Slow Travel Guide to Cairo, Egypt – Insider Tips to Discovering City

Written By: Dee Nowak

Cairo based travel blogger Dee Nowak, shares her insider tips on how to travel to Cairo, Egypt slowly.

This slow travel guide takes you away from the chaos and usual whirlwind tours taken by tourists. 

Introducing Cairo, Egypt

cairo egypt city with pyramids
Welcome to Cairo

We had been given strict instructions before getting off the tour bus: “Meet back in the parking lot entrance if we get lost, and drink plenty of water. Don’t make deals with the camel handlers – they will literally take you for a longer ride than you’ve bargained for. Better not even make eye contact.”

Our tour group filed off the bus and we spent the next few hours on a whirlwind tour of the Giza pyramid complex, with an Egyptian guide bravely enduring the heat and shouting out bits of ancient history.

I even got some photos with only a few people in the background to photoshop out.

It was 2009 and the tourist crowds were thick.

That night, after collapsing in my hotel room for a brief nap, we toured the old souk of Khan el-Khalili.

That was my first trip to Egypt.

cairo egypt souks

It wasn’t until a few years later, after I’d been living in Cairo for a while as an expat, that I realized I had hardly experienced the pyramids at all on that day.

This epiphany came over cold beers at the Marriott Mena House lounge bar.

A view of the pyramids was right in my face, just like it had been for the entire day I’d spent gazing out at them from my hotel balcony.

cairo egypt travel guide pyramids

I was awe-struck at their sheer size and power, and then more complicated questions came.

How lonely and terrifying did the deserts seem to ancient Egyptians whose line of vision was constantly broken up by these royal tombs?

Were the pyramids meant as a constant reminder of the kings’ might?

There hadn’t been time for much thought on my first visit when I was mostly occupied with dodging souvenir vendors.

And though I can’t say I regret that first trip (it gave me that first taste of Egypt – and it was cheap), I am very glad my travels in the country didn’t end there.

The Slow Guide to Cairo

Now imagine this: Egypt is on your bucket list like it is for thousands of people, and you’ve been saving and planning to take that once-in-a-lifetime trip.

You’ve researched the monuments and battled with worries about whether Egypt is safe.

Now you’re likely tempted to pack as much into your itinerary as possible.

But if you really want a once-in-a-lifetime experience while doing justice to the incredible sights you’ll see, then put quality time over quantity and an exhausting must-see list.

pyramids of giza
Take it slow and soak in the peaceful moments

You may not cross off all the city’s religious sites, mosques, and monuments during your stay, but the places you will see are going to offer richer and more memorable experiences.

So where do you start in a city this overwhelming?

A city notorious for traffic jams, with a population of at least 9 million, filled with honking cars, tuk-tuks and shouting street vendors?

If you only have a few days in Cairo, I’d recommend at least a day at the pyramids, and another day for the old souk of Khan el Khalili and a felucca sail down the Nile River in downtown.

This will give you a good perspective of the city and its history, without leaving you exhausted.

The Giza Pyramid Complex

cairo travel guide to slow travel palm trees and pyramids

It’s autumn, there’s a chill in the air, and the tourist crowds are growing but still thin enough.

It’s the perfect time to visit Cairo, and the pyramids should be at the top of your itinerary.

However touristy they may get with the dressed-up camels and plastic souvenirs, they are still well worth a day trip into Giza.

Avoid Taxis take an Uber or Careem

Get an Uber or Careem to avoid the common tourist’s tale of heated haggling with a taxi driver over price fare.

And make sure to get a tour guide who won’t just rush you from point A to B (I’d recommend: Asmaa from Walk Like An Egyptian, who really understands slow travel).

Stay the Night

cairo travel guide egypt pyramids at night

The pyramids are gorgeous when they’re lit up at night, and I’d recommend staying for dinner in Giza or spending the night at a gorgeous hotel with a view.

Plenty of Airbnbs have also cropped up nearby offering lower price options and vantage points to take in those magnificent views over an Egyptian breakfast of fava beans and falafel.

And while it may be tempting to pick up a few souvenirs from the vendors inside the complex, I’d recommend shopping at the stores in the surrounding streets where shopkeepers tend to be more laid back and where most things are labeled with price tags.

Expert Shopping Tips:

Cheap, made in China souvenirs have infiltrated all major tourist points in the country, but it’s still possible to find vintage postcards, pyramids made locally from alabaster and dense perfume oils at the local shops.

Grocery stores are also underrated, hidden treasures if you’re looking to try out some local foods, or load up on spices, halva, hibiscus or sweets to take back home.

Khan el Khalili

cairo guide souks in morning

Cairo’s famous souk is an intricate web of winding alleys and backstreets filled with shops, centuries-old mosques, and workshops where artisans still practice traditional crafts.

