Cairo Things to Do Tips by PierreZA

The museum is situated on Tahir Square, next to the Nile Hilton.
It houses an amazing amount of Egyptian antiquities and much more.
The amount of time you will spend here depends on your interest in the history of Egypt, it can be hours or several days!). I think the minimum time needed is a halfday.
You can have a guided tour (there are guides around the museum who will approach you), or go by yourself.
At least visit the Tutankhamun galleries, and Royal Mummy Room.
This museum is visited by MANY tourists, try to go early morning, before the tour busses arive.
You need to go throiugh a few security checks on entering and photography is not allowed.
Entrance fees: EPound 50, and a extra ticket EPound 100 for the Royal mummy room.

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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

This lively souq dates back to the 1300's.
Although it could be a tourist trap, it is much more than that. If you take time to wander around you will find areas where many locals buy at this market.
If you do want to spend money, haggle!haggle!haggle!
What you can buy: brass items, leather, belly-dance outfits, prefume, spices etc.
You will find coffee houses and the market is very lively at night, with a great atmosphere.
A taxi from downtown should not be more tha 15 EPounds.

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Address: From Al Azher st.,Cairo

The citadel dates from the early 800's. It is a complex of different buildings, including the great Mosque of Mohammed Ali. There are many other sites you can visit, other than just the mosque, including a Police Museum and other mosques.
If you walk around the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, you will have a great view of Cairo, including the pyramids on the horison! Don't miss this spectacular view.
Entrance fee to the citadel is EPound 40 and is all inclusive

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Address: South-East Cairo
Website: http://www.touregypt.net

Maybe one of the reasons why one go to Cairo or Egypt? A must see.
I organised a tour before I left for Cairo, at my local tour operater, which I think was a good idea. I therefore was not troubled by anybody while visiting.
A guide also gives the history, background and myths of these world wonders.
I am not going to write all the detail of the pyramids, as one can red about it easily.
What I can say is that these pyramids are huge, and a fantastic experience.
It costs EPounds 50 to enter the area, which includes evrything, including the sphinx, but excludes entrance to the inside of any of the pyramids.

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Directions: Giza plateau, much closer to Cairo than I thought!

I first saw this mosque, with it's neighbour, from the Citadel. It is quite big and a very impressive building.
On entrance, a dark passage leads tho the big courtyard, with four recesses. They are arched, and were the actual areas where Islam were taught.
There are lamps hanging from the very high roof areas.
The inside of the mosque is also very impressive.
You will pay an entrance fee at the gate, which is for both mosques.

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Directions: Just below the Citadel.

You might be approached by several camel owners for a camel ride. It is very important to know exactly what the price is, and also what the trip consist of.
The advantage of a camel trip is the great views you have of the pyramids.
If possible, go in a group.

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Directions: At the pyramids

The Christians in Egypt are known as Copts. Christianity was the predominant religion in Egypt before Islam.
This area in Cairo feels totally separated from the chaos of the city.
Here you will find churches, a synagogue and mosques.
A very rich history will be found in this area.

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Address: Old Cairo
Website: http://www.touregypt.net

A felucca ride down the Nile in Cairo is a pleasent experience. I took a ride just before sunset, which was great.
You can decide on the lenghth of the ride, but you will pay per hour. You need to haggle once again. There are mooring points along the corniche.
I do not know what the average price would be, but paid EPounds 60, for an hour.
At night there are many motor-driven sight-seeing boats, which seems very popular with the local in-love couples.

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I did not see any tourists in this area during the hours that I spent here. In this suburb/part of Cairo you will find very friendly people, whom mostly speak Arabic and no English. If you want to experience the everyday life of the people of Cairo, I'm sure you will find it here. There are many fresh produce markets, a great textile/cloth market and cheap clothing markets.
Here people come to do their daily shopping for meat, fruit and vegetables etc. I came across a butcher who did speak English very well, and spend a lot of time with him, learning about the people of Cairo.
You will also pay much less for anything you buy here. Nobody wanted me to buy anything - which was so different from some more popular tourist markets.
If you like to meet local people and go a bit off the beaten track, do visit Bulaq.

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Directions: If you walk along the Corniche, you will find the bridge : 26 July. Go under and you will see Used Car Parts Markets - you can enter the area from there.

This beautiful gate is the only gate that remains on the southern side of old Cairo.
The two minarets are from the Mosque of Al Mu'ayyad, just next to the gate.
Around this area you will find the tent-makers souq, schools and more traditional shops.
It is worth exploring the area around here. You will eventually end up at Khan El Khalilli if you continue through the gate, pass the mosque onwards.

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Directions: Area Al-Azhar