Cairo Attractions

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