10 Things To Do In Egypt’s Giza And Cairo With Kids.

Looking at a trip to Egypt and wondering where to begin with planning for Cairo?  From camel rides to pyramids and delicious Koshari, exploring Cairo with kids is a grand adventure!

Of course – Egypt is one of the most famous bucketlist sites for travel.  But most travel to Egypt begins in Cairo, which is a whole different ball game for family travel.  

So here are 8 things to do in Cairo with kids first. Plus we have listed some essential tips for family travel in Egypt, kid-friendly food to try, transport to get around plus where to eat and stay in Cairo.   

• Choosing Cairo
• About Cairo
• Best time to visit?
• How long do you need?
• Getting there
• Getting around
• Things to do in Cairo with kids
• Other things to do
• Food to try
• Where to eat
• Where to stay
• Tips for Cairo with kids
• More about travel in Middle East

Choosing to visit Cairo with kids

So why Egypt? More like, why would you not!

I feel pretty confident in saying that Egypt depicts the bucket list of bucket lists for any traveller.

But as soon as we added Egypt to our itinerary we wondered what it would be like in Cairo with kids.

In truth, Egypt was a fairly last minute decision for us.

We hummed and haa’ed trying to dissect the mixed reviews about travel in Egypt with kids (safety, political tensions and cost). Then we weighed them up against our bucket-list dreams of seeing the most famous man-made structures in the world…

In the end, we decided to compromise. We had allocated the majority of our time in the Middle East to Jordan, UAE and Oman. Which meant we only had 6 days to spare in this part of the world.

We started looking in to whether this would be enough time to stay and visit Cairo with the kids, explore the famous pyramids at Giza and Saqqara and of course see the mummies at the museum in Cairo.

We decided to go for it!

What is the best time of year to visit Cairo with kids?

The best time to visit Cairo is from October to December if you want to avoid the infamous heat.  However, Cairo really is a year-round travel destination. 

For travel to Cairo with kids, the long shoulder season from October right through to April is a good time to go.  At this time of year temperatures are pleasant and the crowds are smaller than during the peak summer months. 

At this time daytime temperatures range from 15 – 26 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for touring around.

How long do you need for the things to do in Cairo?

Two or three days in Cairo is an ideal start to your Egypt trip and a good introduction to the history and culture.  

You need at least 2 days in Cairo to give you enough time to explore the city without feeling rushed. 

With 2-3 days in Cairo you can see the highlights like the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and Khan El Khalili.  

Or if you have longer you can skip some of the city sites and take a day trip to Saqqara or Memphis. 

Getting there

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is served by various international airlines.  There are daily flights from the Middle East, Europe and Asia.  

From the airport it is easy to get a taxi to the city.  Or the easiest – and most relaxing – arrival in Cairo with kids is to have prearranged an airport transfer with your accommodation.

Getting around in Cairo with kids

I’m not going to beat around the bush.  The traffic in Cairo is hideously crammed and chaotic.  

In theory, if traffic jams aren’t your thing, you could rely on the Cairo Metro.  But the reality of visiting Cairo with kids is slightly different. 

You will do a lot of walking regardless of how you move between sites.  So comfortable shoes are a must for Cairo and Giza.  

We found it easy to book a driver or tour guide for the day to get around the main sites and things to do in Cairo.  Plus we used the same driver and guide, Mohammed for a day trip to Saqqara and Memphis. 

Things to do in Cairo with kids

The lists are pretty endless for this famous Egyptian city! But here are 8 things to do in Cairo with kids that were highlights of our visit.

1. The Pyramids Of Giza – Cairo with kids

5000 years of history is a lot to digest!

No amount of magazine or internet pictures could quite have readied us for being in front of the most famous wonders of world in person.

We spent the day exploring the Giza Pyramid Complex. 

We walked around, we rode camels, and we literally just marvelled at the fact we were really there.

2. The Sphinx 

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx.  It is a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion.  

I think everyone has heard of and seen images of the Sphinx.  But seeing it up close was next level kind of cool! 

3. The Grand Egyptian Museum – Cairo with kids

The Grand Egyptian Museum is ideal to visit after going to the Pyramids of Giza.  

It is the largest museum in the Middle East and has over 120,000 artefacts from ancient and historic Egypt. 

Albeit museums overseas aren’t always top of the list for family travel.  But this is a must-do in Cairo with kids.  

• Update: The new Grand Egyptian Museum opened in Cairo in 2025. 

