5 Kid-Friendly Activities Near Cairo

Taking the family to Egypt? The metropolitan capital city of Cairo is a great place to start. Take in the ancient sites, interesting landscape, culture and unique tours and itineraries with the kids along with this family-friendly list — all ages welcome.

Camel Rides

One activity the kids will love and is kind of obligatory for any traveler heading to Egypt, visit the Great Pyramids of Giza

on camelback. Shop around for the best tour company for your family, depending on how much time you want to spend at the pyramids, and which (of the many) you’d like to see first.

Time Travel

Walk like an Egyptian while exploring life at the Pharaonic Village. This living history venue offers kids and families a dynamic look back through the ages with interesting exhibitions and tomb visits. Head over to the Egyptian Museum to top off the day’s history lesson and learn all about mummies and ancient Egypt before visiting the Saqqara and Dahshur Pyramids. The history lesson is interesting enough, but imagine the family photos you’ll walk away with.

The Footsteps of Royalty

Walk through the Manyal Palace, or the Al-Manyal Palace Museum, covering an area of 202,463 square feet. Walk through the palace’s immense structure and estate, divided into 11 sections, including winding inner roads, gardens, guard terraces and towers overlooking the impressive property and beyond.

The stone fountain with lions at the beautiful carved pavilion of the Manial Palace mosque, Cairo, Egypt. Photo: Evgeniy Fesenko | Dreamstime.com

Cruise the Nile

Hop on a felucca, or traditional sailboat, and cruise the Nile River with the family. Enjoy the no-fuss digs of the wooden boat as the Egyptians do, and have for centuries. This traditional sailing method originates from the time of pharaohs and continues to be a main form of transportation along the Nile.

Shop Like a Local

While not every member of the family may be a shopaholic, it wouldn’t be a complete trip to Egypt without visiting local souqs and old markets. Take a tour through Cairo’s more famous markets with a private guide and transportation assistance, or check with your hotel concierge about the best local markets, like the famous bazaar Khan el-Khalili.

Arrange your own rides through your hotel or see what is within walking distance — great flea markets and shopping bazaars in Egypt are plentiful. Feel free to haggle, as shopping in Egypt is more than an exchange of goods, it’s a cultural experience.

Read more suggestions for younger kids and family-friendly activities, like wildlife parks and zoos, as suggested by Four Seasons.