FREE THINGS TO DO IN Cairo

Al-Azhar Park is one of largest green parks in Cairo and is home to an abundance of free attractions and activities.

You can enjoy the stunning manicured gardens, the spectacular water fountains and numerous restaurants within Al-Azhar Park.

If you’re travelling to Cairo with kids and you’re on a budget, then Al-Azhar Park is the perfect place for you to spend some time as a family.

Even if you’re not visiting with kids, you can still enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna that punctuate the landscape of Al-Azhar Park.

It’s a relaxing and tranquil place within Cairo that allows you to escape the loud streets and market vendors of the city centre.

Bring your camera along and enjoy an afternoon of relaxation!

Address: Salah Salem St, El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Once you arrive at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, you’ll be more than glad that you made the effort to make your own way there to see one of the best markets in Cairo!

It’s advised that you shouldn’t really visit Khan el-Khalili bazaar with kids in tow.

While it’s entirely your own decision and children are technically allowed in the bazaar, it gets so busy and crowded that you’re more likely to lose them.

However, Khan el-Khalili bazaar is a traveller’s dream if you’re looking to pick up some traditional Egyptian souvenirs and trinkets to take home with you.

Of course, you don’t have to purchase anything either; you can just enjoy browsing all the different stalls selling jewellery, pottery and quintessentially Egyptian clothing.

Address: El-Gamaleya, El Gamaliya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

While you do have to pay an entrance fee to many mosques and religious buildings in Cairo, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun is completely free.

The Mosque of Ibn Tulun has a fortress-like look and feel to it and as it’s so huge, you could easily spend a couple of hours exploring its brilliant complex.

You don’t necessarily need to be religious to visit the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, but you must remember to wear appropriate clothing and act accordingly when visiting any of the mosques in Cairo.

Make sure you climb up the main minaret of the Mosque of Ibn Tulun for a great view of Cairo from above; it’s actually the only minaret in Cairo that you’re allowed to climb!

Address: Tolon, El-Sayeda Zainab, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Coptic Cairo is a great place in the city to discover some of Cairo’s best cultural, historic and architectural offerings.

Once a stronghold for the Christian community in Egypt as well as boasting some unique Islamic heritage too, Coptic Cairo is a lovely place to see.

Make sure you spend some time exploring the many paintings, sculptures and other artistic works on the streets of Coptic Cairo.

There’s also numerous churches within the area; most of which are free to visit on certain days so make sure you take advantage of that!

You’re sure to want to bring your camera along when visiting Coptic Cairo so that you can document your experience of seeing the different relics, paintings and archaic streets.

Address: Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

While it might seem like a bit of a generalisation to include this in the list of the best free attractions in Cairo, Downtown Cairo is actually one of the best places to hang out.

Downtown Cairo offers numerous religious sites, streets donned with remarkable architectural designs, plus plenty of shops and restaurants for you to explore too.

You should begin your time in Downtown Cairo at Tahrir Square where you can see the famous “martyr square” that’s played numerous significant roles within Cairo’s vibrant historic past.

Then, create your own path and wind through the various streets in Downtown Cairo where you’ll discover a whole manner of interesting buildings, mosques and cafés and restaurants to sate your appetite.

Address: Bab Al Louq, Abdeen, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Situated in the middle of an island on the River Nile, Zamalek is one of the best free attractions in Cairo as it offers something for everyone.

It’s a place that’s teeming with modern-day galleries and fancy stores and boutiques and is a very beautiful part of the Cairo landscape.

You can visit with children in tow who are sure to love walking around and seeing the city across the Nile in numerous directions.

While there are plenty of places to eat and drink in Zamalek, if you’re looking to save some money then it’s also a great place to just people-watch for a couple of hours.

There’s nothing really to do of notable significance in Zamalek, but simply soaking up the atmosphere and admiring the locals’ daily life is so much fun!

Address: Zamalek, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

The Corniche Walk is the name given to the area of water and land near Zamalek so you can easily do both of those free attractions in one day!

The Nile River is one of the most famous bodies of water in the world, so a walk along its waterfront is a definite must-do while in Cairo.

The walk will take you along some of the best stretches of the Nile and you can admire the stunning views of the surrounding buildings as you go.

It’s arguably best enjoyed at sunset, where you can see the sun go down over the horizon in the distance across the river.

It’s also a lovely place to bring the whole family and enjoy some leisurely downtime together.

Address: Nile Corniche, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Islamic Cairo is a substantial area in Cairo that’s known for its labyrinth-like alleyways, streets and squares.

The architecture that you’ll see in Islamic Cairo is truly breath-taking and you’ll definitely want to take some pictures of all the incredibly beautiful buildings as you go.

Islamic Cairo is also home to Khan El-Khalili's bazaar and the Salah El-Din Citadel so you can make a whole day trip out of exploring the area.

Of course, you could always take a guided tour of Islamic Cairo, but that’s likely to cost you a fair bit of money!

Instead, head there yourself and get “lost” in the otherworldly gems that it has to offer such as ancient mosques, chaotic streets and ruins of the city.

Address: opposite to Kirdadah Al Gamaleyah Qesm Gamaleyah Cairo Governorate, Egypt

While you will have to take a paid taxi to get there, the experience of Mokattam Cliff itself is free of charge!

Mokattam Cliff is a hidden gem within Cairo and is more often than not frequented by locals rather than tourists so it’s one of the best free attractions in Cairo that’s also relatively off the beaten track!

The cliff can be climbed at any time of day for free and offers you brilliant views of Cairo from the top.

It’s best advised not to head to the top with children as the trek can get a little tiring.

We’d recommend heading to Mokattam Cliff at sunset for the best views of Cairo in the glowing golden hour light.

Address: Jabal al Muqattam, Al Abageyah, El Mukkatam, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

If you’ve decided that a visit to Mokattam Cliff is definitely on your Cairo agenda, then you should also add a visit to the Salah El Din Citadel to your travel itinerary while you’re there.

Salah El Din Citadel is an Islamic fortress that dates all the way back to the Middle Ages so it’s safe to say that it’s absolutely teeming with rich history!

The Citadel is also home to the exceptionally special Mohamed Ali Mosque, plus two other notable mosques that are beloved to the city of Cairo too.

If you have an interest in history and archaeology, then you’re sure to love visiting the Salah El Din Citadel while in Cairo as it has so many beautiful things to offer!

Address: Salah Salem St, El-Darb El-Ahmar, Monsha'et Nasser, Cairo Governorate, Egypt