The museum is so well set up with everything on display.  Highlights of a visit include seeing the solid gold mask and the golden sarcophagi of Tutankhamun, the Royal Mummies room, and an amazing number of statues, jewellery, and treasures.

4. Coptic Cairo – Cairo with kids

Coptic Cairo is located in Old Cairo in the southern part of the city.  It is a historic district known for its ancient churches, monasteries, and religious sites that represent a significant part of Egypt’s Christian heritage.  

Many of the places to visit in Cairo originate from Egypt’s Christian past.  But you will also find a synagogue and the first mosque built in Africa in Coptic Cairo. 

5. Cairo Citadel 

The Citadel of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) is one of the most iconic monuments in Islamic Cairo.  

Construction of the Cairo Citadel was started by Saladin in 1176 as a fortification against the Crusaders and was home to Egypt’s rulers for 700 years.

The history (again) is staggering to consider.  

Plus it is a great place to visit in Cairo with kids, mixing a blend of history and grandeur. It has spacious courtyards for running (sorry, parents) and you can spot the pyramids from the Citadel hill. 

6. Mosque of Muhammmad Ali – Cairo with kids

This is one of the most famous sites of Cairo – aside from the Sphinx and Pyramids, I mean.

It was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha and built between 1832 and 1857 on the highest place of the Cairo Citadel.

The mosque is stunning to explore inside. 

• Tip: Ladies bring a scarf to wear to enter the Mosque. 

7. Pyramids of Saqqara

We took a half day trip to Saqqara, with our host Mohammed and a driver.

It was really interesting to drive with them and chat as we went. We learnt so much about life in Cairo that it felt like a privilege to have that chance to just simply talk with them.

Saqqara covers a huge cemetery of ancient Memphis, and was an active burial ground for more than 3500 years. Nowadays it is officially Egypts largest archaeological site. 

• Tip: Saqqara itself is magical – and far less touristy than Giza and the Great Pyramids.

8. Khan el-Khalili Bazar

Khan el-Khalili is a famous bazaar in the historic centre of Cairo.  

It is an incredible experience of bustling, vibrant life in the city and a great place to experience in Cairo with kids. 

Other things to do in Cairo with kids 

If you have more time, there are plenty of other family-friendly activities to do in Cairo with kids. 

• Nile River
• Felucca Cruise
• Barge Trip 
• Cairo Tower
• Al-Azhar Park
• New Cairo Family Park 
• Pharaonic Village 
• Aquarium Grotto Garden
• Al Sorat Farm

Al Azhar Park is a great free activity.  It is a huge public park with playgrounds and plenty of space for kids to run around. 

Other things to do in Cairo 

There is more! Cairo is such a historic and huge city.  

I mean, it is a destination that has been welcoming visitors for literally millennia.  So, it’s not exactly surprising there are plenty more sites to see!  

These are some more of the (not kid-specific) things to do in Cairo:  

• Nile River
• Cairo Tower
• Al-Azhar Park
• Downtown Cairo 
• Mosque of Ibn Tulun
• Al-Azhar Mosque
• Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
• The Hanging Church 
• Cairo Corniche 
• Tharir Square

Downtown Cairo is a bit of a different adventure. So it depends what sort of things to do you are looking for!

This part of the city is fascinating for a walk though. Albeit not necessarily with kids in tow however. Gavin went out exploring with Mohammed and enjoyed this busy part of the city too.

The streets of downtown Cairo are a different sort of urban experience blending historic charm, culture, and iconic modern landmarks.

Food to try in Egypt and Cairo with kids

Egyptian cuisine shares similarities with food of the Eastern Mediterranean region and the Middle East.  There are traditional dishes made of rice-stuffed vegetables and vine leave.  But there are also some great Egyptian foods to try in Cairo with kids that will even get a tick of approval from fussy eaters. 

Our kids loved the Shawarma and kebabs.  But we all found a new favourite in the most famous of Egyptian foods – Koshari. 

Here are some other foods to try in Cairo with kids: 

• Koshari – rice, lentils, and pasta
• Falafel – friend fava beans 
• Tahini – creamy sesame dip
• Sugarcane Juice 
• Feeter – flaky, layered pastry
• Shawarma – rotisserie meat in pita
• Roz Bel Laban – rice pudding 

Otherwise, the traditional Egyptian bread, particularly Eish Baladi (a traditional pita-like bread) is always a win with the kids.  Egyptians eat bread with almost every meal. 

A special day with our host family and a local lunch

Foremost in all of our travel memories is the people that we meet. They can definitely make or break the memories of a place.

