Like a number of vacationers, I spent two days in Cairo as a part of a week-long journey to Egypt, additionally visiting Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel. As Egypt’s capital metropolis and main cultural hub, it’s a preferred begin and finish level for many journeys. Two days is the minimal really useful time right here, though you might additionally go to for 3 or 4 days to essentially get a really feel for town.
Cairo is chaotic and intense, with fixed honking, jam-packed streets, and the nerve-wracking expertise of making an attempt to cross the highway. As a pedestrian you simply form of need to stroll out into the circulate of vehicles and hope they decelerate for you. It sounds disturbing, and it’s at instances, nevertheless it’s additionally a part of what makes town really feel alive.
Most individuals come to Cairo for the pyramids, and to be honest, they’re spectacular as you’d anticipate. However what stunned me was that my most memorable moments weren’t gazing up on the pyramids or using a camel within the desert. The town has a lot extra to find than that. My private highlights of Cairo had been visiting the Citadel, which provides you sweeping views over Cairo, and wandering round Khan el-Khalili market, the place you may browse the whole lot from spices to souvenirs. It’s additionally a type of cities the place merely sitting down with a plate of meals or a glass of tea and watching the world go by is value making time for.
Earlier than taking a look at what to see and do, let’s take a fast take a look at the perfect methods to get to Cairo.
Getting There: Flying into Cairo
Cairo Worldwide Airport is without doubt one of the busiest airports in Africa and the Center East, and it connects to locations everywhere in the world.
For those who’re touring regionally or inside Egypt, Nile air is an effective choice. Nile Air is one in every of Egypt’s main carriers, working flights between Cairo and different main Egyptian cities like Luxor and Aswan, in addition to routes throughout the Center East. This makes it handy in the event you’re planning to mix Cairo with different components of the nation, or in the event you’re coming in from close by locations.
When you land, the airport is a couple of 30 to 45 minute drive from town heart, relying on site visitors. Taxis and ride-hailing apps can be found, however for first-time guests, I’d recommend arranging an airport switch prematurely by your resort or tour supplier so that you don’t have to fret about scams or getting ripped off.
When you’re within the metropolis heart, getting round by Uber could be very low-cost and handy, because you don’t have to fret about carrying money with you. I felt very secure in Cairo realizing that my Uber rides had been tracked by GPS.
Begin With the Museums
I’d advocate beginning your journey to Cairo with a go to to the museums, since they’ll offer you a strong background on Egypt’s historical past earlier than you exit and see the massive sights in particular person.
The principle museum to go to is the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Sq.. It’s large, packed flooring to ceiling with statues, sarcophagi, jewellery, and nearly the whole lot else you may think about. There are over 120,000 objects on show (which is nearly an excessive amount of to soak up) however the primary draw right here is Tutankhamun’s gold masks – the strong gold funerary masks that was positioned over the face of the younger pharaoh when he was buried over 3,000 years in the past. Even in the event you’re not normally massive on museums, I’d say this one is value a few hours at the very least.
One other place you may like to go to is the Coptic Museum. It doesn’t get as many guests, which makes it a bit calmer, and the gathering is fascinating in the event you’re interested by Egypt’s Christian historical past. Past the collections of manuscripts, textiles, and artwork, the museum’s design usually catches individuals’s consideration. The carved woodwork and ethereal courtyards make the area really feel welcoming and serene.
If in case you have extra time, the Museum of Islamic Artwork can be wonderful. This museum covers centuries of Islamic historical past by issues like ceramics, calligraphy, and textiles, and it’s probably the greatest collections of its form anyplace. Since Cairo is thought for its Islamic structure and historic mosques, coming right here first helps put a number of what you’ll see across the metropolis into perspective.
The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
After all, you may’t discuss Cairo with out mentioning the Pyramids of Giza. The pyramids are solely a couple of 30-minute drive from downtown, however when you’re standing there within the desert, it feels such as you’ve stepped into one other world. I’d recommend hiring a information to indicate you round – this fashion you gained’t expertise any trouble while you’re there. Lots of people complain about being hassled or ripped off in Egypt, however when a information is current, you gained’t be bothered. Your information will take loads of pictures of you with the pyramids and also you gained’t need to haggle on the value of a camel experience.
The Nice Pyramid, constructed for Pharaoh Khufu, is the most important and the oldest of the three pyramids. You’ll be able to climb partway up and even enterprise inside one of many pyramids to see the chambers, although it may be a bit claustrophobic because the passages are slender. One other main spotlight is the Sphinx, the well-known statue with the physique of a lion and the face of a pharaoh, which sits subsequent to the pyramids as if guarding the positioning.
My recommendation: go early within the morning earlier than the tour buses arrive and earlier than the warmth of the day units in. If in case you have the time, stick round for sundown when the sunshine casts a golden glow over the stones.
