Explore the wonders of this sprawling city
Set on the banks of the Nile, Egypt’s capital Cairo is steeped in history. Its astonishing heritage sites and diverse neighbourhoods, both modern and traditional, enthral. Known as the ‘city of a thousand minarets’ due to its concentration of Islamic architecture, Cairo is a vibrant multicultural hub. Just outside rests the Great Sphinx of Giza, the Pyramids of Giza rising extraordinarily from the sand behind.
Discover the traditional crafts and souvenirs made by Egyptian artisans within Khan el-Khalili, the Middle East’s largest bazaar, from woodwork, glassware and leather goods to perfumes, fabrics and Pharaonic curiosities.
Meander through Cairo’s many museums, such as the Grand Egyptian Museum, where you can marvel at King Tutenkhamun’s entire treasure collection, and the National Museum of Egypt Civilisation, which boasts a collection of some 50,000 artefacts.
Cairo is also the gateway to other parts of Egypt, with easy access to the Nile. You can spend an evening relaxing with a cruise on a felucca, take a day adventure to the Red Sea to bask in the sunshine on sandy beaches, or set off in a Jeep across the rolling dunes of the Sahara to discover the treasures of Egypt’s magnificent desert landscapes.
In the Mokattam Hills of Cairo, you can visit the incredible Monastery of Saint Simon, known as the Cave Church, the largest church in the Middle East. On the way, you’ll drive through Garbage City, gaining the opportunity to learn about the Zabbaleen people and a one-of-a-kind community built on rubbish sorting.
Cairo’s restaurants and cuisines cater to every taste, with prominent neighbourhoods like Zamalek, Downtown Cairo and Maadi offering memorable dining spots and plenty of local flavour. Dine aboard a boat restaurant for a meal with a view, followed by a delightful sunset cruise on the Nile.
As evening descends, venture into downtown Cairo to experience the city in full swing at one of its famed jazz clubs. Or, head to the Giza Pyramids for a spectacular sound and light show under the night sky.
Highlights
Visit the one remaining ancient wonder of the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza
Embark on a food tour, savouring Egyptian specialities in downtown Cairo
Admire the world’s largest collection of Egyptian artefacts held within the Egyptian Museum
Gaze up at the awe-inspiring Sphinx from between its paws
Admire the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa’i Mosque in the Citadel of Saladin
Go shopping at Khan El Khalil Bazaar and conquer the labyrinth-like streets
Stroll through Historic Cairo to discover the wonders of Al Muizz Li–Din Allah Al-Fatimi street
Jack Beckford
Travel Designer
Cairo is a great place to visit during a tour of Egypt, as it offers the best of both worlds. From ancient tombs and temples, to a lively night scene full of music and authentic eateries, the neighbourhoods of Cairo offer such different experiences. I personally really enjoyed the private morning visit to the Pyramid of Giza, which was followed by a lovely breakfast situated so I could continue to admire the landscape.
Jack Beckford
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Cairo
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
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Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Explore more of Egypt
Alexandria
Located on Egypt's shores on the Mediterranean Sea, Alexandria is a city with timeless allure and a captivating blend of history and culture. This coastal gem invites you to immerse yourself in a tapestry of ancient wonders, where legendary landmarks and architectural marvels stand as testaments to its rich heritage.
Discover moreAswan and Abu Simbel
Aswan and Abu Simbel offer a fascinating historical escape and picturesque landscapes. Explore the remarkable ancient temples that bear witness to a storied past, or embark on a leisurely cruise along the Nile.
Discover moreLuxor
Luxor is known today as the world's window into the history of Ancient Egypt, as it was once the ancient city of Thebes, and is the home of archaeological sites such as the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings, and the majestic temple complexes of Karnak.
Discover moreNile
Step back in time as you sail along the same waters that once cradled the pharaohs and witnessed the construction of iconic monuments.As you journey along the Nile, witness the modern cities that have sprung up, paying homage to the ancient wonders that continue to inspire awe.
Discover moreRed Sea
Located south of the Sinai and near the Eastern Desert, the Red Sea Riviera is the place to go if you're looking for long days soaking up the glorious sun and enjoying fantastic seaside and family activities.
Discover moreSahara
The Sahara engulfs most of north Africa, including massive swathes of Egypt. In fact the Nile Valley, where the bustling metropolis of Cairo sits, officially falls within the Sahara’s reach. That being said, rolling dunes and vast, empty yellow sand plates are easily accessible from the capital and hold incredible opportunities to uncover rich culture, prehistoric history, and lush oases complete with waterfalls and pools.
Discover moreMeet your Middle East team
When to Visit
The best time to visit Cairo is between October and April, when temperatures are balmy and pleasantly cool. May to September is quite hot, reaching highs of 35°C (95°F), but the wind on the Nile makes a river cruise a great idea if you do decide to visit during these months for the lighter crowds and lower prices.
Pyramids of Giza
October - April
Board a cruise ship in Cairo and sail along the Nile
in September
Cooler temperatures make sightseeing easier
in November
Explore the streets of Cairo
September - May
Plan your trip to Cairo
Whatever you want from your adventure in Cairo, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
We’ve traveled with Jacada several times (5 or more) and each one is spectacular. The hotel selection, local guides, and trip coordination are all customized and on target with our style. Our most recent trip was to Morocco…. Our favorite part was a toss up between the Agafay desert stargazing vs the Essaouria exploring vs the food tour in Marrakech.…
We booked a 9 day trip to Egypt through Jacada travel (we are avid travelers but had not worked with Jacada before). Trip was for four with two of our adult children. We visited Cairo/Aswan/Abu Simbel/Luxor and Hurghada on the Red Sea. We did this trip by land vz a boat on the Nile (either means are a great option).…
Kudos to Jack and Grace for coordinating all the details for our spectacular two weeks in Egypt and Jordan. They listened to our preferences and selected perfect, luxurious properties where we seemed to always land in one of the best rooms. We moved around quite a bit, and their drivers, airport valets and guides were with us every step for…
Jacada was our first choice for creating a memorable holiday experience. It all began with a very empathetic phone call where they carefully listened to our preferences, dos, and don’ts. We were kept well-informed throughout the booking process. Everything was so well-organized that there wasn’t much we wanted to do differently. We completely trusted their recommendations for hotels, guides, drivers,…
We loved our trip Jacada planned for us in Egypt. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Jacada was able to get in EVERYTHING we wanted to see in Egypt without feeling too rused. The whole experience of planning was fun and easy. Can't wait to plan more trips
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