Cairo, Egypt

Compiled by FatPassport's travel experts

Home of the world's most amazing archeological sights
Cairo, Egypt

Many Travelers? Huge Tourist Crowds
Likes: The Pyramids
Dislikes: Dirty; vendors are a pest

Cairo is a must-see for the world traveler, and seeing the Pyramids just outside Cairo is a lifetime highlight. Here it’s all about history and archeology, and travelers come to marvel at the Pyramids and the Sphinx, and to see the amazing historic items in the Egyptian Museum.

The Pyramids in neighboring Giza are one of the wonders of the world, and viewing the Pyramids on the back of a camel is an amazing experience. The Sphinx, also on the Giza plain, is another wonderful highlight. In the Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo you’ll see a vast array of items from ancient Egypt, including mummies, statues, hieroglyphs, and the stunning finds from the tomb of King Tutankhamen, including his famous golden mask.

Also here in Cairo is a huge and fascinating market called Khan El Khalili, one of the great traditional markets in the world where vendors sell everything from gold, to custom-mixed perfumes, to all the everyday items that Egyptians require. Shoppers may also enjoy looking around for famed Egyptian cotton (towels, etc.) as well as touristware such as paintings on papyrus. By western standards prices are low...at least if you bargain well.

Prices are reasonable in Egypt, with accommodations available for travelers in any budget range. Cairo merits at least three days of exploration for the must-sees, and there are plenty of interesting things around for those that have more time.

The wonders of Cairo don’t necessarily come easy for the inexperienced traveler. The city can be dirty, and there are plenty of vendors to hassle you at just about every turn. Though this can detract from the experience, for most the attractions far outweigh the annoyances.

Egypt is a Muslim country, which makes some westerners apprehensive to visit. They shouldn’t be. Egyptians may not like the governments of the US or other countries, but they like the people. The only complication of visiting a Muslim country is that female travelers should dress conservatively. A bit ironic for a Muslim nation is that there are small casinos here in some of the nicer hotels, where you can play roulette or blackjack...perhaps beside of some Gulf types who have A LOT of money to play with.

Summers in Cairo can be extremely hot, and winters can be surprisingly cool. Windstorms can hit between March and May. All things considered, the ideal months to visit are September and October, with November, March, and the second half of May also being fine times to come.

Drink only bottled water here, and eat only foods which have been cooked or peeled. It’s important to ensure that your travel vaccinations are up to date.

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