Cairo

Marvel at the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and is a must for anyone fascinated by the magnificent Great Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. Situated on the Nile this vibrant and fascinating city is a perfect blend of old and new
Modern Cairo lies between the Pyramids and the Citadel where you will see a mix of minarets and skyscrapers, luxurious hotels, parks and gardens - but you can still see the sunset over the Nile which. flows through the heart of this unique city.
Cairo can easily be combined with any of our Nile Cruises and a range of resorts across Egypt. In addition we offer a city break with a difference. Three nights is the perfect amount of time to see the fascinating sights of this cultural city. For more details please call our specialist staff.
Cairo can be divided into 4 categories:
• Pharonic Cairo
• Coptic Cairo
• Islamic Cairo
• Shopping and entertainment

It is impossible to see it all in a single visit but here we describe some of its many delights:

Pharonic Cairo

The Great Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza: Even if you are not interested in ancient history it is impossible to get tired of the Pyramids. Rising from the desert the three Pyramids erected by King Cheops and guarded by the mysterious Sphinx are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of the the most important tourist sites in Egypt.
Saqqara: The most preserved ancient burial-ground in Egypt. It is also the site of The Step Pyramid, the first proper pyramid built for King Zoser in the 27th-century BC by the architect Imhotep
Memphis: One of the oldest cities on earth, it is believed that legendary Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt throughout the Old Kingdom.
The Egyptian Museum: Located in the heart of Cairo is one of the world's most famous museums. 

Coptic Cairo

The Hanging Church (al-Mu'allaqua): Originating in the 4th century, the hanging Church was built over the southern gate of the fortress of Babylon. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, its treasures include a 14th-century wall-painting of the Nativity.
Church of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus: A 5th-century basilica, built over a crypt where the Holy family are believed to have stayed during their flight into Egypt.
Church of St.Mercurius (Ahi, Sefein): A unique collection of Coptic art including 175 icons representing scenes from the Old and New Testaments wall paintings, etchings and stained glass.

Islamic Cairo:

The Citadel of Salah Al-Din: Built between 1176 and 1182 AD, the Citadel fortress provides a panoramic view of Cairo from the Moqattam Hills.
Al-Azhar mosque: The first Fatimid mosque arid the oldest Islamic University in the world, founded in 970 AD.
The Blue Mosque (Mosque of Aqsunqur): Famous for the indigo and turquoise tiles that decorate the interior.
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun: Built between 876 and 879 AD in the classical courtyard style this is Cairo's oldest, intact mosque, still in use today.
The Islamic Museum: Includes works of art from all over the Islamic world, ranging from large architectural pieces rescued from mosques to ceramics, manuscripts and tapestries.

Shopping and entertainment

Cairo offers an amazing selection of shopping,leisure, culture and nightlife. Shopping ranges from the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar, to modern air-conditioned shopping centres.You are sure to find almost anything and of particular note are spices, perfumes, gold and silver, carpets, brass and copperware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics and Egyptian cotton. When you need a break from city life, try a round of golf on the famous Mena House course overlooking the Pyramids or visit the Zoo and the Botanical Gardens. You can take a trip on the Nile in a felucca or to really get away from it all you can go to the top of the 187 metre high Cairo Tower which has with views of the city from all sides and a revolving restaurant.

Cairo comes alive at night, the best time to shop, eat delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, or simply watch the world go by from a pavement cafe. You can dine in a floating restaurant on the Nile, sample a shisha at a coffee-shop or see oriental dancers and shows at a luxury hotel. The splendid Opera House complex houses several galleries (including the Museum of Modern Art), restaurants and concert halls and don't forget the most essential after-dark experience, the Sound and Light show at the Pyramids, a unique combination of light and music recounting the story of antiquity.

Excursions  

Here are some of the things to see & do whilst staying in this exciting city

All tours are based on a minimum of 2 persons participating

For a full list of all optional excursions, please email a request to: sales@discoveregypt.co.uk

Full Day Pyramids, Sphinx, & GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum)

See the great Pyramids of Giza – Cheops (Khufu), Chephren and Mykerinos. Enter inside one of the Pyramids (subject to opening and extra cost LE 1500, payable locally by credit card) Then visit the Valley Temple - the place where the priests mummified the dead body of King Chephren, owner of the second pyramid at Giza Plateau. Take a close look at the Sphinx - the legendary guardian that stands by the huge funeral complex with its lion body and the head of King Chephren. Continue to the GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum) for lunch (not included).

