Egypt: Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh

Cairo

Places to Visit

Do the Cairo Citadel Tour

Salahudin mosque – huge museum with mosques and great views. You need a half day here. Next is all mosques in old Islamic Cairo: Mazars. Sayeda Nafeesa, Sayeda Zainab and Hussain mosque. Hussain mosque is a tour and there is a huge Souk inside with loads of shopping, artifacts, touristy things and lots of coffee shops. Spend till late at night here. Silver and gold Souk is also inside. You can catch an Uber or taxi to get here.

From here it is not far to the Nile area. Take walks, boat rides, and tons of hotels to book on the Nile area. All places only accept Egyptian pounds so change your money at the hotels.

You can do Coptic Cairo. This is another tour to see Synagogues and Churches.

If you are staying near the Nile area it’s central to take late-night walks. Cairo is the safest place as long as you have a man with you. Do not go anywhere alone at night.

In Cairo, the Ramses Hilton has a great location and it is close to the Cairo Museum, Nile night boat rides, and also close to Talaat Harb for shoe shopping, bags, clothing, and eating out. Click here to check out Ramses Hilton.

Food

The tastiest Schwarmas are from the Syrian street shops.
A must-try is a local food basic Egyptian National dish called Koshary. It is pasta mixed with rice, sauces, and Dhals. It is divine. You can find it at a restaurant called Abu Tariq. From the Ramses Hilton, you can get to the Hussain Mosque and Khan el-Khalili which are both under 5km away. The best way to travel here is via Uber as taxis could rip you off.

If you like fast food you can find many KFC’s all around Cairo. You will also find many rice dishes in most restaurants. Just a note that the food in Egypt is really mild. If you prefer spicy food then make sure to carry your chilli sauces with you. There is also a wide variety of food in the shopping centers.

Shopping malls

If you like clothing, hijab, shoes, and bags then visit the 2 malls below:
– Genena Mall in New Cairo
– City Stars Mall (This is like Sandton)
These malls are a bit far out to travel to but it is definitely worth the visit.
City Stars Mall has 2 sides and you will need a full day to do all the floors.

Mosque tours

There are many masaajid to see in Cairo. Among the most popular are the following:

– Masjid of Ibn Tulun

– Al Sayeda Zainab Masjid

– Al-Sayyida Nafisa Masjid

If you are into Islamic History then a visit to the Muhammad Ali Masjid which is situated in the Citadel of Cairo is a must. It is also a museum and has lots of walking. You can get a spectacular view from the top of the masjid of Old Cairo.

To visit the pyramids in Giza you can take an Uber and get your tickets at the gate.

General Tips:

• Remember to keep bargaining for the best price in Egypt as people like to “take tourists for a ride”.
• Buy your souvenirs at the Hussain Masjid and not at the Pyramids.
• When at a shop just walk away before buying then the price will surely drop.
• Cairo is cold in December. So if you are traveling at this time, be sure to pack warm clothes.
• Traffic in Cairo is a killer so go early and try to use good taxis or Uber.

Sharm El Sheikh

When booking in Sharm El Sheikh only book full board with drinks and all meals because the food outside is very expensive and not tasty. So the best option is to have all meals in the hotel but I stress to take your chilli sauces with you as the food is very mild and you might not enjoy it without your own touch of chilli. You can be assured that all the food is Halaal.

There is a Carrefour Supermarket in Naama Bay (the main tourist hub in the city) which has all the other things like snacks that you will need and it’s within walking distance as well. Naama Bay is the Old City.

You can buy a local flight to Sharm El Sheikh from Cairo for $100 on Nile Air. Alternatively, you can take a luxury bus which will take between 6-8 hours. Please note that this trip could be quite tiring so you might be better off taking a flight. 

There is a European area in Sharm El Sheikh called Soho Square which is stunning. It is very diverse but the problem is that the shopping and hotels are quite expensive in this area.

Boat rides, water sports, and everything you need you can get on the beaches in Naama Bay. You can book day trips etc.
Sharm El Sheikh also has desert safari rides and mountain rides. You book this with a tour operator. You will find their kiosks all over the promenade.
Jabal Musa or Mountain of Musa is a night trip where you hike up. It is only fine in summer. It is a very challenging hike and you cannot hike up without a guide. Enquire about this hike with your tour guide. It’s not advisable.
The best activities in Sharm El Sheikh are Snorkeling and Scuba. It’s a game-changer.

Recommended Trip Duration

Cairo: 5 – 6 days 

Sharm El Sheikh: 5 days

About the Author

This article was written by Fatima Variawa. She is very experienced in Egypt as she has been there 14 times. If you have any questions about traveling to Egypt you may contact her on Instagram here, Jewel of the Nile.

Book a planned trip to Sharm El Sheik and Cairo with Globe Travel & Tours.