Top 10 outdoor activities in Cairo

Our Local Expert Says:

A camel ride by the Pyramids is one of the must-do activities in Cairo, and it's much more pleasant to do it outside of the main Pyramid compound, in the expanse of the desert

Description:

Many people who visit the Pyramids choose to do a camel ride around the enclosure there. A better idea is to do a camel ride into the desert behind the Pyramids. You get fantastic views of the Pyramids, and can imagine you are part of an old trade caravan, travelling across the desert to sell your wares in far off, exotic locations.

There is nothing quite like a camel ride in the desert: you will really start to appreciate the power and beauty of these haughtily majestic creatures, as you sway from side to side on the camel's back, lulled both by the hypnotic motion and the monotonous beauty of the desert.

Many stables near the Sphinx can offer camel rides. FB Stables are highly recommended: they are used to dealing with tourists, are friendly and responsible, and their camels are in good shape. You can organise any sort of trip with them, from a one hour jaunt around the desert, to a multi-day safari.

One of the best times to do a camel ride is for sunset: as well as a magnificent view of the Pyramids, you will hear the beautifully mournful evening Call to Prayer from hundreds of mosques at the same time. Pure magic!

Our Local Expert Says:

A horse ride by the Pyramids is an incredibly romantic way to view them, and what more romantic creature to ride than a fine Arabian horse?

Description:

The Pyramids of Giza mark the western edge of Cairo. From here, the Western Desert stretches into what seems to be eternity: a timeless, bleakly beautiful expanse of sand and rock. One of the most memorable experiences of a trip to Cairo is to take a horse ride into the desert around the Pyramids.

There are many stables near the Sphinx that offer this service, and FB Stables is one of the best. They have over a hundred horses in their various stables, and many Egyptians and foreigners choose to keep their personal horses here. The horses are well trained, and very well looked after. No matter what your level of experience, FB stables will have a horse to suit your requirements.

They can organise any sort of trip for you. You can do an hour long horse ride into the desert around the Pyramids, to get those perfect picture-postcard shots. Or you can organise a longer excursion, and perhaps do a horse ride to Abu Sir, or Saqqara. If you want, you can even arrange an overnight camping trip.

The prices vary according to what sort of ride you want, and what sort of horse you want to ride (you can ride an amazing Arabian thoroughbred, but it's going to cost you a little bit more). Figure on about 100 LE an hour for a bracing canter around the desert.

Our Local Expert Says:

A felucca ride in Maadi is a peaceful, picturesque way to enjoy the River Nile from up close and personal.

Description:

The Greek historian Herodotus described Egypt as the "gift of the Nile". One of the best things to do in Cairo is go for a sail on the Nile on a felucca. A felucca is a traditional Egyptian sailing boat, that can be crewed by just one man.

Sailing the Nile on a felucca is one of the few ways to escape the chaos of Cairo, and actually get some peace and quiet! All you can hear is the gentle lapping of the water against the hull, and the flapping of the sails (OK, you will probably still hear some traffic, but it will be muted)! Time ceases to have any meaning, since you are at the mercy of the elements.

There are a number of places to do a felucca ride in Cairo, such as from opposite the Grand Hyatt hotel, but the best place is down in Maadi. There are no bridges here to interrupt your sailing, and it is a lot more peaceful. You can pick up a felucca from the local ferry port on the cornice, next to the Grand Café.

The standard charge for tourists is 60 LE for an hour, though you can certainly bargain this down. Note that you should also tip the captain on top. You can do a felucca ride at any time of day or night, but by far the best time to do it is for sunset.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Solar CITIES Urban Eco Tour is one of the most meaningful and inspiring things that you can do in Cairo.

Description:

Since 2005, the Solar CITIES project has been helping poor communities in Darb al-Ahmar and Manshiyat Nasser ("Garbage City") to build solar water heaters and biogas generators out of low cost, locally available materials. The project has received numerous grants, and has been recognised by National Geographic.

It is based on a participatory, bottom-up approach to development, which taps into the collective intelligence and expertise that is already embedded within the community.

On the Solar CITIES Urban Eco Tour you will meet Hanna Fathy, a young man from the Zabaleen community of garbage collectors, who has been involved with the project since the beginning. He will guide you through the communities with which Solar CITIES works, where you can meet locals that have benefitted from the project, and witness first-hand the impact it is having.

The Solar CITIES Urban Eco Tour is divided into two halves, reflecting the two communities the project works with.

The Darb al-Ahmar portion will begin at Bab Zwayla. You will be able to explore the Street of the Tentmakers, before walking through the streets of this fascinating area of Islamic Cairo, stopping to visit some of the houses that have solar water heaters and biogas generators installed. There will also be the chance to visit the Aga Khan Foundation, and see their rooftop garden. The tour will finish in al-Azhar Park – former rubbish tip and now one of Cairo's most inspiring green spaces – where you can grab some lunch. More specifically, Hussein El-Farag from Solar CITIES in Darb Al Ahmar, will give urban Eco-Tours of his family's historic Islamic neighborhood at the base of Al Azhar park. As Hanna Fathy's colleague on the other side of the City of the Dead, Hussein also shows the solar hot water and biogas systems that he and Hanna and Solar CITIES have built in his neighborhood, ending the tour with biogas heated tea on his roof in sight of the ancient mosque. Hussein's tour is the Islamic equivalent of the Coptic Christian Solar CITIES tour that Hanna gives outlined below.

