Cairo’s history is a tale of conquest and perseverance—appropriately so, as its name carries the meaning of “the triumphant” or “the conqueror.” Cairo has always been associated with the ancient city of Memphis whose history goes back 5,000 years. Memphis is 24 km southwest of Cairo, very close is the Giza Pyramid complex that holds the only remaining one of the world's ancient seven wonders the Great Pyramid of Khufu.

Throughout history, there was always a capital for Egypt but the city of Cairo we know today was founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty where it became the heart of the region's political and cultural life. The city became known as "The City of A Thousand Minarets" due to the numerous mosques, castles, and churches located within the city, along with the world's second-oldest institution of higher learning AL-Azhar University.

Cairo attractions

While being in Cairo, you will get the chance to tour around some of the treasures inherited from the Ancient Egyptians like the splendorous Giza Pyramids, the breathtaking religious sightseeing in its old part with its majestic mosques, churches, & Synagogue and of course we can’t forget mentioning that you will find in Cairo the biggest and the most interesting market ever with its different shops, stores, and the most desirable shopping items, and it’s greatest spacious Museum where you will be face to face with the best treasures ever found on earth and here are some places you’ve got to see on your visit to Cairo:

The Pyramids of Giza

Of all of Egypt's major tourist attractions, only one is at the top of any list - the Pyramids of Giza. They're Egypt's three main pyramids, built in the 4th Dynasty (circa 2550 B.C). They were built as tombs for kings and queens. You may have heard thousands of stories about the majestic wonders of the three terrific Pyramids in the Giza Complex but living the real adventure of visiting it is the real concept of adventure that must be lived. 

The Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum is one of the most important tourist attractions in Cairo and even Egypt in general. It is the first place to house the diverse rich monuments and artifacts of Egypt since 1902 where the history and culture of ancient Egypt are showcased in the most enchanting fashion. It is located on the northern side of Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo. The museum has an impressive collection of around 120,000 pieces, which include pieces from the ancient empire, royal mummies, and statues like that of Nefertiti. The Egyptian Museum tries to represent magnificent Egyptian heritage to all people around the world as it helps them connect the past with the present in one place. 

The Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum, also known as the Giza Museum, is the largest archaeological museum in the world. It is located at the edge of the first desert plateau between the pyramids and Cairo. It is a new wonder just added to the heart of Cairo to offer every traveler the chance to travel across the vast history and culture of Egypt from pre-historical times to Pharaonic to  Greco-Roman, to Coptic, to Islamic, to our modern-day in the host comfortable, advance and welcoming manner. It houses artifacts of ancient Egypt, including the complete Tutankhamun collection.

Saqqara Step Pyramid

Saqqara Step Pyramid is one of Egypt’s most iconic monuments—and rightfully so. It constitutes a significant historical turning point in ancient Egyptian funerary monuments, revolutionizing stone architecture, and royal burials. In addition to its beauty and monumental scale, it is not only the very first pyramid that the ancient Egyptians ever built; but also the oldest known ancient Egyptian stone structure. It was also built in the 27th century during the third dynasty of the pharaoh Zoser by his great architect, Imhotep. It is one of Egypt’s must-see sites.

Cairo Tower

For the best view over Cairo, visit the Cairo Tower. This 187m-high tower is the city’s most famous landmark, which represents the lotus flower; the icon of the Pharaonic civilization. The Cairo Tower is located in a privileged location as it overlooks the Nile River, with one look from the top of the tower, you will see Cairo in full in front of you; from the Nile River, passing through the Radio and Television building, and not ending with the pyramids. At the top of the tower, there is a mobile restaurant that rotates all the time to enjoy the view of magical Cairo at night while you are having dinner. It is a unique experience that cannot be missed.

Salah El-Din Citadel

Visiting Salah El Din Citadel is considered one of the best things to do in Cairo. It is a medieval Islamic fortress that is located on Mokattam hill near Cairo. It is now a historical site with mosques and museums. Salah El-Din Citadel was established in the 12th century by the famous Arabian leader Saladin. The location of Salah El Din Citadel was so important to Salah El-Din as it was located between two capitals of Cairo at that time, El-Fustat and Cairo.