See the wonders of ancient Egypt at the Grand Egyptian Museum. See the world's only Hanging Obelisk, the breathtaking Grand Hall, the majestic Grand Staircase Gallery with over 60 remarkable artefacts, and the awe-inspiring Main Galleries. Within the twelve exhibition halls of the Main Galleries, explore Egypt’s rich history, spanning from prehistoric times to the Roman era. Delve into the lives, spirituality, and burial practices of the Egyptian people as you experience millennia of their extraordinary civilisation. The Tutankhamun mask is one of the most iconic artifacts in the world and is a key part of the Grand Egyptian Museum's collection along with along with a vast collection of other artifacts from the tomb, most of which have not previously been exhibited. The mask, a gold funerary mask, was discovered with Tutankhamun's mummy in 1925

See the Solar boat, dedicated to display the reconstructed Khufu ship, a solar barque of pharaoh Khufu. It was constructed between 1961 and 1982, just a few metres from where the Khufu ship was found on the southern side of the Great Pyramid

Price per person:                                      £138 (minimum two persons)

Half day Pyramids and Sphinx

See the great Pyramids of Giza – Cheops (Khufu), Chephren and Mykerinos. Enter inside one of the Pyramids (subject to opening and extra cost approx. LE 1500, payable locally by credit card) Then visit the Valley Temple - the place where the priests mummified the dead body of King Chephren, owner of the second pyramid at Giza Plateau. Take a close look at the Sphinx - the legendary guardian that stands by the huge funeral complex with its lion body and the head of King Chephren. It may be possible to take a short camel on the plateau (pay locally).

Price per person –                                          £78 (minimum two persons)

Full Day Egyptian Museum and Citadel – includes lunch.

The Egyptian Museum, in Tahrir Square, is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East and houses the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world. The museum displays an extensive collection spanning from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era. Among the museum’s unrivalled collection are the complete burials of Yuya and Thuya, Psusennes I and the treasures of Tanis, and the Narmer Palette commemorating the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under one king, which is also among the museum’s invaluable artefacts. The museum also houses the splendid statues of the great kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, the builders of the pyramids at the Giza plateau. An extensive collection of papyri, sarcophagi, and jewellery, among other objects, completes this uniquely expansive museum. After lunch, continue to the Citadel of Saladin (12th century) first where you will visit the famous alabaster mosque of Mohamed Aly Pasha (19th century) representing the Ottoman style of architecture. Afterwards, spend a brief time wandering the bustling streets of Khan Al Khalili market.

Price per person group tour – Sunday                £95

Price per person – any other day of week (minimum two persons)                                       £129

Full Day Pyramids, Sphinx, & Sakkara – includes lunch. 

See the great Pyramids of Giza – Cheops (Khufu), Chephren and Mykerinos. Enter inside one of the Pyramids (subject to opening and extra cost approx. LE 1500, payable locally by credit card) Then visit the Valley Temple - the place where the priests mummified the dead body of King Chephren, owner of the second pyramid at Giza Plateau. Take a close look at the Sphinx - the legendary guardian that stands by the huge funeral complex with its lion body and the head of King Chephren. It may be possible to take a short camel on the plateau (pay locally). After lunch continue to Sakkara, home to Zhoser’s step pyramid. The step pyramid was constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC, and was the template for all future pyramid construction, including the Great Pyramids of Giza. Three major discoveries have recently been made at Sakkara, including a prime minister's tomb, a queen's pyramid, and the tomb of the son of a dynasty founding king. Learn about the unusual layout of the pyramid of Userkaf, enter inside the pyramid of Teti and afterwards visit the small Imhotep Museum and see the site’s artefacts.

Price per person group tour– Saturday                                                                                  £95

Price per person – any other day of week (minimum two persons)                                       £129

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

See the wonders of ancient Egypt at the Grand Egyptian Museum. See the world's only Hanging Obelisk, the breathtaking Grand Hall, the majestic Grand Staircase Gallery with over 60 remarkable artefacts, and the awe-inspiring Main Galleries. Within the twelve exhibition halls of the Main Galleries, explore Egypt’s rich history, spanning from prehistoric times to the Roman era. Delve into the lives, spirituality, and burial practices of the Egyptian people as you experience millennia of their extraordinary civilisation. The Tutankhamun mask is one of the most iconic artifacts in the world and is a key part of the Grand Egyptian Museum's collection along with along with a vast collection of other artifacts from the tomb, most of which have not previously been exhibited. The mask, a gold funerary mask, was discovered with Tutankhamun's mummy in 1925See the Solar boat, dedicated to display the reconstructed Khufu ship, a solar barque of pharaoh Khufu. It was constructed between 1961 and 1982, just a few metres from where the Khufu ship was found on the southern side of the Great Pyramid.