The Manshiyat Nasser section of the Solar CITIES Urban Eco Tour will explore Garbage City, where the Zabaleen live. The Zabaleen are a Christian community that are responsible for collecting and recycling, by hand, most of Cairo's rubbish. You will have the chance to learn more about this process, and visit families that are involved in this work. You will also visit Hanna's house, to see the solar water heater and biogas generator that he has installed. You can visit some of the other NGO's that are working with the community, such as the APE and Roh al-Shabab, and to visit the Coptic monastery, which offers spectacular views over the area.

The Solar CITIES Urban Eco Tour is most suitable for people who have an interest in urban planning, development, or sustainable technology issues. A word of warning – you are visiting deprived areas of Cairo, and so may see things that you are not that comfortable with. Manshiyat Nasser, in particular, is a real eye-opener, with garbage literally everywhere. Having said that, seeing the inspirational work that Solar CITIES is doing is a real privilege, and could easily be the most memorable and meaningful part of your trip to Cairo.

Each tour will take around 4 hours, and costs 100 LE per person, or 150 LE if you do both tours. You can get a discount if you book as a group, but bear in mind Hanna can't take more than 5 people at once. To make sure he is available, you should book a week in advance.

Finally, these tours are very flexible, and you can get in touch with Hanna to discuss your own particular requirements.

Our Local Expert Says:

Not many tourists end up here, but it’s well worth the effort for the view, and the chance to see the locals at play. Try to be here at sunset, and experience the haunting beauty of the call to prayer coming simultaneously from hundreds of mosques.

Description:

Covering an area of about 30 hectares, al-Azhar Park is the largest expanse of green in Cairo. Established by the Aga Khan Trust For Culture in 1984, it was built over the top of a huge pile of rubble that had been turned in to a rubbish tip. Don't let this put you off: al-Azhar Park is a peaceful oasis on the edge of the chaos that is Islamic Cairo.

Paths meander through idyllic gardens, and you are never far from one of the many water features. It's a great place to relax, and many people take a picnic. If you'd rather be waited upon, there are four restaurant/cafes located in the grounds. Because al-Azhar Park is on a hill, you get amazing views all over Cairo. On a clear day you can even see the Pyramids!

As with much of Cairo, the best bit is people-watching: old men reminiscing on benches, children playing leapfrog, and daring young lovers holding hands as they stroll through their own little world. If history is your thing, then check out the 800 year-old Ayyubid wall that has been partially restored. If music is more your scene, then ask at the information desk about up-and-coming concerts; many of them are free!

Al-Azhar Park is a perfect place to chill out after you've tackled some of the nearby sights of Islamic Cairo, such as Khan al-Khalili or the Citadel. You can get here by taxi, or even walk up from Khan al-Khalili.

Our Local Expert Says:

The most kid-friendly attraction in Cairo

Description:

Accessible only by boat, this private tourist project on an island in the Nile south of the Giza Bridge attempts to simulate life and work in ancient Egypt. Some find the living museum campy, but most will enjoy the two-hour boat tour past costumed performers acting out ancient Egyptian agriculture, crafts and industries. There is also a mock temple and several museums. The acres of papyrus swamps are a botanist's delight, and the two cafes and children's playground make the island an ideal family daytrip. All tours are multilingual.

Description:

There must be very few golf courses that can beat this location at Mena House Oberoi. One of the oldest in Cairo, this lovely course enjoys a tranquil setting beneath the shadow of the Giza Pyramids. The 18-hole golf course is open to members and hotel guests.

Description:

This exclusive club is beautifully situated in the lovely Zamalek area. It caters for just about every imaginable sporting interest with facilities for tennis, squash, judo, athletics, bridge, aerobics and croquet. There is also a super 18-hole golf course. It is quite expensive to join the club: Egyptians pay approximately LE 25,000 for lifetime membership whilst internationals pay considerably more. There is an additional fee for each sporting activity too. In short, a good sporting club but rather over-priced.

Description:

Forming part of Dreamland City, the largest private sector development in the world, this is a truly impressive golfing and tennis venue. The 18-hole golf course has a fantastic view of the Pyramids and there is a full range of facilities including professional instruction, floodlit range, power carts and a shop. The tennis facilities are just as impressive with eight floodlit courts and a team of coaches. The Swiss Inn restaurant and lounge provides the weary with a good selection of snacks and refreshments.

Description:

This delightful theme park has vast green areas and a variety of games including slides and carousels. Thanks to its low price admission Al-Fustat Garden is a favourite spot for families during weekends and public holidays.

Schools also organise group trips where children can enjoy themselves in the garden, where there is also a book shop and computer section.