I spent almost two weeks in Cairo as a female traveler, with plenty of warning about my choice to go there. Despite Egypt being in an uncertain part of the world, I felt safe for the majority of my time in Cairo and found the people to be extremely welcoming. Hiring a local female tour guide completely transformed my experience as there is no better insight than that of a woman from the culture you are exploring. I would suggest giving yourself about 3 days in Cairo to experience both the city and all the amazing cultural attractions it offers. Below are some of my top suggestions for your trip to Cairo. 

Beat The Sun To The Pyramids 

If you want to take in the pyramids without tons of people in your photos and the Egyptian sun scorching you, wake up before the sun does and be one of the first to arrive. They open from 8am or 7am depending on what time of the year you visit so make sure to check before you go. There are many people offering camel rides around the pyramids but we found the treatment of the camels to be a bit concerning so we opted to ATV around the pyramids instead which was so much fun and an amazing way to see them from a distance. If you do decide to go inside of the pyramids, it’s a cool experience but don’t expect to see anything. If you are interested in looking at artifacts head to the Egyptian Museum of Antiques afterwards to see the treasures of Egypt. 

These Are The Neighborhoods I Felt Safe In 

I do not suggest exploring Egypt at night as rule of thumb, but during the day I felt extremely safe walking around both the Zamalek Neighborhood and the Maadi Area. These neighborhoods are super cool to see local life, try local foods, and as female travelers we felt very much safe walking around them. Zamalek is filled with young kids roller skating the streets, vintage shops, and tons of cafes. Maadi has a bit of a quieter vibe with leafy tree lined streets and both Egyptian and international restaurants to choose from. There is so much life happening in the streets of Egypt and getting to experience it was one of my favorite things in Cairo. 

You Have To Experience Koshari 

Koshari was my favorite Egyptian food I experienced during my time there and I can only describe it as a delicious blend of different lentils and pasta shapes. Make sure you go to Abou Tarek Koshari Restaurant for a truly authentic once in a lifetime experience. 

Call Ubers Not Taxis 

Uber is not only so much cheaper, but a safer option. Taxi’s will upcharge you almost ten times the actual cost of the ride and they offer no record of who is picking you up and where they are taking you. Many local women advised us that Uber is the safer option. Also, note that driving bumper to bumper and using your horn as if it’s your turn signal is normal here.