The 12 Main Galleries are divided into four main sections:

Prehistoric to The Second Intermediate Period:

This section explores the rise of early societies and the powerful royal legacies who united Egypt and built the first pyramids. Societies during this era were highly stratified, with the king seen as a god-like figure who maintained order. Beliefs centred on the afterlife and the king’s divine role in ensuring cosmic balance, with monumental tombs and temples reflecting the deep connection between rulers and the gods. Egypt's illustrious Old Kingdom gave way to the First Intermediate Period, marked by a fragmented era and the emergence of powerful provincial governors.

Middle Kingdom to Second Intermediate Period:

This section displays the resurgence of centralized power and royal legacies. Society became more inclusive, as ordinary people began to gain access to elaborate funerary practices previously reserved for royalty.

New Kingdom:

This era marked the height of Egypt’s imperial power, with royal legacies of warrior-kings like Ramesses II and queens like Hatshepsut. Egyptian society was

rich and diverse, with society expanding through military conquests and trade

Third Intermediate to Graeco-Roman Period:

As Egypt transitioned into foreign rule, society adapted with a fusion of Egyptian and Greco-Roman traditions. The royal legacies of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, ending with the reign of Cleopatra, exemplify the blending of Egyptian and foreign influences 

GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum)

See the wonders of ancient Egypt at the Grand Egyptian Museum. See the world's only Hanging Obelisk, the breathtaking Grand Hall, the majestic Grand Staircase Gallery with over 60 remarkable artefacts, and the awe-inspiring Main Galleries. Within the twelve exhibition halls of the Main Galleries, explore Egypt’s rich history, spanning from prehistoric times to the Roman era. Delve into the lives, spirituality, and burial practices of the Egyptian people as you experience millennia of their extraordinary civilisation. The Tutankhamun mask is one of the most iconic artifacts in the world and is a key part of the Grand Egyptian Museum's collection along with along with a vast collection of other artifacts from the tomb, most of which have not previously been exhibited. The mask, a gold funerary mask, was discovered with Tutankhamun's mummy in 1925. See the Solar boat, dedicated to display the reconstructed Khufu ship, a solar barque of pharaoh Khufu. It was constructed between 1961 and 1982, just a few metres from where the Khufu ship was found on the southern side of the Great Pyramid. We at Discover Egypt estimate the visit to the GEM needing 3 – 4 hours for an overview of each section and allowing time for a refreshment break at one of the many outlets inside the museum. For a more in-depth visit and inspection of all the artefacts suggest 5 – 6 hours including an optional refreshment break.

Our prices include:

Collection from and return transport to hotel

Entrance fees

Discover Egypt guide/Egyptologist

Half day tour                        £88     per person (minimum two persons) 

Full day tour                        £115   per person (minimum two persons) 

If you wish to spend more time in the museum, we can offer full day with the guide and transport back to the hotel OR you can continue with one of the local GEM appointed guides (at a local charge) and arrange your own transport (taxi or Uber) back to the hotel.

Half Day Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square)

The Egyptian Museum, in Tahrir Square, is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East and houses the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world. The museum displays an extensive collection spanning from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era.

Among the museum’s unrivalled collection are the complete burials of Yuya and Thuya, Psusennes I and the treasures of Tanis, and the Narmer Palette commemorating the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under one king, which is also among the museum’s invaluable artefacts. The museum also houses the splendid statues of the great kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, the builders of the pyramids at the Giza plateau. An extensive collection of papyri, sarcophagi, and jewellery, among other objects, completes this uniquely expansive museum.

Price per person –      (minimum two persons)                                                         £78

Full day Coptic Cairo and National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) – includes lunch.

Visit Old Cairo, known as Christian Coptic Cairo, which is among the most important locations visited by the Holy Family, and where the then Governor of Fustat, enraged by the breaking of idols at Jesus’ approach sought to kill the Child. The family took shelter in a cave above where, in later years, the Church of Abu Serga (St Sergious) was built. Also visit the Church of Abu-Sergah and St. Barbara, the hanging church.

