Things to do in Cairo at a glance
Start in the old city. Khan el-Khalili is a market district in the historic Al-Hussein quarter, and the Al-Hussein and Al-Azhar mosques stand right beside it. Al-Muizz Street runs south from the bazaar area past mosques, madrasas and old gates. The Saladin Citadel, Coptic Cairo and the Tahrir museum are separate stops, each worth its own half day.
Historic Cairo has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1979. It is a historic cityscape, not one ticketed attraction, so each monument has its own entry price. If you prefer a guide, look at the Cairo tours to Khan el-Khalili and Islamic Cairo before you plan the days yourself.
Our pick: a day in old Cairo
Islamic and Coptic Cairo in one day, a good frame for the rest of your Cairo list.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Cairo tours and day trips
Guided walks through the bazaar and Islamic Cairo, evening tours and trips to the main sights, with live prices and availability.
The old city around Khan el-Khalili
Four stops you can reach on foot from the bazaar district.
The bazaar itself
Khan el-Khalili is an open market district. There is no general entry ticket and no single opening time, because each shop and café sets its own hours. Late afternoon and evening are the usual times to come. Goldsmiths, coppersmiths and spice sellers still trade in their own areas.
History of the bazaar →Al-Muizz Street
The street runs from Bab al-Futuh to Bab Zuweila and is named after the Fatimid caliph al-Muizz. The ministry counts 29 monuments of different periods along it, so not everything is Fatimid. Bayt al-Suhaymi, an Ottoman house with a courtyard and carved wooden screens, has its own ticket.
Walk the street →Al-Azhar and Al-Hussein
Al-Azhar was begun in 970 and finished in 972. It is still a place of worship and teaching. Al-Hussein is a separate mosque in the bazaar quarter. Dress modestly and treat both as active mosques, not as museums.
Al-Azhar Mosque →Gates and great mosques
Bab Zuweila, the southern gate of the Fatimid wall, dates to 1092. Its two minarets belong to the neighbouring Al-Muayyad Mosque, built from 1415 to 1421. The Sultan Hassan complex on Salah al-Din Square faces the Al-Rifai Mosque.
Islamic Cairo →Ticket prices and hours compared
Foreign visitors, adult and student prices in 2026. Hours can change with the season and in Ramadan.
| Place | Adult | Student | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Muizz Street monuments | EGP 220 | EGP 110 | 09:00 to 17:00 |
| Bayt al-Suhaymi (separate ticket) | EGP 220 | EGP 110 | 09:00 to 17:00, Friday 09:00 to 16:00 |
| Bab Zuweila | EGP 100 | EGP 50 | 09:00 to 17:00 |
| Sultan Hassan with Al-Rifai | EGP 220 | EGP 110 | 09:00 to 17:00 |
| Saladin Citadel | EGP 550 | EGP 275 | Opens 08:00 or 09:00, last entry 16:00 |
| Egyptian Museum, Tahrir | EGP 550 | EGP 275 | From 09:00, last entry 16:00 |
| Coptic Museum | EGP 100 to 280 | EGP 50 to 140 | 09:00 to 16:30, last entry 16:00 |
| Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue | Check at the entrance | 09:00 to 16:00 | |
Children under 6 enter the Citadel, the Tahrir museum and the Coptic Museum free, and students need a valid ID and must be 24 or younger. The Al-Muizz ticket does not cover Bayt al-Suhaymi. Tickets are sold on the state ticket website, in the Experience Egypt app and at the counters, and paid tickets cannot be refunded, so check the date before you pay. For most first-time visitors, Al-Muizz Street, the Citadel and the Tahrir museum make a good core for a first visit. For the Coptic Museum, ask at the ticket desk which rate applies.
The Citadel and Coptic Cairo
The Saladin Citadel stands on the Muqattam heights with a wide view over the city. Building began under Saladin in 1176 and ended under al-Kamil in 1207. Inside are the Muhammad Ali Mosque, the Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque and the Suleiman Pasha Mosque, plus military, police and palace museums. Not every museum room is open on every day.
Coptic Cairo lies in Al-Fustat, also called Old Cairo. The Hanging Church was built above the remains of a Roman fortress, which explains its name. The Ben Ezra Synagogue next door is known for its Geniza documents and is no longer used for services. The Coptic Museum is a short step away. Note that "Old Cairo" does not mean the bazaar quarter.
Egyptian Museum: the Tahrir building
The museum on Tahrir Square is a different ticket from the Grand Egyptian Museum. The Tahrir ticket costs EGP 550 for foreign adults and EGP 275 for students in 2026, and smartphone photos are free. Check which museum your tour or hotel desk means before you pay.
The Grand Egyptian Museum belongs to the Giza side of the city. Its ticket now includes the Tutankhamun galleries, the main galleries, the Grand Staircase and the Khufu boat museum. For hours and tickets, see the guide to the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Cairo Tower and the Nile
Cairo Tower is 187 metres high. Naoum Chebib designed it, and it was built from 1956 to 1961. It has an observation terrace and a restaurant. Check the current entry price at the tower. The Nile corniche runs along the river; boat rides on the river and cruises have their own guide at the-nile.org.
Al-Azhar Park is a public park beside the old city. It sells its own entry ticket, so check the current price and hours at the gate.
How to combine the stops
Three simple days, each built around one area.
Day one: the old city
Walk Al-Muizz Street from Bab al-Futuh to Bab Zuweila in the morning, see Al-Azhar and Al-Hussein from the outside or inside as the rules allow, and keep the bazaar for the late afternoon and evening.
Day two: Citadel and mosques
Go early to the Citadel for the Muhammad Ali Mosque and the view, then continue to Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifai on one ticket.
Day three: Coptic Cairo and the museum
Visit the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra and the Coptic Museum in the morning, then take the Tahrir museum and, if time allows, the Nile and Cairo Tower at dusk.
Plan the rest of your Cairo trip
Detailed guides for each stop and the practical pages.
Things to do in Cairo: frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Cairo?
Three days cover the old city, the Citadel, Coptic Cairo and the Tahrir museum at an easy pace. Add time if you also plan Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Is Khan el-Khalili free to enter?
The open market district has no general entry ticket. Guided tours and nearby monuments are separate purchases, and each shop sets its own opening hours.
Where can I buy tickets for the monuments?
On the state ticket website, in the Experience Egypt app or at the counters on site. Paid tickets are not refundable, so check the date first.
Is the Egyptian Museum the same as the Grand Egyptian Museum?
No. The Tahrir museum and the Grand Egyptian Museum are two places with separate tickets. Only the Grand Egyptian Museum ticket covers the Tutankhamun galleries.
Are the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue free?
Ask at the entrance whether a fee applies. Both are open daily 09:00–16:00.