Khan El-Khalili

There is no better chance to do some interesting shopping tours than those that can be done in Khan El-Khalili Bazaar. It is a major souk that is located in the heart of Islamic Cairo. It is an open-air bazaar that considered being one of Cairo’s main attractions as tourists come from around the world to visit it and buy different antiques and items from it. There are many unique and interesting places you can find in Khan El-Khalili starting from a spice market, where you can find different types of fresh spices. There is also a perfume market that is full of mixing scents. Deep inside the bazaar, there are a lot of antique shops, fabric shops, and carpet vendors.

Al-Azhar Mosque

A very important place within Islamic Cairo is the Al-Azhar Mosque. It is located in El-Hussein Square. It is the finest building of Cairo's Fatimid era and one of the city's earliest surviving mosques, completed in AD 972. It's also one of the world's oldest universities - Caliph El-Aziz bestowed it with the status of university in AD 988 and today, Al-Azhar University is still the leading theological center of the Islamic world. It is worth starting the tour of Islamic Cairo through it.

Mohammad Ali Mosque

Another Islamic thing to do in Cairo is to visit the beautiful  Mohamed Ali Mosque which is not just an ancient mosque in Cairo but also is one of the most essential historical & religious parts in Cairo because of its grandeur and its amazing location in the citadel. It was established by Mohammed Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848. It is a very important tourist attraction in Cairo and the most visible one on Cairo’s skyline. It has the style of the Mosque of Sultan Ahmed in Istanbul. Inside, its structure is incredibly beautiful, with a wealth of details and everything made in marble and alabaster. It is worth going there because of the beauty of the monument, the history of the place, and the landscape from above.

Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque

The amazing Amr ibn al-As mosque was the center of the ancient capital of Egypt “Fustat”. It was built in 641–642 AD and is considered the fourth-largest mosque in the Islamic world. It was also the first mosque to be built in Africa. The mosque was built in the previous location of the tent that belonged to the Islamic commander Amr ibn al-As.

El-Moez Street

Head to the biggest open-air Islamic Museum in Egypt and all over the world as its importance mainly came out of housing a variety of monuments that were built thousands of years ago by different rulers & elites. It is located between the gates of old Cairo Bab El-Futtuh. There, you will find tens of mosques, schools, and houses that have Islamic architectural features and are visited by thousands of tourists daily.

Sultan Hassan Mosque

With a style very similar to that of the Al-Azhar Mosque, the Sultan Hassan Mosque is another of those that is among the must-see in Cairo. It is regarded as the finest piece of early Mamluk architecture in Cairo. It was built between 1356 and 1363 by Sultan Hassan, a grandson of Sultan Qalaun. It has incredible architecture, being one of the largest in Cairo.

Bab Zuweila

Of all the Islamic Cairo district's gates, Bab Zuweila is the most interesting. It is the southern gate on the walls of Fatimid Cairo. It dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries and it is one of the last remaining gates of the Old City of Cairo. You can climb to the top of this medieval-era relic for some amazing rooftop views over Islamic Cairo.

The Hanging Church

The Hanging Church, also called Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is one of the oldest churches in Egypt. It dates back to about 1,700 years.  It is named for its position above a gatehouse of the Babylon Fortress, the Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo. This church is famous and popular among most Coptic & tourist attractions of Cairo.

To fulfill your passion for the beauty and charm of Egypt, you need to spend some special nights in the capital of Egypt “Cairo“, the city of a thousand Minarets!

At night in Cairo, you will get a different experience. When the sun sets on this immortal wonder and the shade of the night covers the entire city wonder, a new vision of beauty and glory is raised offering the chance to create some magical memories around the city that never sleeps. Discover here everything about how to spend a night in Cairo and everything you might want to get the ultimate experience:

Enjoy A Dinner Cruise While Facing the Nile

Boarding a Nile cruise in Cairo and enjoying a tasty Egyptian dinner is one of the best things to do in Cairo at night. While being on board a Nile cruise in Cairo, you will enjoy some fascinating belly dancing shows and that is not all, you will also spend a couple of hours sailing the longest river in the world and this is a truly irresistible opportunity for those who don’t have the chance to board the Nile cruise between Luxor & Aswan for 4 or 5 days. You won’t miss also the Tanoura show that is performed on the rhythm of some of the best chosen classic Arabic songs.

