Cairo, places to visit?

The city founded on the Nile, a crossroads of antiquity and modernity

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a tourist destination rich in history and culture, distinguished by its extraordinary artistic heritage. The city is famous for the Pyramids of Giza, including the Great Pyramid, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo houses an extensive collection of artifacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun. Saladin's Citadel offers breathtaking views of the city, and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali inside it is an architectural masterpiece.

Cairo, an exotic and fascinating city with a very ancient history, extends along the Nile River, in the north of Egypt, at the point where the river abandons its natural course in the desert and divides into the three branches that form the region of the Delta. The city, which dates back to over ten centuries ago, is divided into zones that make it truly special and unique.

The western part in Cairo

Built drawing inspiration from the city of Paris in the nineteenth century, has wide avenues, public gardens and open spaces, and houses the government buildings and many modern architectural constructions.

The eastern part in Cairo

The eastern, older part has small crowded alleyways and is dotted with hundreds of ancient mosques. Several bridges connect the islands on the Nile - Gezira and Roda - while others cross it completely, connecting the suburbs of Giza with the rest of the city.

The west area of Giza

Beyond the desert, is part of the old necropolis of Memphis where the most famous Egyptian pyramids are located, including the Great Pyramid of Giza or Cheops. The Giza Pyramid Complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

The site of many great places dating back to the time of the Pharaohs and the Coptic and Islamic periods, the city is brimming with endless surprises, including some incredible, but almost forgotten monuments, which can be discovered on a stroll around its streets.

Cairo is a city full of life and movement and offers many sites to visit: the Pyramids of Giza, ancient temples, tombs, Christian churches, Muslim monuments, art galleries and concert halls, such as the Cairo Opera House, Sawy Culture Wheel and the Ahmed Shawki Museum. There are also many mosques including the most famous Sultan Hassan Mosque, El-Hakim Mosque and the Mohammad Ali Mosque.

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo

Unmissable, the renowned Egyptian Museum, which houses the richest collection of Egyptian finds in the world. Amongst its treasures are the valuable artefacts belonging to King Tutankhamun and many well preserved mummies and sarcophagi.

Another interesting walk can be enjoyed among the small alleys of the old necropolis, a place filled with history that has maintained the charm of centuries ago.

Other attractions include the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus and the ruins of the Roman Fortress of Babylon.

The desert safari experience on camels is one not to be missed. This excursion among beautiful fiery sunsets over dunes of fine sand usually involves a trip to the pyramids and the Sphinx.

Saladin's Citadel in Cairo

Also known as the Fortress of Saladin or Al-Qalaa, it is an imposing structure located on the heights of Cairo. Built by the famous commander Saladin in the 12th century to defend the city against Crusader attacks, the Citadel offers a spectacular panoramic view of the metropolis and the Pyramids of Giza.

Inside, you will find the magnificent Mosque of Muhammad Ali, completed in the 19th century, featuring Ottoman architecture that contributes to the Citadel's majestic aura. The domes and minarets of the mosque stand tall, and the inner courtyard is adorned with fountains and marble floors. In addition to the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Citadel houses various other historical structures, museums, and courtyards, providing visitors with an immersion into the history and architecture of medieval Egypt.

Bazar Souk Khan El-Khalili

Shopping in the famous Khan El-Khalili Souk, a bazaar that has remained almost unchanged since the fourteenth century, or in the modern air-conditioned shopping centres selling the latest fashions, is another incredible experience not to be missed. Typical local purchases include spices, perfumes, gold, silver, rugs, brass and copper, leather, glass and ceramics. More adventurous tourists can venture into the street markets such as Wekalat al-Balaq for fabrics and Egyptian cotton, or the Tentmakers Bazaar and the Mohammad Ali Street bazaar for musical instruments or the sale of camels – a difficult souvenir to put in a suitcase, but certainly a place to visit!