For us (pyramids aside) Egypt will always be special because of the time we spent with our AirBnB host and family.

It was not an easy discussion on the first day; to try and explain that we really didn’t need a tour that included the fanciest of tourist restaurants for lunch. More that we wanted to try somewhere local.

I think it took trust from both sides for Mohammed to agree to take us to one of his favourite little Koshari restaurants.

This wasn’t a typical tourist place. Lunch cost $1.25USD per person(!) instead of the usual touted tourist restaurant that advertises Western style food and is devoid of locals.

But we were confident, and knew that for us this was something important to us.

Understandably, he worried we might not like the food. Or that we might not find the setting flash enough or up to the standards that we ‘were used to’. Or what if we wrote something awful as a review about the standard of restaurant he chose?

It turned out to be our best day out!!

Trying Koshari in Cairo – and why you must

Koshari is an Egyptian dish made of rice, macaroni, and lentils. It is mixed together and topped with a spiced tomato sauce and garlic vinegar then garnished with chickpeas and crispy fried onions.

It is delicious!

Though note some of touted Western-style tourist places we went first didn’t even have Koshari on the menu. It is absolutely a must-try in Egypt.

This turned out to be one of our most memorable experiences of Egypt and a reminder of how it is always the people that make travel special. This was definitely a highlight for us in Cairo with the kids!

Restaurants, cafes and where to eat in Cairo with kids

Cairo has endless restaurants, cafes and small traditional eateries.  So, it is a little bit like finding a needle in a haystack deciding where to head.  

We got takeaway shawarma a couple of nights in a row from a small kiosk style shop near our AirBnB.  Plus, we obviously loved the very local eatery with Mohammed.  

There are a lot of modern, tourist restaurants aimed specially at Western tourists.  But some of these places don’t even serve Koshari!   

These are a couple of the other places to eat that we found and were recommended. 

• Citadel View Restaurant: This restaurant has a great view overlooking Al-Azhar Park as well as the Al-Azhar Mosque. Though I can only report on a quick stop for very non-traditional fries and a drink here!  

• Cairo Kitchen: A new contemporary style restaurant with classic Egyptian dishes and a family-friendly environment. 

• Zooba: This was a place recommended to us by another family. It is a chain of restaurants in Cairo that serves traditional food with a modern twist. 

• Naguib Mafhouz: Another good option in Khan el Khalili Souk as a break from shopping – and bartering. 

Tips for travel in Egypt and Cairo with kids 

These are a few tips on travelling to Egypt and Cairo with kids that will help ensure you have the absolute best experience.  

• Allow yourself to relax (as much as you can) and embrace the chaos of Cairo. 
• Get an eSIM or physical SIM card on arrival for travel in Egypt.  
• Haggle and barter – but be sure to negotiate fairly. 
• Dress modestly and respectfully. 
• Be respectful of culture and customs. Remember that it is an Islamic country. 
• Keep in mind that Friday and Saturday constitute weekend days in Egypt and the workweek is from Sunday to Thursday.
• Drink filtered or bottled water. 
• Be mindful choosing street food. Eat where it is busy and there is a high turnover.  
• Carry toilet paper. It’s a good thing to always have your own as many public bathrooms in Egypt don’t have paper or will ask you to buy some for use.
• Pack comfortable shoes and a hat. You will be walking a lot! 
• Book a tour guide to find your feet in Cairo with kids and explore the Pyramids on day one. 
• Don’t be a fool.  Get travel insurance for Egypt.  

Overall trust your gut.  Enjoy Cairo with kids! 

Where we stayed – Cairo with kids

I have to share about the great accommodation and host we found ourselves with. AND to show that even accommodation to visit the most famous of the wonders of the world doesn’t have to break the budget! 

• Cairo: AirBnB in Giza.

Nothing prepared us for walking out onto the balcony where we were staying, and seeing the three biggest pyramids of Giza.

This is the incredible view from the AirBnB we stayed in, in Cairo – with kids – and we reckon it was the best decision we made for safe travel in the most famous Egyptian city of pyramids!

It was just over $69USD per night, for a basic apartment. The apartment is decorated in Egyptian-style. It was a very simply furnished and spacious 3BDRM apartment (which would comfortably sleep six).

We sat each evening watching the sunset over the pyramids; from our own balcony!

We always hope for a personable and genuine experience of culture and country when we look for somewhere to stay. And in Cairo we definitely found that.

