Tips to Escape the Tourist Crowds in Cairo

Make the most of your time in Cairo by joining Culture Trip’s exclusive small-group Egypt tour, led by our Local Insider.

While most tourists run to see the Great Pyramids and Sphinx in the morning, you can beat the crowds by visiting at night. The sound and light show is also at night, so you can save on a tour guide by listening to the Sphinx narrate Egypt’s ancient history. During the show, the pyramid complex and Sphinx light up to make for an unforgettable experience.

Cairo has high and low seasons. The busy periods are during Christmas, the New Year and Easter. Usually, the city witnesses heavy crowds (both locals and tourists) during these peak times because of the long holidays. However, since the city is a year-round destination, you can skip these crowded seasons and avoid the price hikes, too.

Most tourists know this is a diverse city with lots of attractions, such as the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, Cairo Citadel, Islamic and Coptic Cairo and the Egyptian Museum. It can be tough to see all these attractions as a first-time visitor, especially if you are trying to make your way through the crowds. For that reason, it is better to book trips in Cairo with a travel agency. These professionals will choose the best times to visit sites and manage your stay perfectly.

The further you get from the capital, the more you can breathe fresh air. There are many great options for weekend getaways and day trips from Cairo; head to Fayoum for sand boarding and desert safaris, Alexandria for architectural wonders and Ras Sudr for kitesurfing.

One way to see some of the top neighbourhoods in Cairo is on a felucca (sailboat) ride on the Nile. Avoid Cairo’s never-ending traffic, tune out the crowds and forget all your worries as you enjoy the breeze on the longest river in the world.

Rise above the city with a climb up the 187m (285ft) tall Cairo Tower. It sits in Zamalek, one of the most affluent districts in the city, and offers panoramic views of the capital. Aim to get to the top for sunset.

The Egyptian Museum is home to more than 120,000 ancient Egyptian relics. Most tours combine the Great Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum together, so try heading to the museum in the evening when the tourists have been and gone.

In Old Cairo, this bazaar is a favourite of both residents and tourists for its unique shopping experience and vibrant environment. But during the weekend, Khan Al-Khalili can be packed. Head here on a weekday instead and enjoy shopping for souvenirs, traditional clothing, delicious spices and more.

Some of the most beautiful mosques in Egypt are in Cairo. Since most people will rush to the Muhammad Ali Mosque, which lies inside Cairo’s prominent citadel, you can avoid the crowds by exploring other (equally beautiful) mosques. However, since you shouldn’t miss the Muhammad Ali Mosque, rise very early one day to see it first thing in the morning.

Cairo is home to some of the best Coptic architecture on the planet, including stunning churches. One church that sits away from the crowds is the Monastery of Saint Simon in Mokattam, also known as the Cave Church. It is so-called because the church is quite literally within a mountainside cave.

As most of the Egyptian population is Muslim, the holy month of Ramadan is a sacred time. Most tourists avoid visiting during this month, thinking there won’t be much to do – but that is not true at all. Everything is open (just note that most things close two hours earlier than usual) and you will not have to deal with the usual rush. Plus, you’ll get to experience Egyptian culture up close and witness the unique Ramadan spirit.