Cairo Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors 

Cairo is the capital city of Egypt and it is also the largest city in the Arabian Peninsula. Tourists flock to this city to have a view of ancient pyramids, which are landmarks of this land. It is also classified as a World City due to its economic growth and global network. Cairo has got the title ‘a city of thousand minarets’. Cairo has got the title ‘a city of thousand minarets, which is why it is the number one destination included in Egypt tour packages offered by travel solutions. 

Why Visit Cairo? 

Cairo has a glorious history that is depicted through some famous pyramids and sphinx. There are also several museums where tourists can have a glimpse of the ancient history of this region. The flora and fauna of the wildlife and the sight of the Nile River are other attractions that draw tourists to this place. The shopping facility, delicious cuisines, traditional music, and cultural art of Cairo are other major reasons for Egyptair airline booking to visit Cairo.   

Best Time of Year to Visit Cairo 

The autumn months of October and November, as well as the spring months of March and April, are counted as the best time for visiting Cairo. Many people also prefer the winter months between December and February due to the cool and breezy weather. Summer months should be avoided due to the excessive heat during the daytime.  

Do You Need a Visa for Cairo? 

Foreigners need to obtain a visa for visiting Cairo. They need to apply for this visa by producing their passports as their national ID proofs and a copy of their passport-sized photos. They can obtain this visa from Cairo International Airport after landing here. This visa is granted by the officers of the Egyptian border force and they simply paste a visa sticker to a blank page on the valid passport of a tourist. This single-entry visa allows a traveler to stay in Egypt for 30 days. The cost of this visa is $25.  

Travel Insurance for Cairo 

A tourist should buy travel insurance for visiting Egypt. It will take care of his/her medical expense if that person falls ill in Egypt and also to bring him/her back to the home country if the illness persists. This travel insurance policy also covers the luggage of a tourist and the insurance company will compensate if any expensive item is lost or stolen while traveling here.  It also covers the passport of the insured person and offers personal liability protection.  

What to pack and what to wear for a trip to Cairo 

Tourists need to pack conservative dresses for wearing in Egypt, maintaining the culture prevailing here. Women should not wear sleeveless or off-shoulder tops, shorts, and skin-tight attires. It is better to wear full-sleeved and loosely-fitted tops, long skirts, or full pants while visiting Cairo. Even men should not wear shorts and sleeveless t-shirts at social events. Light cotton casuals are the best for wearing in this warm weather. Women may carry scarves for covering their heads to protect from sunlight. 

Language in Cairo 

Though Arabic is the official language of Egypt, Egyptian Arabic is used as the vernacular or spoken language in this country. However, the Arabic script is used for writing in Egypt. Foreigners can easily communicate in English with local people in Cairo. Many Egyptians also understand and even speak French, Italian, and Spanish languages.  

How to get around within Cairo 

Metro rail and taxi are the main transports to move around the city of Cairo. Tourists can avail of tour buses for comfortable sightseeing at affordable prices. Metro rail cannot reach all places, like the airport area. So the taxi is the best transport for tourists but drivers may charge more in some cases. Public buses are also available on different routes of the city. 

Taste the Local Food 

Food lovers cannot miss delicious Egyptian foods available in local restaurants and street food stalls in Cairo. Kushari is fondly called the national cuisine of Egypt, which is made of rice, noodles, and lentils, topped with fried onions, and tomato sauce. Ful Medames is a spicy lentil stew served in Egyptian breakfast. Mahshi is prepared by stuffing vegetables with cooked rice. Falafel and Schwarma are other popular food items available in all food stalls of Cairo. 

Markets and Shopping in Cairo 

Khan-Al-Khalili is a famous souk in Cairo, where people can buy souvenirs, garments, ornaments, perfumes, and showpieces. Cairo Festival City Mall, City Stars Mall, Topaz Bazaar, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Arabia Cairo are the foremost shopping centers in and around this city. The Tentmakers Market, Souk Al Fustat, and Birqash Camel Market are some popular flea markets for cheap shopping in Cairo. 

Be wary of a common scam that takes place at popular attractions 

Foreign tourists need to be careful of conmen while sightseeing in Cairo. Some people may pose as fake guides to steal their money, for which they should check all credentials of a guide before hiring his service. People may also pretend to be ticket checkers or tourist officials and demand for money after taking away tickets of tourists. Foreigners also need to be careful of fraud camel handlers, hotel employees, and taxi drivers.  

Photography and camera fees  

Tourists do not need to pay fees for still or video cameras at some tourist spots. They can take external photos of pyramids for free while the camera is not allowed inside pyramids or any Egyptian tomb. They cannot take cameras inside the Egyptian Museum as well. Interior photos of mosques can be taken but without the use of flash.  

Most popular attractions in Cairo 

Pyramid of Giza, Pyramid of Khufu or Cheops, Solar Boat Museum, Pyramid of Khefre or Chephren, and the smaller Pyramid of Mycerinus or Menkaure are the prime interests of sightseeing in Cairo. The lion-bodied Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum are other attractions in Giza Plateau. The Egyptian Museum, Al-Azhar Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque, Ibn Tulun Mosque, Museum of Islamic Art, Al-Azhar Park, the Citadel, and Manyal Palace are some popular tourist destinations in Cairo. Downtown Cairo, Old or Coptic Cairo, and Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Street are other vital places for sightseeing. 

Where to Stay in Cairo  

Gezira is the most favorable place for hotel accommodations of tourists, as they can have easy access to all tourist attractions from here.  There are also plenty of hotels in Heliopolis, Dokki, and Giza. People can book these hotels when they book flights to Cairo.  

Thus, Cairo is a great tourist destination for all foreigners who love to have a view of ancient history at this place.