The Sound & Light Show at Giza Pyramids

One of the most attractive adventures in Cairo at night is the sound and light show at the Giza Pyramid. When the sun sets in the bustling city of Cairo, a story of greatness and majesty can be heard in the corner of the Giza Pyramids Plateau in the darkness of night. While attending the sound & light show in Giza, you will feel like boarding a time machine that will take you thousands of years back in time till you reach the true Egyptian legacy. You will hear also some stories about King Khufu, Khafre, and Menquare, the three major Egyptian Pharaohs who achieved what was impossible during their lives. The most interesting thing here is that you can choose among 10 different languages to hear this legacy and that is why we said that there is no chance of missing such a show at night in Giza.

Visit the Opera House in Cairo

One of the most important and captivating parts of Cairo's national cultural center is the Cairo Opera House. It is with no doubt a cultural landmark that is renowned for leadership, imagination, and excellence, and one of the best things to do in Cairo at night. Every traveler will get to witness Egypt's finest musical groups performing in the most incredible arts venue in the country and get a taste of the musical arts of modern Egypt.

Enjoy a Felucca Ride by Night in Cairo

In Cairo, you have the chance to cruise the Nile in a traditional Egyptian felucca to experience the city from the water. You will get the chance to sail down the same river through which Queen Cleopatra used to sail many centuries ago. This is one of the most special experiences that can’t be missed at night for those who want to renew their love.

Climb Cairo Tower at Night

Enjoy the best view over the horizon of Cairo city from the highest point in the capital. It is one of the tallest structures in Egypt that even surpasses the pyramids in height, created in 1961, At 187 m; it has been the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa for about 50 years. You will be able to see all of the sites with the service of a microscope, you will look at each corner in Cairo as if you are walking on it, and it is one of the tiptop activities in Cairo that you should visit at night.

Explore the Beauty of Cairo Downtown at Night

Downtown Cairo is the heart of the country, a central hub for culture and entertainment through a series of amazing activities as you can explore the great Egyptian museum and enjoy the most incredible restaurants, cafes, art galleries, entertainment centers, and countless exciting destinations.

Dance the Night Away at Vent

Besides the incomparable sites in Cairo that you can visit during the daytime, the capital of Egypt is home to a variety of live music venues, cocktail bars, nightclubs, night markets, karaoke bars, and much more that can make your tour in Cairo a truly mesmerizing one. If you want to have fun and enjoy the most activities to do in Cairo at night, visiting Cairo’s sites at night is surely one of the best things to do. So gather your friends together and enjoy the best party ever in Cairo.

Visit Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Center

For extra joy and fun, we highly recommend visiting Wekalet El-Ghouri in Cairo which is, in fact, the best architecturally stunning art center in El-Azhar. While being there, you will get the chance to attend the Tannoura Show under some musical performances, and such shows are performed by the El-Tanoura troupe for the cultural heritage that has been performed over the past 30 centuries.

Spend A Fabulous Time at Al Muizz Street By Night

Al Muizz Street shines like a flower that only shines at night containing the greatest concentration of medieval architecture in the Islamic world and one of Egypt's greatest Islamic open Museums. The enchanting Muizz Street was constructed in 969 AD during the golden Islamic age and houses carious mosques that feature the mesmerizing architectural elements of the Ayubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman dynasties which makes your time in the street at night truly majestic.

Enjoy a Night Shopping in Khan El Khalili

Shopping in Cairo is one of the famous things to do in Cairo at night. After finishing your tour in Old Cairo and discovering its impressive landmarks at night, you will find yourself in front of the largest open-air museum “Khan El-Khalili Bazaar” to which tourists come from all around the world to enjoy shopping. There you will find tons of stores, shops, cafés, and restaurants where you will be able to find some of the best antiques, original perfumes, gifts, papyrus, and all types of Egyptian Items that you will love to take back home with you. It has always been an important district for cultural & economical activities and while strolling this market, you will find a wide variety of goods from sparkling gold artifacts, silverware, stained glass lamps, handmade accessories, and last but not least, some ancient Pharaoh souvenirs.