Cairo - Egypt

Cairo is an exotic, chaotic and amazing city! And if you're planning a trip to Egypt, you can't miss at least 3 days to explore every corner of the capital. With a tourism that goes far beyond the pyramids, in this post I separated some suggestions of what to do in Cairo

First of all, I'm going to answer this question, which is probably running through your head right now. The truth is that you don't need a guide to explore the Egyptian capital and the city can be explored without needing someone to take you to the main places.

But isn't it dangerous? My experience in the city was quite peaceful and I felt that the tourist area of Cairo is well prepared to receive tourists, with policing in several stretches. But I think it's important to point out some safety measures: don't go to places outside the tourist area, dress appropriately and be aware of the "friends of tourists"

However, visiting Cairo accompanied by someone who will tell you in more depth about the city's history and the peculiarities of the Egyptian people is a very enriching experience!

If you're not used to traveling to exotic places like this and are afraid to walk the streets alone, I think it's a good idea to hire a guided tour. It's better to have someone who gives you that security and go out on the streets carefree.

For those going to Egypt for the first time, Cairo is an almost obligatory stop. In addition to being a gateway to other must-see places in the country, such as Luxor and Aswan, Cairo is reputed to be one of the oldest cities in the world.

Pyramids of Giza

Let's start, of course, with the classic! Going to Cairo and not visiting the Pyramids of Giza is like going to London and not seeing Big Ben. Although they are not the only pyramids in Egypt, perhaps it is possible to say that they are the main ones. The complexity and size of the buildings is really quite impressive.

To get an idea of its importance, it is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still exists. Not to mention the impressiveness of the look. A curiosity is that although until recently many people thought that they were built by slaves, some discoveries were made recently and today it is believed that paid professionals were responsible for the construction.

They were erected around 2700 BC. intended to become tombs for the pharaohs and their families. Surrounded by symbolism, they are located on the west side of the Nile River, which is where the sun sets and which symbolizes the side of death.

The pyramids are located in a large archaeological complex. Therefore, there you will not only find the pyramids, but also the famous sphinx and some tombs and small temples. In total, there are three pyramids (Cheops, Chephren and Menkaure).

It's super worth taking the time to explore the complex, as there's a lot of history to learn, in addition to having quite a look for you to take lots of pictures. And to get to know every detail of history in depth, I suggest taking a 1/2 day tour.

Pyramid of Saqqara

Very close to Cairo, about 33 kilometers away, is the Pyramid of Saqqara. Its importance is not small: it is the first Egyptian pyramid, with almost 4,700 years of existence. It was built in honor of Djoser.

This pyramid is located in the largest archaeological site in all of Egypt, with an extension of almost 6 kilometers. There you will also find other tombs and eleven more pyramids (although not all of them are open to the public), which are frequently updated, as there are constantly new discoveries about the structures that are there.

The Saqqara complex is located in the city of the same name – Saqqara, the necropolis of Memphis, capital of Ancient Egypt. To get to know it, I suggest taking a full-day tour that includes both the Pyramids of Giza and the Pyramids of Saqqara.

Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is the most important in the country and one of the most relevant to the history of the world as we know it today. It is located in Tahrir Square, right in the center of the capital. Inaugurated in 1863, the museum has an impressive collection of around 120,000 pieces, including pieces from the ancient empire, royal mummies, statues such as Nefertiti and, most famously, the treasure of Tutankhamun.

Tutankhamun's treasure is the museum's highlight, and is located in the east and north wings. There are approximately 1,700 pieces that make up the set, one of which is known from history books, which is the pharaoh's mask in life size, all made in gold.

How to Visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

The Egyptian Museum is open daily from 9am to 7pm. Other practical information and data about the collection can be found on the museum's website.

Entry costs 120 LE . If you want to visit the mummies room, the most important part of the museum, admission costs 240 LE.

And as for the need for a guide, I don't think it's entirely necessary. We didn't hire one ourselves, but the visit is much more enriching with a guide sharing the best of each wing.

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*All images used in this article are Copyright Free and Royalty Free Images.