delta. Cairo, the capital, occupies the east bank and the islands; Giza lies on the west bank, where the city ends at the edge of the desert and the pyramid plateau begins.

On the west bank are the three great pyramids and the Sphinx, part of the UNESCO site of Memphis and its necropolis, which continues south to Saqqara, with Djoser’s stepped pyramid, and Dahshur, with the pyramids of Pharaoh Snefru. The Grand Egyptian Museum, beside the plateau, houses the Tutankhamun collection.

On the other side of the river, Historic Cairo, also a UNESCO site, preserves mosques, religious schools and ancient city-gate portals, from Saladin’s Citadel to the Ibn Tulun Mosque and Al-Muizz Street, which ends at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. To the south, the Coptic quarter contains the Hanging Church, and in Fustat the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization displays the royal mummies.

Between one site and another, the Nile, the cafés and the city’s traffic are part of the experience. Trains and flights to Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria and the Red Sea depart from Cairo.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Cairo, Giza.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Cairo and Giza is

Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Cairo and Giza

✈ Cairo International Airport (CAI), in Cairo · 20 km to Cairo

The arrival city is Cairo. Cairo International Airport (CAI) receives flights from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia; Sphinx Airport (SPX), west of Giza, is close to the pyramids. Trains connect Ramses Station with Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan.

Suggested arrival point: Cairo

Cairo · Cairo and Giza Capital Suggested arrival point

Cairo

The capital of Egypt, on the east bank of the Nile, with Historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site: Saladin’s Citadel, the Ibn Tulun Mosque, Al-Azhar Mosque, Al-Muizz Street and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. To the south are the Coptic quarter and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization; in Tahrir Square is the Egyptian Museum.

Giza · Cairo and Giza Capital

Giza

City on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Cairo, capital of Giza governorate. On the edge of the desert, southwest of the center, the plateau rises with the three great pyramids and the Sphinx, with the Grand Egyptian Museum beside them. To the south, Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis complete the necropolis inscribed by UNESCO.

The local experience

Things to do in Cairo and Giza

Cairo · Cairo · Museum

Egyptian Museum

Museum in Tahrir Square, in central Cairo, with statues, sarcophagi, jewelry and objects from all periods of ancient Egypt, housed in a 1902 building.

Giza · Giza · Archaeological site

Pyramids of Giza

The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, with the queens’ pyramids and the temples, on the Giza plateau. Khufu’s is the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world still standing.

Cairo · Cairo · Fortress

Citadel of Saladin

Medieval fortress on the Muqattam hill, built by Saladin in the 12th century, containing the Mosque of Muhammad Ali with domes and minarets, and views over Cairo.

Giza · Giza · Monument

Great Sphinx

Colossal statue with a lion’s body and a human head, carved from the rock of the Giza plateau, in front of Khafre’s pyramid, beside the valley temple.

See 11 more places in Cairo and Giza

Giza · Giza · Museum

Grand Egyptian Museum

Museum on the edge of the Giza plateau, with the complete Tutankhamun collection, a monumental stairway of statues and thousands of ancient Egyptian pieces.

Cairo · Cairo · Mosque

Ibn Tulun Mosque

One of Cairo’s oldest mosques, from the 9th century, with a large courtyard surrounded by arches and a minaret with an external spiral staircase.

Cairo · Cairo · Market

Khan el-Khalili

Traditional market of Islamic Cairo, with alleys of shops selling lanterns, spices, textiles, jewelry and copper, and old cafés, next to the Mosque of Al-Hussein.

Giza · Giza · Archaeological site

Saqqara

The necropolis of Memphis south of Giza, with Djoser’s stepped pyramid, considered Egypt’s first major stone construction, and tombs with reliefs of everyday life.

Giza · Giza · Archaeological site

Dahshur Pyramids

The Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, built by Pharaoh Sneferu in the desert south of Saqqara, mark the transition to smooth-sided pyramids.

Cairo · Cairo · Historic street

Al-Muizz Street

Main street of Fatimid Cairo, between the gates Bab al-Futuh and Bab Zuweila, with mosques, religious schools, palaces and medieval baths.

Giza · Giza · Archaeological site

Memphis

Site of the first capital of unified Egypt, at Mit Rahina, with an open‑air museum that houses a colossal recumbent statue of Ramesses II and an alabaster sphinx.

Cairo · Cairo · Mosque

Al-Azhar Mosque

Mosque founded by the Fatimids in 970, linked to one of the oldest universities in the Islamic world, with a marble courtyard and minarets from different periods.

Cairo · Cairo · Church

Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa)

Coptic church in Cairo’s Coptic quarter, built on the towers of the Roman fortress of Babylon, with a wooden boat-shaped ceiling and ancient icons.

Cairo · Cairo · Museum

National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

Museum in Fustat, in southern Cairo, that tells the history of Egypt from prehistory to recent times and displays the mummies of kings and queens in a dedicated hall.

Cairo · Cairo · Viewpoint

Cairo Tower

A 187-meter concrete tower on Zamalek island, with an observation deck and a revolving restaurant, offering views of the Nile, Cairo and, on clear days, the pyramids.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From October to April the days are usually mild and dry, good for the pyramid plateau and for walking through Islamic Cairo. From May to September the heat is strong, with highs that often exceed 35 °C. During Ramadan, which shifts dates each year, shops and sites change their opening hours.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three to four days allow one day for the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, one for Saqqara and Dahshur, and one or two for Islamic Cairo, the Coptic quarter and Cairo’s museums.

Which city to stay in

In Cairo, downtown and the island of Zamalek are near the museums and the Nile; Garden City and the riverbank have hotels with views. In Giza, hotels near the plateau are a few minutes from the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, but far from Islamic Cairo. Heliopolis and Nasr City, to the east, are near the airport.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Cairo and Giza

How many days should you stay in Cairo?

Three to four days: one for the Giza pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, one for Saqqara and Dahshur, and one or two for Islamic Cairo, the Coptic quarter and the museums.

Where to stay in Cairo to see the pyramids?

In Giza, near the plateau, to arrive early at the pyramids; in downtown Cairo or Zamalek, to be close to the museums, the Nile and Islamic Cairo.

Do you need a car in Cairo?

It’s not recommended to drive. Taxis, ride-hailing apps and the metro cover the city, and hired drivers take you to Saqqara and Dahshur.

What is the best time to visit Cairo?

From October to April, when days are milder. In summer the heat is intense, especially on the pyramid plateau, which has little shade.

Can you go from Cairo to Luxor by train?

Yes. Trains depart from Ramses Station, including a sleeper night train, and the journey takes about 9 to 10 hours. There are also daily flights of roughly one hour.

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Cairo and Giza

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.