A Guide to Cairo: What to Do and Where to Stay

The best neighbourhoods to visit in Cairo

Downtown Cairo

The Egyptian Museum houses the finest collection of its kind in the world (Photo: Getty Images)

The open squares and wide boulevards of Downtown Cairo make it the perfect introduction to Egypt’s capital – explore this central district of shiny embassies and leafy gardens before throwing yourself into the tangled streets of the city’s older quarters.

One standout local attraction is the Egyptian Museum, which houses the finest collection of its kind in the world. You can’t hope to see all 135,000 or so exhibits, of course, but don’t miss the Tutankhamun galleries, where – until the Grand Egyptian Museum finally opens – you’ll find the boy-king’s famous funerary mask. There are more superb displays in the Museum of Islamic Art, two kilometres to the east, whose vast collection of rare woodwork, metalwork, glass and ceramic pieces spans the Muslim world, from Andalusia to East Asia.

Cap off a few hours in Downtown Cairo with a refreshing mint tea in one of the area’s many historic cafés. With its range of great places to eat, and convenient central location, this is a handy district to base yourself in: The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, one of the best places to stay in the whole of Cairo, overlooks the River Nile and is virtually next door to the Egyptian Museum; while the The St. Regis Cairo enjoys equally magnificent views over the great river, a couple of kilometres further north along the Corniche Road.

Islamic Cairo

Al-Muizz street and the minaret-pierced skyline of Islamic Cairo (Photo: Getty Images)

The fascinating quarter of Islamic Cairo is the most evocative area of the entire city, a spider’s web of streets disappearing off in all directions, filled with the sound of hawkers and the smell of cumin and saffron.

The focal point for a visit to this neighbourhood should be the great Khan el-Khalili bazaar, a short taxi ride east of Downtown Cairo, which was founded as a caravanserai (an inn where traders could rest after a long journey) over 500 hundred years ago. If you need to quench your thirst as you explore, look out for karkade. This refreshing drink is made from hibiscus flower petals and tastes a bit like a sweeter version of cranberry juice – nothing beats a glass of karkade on a hot Cairene day.

Islamic Cairo is one of the best places in the city to shop for souvenirs, its many storefronts overflowing with huge brass lanterns, copper pots, exquisite gold jewellery and aromatic incense. It’s great fun, especially as haggling is expected.

Islamic Cairo is dominated by the district’s other must-see sight: the Citadel, and the enormous mosque that rises from within its walls. Begun by Saladin in the late twelfth century, this hilltop bastion was the seat of power in Egypt for 700 years and now affords spectacular views over a skyline of slender minarets.

Old Cairo

The tenth-century Church of St. George sits right at the heart of Old Cairo (Photo: Getty Images)

Given this city’s long history, you know that “Old” Cairo really is old – and this quarter is where it all began for today's Egyptian capital. Originally known as Babylon-in-Egypt, Old Cairo is where Christianity first took root in the first century AD and the area is still best known for the churches built here by Egyptian Christians, or Copts.

A few stops on the metro from Tahrir Square, the atmospheric Coptic quarter is where you’ll find most of the sights of interest. Make a beeline for the Coptic Museum, packed with early Christian art and artefacts, including the oldest stone pulpit in existence, before taking in a few of the district’s churches; the Hanging Church, built in 600 AD, is the most memorable of the lot, seemingly levitating between two buildings thanks to a touch of architectural trickery.

A couple of kilometres east of the Hanging Church lies the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a huge modern complex that traces the Egyptian way of life from prehistoric time to the present day. The museum’s highlight is the Royal Mummies’ Hall, a collection of the most famous kings and queens of Ancient Egypt that includes the embalmed figures of Thutmose III and Ahmose Nefertari, still replete with billowing hair.

Gezira island

Gezira Island make a wonderful vantage point for appreciating the majesty of the Nile (Photo: Getty Images)

The island of Gezira only emerged out of the Nile in the early 1800s, reclaimed from old mudbanks. Sitting right in the centre of the Nile, it’s a great place to appreciate the majesty of this world-famous waterway.

Cruising down the Nile in a traditional wooden felucca is a classic Egyptian experience. Alternatively, you could experience this iconic river at your own pace, exploring the city's riverbanks with the Nile Kayak Club. It' s always possible, of course, to just sit back and watch the comings and goings from one of Gezira island’s waterfront restaurants. 

Most of the rooms at the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino, in the Zamalek district at the southern end of the island, offer astonishing views down over the Nile, as do those at the Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino, a short caleche (horse-drawn carriage) ride across the bridge, on the river’s west bank. Both hotels are well located for the Cairo Tower, which at 187m high is the best place to appreciate the city’s vastness, with wide-scale vistas stretching across to Islamic Cairo and out towards the Pyramids.

The Pyramids of Giza

Many of Cairo's incredible sights are must-sees, like the pyramids (Photo: Getty Images)

No visit to Cairo would be complete without a trip to the Pyramids, which rise up from the desert on the western fringes of the city. The last remaining wonder of the ancient world, they are as spellbinding as you’d imagine, despite the fact that the city of Giza itself seems to be encroaching ever closer by the day. Their enormity is profoundly humbling – it took 100,000 workers nearly 30 years to erect the Great Pyramid of Cheops, the largest of the three – even more so when you consider that they are over 4,500 years old. The Pyramids are one of the most popular sights in Egypt, so it’s worth spending a night at a nearby hotel – the attractive Marriott Mena House, Cairo directly overlooks them – so you can be ahead of the crowds the next day. 

Go deeper

When visiting Cairo's bazaars, be prepared to embrace the art of bartering. The best way to end a negotiation – or to avoid one in the first place – is by placing your right hand on your chest and shaking your head.

A fine way to start a day exploring Cairo is with a proper Egyptian breakfast – try ful medames, fava beans in olive oil, lemon juice and garlic, served with chopped boiled egg and pitta bread. It's a very traditional dish, dating back to the time of the pharaohs. If you get peckish while on the go, grab yourself a fiteer. A cross between a pizza and a pancake, fiteer are layered pastry pies served with gibna beyda cheese or honey, although you can also get them filled with mince, sausages, peppers, onions or egg or raisins, nuts or sugar.