The city inevitably casts a spell over you, and you can hardly get enough of it – but you have plenty of opportunities. First of all, a trip to the Egyptian Museum with its ancient exhibits shrouded in mystery is recommended.
The Egyptian metropolis is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world: almost 8 million inhabitants are registered in the city area alone. In addition to the many locals, Cairo also hosts a large number of tourists from all over the world year after year. The spring and late spring are the most popular times to visit because it is not so hot then, but even in winter and summer, there is by no means a shortage of visitors. The crowds of onlookers in the magnificent city speak Japanese and Chinese, English, French, Italian, and, of course, German.
Cairo is located on the Nile River, right where the river spreads out like a fan and its various arms flow north through the low-lying Nile Delta until they finally flow into the Mediterranean Sea. It is warm in the city, although the humidity has an increasing tendency due to the Nile. In July and August, it is really hot, and the barometer sometimes shows between 30°C and 40°C. In winter it is correspondingly cooler, and the temperatures are between 24°C and 30°C. Precipitation is low.
Cairo is divided into several districts, each with its character, as well as sights that should not be missed. Greater Cairo is home to the administrative headquarters of the city – as well as the country. The area is north of the city, includes parts of Giza on the west bank of the river and a vast area to the east. The flair is contemporary: the wide 19th-century boulevards are reminiscent of cities like Paris and gleaming, futuristic buildings, parking lots, classy restaurants and hotels blend seamlessly into the setting. The neighborhood is quite different from almost all other parts of the city.
The Corniche el-Nil runs along the left side of the Nile. Several bridges lead to Gezira Island in the Zamalek district and from there to the west bank. Cairo Tower, a tall television tower with a lattice-like facade, is the island’s landmark and can be seen from afar. The observation deck of the tower offers an incomparable panorama. The city center has a lot to offer in terms of sights, such as Midan Opera and Midan Ataba from the 19th century.
Midan Tahrir forms the busy core of the city center. This area is crowded with stores, cafés, and restaurants, for example on Kasr el-Nil street.
The museum is housed in a rose-washed neoclassical building and has the world’s most extensive collection of Egyptian antiquities. According to estimates, there are no less than 120,000 exhibits on display, including mummies, numerous sarcophagi, and, of course, Tutankhamun’s world-famous gold and alabaster treasure, burial objects discovered in 1922 in the boy pharaoh’s final resting place.
In the foyer of the museum, there is a replica of the Rosetta Stone. The original was found in Rosetta (Rashid) on the north coast and played an instrumental role in deciphering the hieroglyphics, that ancient Egyptian script from the pre-Pharaonic period. To guide your visit, you can book a guided tour or purchase a museum guide and explore on your own. In any case, take several hours – real Egypt fans best a few days.
East of the city center you reach the Islamic part of the city – the oldest is in the south. Both quarters have their charm and flair: narrow streets, a labyrinth of alleys and paths, old tree features on mosques and churches, and miles of residential streets in between, lost in the distance.
Khan al-Khalili: With this name, one immediately thinks of the famous street network that makes up the largest bazaar in the Middle East and one of the oldest markets in the world. It is located in the Islamic part of Cairo and was started by its namesake Emir Djaharks al-Khalili as a caravanserai for merchants. Goods have been offered for sale there since 1382: Precious stones, gold and silver, copper, and strongly scented spices. Similar items can still be found in the bazaar today, but also a lot of items that are more suitable as souvenirs or souvenirs. A stroll through the market is a feast for the senses and a lot of fun.
The great Sultan Hassan Mosque, a sacred site in Cairo. It is worth seeing, as well as the very old Al-Azhar Mosque, the Ibn- Tulun Mosque, the Citadel built by Salah El-Din to protect against invaders, the Mohammed Ali Mosque on the same site, and Wakala al-Ghuri, a former caravanserai from the Middle Ages that now houses an arts and crafts center. The Islamic part of Cairo is usually bustling, but don’t let that deter you, especially on your first visit to the city.
The Giza pyramids are the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the World and epitomize Egypt par excellence. Given the sublime structures, one can hardly get out of amazement: The great pyramid for King Cheops of the 4th Dynasty, the somewhat smaller pyramid for Chephren from the time around 2500 BC, and the Mykerinos pyramid make a memorable picture. All around are some smaller pyramids, the tombs of the family members of the pharaohs. On the side, the often-photographed Sphinx with its lion’s body and a human head is enthroned, and a few steps further you come to the Sunbark Museum.
Sakkara with the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Sechemchet Pyramid is an ancient Egyptian necropolis and once belonged to Memphis, which was the glittering capital of Egypt for many years during the time of the pharaohs. Although the pyramids of Giza and the beautiful sphinx that guards them date back to the time of the pharaohs and are now among the oldest architectural monuments in the city, the Egyptian capital originated in Old Cairo, in the so-called Coptic Quarter of Cairo. The quarter, along with Memphis, Sakkara and Dahshur date back further than Cairo today.
At that time, Egypt was predominantly Christian, and the community grew steadily. Today, many historically significant Christian buildings and Christian churches of the city can be found in the streets and alleys of the Coptic Quarter. Worth seeing in this context is the St. Barbara Church. It is one of the largest in Egypt, and services are still held there regularly.
Also of interest in this area are St. George Church, St. Sergius Church, the oldest church in the Coptic Quarter and located a few meters below street level, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Amr Ibn al-As Mosque, and the wonderful Hanging Church. It is so-called because it was built at a great height on the ancient Roman fortress of Babylon. With its striking facade with two bell towers, the vaulted ceiling inside, and a row of columns, the magnificent building attracts all eyes.
A visit to the Coptic Museum, which is located a bit off the beaten track in an alley nearby, is worthwhile. Hidden behind the walls is a pretty courtyard – a real oasis of calm in the turbulent hustle and bustle of Cairo. Particularly noteworthy are the finely hand-carved Mashrabias on the windows. In the museum, a new surprise awaits around every bend, so to speak. It has one of the world’s finest collections of Coptic art, ranging from the time of the Pharaohs to the Greco-Roman and Islamic eras. Among the exhibits are pulpits, ancient fabrics, and embroidered silks, icons, manuscripts, and ceramics.
Cairo was home to pharaohs and followers of the Christian and Islamic faiths, the seat of the ruling royal dynasty and the Fatimid Caliphate, the capital during the Mamluks and Ottomans, and the center of the Napoleonic Empire when France occupied Egypt in the 18th century. Under British rule until Egypt’s independence in 1922, it retained its status as the capital. Today Cairo is the capital of Egypt, the seat of the administration and heart of the country.