Egyptian dishes

Traditional Egyptian dishes every visitor should try are: Molokhia (vegetable soup enriched with garlic and coriander), Mahshi (vegetables stuffed with rice, herbs, tomato paste and spices), Fattah (dish of rice, dry bread and meat flavoured with a spicy garlic and vinegar sauce), Ftar (stew of lamb or beef). Sweets include Konafah (filo pastry filled with nuts and whipped cream) and Basbousa (semolina and coconut flour with sugar syrup and almonds).

Text by Enzo Cuppatri

Avion Tourism Magazine

Video: www.egypt.travel

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Where to sleep in Cairo

Cairo is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

STARS

Hotels for stars, differentiated by type of services:

DISTRICTS

Hotels in the districts

Agouza

LANDMARKS

Hotels in tourist areas

Museum Egyptian Modern Arts

AIRPORT

Hotels near the airport

Cairo Airport CAI

WHERE TO GO in cairo

Monuments and landmarks in Cairo

IBN TULUN MOSQUE

The Ibn Tulun Mosque is believed to be the oldest mosque in Cairo and the largest mosque in the city. It has an area of over 26,300 m2 and features crenelated walls, a spiral minaret and decorated arches around its large courtyard. The mosque was built in the ninth century at the request of Ibn Tulun and became a symbol of his dynasty.

SULTAN HASSAN MOSQUE

The Sultan Hassan Mosque, an example of Mamluk architecture, was built between 1356 and 1363 by Sultan Hassan. The large, imposing construction, achieved using enormous stone blocks, and the height of minarets make it a very stunning building. Equally beautiful inside, it has a very large central courtyard entirely paved with marble mosaics and an ablutions fountain.

KHAN- EL-KHALILI

The Khan El-Khalili Bazaar takes visitors back in time with its atmosphere of old Arab souks. The alleyways ring with the voices of vendors calling customers to their stalls and are filled with the thick aroma of spices and the hustle and bustle of traders. The bazaar sells souvenirs, jewellery, spices and local craft products, and after shopping is done, don’t miss enjoying a traditional cup of tea.

SULTAN AL-GHOURI COMPLEX

The Mamluk Sultan Qansuh Al-Ghouri reigned from 1501 to 1516 and built this complex, which dates back to 1503 and is located in Al-Mo’ez Street. The complex has various buildings: the mosquemadrasa, a khanqah, the mausoleum and a sabil-kuttab. The mosque’s minaret has four floors instead of the usual three seen in other minarets in Cairo. Cultural and musical events are held in the Al-Ghouri complex.

Museums of Cairo

EGYPTIAN MUSEUM

The Egyptian Museum of Cairo displays a vast collection of archaeological finds from ancient Egypt. The museum holds the treasures of Tutankhamun, ancient royal mummies, tombs, pots and jewellery. It also houses the funeral mask of King Tutankhamun, which is made of solid gold and was found intact in his tomb in the Valley of Kings.

GAYER ANDERSON MUSEUM

The Gayer Anderson displays the collections of Islamic art from two residences, Beit el-Kiridiliya and Beit Amna Bent Salim, which were restored and furnished between 1935 and 1942 by Major John Gayer-Anderson of the British army. The museum is located next to the Ibn Tulun Mosque and houses works of art, rugs, furniture, glass items and traditional embroidered Arab clothing.

Excursions in Cairo

GIZA PLATEAU

The Giza Plateau is situated approximately 13 km from Cairo and is the site of the great pyramids, a renowned Egyptian archaeological heritage. The largest and most imposing pyramid is the Great Pyramid of Giza or Khufu Pyramid. The Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, although enormous, are smaller. The Giza Plateau is also the site of the great Sphynx and three small pyramids of 20 metres tall: the Queen’s pyramids, the tombs of the wives and sisters of Khufu.

AL-AZHAR PARK

The gardens of Al-Azhar Park offer a place to relax in nature, take walks, enjoy panoramic views over the city or stop in one of the many bars and restaurants. Around the park are sites of historic interest, while inside stands the Ayyubid Wall, built over 800 years ago by Salah El Din.

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Recommended tours in Cairo