World City Guide

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
With its layers of history and density of streets, one could spend months in Cairo and still not manage to see – or even find – all of its mosques and minarets, Coptic churches, souks, small museums and other places of interest. Just to visit the top attractions will require a stay of several days. Some sections of the city are attractions in themselves: the narrow streets of Old Cairo and Islamic Cairo are lined with ancient homes and buildings that can provide hours of fascinating (if frenetic) wandering. The Khan al-Khalili, the city’s main market (see Shopping), with its silk and spice merchants, haggling and steady stream of Cairenes from all walks of life, is one of the best places to soak up the local colour of Cairo. People-watching is one of the most rewarding activities. Western women may feel self-conscious at the many sidewalk cafés, as Egyptian women do not frequent them (apart from those in the market), but there are plenty of restaurants with outdoor dining that afford a respite from the bustle of the streets and the chance to watch the world go by.

The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities is located downtown near the central square, Midan Tahrir. To the north is Bulaq, a district with interesting mosques and medieval back streets along the Nile, which butts up against the modern offices of the World Trade Centre. To the south, is the suburb of Garden City, a tree-lined former British enclave in the wartime years. Most of the main attractions are situated in Old Cairo, the Coptic quarter where the Coptic Museum and Hanging Church are located, and Islamic Cairo, a huge maze-like medieval quarter peppered with domes and minarets that lies to the east of central Cairo and downtown. The towers of Bab Zuwayla, the Citadel, the Gayer Anderson House and the Islamic Art Museum are among the sights here. There is an official website for Cairo’s Islamic monuments (website: www.cim.gov.eg).

The famous Pyramids are located in Giza, 18km (11 miles) from the city centre. Other areas worth exploring include the two Nile islands. Roda includes the residential Manial district on its northern end, while Gezira, the largest island, is split into two distinct districts: Gezira proper with its Opera House and art museums, and Zamalek, home to diplomats, wealthy foreigners, luxurious villas and trendy bars and restaurants.

Public transport on the overcrowded Cairo buses (see Public Transport in Getting Around) is not recommended and, as such, no transport details for the attractions are given below. Unfortunately, the metro does not serve most of the main tourist spots. Sadat is the metro stop for Midan Tahrir in downtown Cairo; Mari Girgis is the stop for Old Cairo. It is quickest and easiest to take a taxi to the first destination of the day and walk to nearby sights from there. Note that most museums are closed during midday prayers on Fridays, approximately 1130-1330.

Tourist Information
Egyptian Tourist Authority
5 Sharia Adly, Midan Opera
Tel: (02) 391 3454.
Website: http://touregypt.net
Opening hours: Daily 0830-2000 (0900-1700 during Ramadan).

There are also offices at the Cairo International Airport (terminal two/New Airport), the Pyramids and the Railway Station.

Passes
There are no dedicated tourist discount passes in Cairo.