Cairo, Mother of the World: Spring Break with Teens

Visiting the pyramids early in the morning, no later than 9 a.m., offers the best experience, and you can enjoy breakfast at the 9 Pyramids Lounge with a supreme view of the pyramids. ‌Going there early has many advantages: You avoid the traffic and the heat of the day, and you have the rest of the day to enjoy at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which is right next to the pyramids. The museum offers layers of civilization to unpack, along with an exclusive gift shop filled with meaningful souvenirs to bring back home. I visited it when it was just the soft opening, and that was mind-blowing enough; I can't wait to go back and see the world's largest museum of civilization! I know my teens stood there in admiration of the history that spoke for itself.

We ended the day with a sunset dinner cruise on the Nile with Cafelluca. The breeze, the music, and the mixed grill served onboard created an experience my teens cherished, adding another layer of magic to the journey. Once you experience the Nile this way, it becomes something you’ll always want to return to.

If you are into shopping and just browsing in an outdoor mall, there are many upscale malls to choose from, with plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants. You can spend a full day shopping in Cairo’s luxurious malls, from the Open Mall in Madinaty to Cairo Festival Mall in New Cairo and the Mall of Arabia in Sheik Zayed. These are my three favorites. There are many more, and each visit seems to bring something new. These mega-malls, often with around 300 stores, offer the perfect mix of familiarity and discovery.

Beyond the common sites that span over 2,000 years of history—moments that give you chills simply standing before them—our Old Cairo tour stood out more deeply. For my teens, the Cave Church in Mokattam was especially remarkable, both in how beautifully it’s carved into the mountain and in the journey through the Garbage City (Zabbaleen) community to reach it. This became a life-changing experience, when my teens saw the poorest people and children embracing the best recycling program and protecting the environment.

We added a day at Anaphora, a Coptic retreat center and farm about an hour from Cairo, truly a little piece of heaven between Cairo and Alexandria. With its replica of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Biblical Tabernacle, it was where we chose to end our trip, aligned with its mission of spiritual openness, acceptance of others, and creating space for meaningful connection.

Abu Haidar is a must for shawarma lovers, offering bold, unmistakable flavors that redefine the experience.

In the heart of Korba, Heliopolis area, Le Chantilly is a vintage Swiss restaurant that has been around for over 50 years, blending Cairo’s architectural charm with a vibrant, atmospheric setting. It has been family-owned since it first started.

Meanwhile, El Monefy Grill remains a classic for perfectly prepared kebabs and mixed grills. Be sure to try the molokhia; its rich green garlic soup, brought to life by the waiter’s theatrical pour, is part of the experience.

While enjoying your time at the mall, you can relax at one of the many cafés, sip your favorite coffee and enjoy a croissant at Paul Bakery, and feel right at home, or venture out and try authentic Egyptian feteer. If you’re vegetarian, you must try koshary from Koshary Abou Tarek; they have multiple locations and offer delivery.

Food delivery in Cairo is easy, with Uber Eats and Talabat available on your phone, and your hotel concierge will always be happy to assist if you need help.