Cairo

Cairo

The capital, Cairo, allows ancient history to coexist with modern life. Reputedly "The City of a Thousand Minarets," Cairo boasts some of the most spectacular monuments: the grandiose Pyramids of Giza, the mysterious Sphinx, and the riches of the Egyptian Museum. Cairo, on the banks of the Nile River, is filled with busy streets and energetic markets, including Khan El Khalili; it has a rich and layered cultural heritage that stretches back through centuries on end. Cairo is a must-see for all history lovers, culture seekers, and adventurers on Egypt tours.

location of Cairo

Located in the northeastern part of Egypt, Cairo sits along the banks of the Nile River and serves as its capital. It lies about 500 km (310 miles) north of the Mediterranean Sea and around 1,000 km (620 miles) from the border with Sudan, to its south. Given its position right in the heart of Egypt, Cairo serves as a commercial, cultural, and movement center for tourists. Its location also makes it easily accessible to some of the most well-known ancient sites of Egypt: the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

Facts about Cairo

Historical Importance: Cairo is one of the oldest cities in the world today and has a history of more than 1000 years ago. The Fatimid founded it as a major place for culture, education, and trade in the year 969 AD.
The Thousand-Minaret City: It is often referred to as the City of a Thousand Minarets because of the density of mosques and other manifestations of Islamic architecture. More than 1,000 mosques can be found in this city, which makes it one of the most predominant centers of Islamic history.
The Nile River: This is the river that passes through Cairo, providing the much-needed water for the region and serving as a trade route. This is the world's longest river, over 6,650 km (4,130 miles) long, through northeastern Africa.
The biggest city in the Arab world: This great city of Cairo, over 20 million people strong in a metropolitan area, is the largest in the Arab world-all by itself-the largest city on the African continent and the 16th largest city in the world.
Home of the Pyramids of Giza: The city of Cairo is located near the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. These ancient structures, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, were built almost 4,500 years ago and rank among the most international landmarks.
The Egyptian Museum: The Egyptian Museum is one of the best-known in the world. It has more than 120,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt, and its public display will also include the treasures of King Tutankhamun, owned by the museum, making it a big attraction for tourists.
The Traffic of Cairo: Cairo boasts its heavy traffic and congestion. With countless figures and inadequate public transport, it becomes quite a feat to use either car or bus to move around this city. One thing notable about Cairo, unlike any other in Africa, is that it hosts one of the oldest metro systems.
Cairo's Climate: Cairo is under a hot desert climate, with long, hot summers and mild winters characterized by the presence of temperatures above 40°C during most of the summer and a more moderate temperature range of around 15-20°C in winter.
Modern Architecture of Cairo: Cairo, which is largely associated with its historical landmarks, is much the same thing with skyscrapers and shopping malls, plus luxury hotels dotted around the city. The Cairo Tower, constructed in the 1960s, is one of the country's tallest buildings, affording viewers a panoramic view of both the city and the Nile River.
The Capital of Arab Media: Cairo is oftentimes referred to as the media city for the Arabs because many television channels, radio stations, and newspapers can boast of having their headquarters in the city; the city also hosts the prestigious Cairo International Film Festival, one of many international film festivals.
Cultural Hub: Cairo is a real cultural place—all the way with its theaters, music, literature, and art. The Cairo Opera House is probably the most important venue for opera, ballet, and classical concerts, but there are many more.
Roaring Markets: Among Cairo's ancient bustling places can be found the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, one of the oldest and most famous markets in the Middle East. The market is known for the vivid life inside it with a large amount of spice and handicrafts, jewelry, and souvenirs.

The top highlight attraction in Cairo

An impressive and lovably noisy city for the traffic, Cairo, Egypt's capital, has so many attractions that you can hardly not see them. Here are some of the highlights you just shouldn't miss when in Cairo:

1. The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are perhaps the most characteristic monuments of all those existing in Egypt since they are one out of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The old tombs, built more than 4,500 years ago, are those of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, along with the Sphinx, which is a mammoth stone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh. A visit to such monuments would make life itself unforgettable in any case by simply looking at the remains of ancient Egyptian civilization.
2. The Egyptian Museum
Tahrir Square is the home of the Egyptian Museum. More than 120,000 pieces of collections from ancient Egypt are housed in this museum, along with aspects of the priceless King Tutankhamun collection. His golden death mask and countless treasure pieces from tombs are also put on display in the museum, which is one of the most important archaeological sites throughout the world.
3. Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Visiting Khan El Khalili is kind of like time travel; suddenly you are in a totally different period. This historic bazaar in Islamic Cairo has been in existence since the 14th century and is perfect for a very colorful, chaotic shopping experience. You will find just about everything from traditional Egyptian crafts to jewelry, spices, and souvenirs while discovering the narrow streets all through a vibrant atmosphere.
4. Cairo Tower: The Cairo Tower is located on Zamalek Island, around which is situated a panoramic view of the city combined with the Nile River. This tower stands at a height of 187 meters and is one of the tallest buildings in Cairo. Visitors can take an elevator to the observation deck that provides stunning views of the city's skyline. At the highest point is a revolving restaurant that offers a meal while taking in the view.
5. Islamic Cairo Is a UNESCO World Heritage site with such incredible architecture in one of the world's historic mosques. Several lovely mosques in the area include the Mohammed Ali Mosque (also called the Citadel Mosque) in the Saladin Citadel and the Al-Azhar Mosque, which dates back as far as the 10th century. Taking a walk around this area is an opportunity to experience the vibrant cultural and religious history of the city.
6. Citadel of Saladin 
In the 12th century, the Citadel of Saladin was built as one of the grandest fortresses and is undoubtedly commanding within its views of Cairo. The mosque of Mohammed Ali found in the citadel becomes an architectural marvel, more often called the "Alabaster Mosque." It is a wonderful place to catch glimpses of medieval history about Cairo and to enjoy having a walk in the grounds.
7. Coptic Cairo
Coptic Cairo represents the early Christian area wherein a lot of important different sites can be found, including the Hanging Church (Saint Virgin Mary Coptic Orthodox Church), Coptic Museum, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. It forms a nice place of calm and serenity right in the thick of crowded Cairo. It offers a glimpse of the early Christian and Jewish histories of Egypt.
8. The Nile 
There is hardly any part of Egypt's identity or history that is without mention of the Nile River. One can take a Nile cruise to enjoy the beautiful serenity of the river during sunset. Many dinner cruises, complete with entertainment, sail through this vibrant cityscape on what is arguably Egypt's most famous waterway.
9. Sound and Light Show in the Pyramids 
For a magical evening experience, try the Pyramid Sound and Light Show in Giza. It is performed every night and illuminates the Sphinx and Pyramids along with a narrated story about the history of Egypt and its ancient wonders. This is a very fascinating way to enjoy the stars while learning everything about the pyramids. 
10. Al-Azhar Park 
Al Azhar Park is a greatly landscaped public park and allows one of the finest views of the Islamic Cairo skyline along with the Citadel of Saladin. A peaceful haven in the heart of Cairo, this is ideal for a stroll and picnic with exciting views of historic mosques and other landmarks.

Cairo is a city that effortlessly combines the ancient with the modern, creating an energetic and unforgettable experience for its visitors. From the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza to the busy streets of its markets, from its rich Islamic architecture to its vibrant cultural scene, Cairo is a place where history comes alive at every corner. Be it the treasures of times long past, the vibrancy in the air, or the views of the Nile that steal one's breath, Cairo is a city that fascinates the mind and can never be forgotten. A Cairo day tour is literally a journey through time and culture into the heart of Egypt.