And while some tour groups tend to descend on this iconic bazaar district at night, when the traditional metal lanterns are lit up and when the historic Moez Street is illuminated in colorful lights, I love visiting during the day and wandering down the side streets to explore.

Get there early

cairo travel painted doors off the beaten path

When I visited Khan el Khalili last month with a friend, we headed out at 6 am just as the first vendors were setting up.

I loved the few hours of quiet when we had the streets nearly to ourselves.

Get an early start and you can marvel at the Islamic architecture and go exploring down side streets without having to fight your way through crowds.

The route

I love starting off with strong coffee at El Fishawy, a gorgeous cafe nestled in a tight alley that legendary Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz reportedly frequented.

travel guide cairo egypt ceramics

If you’re a bookworm, then reading a Mahfouz novel like Midaq Alley (set in Khan el Khalili) will give you a taste of the souk’s daily life and atmosphere.

There are dozens of mosques, madrasas, sabils, and gates you’ll find in this part of the city and I definitely recommend a tour guide for getting around.

Though you definitely shouldn’t miss Al-Azhar Mosque – a vast, open-roofed structure established in 972 whose minarets have recently been restored.

mosque cairo egypt

Nearby is the Abdel Zaher Bookshop, a favorite haunt of mine where you can pick up gorgeous leather notebooks and have them engraved with your name or any special message in English or Arabic.

Moez Street

Moez Street is the gem of this neighborhood: a kilometre-long street closed off to cars that’s packed with architectural treasures and often called an open-air museum.

At least a few hours should be set aside to explore the treasures along this route.

My favorite is Bayt Al-Suhaymi, an old Ottoman-era house museum where you can see stunning wooden furniture and marble work, and catch a glimpse of the daily life of centuries past.

mosque cairo
The Alabaster mosque is situated in the Citadel of Cairo – It’s worth visiting at least one of Cairo’s Mosques on your Visit

I also love Al-Hakim Mosque, built by the controversial figure its named after who’s been called either a divine ruler or an insane tyrant, depending on the source.

The interior courtyard is surrounded by striking tall arches framed with flowing curtains, while the structure is topped with some very unique minarets.

If you have time, the nearby Azhar Park is a great place to sit in the grass and rest your feet while being surrounded by views of the old city and its minarets.

While tall, modern apartment houses threaten to overtake these views, it is still a peaceful spot to watch the sunset.

A Felucca Sail in Downtown

felucca downtown cairo on the nile

There’s more to Cairo than its ancient Egyptian and medieval past.

It’s a multilayered city of contrasts where you can both smoke shisha in a traditional ahwa or sip a latte at Starbucks, sometimes on the very same street.

To get a well-rounded idea of the city, you shouldn’t miss its downtown.

A sail in a felucca, a traditional wooden sailboat, is a perfect way to end the day.

You can hire a boat for an hour or two from the few stands set up near Qasr El Nil Bridge (heading in the direction of Garden City), and you can bring food onboard for a meal as you take in views of the hotels and skyscrapers along the corniche.

It’s always a few degrees cooler on the water, and the noise of the traffic quickly disappears as you sail down the Nile River.

For all its hectic pace, Cairo is often best enjoyed at a slower pace.

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the slow travel guide to Cairo Egypt
Slow Travel Guide to Cairo

Did you enjoy this slow to guide Cairo, Egypt? If you’ve been to the city, leave some tips in the comments below and share your best advice for visiting Cairo.

Read More about Egypt:

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
  • Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

About Dee Nowak

Dee is a Cairo-based travel blogger who loves slow travel and exploring local cultures. Born in Poland, she grew up in Arizona and has traveled widely across Europe, the U.S., and Egypt. Dee loves exploring lesser-known destinations and getting off the beaten path. Follow Dee at VanillaPapers / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

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10 thoughts on “Slow Travel Guide to Cairo, Egypt – Insider Tips to Discovering City”

  1. Well done my friend!! Keep doing this great job!
    Am getting ready to book a tour of Cairo after the covid19 situation is over & your blog is quite useful.

    Reply
  2. Excellent info on Cairo.
    After reading this post, now I love to visit Cairo City in this summer season.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  3. You give a clear instruction to visit Cairo. However, I have a question. Is this city is safe for traveling now? Is there any threaten thing for visitors.

    Reply
  4. I have always wanted to visit Egypt cos Im inlove with their culture but i never did cos I have heard it is very unsafe for women. Donno if that is just some stupid stereotype or truth but I hope I’ll go there one day.

    Reply
  5. Great information! Never knew spending the night was an option, that sounds like what I want to do. Seeing the Pyramids at night would be amazing.

    Reply
  6. I enjoy experiencing the history of every place I visit, but I make sure to investigate all the modern parts of the town, because it gives me a chance to connect with people, and experience the culture as it is, atm.

    Reply