Cairo and Giza are Egypt’s two major cities.
To reach Alexandria, Egypt’s Mediterranean coast city of 222 kilometers (2 hours 30 minutes by car), you must cross the Giza Plateau, which is home to Cairo, Egypt’s capital city.
66 million people call Cairo home, making it the most populated metropolis in the Middle East and Africa’s second-largest in terms of population.
Many new, large metropolitan districts have sprung up outside of Cairo and Giza’s center, and some of them need travel times of more than an hour and a half to get from the big central locations.
It is situated in this area, which includes the rich residential communities of New Cairo, Greater Cairo, and New Giza, as well as a number of other affluent neighborhoods. As part of one of our Egypt Tours, you may visit Cairo.
The Life Style:
While living in Cairo’s downtown, you may expect a lot of activity throughout the normal working hours of each weekday due to the city’s large size and dense population.
Because of this, a wide range of nationalities choose to live, work, and play in the country.
There are many Cairenes living in Cairo for business who fly back to their hometowns, which are normally less than two hours away, or stay in Cairo with family or friends.
At neighborhood coffee shops and restaurants, women and children are often seen, but men are more likely to be found watching football, a major hobby and tradition in Egypt.
For the holidays, many Egyptians go to Port El Sokhna, an hour’s drive from Cairo, or to the Red Sea resorts, both of which are situated in the country.
As a commercial and working metropolis, Cairo is a location where most Egyptians are devoted to their daily work schedules, which are often long and stretch into the night.
What to do in Cairo and Giza may be summarized thusly:
Everybody knows that when you think of Egypt and Cairo, the Pyramids come to mind first.
Even now, Egypt’s historic Pharaonic History monuments remain the most popular tourist attractions in the Middle East and North Africa.
In addition to the city’s most well-known tourist sites including as the Pyramids, Sphinx, and Egyptian Museum, there are a slew of lesser-known gems to be discovered by the curious visitor.
Modern:
View from the Cairo Tower’s observation deck at Zamalek/Gezira Island
An Egyptian architect created the skyscraper, which was built between 1954 and 1961.
Standing at 614 feet, it was the tallest structure in North Africa for 50 years. In the form of a Pharaonic Lotus flower, it was approved for building by Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt’s then-President at the time.
The tower’s stunning array of lights features a revolving restaurant with panoramic views of Cairo and the Nile, as well as nighttime illuminations and a light show.
A Night on the Nile with Dinner Cruises – Cairo
For those who want to see Cairo’s nightlife while eating and drinking, a river cruise is a terrific option. Guests may enjoy traditional Egyptian folk music, belly dancers, and other entertainment on board.
A few of Cairo’s most recognizable structures are the Opera House and El Gezirah Island.
In the years after its opening to the public in 1988, the Cairo Opera House has become a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike.
There are many different types of performances here, including musicals, cultural acts, and plays, making it a major arts and culture hub in the city.
Foreigners and well-heeled Egyptians alike congregate on beautiful Gezirah Island, which is also home to a number of upscale restaurants and cafés.
In addition to the most well-known landmarks, there are a slew of lesser-known Cairo attractions with a rich history spanning many centuries of Egypt’s long history.
Archaic: The Sphinx and the Step Pyramid of Giza; the Temple of Amun at Memphis and Sakkara (original first ever discovered Pyramid in the world)
Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo (Egyptian Museum of Antiquities)
The Citadel of Saladin – A stronghold built under the Ottoman Empire and dating back to that time.
Egypt’s Coptic Quarter (the city’s earliest Christian settlement) and Khan Khalili District, two of Pakistan’s most famous tourist spots, are located in Cairo (known as Old Islamic Cairo)
Mosques of Al Hussein and Al Azhar (Old Islamic Cairo)
Mamlouk mosques dot the cityscape of old Coptic Cairo, as does the city’s Jewish synagogue.
Due to its abundance of minarets, Cairo earned the nickname “the city of a thousand minarets” when it was founded in AD 969.
On the streets of Cairo’s Midan Tahrir neighborhood, such Qasr el-Nil, you will discover a profusion of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. For those who want a more traditional experience, there is the American University, which is housed in a stunning Neo-Islamic edifice; it’s also one of Cairo’s most popular tourist attractions. The Sadat metro station, which can be found to the right, will take you there.
The largest collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world is kept in a neoclassical building that has been painted pink. One estimate puts the number of objects on display at 120,000. Among them are the renowned Tut Ankh Amum (Tutankhamun) gold and alabaster jewelry found in the young pharaoh’s tomb in 1922.
You’ll discover a replica of the Rosetta Stone in the museum’s foyer as you enter.
In order to decipher hieroglyphics, an ancient Egyptian form of writing that dates back to before the time of the Pharaonic Egyptian Empire, the original was discovered in Rosetta, Rashid, on the north coast, and The Citadel was critical in this process. For those who don’t want to schedule a guided tour in advance, you may just purchase a book and explore the museum at your own pace when you’re there. If you’re a serious Egyptologist, you may want to plan for a few days.
