The Best Travel Guide to Cairo

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Cairo

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Overview

Cairo The guide was updated: 2022-12-08

Long considered to be the jewel of the orient, Cairo is an international city overflowing with an interesting mixture of different cultures. It is a city steeped in the early civilizations of the ancient pharaohs, blended with the history of Christian and Islamic cultures. It is all brought together by the modern sights and luxuries of a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city.

Facts

Population:	City: 10,230,350 Metropolitan area: 20,439,541
Currency:	Egyptian Pound - EGP 1 EGP = 100 Piaster
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police: 122 Fire Service: 125 Ambulance: 123 Tourist Police: 126, +20 2 391 9144
Newspapers:	Egyptian Gazette Cairo Times Middle East Times Progrès Egyptien
Opening hours:	Opening hours are generally 9am-6pm, but will vary slightly for each business or museum.
Tourist information:	Cairo Tourist Office 5 Sharia Adly, near Midan Opera 8:30am-8pm (9am-5pm during Ramadan) +20 2 391 3454

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Section in Cairo

The Pyramids at Giza have been the longtime favourite tourist attraction of greater Cairo, but with the rich textured religious history of this city, there are many sights and areas of town worth exploring. Visit the opera house, take a ride on a camel, interact with local merchants, or even get a guided tour through the city! It's all possible, the only limits are the ones you create for yourself, whatever your choice, the city will welcome you with open arms!

Saqqara

Saqqara

A vast burial ground located at a 32 km distance from Cairo, it is mostly known for its 6-steps Pyramid of Djoser. Archaeologists have recently been discovering more and more artefacts at this necropolis, one of them being the tomb of Mehu, which can now be visited by the public following years of renovations.

The Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza

On the outskirts of Cairo, these pyramids are the sole survivors of the Seven Wonders of the World. The archaeological site on the Giza Plateau is called the Giza Necropolis, and includes, apart from the three pyramids, the sculpture of the Sphinx and several cemeteries.

Egyptian Museum

Egyptian Museum

More than 12,000 artefacts from every period of Egyptian history are housed in this sprawling structure. In the main building you will find different exhibitions, a library, an education centre and a conference centre.

Museum of Islamic Art

Museum of Islamic Art

This sometimes overlooked museum houses one of the world’s finest collections of Islamic Art. The museum holds a collection of over 10,000 pieces, mainly Egyptian, but also from elsewhere in the Islamic world. The are all kinds of artworks, including woodwork, stucco, intarsia, ceramics, glass, metalwork, textiles, and carpets.

Solar Boat Museum (at the Pyramids of Giza)

Solar Boat Museum (at the Pyramids of Giza)

This museum houses the barques (boats) that were most likely used to bring the mummies of dead Pharaohs across the Nile to the temple tomb chambers. It is located on the south side of the Great Pyramid.

The New Camel Market

The New Camel Market

About 35 km northwest of Cairo, Egypt’s largest camel market - Birqash Camel Market - is held. This is a wild sight to behold. Sudanese traders haggle over the sale of camels in a carnivalesque atmosphere. The best day to visit is supposed to be Friday. Get there in the morning, between 7am and 11am.

The Citadel

The Citadel

The Citadel is a series of palaces and mosques which housed Egyptian rulers for more than 700 years, making up a compound which offers fabulous views of the city.

Coptic Cairo

Coptic Cairo

This compound is home to Egypt’s Christian community as well as being the oldest area of Cairo. It is a wonderfully interesting place to explore the juxtaposition of an ancient Christian community in an Islamic country.

Northern Cemetery / City of the Dead

Northern Cemetery / City of the Dead

City of the Dead is an unusual area where thousands of Cairo natives, both living and dead are “housed”. The popular ancient routine of building entertainment rooms alongside of the tombs, have become spaces inhabited by transients.

Mohammad Ali Mosque

Mohammad Ali Mosque

Mohammad Ali Mosque is a beautiful mosque with amazing architecture and an equally breath-taking interior. The building offers panoramic views over the city. Remember to dress appropriately when visiting.

Al-Azhar Park

Al-Azhar Park

Al-Azhar Park is located in the historic part of Cairo and is a lovely green open space in the middle of the bustling city. This park has been here for the last 800 years and is a great spot to capture some good pictures of the city or enjoy a picnic.

Cairo Opera House

Cairo Opera House

Cairo Opera House is home to both the Cairo Ballet Company and the Cairo Opera Company. It houses two opera halls and an open-air theatre. They also have photo and painting exhibition making it a great place to spend some time.

Nilometer

Nilometer

The Nilometer was built in order to measure the rivers water level during the flooding season. During the evening big candles are lit up making this a magical place.

Alabaster Sphinx

Alabaster Sphinx

The Sphinx was long considered the most mystical creature in Egypt. There are Sphinxes all around the country but this particular one is an impressive 8x4 metres big and carved from one single block.

Bayt Al-Suhaymi

Bayt Al-Suhaymi

Bayt Al-Suhaymi is a beautiful private home from 17th century Egypt, located in a quiet area in the middle of this energetic city. It is a unique Ottoman house with two different sections, lovely wood work and gardens.

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