Cairo city, also called “Greater Cairo”, is one of the best cities in the world. It is famous for the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, built by ancient civilizations. But many people who visit this great city still don’t know Cairo’s best-kept secret.
So, here are all the must-see places when you go to Greater Cairo to make the most of this mix of old and new. Learn about the charm of Cairo, the largest city in Egypt and the significant Egyptian capital full of historical and cultural sites.
These are the best places and activities that you can do in Cairo:
In Cairo, you can get an accurate idea of life in Egypt. With its unique history and culture, it is easy to fall in love with this city. The Egyptians and Arabs call the city Umm al-Dunya, which means “mother of the world.” You cannot visit Egypt without going there. Discover the best things to do and see in Cairo and feel the energy of this busy city.
1- The Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza.
The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx are among Cairo’s most popular tourist attractions. These ruins, which are about 5,000 years old and in excellent condition, are some of the most beautiful things you can see with your own eyes. The Great Pyramids and the Sphinx are Cairo’s best-kept secrets, and they are part of the Giza complex on the west bank of the Nile.
2- The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.
The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities is one of the most important museums in the world and contains the world’s most extensive collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt. The museum’s French style and 120,000 objects, including statues and mummies of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, make it stand out. Since its opening at the end of the nineteenth century, the museum has grown thanks to the finds of British and French archaeologists rapidly. In the museum’s garden are the tombs of archaeologists such as Auguste Mariette, who put a lot of hard work into making the museum what it is today.
3- Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
In Khan El Khalili Bazaar, one of the largest in the Middle East, you can find things made of gold and silver, spices, local clothes, and shops selling many different things. Since the 14th century, when it was built, Khan El Khalili Bazaar has been a centre of commerce and shopping for many different cultures. It is also where you can get the best coffee in Cairo. Fishawy is the most famous cafe in the bazaar and has been open since 1773.
4- Old Cairo.
Old Cairo is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is located in the southern part of the city centre. In old Cairo, which is full of different types of people, there are many mosques, churches and synagogues. It is considered the centre of the Coptic community and one of the oldest Christian communities. Critical historical buildings include the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary, the Coptic Museum in Coptic Cairo, the Roman Tower of Babel, Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, and the Roman Tower of Babel. Ben Ezra Synagogue. As you walk around all these ancient buildings, you will travel through the narrow streets of Old Cairo.
5- Downtown Cairo.
The city centre is called Downtown by the Egyptians. This means “heart of the city”. This is because Downtown is a part of the city full of people and things to do. People sometimes call downtown Cairo “the city of Egypt that never sleeps”. Not only is it the centre of Cairo, but it is also a hub for many cultures and places of interest. Talaat Harb Square and Tahrir Square are well-known places in the country’s centre.
6- Moez El Din Street.
Al-Moez El-Din Street is located in the Islamic Cairo area, which includes the most tourist attractions. It was built in the 11th century and was the main thoroughfare through the city. Between Bab al-Futuh and Al-Azhar Street, the northern part of the street that goes directly to Al-Muizz Street has just been repaired. This is one of the most beautiful areas of Cairo, and the Qalawun complex here is one of the most impressive complexes in the city. If you love Islamic architecture, this part of the city will probably be your favourite part of your Cairo tour.
7- Saladin Citadel.
Saladin, whom European historians know as Saladin, overthrew the Fatimid dynasty in AD 1171 and established the new Sunni Ayubid caliphate. Saladin decided to improve the city’s defences, so he built a castle and a wall around Cairo, which is now Islamic Cairo. The seat of the Egyptian government was in the Citadel of Saladin for 700 years until Khedive Ismail moved to Abdeen Palace in the 1870s. Abdeen Palace is built in the middle of a new part of downtown Cairo. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Egypt, and there is the grand dam of Muhammad Ali.
8- Muhammad Ali Mosque.
The Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha or Al-Marmar is located in a part of Cairo called the Citadel. Built between 1830 and 1848 by Muhammad Ali Pasha, it is now one of the most popular places to visit in Cairo.
9- The Coptic Museum.
The Coptic Museum contains the most extensive collection of art and artifacts made by Copts worldwide. The museum, which has been around since 1910, tells the story of Coptic history from when Christianity arrived in Egypt to the time of the Ottomans. It does this by displaying a variety of artworks with Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman influences.
10- The Hanging Church.
The Coptic Orthodox Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called the Hanging Church, is located in an area called Coptic Cairo. It dates back to the third century and is one of the oldest churches in Egypt.
11- Cairo Tower.
You can get a great view of the entire city from the top of the Cairo Tower in Zamalek. The Cairo Tower, at 187 metres, has been the tallest building in North Africa for 50 years. Day or night, tourists can enjoy a great view of the city of Cairo from the 62nd floor. There is also a café that serves food and coffee for when you get hungry.
12- The Grand Museum of Egypt.
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), also known as the Giza Museum, is a new place for tourists to visit in Cairo. It is a museum with artifacts from ancient Egypt. Today, the Grand Museum is believed to be the world’s largest museum of ancient artifacts and will be completed in N.C.
13- Al-Azhar Mosque.
Al-Azhar Mosque, also known as Al-Azhar, is a very well-known Egyptian mosque in Cairo. It is located in an area of Cairo called Islamic Cairo. In 970, al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah of the Fatimid dynasty gave the order to begin construction.
14- The Egyptian Opera House.
The Cairo Opera House is located in the Zamalek district of Cairo, and it is part of the National Cultural Center in Cairo and is the best place to catch a show in the Egyptian capital. The Cairo Opera House is a great place to go if you love music and the arts, and it is where the best bands in Egypt play.
Food tour in the streets of Cairo:
Cairo has excellent local food, and you can often find vans like the famous bean and food cart and the liver and sausage sandwich cart driving around selling some of the best street food.
Koshari is another well-known unique dish. Koshari is made with rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, tomato sauce, and fried onions.
Cairo is full of great places to eat, and the Nile is great for grilled and international cuisine.
Some interesting Cairo facts.
1- Greater Cairo is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East. It covers an area of about 500 square kilometres and is home to approximately 21.9 million people.
2- People believe there are more than 4.5 million cars in Cairo.
3- In Cairo, the week begins on Sunday. Make Friday and Saturday the entire weekend.
4- The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only ancient wonders of the world still standing in the city, and they are in Cairo.
Some common questions we can answer:
1- Who lives in Cairo?
Cairo is the capital of Egypt. It is located in the north, about 165 km south of the Mediterranean Sea and 120 km west of the Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal.
2- What is the population of Cairo?
About 20.9 million people live in Cairo, spread over 3,085 square kilometres. Cairo is a bustling city, and rush hour traffic can be crazy and chaotic.
3- How do I get to Cairo?
If you are not in Egypt, you can fly to Cairo. But if you are already in Egypt, you can easily take a bus or train to get to Cairo.
5- When should you go to Cairo?
Since the summer is sweltering in Egypt, the best time to visit Cairo is from September to April. It can get a little chilly in December and January, so pack for t.
5- Where can you buy gifts to take home?
You can buy classic souvenirs in Khan El Khalili, such as figurines, key chains, and other decorative items. The original papyrus can be found at the Papyrus Institute or in stores that sell this sort of thing. There are stores nationwide, but most are close to tourist spots. The same applies to Egyptian cotton, perfume, silver, and gold: some shops only sell these things. If you are unsure where to buy the items you want, always ask your guide for help.