After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) which is situated in the Fustat area of Cairo. The museum displays a collection of 50,000 artefacts, presenting Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day – the main attraction being the 22 Royal Mummies which were moved from the Egyptian Museum in 2021.The permanent collection is divided into two separate regions, one chronological the other thematic. The chronological areas are: Archaic, Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, Medieval, Islamic, modern, and contemporary. The thematic areas are Dawn of Civilization, The Nile, Writing, State and Society, Material Culture, Beliefs and Thinking and the Gallery of Royal Mummies.

Price per person: (minimum two persons)                                                                             £129

Full day Islamic Cairo and Gayer Anderson Museum– includes lunch.

Visit the Citadel of Saladin (12th century) first where you will visit the famous alabaster mosque of Mohamed Aly Pasha (19th century) representing the Ottoman style of architecture. Continue to the mosque of Sultan Hassan (14th century) representing the Mameluke style of architecture and the mosque of Rifai (19th century) that has the mausoleum of the last kings of Egypt as well as the last Shah of Iran Reza Pahlavi. After that see the ninth century mosque of Ibn Tulum, which is considered the oldest mosque intact in Egypt, it is unique with its minaret that has external stairs. Next door to the Mosque is the Gayer-Anderson Museum - founded in 1937 in two ancient residences, the Beit el-Kiridiliya from 1632 and the Beit Amna Bent Salim from 1540. In the museum, you will see the private collection of Major Gayer-Anderson along with furniture, glassware, crystal, carpets, silks and embroidered Arab costumes.

After lunch in a typical Egyptian restaurant, go to the Gate of Conquests (Bab el Fetouh), one of the original gates of Cairo and the nearby Gate of Victory (Bab el Nasser) and (optional) walk* to the third remaining gate, Gate of Zweila (Bab Zweila), where you will climb to the top and see a panoramic view of Islamic Cairo.

(* the walk between the gates takes approx. 1 hour and involves steps)

Price per person: (minimum two persons)                                                                              £129

Full day Coptic and Islamic Cairo – includes lunch.

From your hotel, drive to and explore the Cairo’s Coptic heritage. Take a guided tour in the Coptic Museum where a unique collection of antiquities is in a very charming display, then take a walk in the Coptic quarter to see Egypt’s iconic churches; enter the sanctuary of the Hanging Church, climb broad steps into the Church of St. George, then visit the St. Barbara Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the legendary site where baby Moses is said to have been found.

Continue to the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, which dates from around 1361, and was architecturally conceived as a complement to the older structure. This was part of a vast campaign by the 19th century rulers of Egypt to both associate themselves with the perceived glory of earlier periods in Egypt ‘s Islamic history and modernise the city. Afterwards, visit the Ibn Toulon Mosque which represents another important Islamic era that your guide will explain. Then drive to Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, also known as the mosque of the most resplendent. Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah of the Fatimid Caliphate commissioned its construction for the newly established capital city in 970. Its name is usually thought to allude to the Islamic prophet Muhammad's daughter Fatimah, a revered figure in Islam who was given the title az-Zahr?.the shining or resplendent one. It was the first mosque established in Cairo; a city that has since gained the nickname "the City of a Thousand Minarets. After your tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Price per person: (minimum two persons)                                                                                          £129

Full day tour to Alexandria (from Cairo)

The Library of Alexandria was reborn in October 2002 to reclaim the mantle of its ancient namesake. It is not just an extraordinarily beautiful building; it is also a vast complex where the arts, history, philosophy, and science come together. Moreover, the myriad activities it offers have made it a place for open discussion, dialogue, and understanding. Pompeii’s Pillar, a column of red granite brought from Aswan in Upper Egypt, standing some ninety feet high, with a circumference of twenty-seven feet, the pillar was erected in honour of the emperor Diocletian.

The Citadel of Qa’it Bay, a 15th-century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean Sea coast, in Alexandria, Egypt. It was established in 1477 AD by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa’it Bay. The Citadel is situated on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharos Island at the mouth of Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour. The Qa’it Bay Citadel is considered one of the most important defensive strongholds in Egypt and along the Mediterranean Sea coast. It formulated an important part of the fortification system of Alexandria in the 15th century AD. The citadel was built on the exact site of The Lighthouse of Alexandria which was one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Our excursion includes escorted return transport, guiding, entrance fees and lunch.

Price per person: (minimum two persons)                                                                      £139

To Pre-book an excursion

Either call 020 7407 2111 or your travel agent.

Excursions may be booked locally in Egypt however there could be additional charges based on the number of participants on the tour.

Updated October 2025. Prices subject to change