Cairo Introduction

Cairo's extraordinary history reverberates as loudly as the shouts of the city's street vendors and the roar of traffic. Enter the gates of the Citadel, home to Egypt's rulers for 700 years, where crumbling towers and palace remains are dominated by the elegant, Ottoman minarets of the Mohammad Ali Mosque. On the West Bank of the River Nile, Giza is the gateway to the Pyramids, the Sphinx and the tombs of kings.

In Central Cairo's bustling downtown district, the Ramses Hilton sits on the east bank of the river, just moments from the Egyptian Museum, which is home to Tutankhamen’s treasures. See the sights from the water on a felucca, visit ancient Coptic churches and see whirling Sufi dancers at the Mausoleum of Al-Ghouri. After bargaining in the souks and stalls, sip mint tea within the faded walls of Al-Fishawi's, in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, an ahwa coffee shop which has been open every day and every night for over two centuries.

Architectural marvels and living history

Pyramids at Giza

Citadel

Egyptian Museum

Mohammad Ali Mosque

Cairo Tower

Coptic Museum

Arias and aces

Cairo International Book Fair (Jan), Coptic Christmas (Jan), International Tennis Tournament (Feb), Cairo International Festival for Children's Cinema (Mar), Cairo International Song Festival (Aug), Wafaa Al-Nil Festival (Sep), Moulid of Sayyida Zeinab (Oct), Pharaohs' Rally (Oct), Arabic Music Festival (Nov).