Cairo is one of the world's great megacities and Egypt's sprawling capital. As beautiful as it is bustling and rich in historic finery that spans centuries, Cairo is where you really get a feel for Egyptian street life. The city is set on the Nile River with Tahrir Square at its heart. Here, the vast Egyptian Museum is a key highlight, with its trove of antiquities including royal artefacts from the Valley of the Kings and several royal mummies. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Sphinx, dating back to the 26th century B.C. Cairo is the centre of the region's political and cultural life and is nicknamed “The city of a thousand minarets” for its wealth of stunning Islamic architecture.