Cairo Things to Do Tips by Q-Man

There is more to the Pyramids than just Giza. In fact there are 2 other areas just as impressive if not more. Here's how to see all of them in 1 day. Hire a taxi for the day and follow this guide from Part 1 to Part 3. If you have an extra day, do part 1 & 2 in the one day and part 3 the second day.
First go to Memphis and Saqqara.

Memphis: This was the capital city of Eqypt for most of the Pharaonic times. What you'll find here in today's time is a museum containing the fallen collasal statue of Ramses II. There are several other artifacts and statues worth seeing. Visit will last 1-2 hours. When finished hop into your taxi and head to Saqqara.

Saqqara: Encounter the massive step pyramid of Zoser and his funeral complex. You'll have to walk through a hypostyle hall with its 40 pillars before reaching the pyramid. Here you'll find that it's calmer than Giza. This visit is worth a few hours before heading off to Dahshur.

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Address: South of Cairo
Website: http://www.touregypt.net

10km south of Saqqara in the quiet of the desert is Dahshur. Here you can visit the Red and Bent Pyramid. The reason for coming here is that the pyramids are just as impressive as the Giza, its more peaceful and lacking in hawkers, and the fees are cheaper.

The Bent pyramid is as its name suggests. The builders discovered as they were building that the structure could not support its original 54 degree angle. So in order to finish the pyramid the angle was reduced to 43 degrees.

The Red Pyramid is the world's oldest pyramid. It derives its name from the color of its limestone. What makes this pyramid worth visiting is the burial chamber that is open to the public. The entrance is located 123 steep steps up followed by a 63m - long passage deep into the depths of the pyramid. You'll have to bend down in order to get to the bottom. Once there it opens into a larger chamber with more tunnels and chambers beyond. Here's a chance to be in the depths of a pyramid. Giza offers the same but you'll have to fight the lines.
This place will take a few hours also. When you're done, head to Giza. Keep in mind that Giza closes the ticket office at 5PM so give yourself enough time to get there. You'll need about 2 hours for walking around.

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The 1st thing you'll notice as you arrive here is that you'll be assaulted by the locals begging to provide you with a service. Do not let them con you into buying your entrance fees. You must go directly to the ticket office and buy them yourself.
The second thing you'll notice is that the pyramids is planted next to a bustling suburb. What happened to all those romantic and majestic pictures you always see? They're usually taken with the camera's back to the city.
After you have purchased your entrance fees, walk at your leisure to the pyramids. Take your time to walk around all of them and seeing them from different angles. You can buy tickets at 8AM and 1PM to enter into the Pyramid of Khufu however cameras are not allowed inside. There's no need if you've been to the Red Pyramid of Dahshur. To take a picture of all the pyramids together and without the city in the background, have your taxi drive you to the last parking lot further into the desert.
When you are done with the Pyramids, walk down towards the Sphinx and spend some time there.

Throughout all this there will be many trying to sell you a ride on their camels. A favorite trick is to offer to take a free photo with you sitting on their camel. Then before you can react the camel will get up and start walking for a short distance with the ride ending with a demand of payment for services rendered. If you want a camel or horse ride, go to the stables MG or AA in Nazlet as-Samaam, the village near the Sphinx. The ride is about 25 Egyptian pounds/hr. The ride and pictures are best done near sunset.

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Address: Al Haram Str., Gizeh, Cairo
Website: http://www.touregypt.net

Yes this is a tourist trap. But as long as you are aware of this, it can be an enjoyable experience.
Tips on buying:
- Bargaining is a must. Offer 30% of the total of what they are offering and go from there.
- Don't show interest in what you want.
- Don't buy from the 1st store. See what the competitors have and then if you must, return to the same store.
- Remember, let the bargaining be a fun experience.
- Last tip: as a foreigner you'll always pay more than what it's worth. Just remember these people are less fortunate than you.

A must is to visit Fishawi's coffehouse ( in an alley one block west of Midan Hussein). Go there for coffee and relax. It's entertaining to watch the roaming salesman and the many women and children trying to sell you their many wares. Fishawi has a claim that it's been open for the last 200 years.

Go to Beit el-Suhaymi to see the finest example of a 19th century family mansion built during the Mamluk times. The exterior is plain but once you enter through the tunnel-like entrance you'll encounter a beautiful courtyard. Explore the many rooms with their large wooden doors, decorated walls and ceilings, tiled floors. Imagine how they worshipped in their large prayer rooms or gathered for intimate conversations in the family rooms. Admission is 20 Egyptian pounds. It's located down an alley off Sharia al-Muizz li-Din Allah. Ask the police for directions. They are always around.

Time for lunch! Try the Khan el-Khalili Restaurant & Mahfouz Coffee Shop. It's the only upscale restaurant in the area with the only clean toilets in the khan. Call ahead to reserve a table as they are popular with tour groups. (590-3788) 5 Sikket el-Baddistan

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Address: From Al Azher st.,Cairo

This is the best park in Cairo. It is 30 hectare filled with green grass, trees, bushes, flowers, a small lake, water channels, a children's playground, a restaurant and a cafe. This is the best way to wind down from a busy day. Of course you have to pay to get in but it's worth it. It's built on a hilltop that overlooks the city and scenery itself is worth it. Being on a hill allows for cooling winds coming of the Nile to encircle it.
Take the time for a stroll. Grab an ice cream or soda. Relax. Enjoy the scenery. Watch the locals enjoy themselves.

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When you're in Cairo the 1st thing you see is the Pyramids of Giza. The 2nd is the Eqyptian Museum. If you're into artifacts, you can lose yourself in here for many hours. If you simply just want a taste of all the major artifacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun, the 3-4 hours is enough.
The museum itself is quite a mess. There is no order to things. It looks like a place that has ran out of places to display their treasures and everything is stuffed into every available crack and corner. There are over 120, 000 relics and antiquities stored here. There are plans for a newer and bigger Museum close to the Pyramids of Giza to be finished by 2009.
Dispite the haphazard and disorganized nature of the museum there is a charm to its eccentricity, and the fun is just letting yourself wander and stumble onto half hidden & unexpected treasures.

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Phone: (202)5782448
Address: Midan El Tahrir, Cairo 11557
Directions: not far from Nile Hilton Hotel
Website: http://www.egyptianmuseum.gov.eg