Zamalek
Ideal for: couples, quiet stays
On an island in the Nile, a calmer residential area with cafés and restaurants.
Cairo
The pyramids of Giza, the Nile and a huge, lively capital.
Plan your stay in Cairo
Best areas to stay in Cairo
Downtown (Wust El Balad)
Ideal for: first visit, budget
In the heart of the city, near Tahrir Square. Very lively and noisy.
Nile banks (Garden City, corniche)
Ideal for: comfort, families
Large hotels with river views, in the centre.
Giza, near the pyramids
Ideal for: short stays, sightseeing
Hotels with views of the pyramids, but far from downtown.
Practical info about Cairo
Cairo is huge and traffic is very heavy: allow plenty of time for each journey, and use ride-hailing apps or a pre-booked driver. The Giza pyramids are west of the city.
It is very hot for much of the year: visit early in the morning. Covering clothing is required at religious sites. Opening hours and prices of sites and museums change: check the official websites.
What to see in Cairo
- The Giza pyramids and the Sphinx;
- the Grand Egyptian Museum, officially inaugurated on 1 November 2025 near the pyramids, with the treasures of Tutankhamun;
- Islamic Cairo, Saladin’s Citadel and the Khan el-Khalili souk;
- Coptic Cairo;
- day trip: Saqqara and Djoser’s Step Pyramid.
Luxor is about an hour’s flight, or a night on the train. All our tips, including the visa, in Travel in Egypt.