Outdated Cairo
After seeing the traditional wonders, head to Outdated Cairo for a very totally different aspect of town. This district has been residence to Christians, Jews, and Muslims for hundreds of years, and you may see that blend mirrored within the structure.
The Hanging Church, named as a result of it was constructed on prime of a Roman fortress, is without doubt one of the oldest church buildings in Egypt. Inside, you’ll discover picket carvings, icons, and a peaceable ambiance that contrasts with the busy streets outdoors.
Close by is the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which has a captivating historical past tied to Jewish life in Cairo. The Amr Mosque, Cairo’s first mosque, can be on this space. The mosque has been rebuilt a number of instances over the centuries, nevertheless it stays an necessary landmark and a peaceable spot to step inside and take a break from town’s chaos.
Khan el Khalili: Cairo’s Well-known Market
Considered one of my favourite experiences in Cairo was wandering by Khan el Khalili, town’s historic bazaar. This well-known market dates again to the 14th century and remains to be a hub of exercise right this moment. The slender alleys are stuffed with retailers promoting the whole lot from gold jewellery to colourful lamps, spices, and textiles.
Even in the event you don’t plan on shopping for a lot, it’s enjoyable to browse and take within the ambiance. Haggling is a part of the expertise right here, so don’t be shy about negotiating costs. Whenever you want a break, cease at El Fishawy, a café that’s been serving tea and low for hundreds of years.
Life on the Nile
The Nile River has formed Egyptian tradition for hundreds of years, and it nonetheless performs a central function in Cairo right this moment. Taking a ship experience on the river is without doubt one of the most stress-free issues you are able to do within the metropolis.
A felucca, a standard picket sailboat, is ideal if you’d like one thing easy and peaceable. For those who take one at sundown, town lights begin to come on and the skyline takes on a heat, magical glow.
For a livelier expertise, there are dinner cruises with stay music and dancing. It’s a very totally different vibe, however each choices offer you a way of how necessary the river is to Cairo’s life and tradition.
Modern Cairo
Apart from historical past, Cairo additionally has a rising trendy artwork and music scene that’s value exploring.
In Zamalek, a leafy neighborhood on an island within the Nile, you’ll discover galleries just like the Zamalek Artwork Gallery and the Townhouse Gallery. Each galleries showcase each established and rising Egyptian artists, and exhibitions change often. Even in the event you’re not an artwork buff, it’s a great way to see what’s occurring within the metropolis creatively proper now.
The Cairo Opera Home is one other must-see. This gorgeous constructing homes the whole lot from ballet and opera to conventional Egyptian music concert events. Earlier than you go to, it’s value checking the schedule to see what’s on so you may catch a efficiency.
Smaller Museums Value Your Time
Past the massive museums, Cairo has some smaller ones which might be additionally value a go to and make for a pleasant change of tempo:
- The Gayer-Anderson Museum is a restored Seventeenth-century home stuffed with antiques, paintings, and conventional furnishings. It’s like moving into the house of a rich household from centuries in the past.
- The Umm Kulthum Museum is devoted to the lifetime of Egypt’s most beloved singer. Umm Kulthum was a cultural icon throughout the Arab world, and the museum shows her costumes, devices, and private belongings.
- The Panorama of the October Conflict tells the story of the 1973 battle with Israel. The spotlight is a rotating platform with a panoramic portray of the struggle, mixed with artifacts and reveals.
Native Meals to Strive in Cairo
Whenever you discover Cairo, the landmarks are solely a part of the image. You’ll additionally need to get a style of native life and check out some Egyptian meals when you’re there.
Strive koshari, a mixture of rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, and crispy onions topped with tomato sauce and chili. It’s filling, low-cost, and highly regarded with locals. Ful medames (fava beans) and taameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans as a substitute of chickpeas) are additionally staple dishes you’ll see all over the place.
Sitting in a café is one other must-do. Cairo has a protracted coffeehouse custom, and lots of locations are simply as a lot about people-watching and dialog as they’re concerning the drinks. Order a mint tea or a powerful espresso, and watch the world go by.
A Prompt Three-Day Itinerary
For those who’re quick on time however need to get a very good mixture of experiences, right here’s a prompt itinerary on your journey:
- Day 1: Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Sq., and a sundown felucca experience.
- Day 2: Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx within the morning, then dinner in Zamalek.
- Day 3: Outdated Cairo—Hanging Church, Amr Mosque, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Khan el Khalili.
A Last Phrase
Cairo won’t at all times really feel straightforward to navigate, nevertheless it’s a spot you shouldn’t skip in the event you’re heading to different locations in Egypt like Luxor or Aswan. I’d advocate giving your self at the very least two to 3 days right here to get a correct really feel for town.
Between the museums, the meals, the markets, and the historic websites, there’s greater than sufficient to maintain you busy. And in the event you’re feeling adventurous, you may even take a day journey as much as Alexandria for a change of surroundings alongside the Mediterranean coast.