Cairo’s Islamic district lies east of Central Cairo, whereas the city’s oldest district is south. Small alleyways, alleys, antique architecture in the mosques and churches as well as residential streets that stretch for miles are just some of the characteristics of these two towns that are full of character.
One of the oldest and most prominent markets in the world, Khan el-Khalili, is situated in Cairo’s Islamic neighborhood and is referred to as Khan el-Khalili. A caravanserai for merchants was erected by Emir Djaharks el- Khalili, who built the khan.
Since the year 1382, traders have been selling their goods including diamonds, gold and silver, copper, and powerfully scented spices. Despite the fact that many of the same things are still accessible today, they have been replaced with souvenirs that are more suited to travelers looking for a keepsake from their journey.
Taking a walk around the market is both fascinating and interesting.
One of Cairo’s most sacred sites, the beautiful Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussen and the magnificently ancient Mosque of al-Azhar are both within walking distance and well worth a visit, respectively.
The Citadel of Salah El Din, home to the Mosque of Mohamed Ali atop the Ibn Tulun Citadel, was constructed in the 12th century to guard the city from invasion.
A medieval manuscript known as the Wikalat al-Ghouri. Cairo’s Islamic neighborhood is a must-see for visitors, no matter how busy it is on any given day.
A must-see is the Giza Pyramids, situated on the Giza plateau west of Cairo and close to the ancient towns of Memphis and Saqqara.
Last of the ancient world’s seven wonders, the Giza Pyramids are Egypt’s most recognized monument.
As well as King Khufu’s Great Pyramid, which was built in 2500 BC, you’ll also be able to visit the smaller Pyramid of Khafre, which was created in 2400 BC, and the larger Pyramid of Menkaure, which was built for King Menkaure of the 5th Dynasty.
Several smaller pyramids may be found across the region, where members of the kings’ family were buried.
Across the street from the Sphinx is the Solar Boat Museum, which displays a full-size ancient Egyptian boat that was found in parts but precisely reconstructed after it was discovered in pieces. I can’t get enough of it.
In addition to the Pyramid of Sekhemkhet and the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Saqqara complex of pyramids and monuments, which includes Memphis, the capital of Egypt for much of the Pharaonic era, is also worth viewing.
Old Cairo, also known as Coptic Cairo, is where the city developed, despite the fact that the Pyramids of Giza and the beautiful Sphinx that ‘guards’ them date back to Pharaonic times.
The area, along with Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur, predates the founding of the present city.
During the 6th century AD, Alexandria functioned as Egypt’s capital, and the Pyramids and Sphinx were placed well beyond the authority of the little settlement of Old Cairo.
There were only a few cottages on the banks of the Nile and a Roman fort that protected the route that linked the ancient Egyptian cities of Memphis and Heliopolis, which was subsequently called Cairo.
Amr Ibn al-Aas, the Arab commander who is credited with deciding that the territory was a good site for the creation of a much larger town, allegedly began erecting houses and temples in the area.
Community continued to expand, even after the majority of the country was Christian.
Coptic Some of Cairo’s most old and noteworthy Christian monuments and churches may be located in the city’s little alleyways and streets.
Visit the Church of St. Barbara, Egypt’s largest and only church still in continuous daily use.
The Church of St. George, Cairo’s oldest Coptic church, is situated only a few feet below street level in this neighborhood.
In addition to the Ben Ezra Synagogue and Amr Ibn al-Aas Mosque, there is also the stunning Hanging Church, which is called by its location atop the Babylon Fort, a historic Roman fortification.
In addition to its stunning exterior, which has twin bell towers and a vaulted ceiling with a series of columns, the building’s interior is no less impressive.
You should not miss the Coptic Museum, which is located in a quiet lane close.
There’s a lovely courtyard garden tucked away beyond its walls, a tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of Cairo’s crowded streets.
The beautifully carved mashrabiya windows are worth a look. Every part of the museum’s interior is filled with surprises.
Artifacts dating back to the Pharaonic era are on display, as well as artifacts dating back to the Graeco-Roman and Islamic periods as well as the Middle Ages.
Items on display include pulpits, antique textiles and embroidered silks, religious icons, manuscripts, and ceramics.
Intriguing facts about Cairo’s past may be found all over the internet.
During the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, it was the capital as well as the home of the ruling Royal family and the Fatimid Caliphate.
While Egypt was ruled by Napoleon, Cairo was the center of his empire, which included pharaohs, Christians and Muslims.
Until Egypt attained independence in 1922, it served as the country’s capital city as a British colonial outpost.
Recommendations-based tours
To go to the Pyramids and the Nile, you’ll pay $1257.
Trips from Alexandria to Cairo start at $169 for a day trip. From $1361 you may visit the Pyramids, the Nile, and Sharm El Sheikh. The Nile and Cairo Tour Package At a cost of $989 Day Trip from Alexandria Port to Cairo and the Nile from $169