Albeit media portrayals of Egypt do not depict it to be the easiest of places to travel, and day tours to the pyramids do cost a bit.

But Cairo turned out to be a good experience for us with a guide and host family, that made us feel welcomed, safe, and very happy we stayed where we did.

Other places to stay in Cairo with kids

The Giza area obviously has the best views of the pyramids.  We had a great stay in Giza.  Though this area of the city is quite run down and views-aside not the most relaxing (or safest) part of town. 

For a great stay in Cairo with kids, consider Zamalek for its central location or Downtown for easy access to attractions. 

These are some other hotels that are recommended online for where to stay in Cairo: 

• Pyramisa Suites Hotel Cairo
• Hilton Ramses Cairo
• Safir Hotel Cairo
• Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir

One thing that challenged us visiting Cairo with kids?

Having both grown up riding horses, arriving in Cairo was exciting. There are horses everywhere – working, training, tied in the streets, pulling carts, and taking tourists around.

Though like most places we have travelled to, they are in all different states and conditions.

We saw some of the most beautiful purebred Arab horses we have ever seen. Some were well cared for and healthy, stabled in studs just out of the pyramid complex.

We also saw a lot of horses that were tired and thin, but desperately required to be in work for the family that owns them. 

Making ethical camel-decisions in Cairo

Albeit we are used to horses and can make a judgement call we feel confident in there.

But how do you tell a healthy and well treated camel? Even as far as gauging the age of the camel man, there is lots to consider.

I know from a previous trip to India that there are often kids who are working with camels, taking tourists, and making money instead of being in school, and rates of illiteracy are high. I know, because I was one of those young tourists taken for a ride by a young boy on my first trip to India! (*Shame on young-me!).

However camels are domesticated. So it is not like taking an elephant ride. But as not to make the same mistake twice, we asked our host for someone he knew. Then we tried our best to check out the camels based on our horse knowledge – and common sense. 

It turned out to be an awesome experience. Camels are incredible, amazing animals.

For the most part it is nice to see the relationship between the camel man and his camels. Their business with tourists is to support the families that rely on tourism – hopefully, in a respectful way.

About visiting Giza and Cairo with kids – truthfully…

I think Egypt depicts the bucket-list of bucket-list destinations.

It is incredible in the grandness of its history and culture, and the influence it has had on the modern world. We had an amazing time! 

BUT IS IT ‘SAFE’? Would I recommend it as a family-travel destination?

With a reputable tour or guide, then YES. 

It isn’t a country known for political stability, but the current tension is unmistakeable.

Given, not every county on our list has been mainstream, OR easy. We’ve been to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia and many off the beaten track countries with the kids.

But I do remember feeling at the time that Egypt was the first country we genuinely – and immediately – questioned our safety in.

The military and police presence is everywhere. In Giza and Old Cairo, streets and corners are patrolled and stationed by heavily armed and active security. 

But we were escorted each day by our host plus a driver, and driven from sight to sight. We did feel safe with them. It was more just out and about in Giza. It isn’t a relaxing (or recommended) part of the city to go wandering around with kids.

Inside the pyramid complex felt safer in a streetwise sense; with the biggest worry there about touts or scammers. But again we’re less attached to the camera than the kids!

Outside in Giza we were strongly warned by our host against wandering too far and heeded that warning. Travel risks are definitely different with children.

• Tip: Keep up to date with the current situation for travel at the time.

Are we glad we visited Cairo?

On reflection, yes! Very much so.

We enjoyed the iconic sights of Cairo, learnt a LOT and feel very lucky to have been partnered with another amazing host family. For us it turned out to be the perfect place to stay.

We didn’t explore further than Cairo with kids this time. But my thoughts are that Egypt is an incredible place to visit; and the rest of it looks to be even more so.

Cairo with kids can totally be done.

But I would recommend organising a reputable tour guide or company, at least for a day tour to find your feet, to make it more relaxing and enjoyable.

Read more about travel in the Middle East 

• 10 Things To Do In Damascus, Syria. 
• Visiting Lebanon: Things To Do In Beirut.
• Saudi Arabia Travel Guide.
• Jordan Travel Guide.
• Visiting Umm Qais In Jordan
• Border Crossing From Israel To Jordan Via Allenby Bridge. 
• UAE With Kids: Three Emirates In Three Days.
• Visiting Sheik Al Zayed Mosque Abu Dhabi With Kids.

Useful links for your travels in Middle East and beyond

These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. 
• 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online. 
• Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on travel to Cairo with kids!