Want to climb down (an ancient pyramid) into history?

Cairo, Egypt

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Trisha DePasquale & Bob DePasquale
April 07, 2025

Happy Monday traveler!

This week, we’re taking you to Cairo, Egypt. Get ready for pyramids, the Nile River, photo shoots, and markets (and plenty more if you have the time).

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Cairo is a bustling city of over 22 million people with the Nile River flowing right through it.

If it’s from the 18th century, it’s brand new

There are at least 118 pyramids in Egypt. 😲

We like to do sightseeing on our own when we travel. But we knew we’d need help from local guides with all of the history and iconic places here - best decision ever.

The Giza Pyramids are the most well-known pyramids in the world, and visiting them is a must when in Cairo. The benefits of having a guide are a smoother process with purchasing tickets and entering, knowing the best photo spots with fewer crowds, and receiving a wealth of information about the history. The three main pyramids were built for the Pharaoh Khufu, his son (Khafre), and grandson (Menkaure).

Near the Giza Pyramids is the Sphinx: a half-man and half-lion, that represents human intelligence and power. It used to be buried up to its head until King Thutmose IV had it unburied. Staring up at the Sphinx will leave you feeling a sense of awe and respect for the ancient past.

The Sphinx weighs 300 tons and is carved from stone

There is more than just the Giza pyramids:

About an hour outside of Cairo are the Dahshur pyramids, home of the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid. They were built between the reign of King Sneferu, 2613-2589 BC, and this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We found both of these were much less crowded than Giza and 100% worth visiting.

The Red Pyramid

Both pyramids are open to tourists, and to get in you need to descend backwards 50-80 meters. It’s important to take your time and watch your head. How’s that for climbing down into history?! Standing inside the burial chamber was fascinating, just thinking about how old these pyramids are and how structurally sound they were built.

The view from above while descending backwards into the Red Pyramid

If ducking and walking backwards down staircases like these isn’t your thing, go to the Saqqara Necopolis. This is the oldest man-made structure in the world and you can just walk right inside to see the burial chamber.

There is still more than just the pyramids:

Cairo has so much to offer that it’s impossible to experience the city in just a few days.

Other notable places worth visiting include:

-The Egyptian Museum, home of thousands of ancient Egyptian artifacts

-Cairo Tower, provides you with stunning views of the city, including the Nile River

-We highly recommend booking a felucca (a traditional wooden sailboat from the Mediterranean) to ride down the Nile River, especially at sunset. Check the sunset time when you book this to guarantee those sunset views.

-Opening in June 2025 is the Grand Egyptian Museum and it’s here where you’ll be able to see artifacts from King Tut’s tomb.

-Visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to see the Royal Mummies Gallery (it’s fascinating how well-preserved they are) but don’t expect to take pictures of them. Photography isn’t allowed in this section of the museum.

-We searched on Airbnb Experiences because we wanted a guide to help us navigate the nightlife in Cairo. Our guide, Salama, gave us the best time. Cairo is stunning lit up at night. Salama provided all kinds of information about Cairo, and surprised us with a reservation to have a drink in front of this spot:

Khan El Khalili Market

Speaking of Airbnb Experiences, we also knew we wanted iconic photos in front of the Giza Pyramids, so we booked a photo shoot with Hossam. He knew exactly where to go to get the best shots without the crowds and helped arrange camel rides too. Riding camels around the pyramids was a memory we never want to forget.

Photo shoot with Hossam- Bob’s turn

How to get to Cairo:

The airport code for Cairo is CAI. It’s a busy place and the hub for Egypt Air (we had a great experience with them) and Nile Air amongst others.

Egyptian visas can easily be obtained upon arrival to the airport.

Uber works great here and is more cost-effective than in the U.S. We do not recommend renting a car.

Where to Stay:

The Marriott Mena House - where the Giza Pyramids are your backyard view 👀

The Fairmont Nile City - located right on the Nile River

There are many budget friendly options downtown like Tahrir Square Hotel.

What to Pack:

Cairo is in the desert and experiences a sunny, hot, dry climate year-round. It’s important to pack lightweight clothing that covers your arms and legs from the sun.

You’ll want comfortable yet sturdy shoes for exploring the pyramids. Expect to be plenty sandy as you might imagine.

You can get away without much sunscreen if you are covered including a hat.

👋 Have an Inspiring Week

Here are a few things to help you when in Cairo.

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob

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