Cairo has served as a protector and a hub for culture, art, and beauty for an indefinite period of time. It is well-known for being Egypt’s capital, as well as the largest metropolitan region in Africa, the Middle East, and the Arab world, as well as the world’s 15th largest. The city is located in northern Egypt, 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of the Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal, 165 kilometres (100 miles) south of the Mediterranean Sea, and on both sides of the Nile River in the Nile delta. Egypt has always had a capital, but the Cairo we know today was constructed in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty, and it became the capital of Egypt.

The city’s numerous mosques, castles, and churches, as well as the world’s second-oldest institution of higher learning, Al-Azhar University, and the Arab League’s headquarters, earned it the nickname “the city of a thousand minarets.” This place has many artefacts and monuments dating back to the 26th century, and the sound of liberation, Tahrir Square, are both located in the heart of Cairo.

The city serves as the government’s headquarters and the nerve centre for all financial and political power. It also has the Middle East’s largest mass media centre and film and music production facilities, as well as several culture institutions, museums, artistic institutes, sports clubs, and universities. Its climate is considerably diverse, with eight months of summer and four months of winter, which is why the best time to visit is from November to April. The city has a population of 9 million people, making it a very active environment.

Places to visit in Cairo

Sphinx

The Great Sphinx of Giza is the most famous statue in the world and one of the most instantly recognisable statues linked with ancient Egypt. The sculpture, which depicts a recumbent lion with an Egyptian king’s head, was carved out of limestone on the Giza plateau during the reign of king Khafre (2558-2532 BCE) during the Old Kingdom of Egypt (c. 2613-2181 BCE), though some scholars (notably Dobrev in 2004 CE) claim it was created by Djedefre (2566-2558 BCE), Khafre’s brother who attempted to usurp the throne.

Other Egyptologists, as well as other researchers, lecturers, and historians, have suggested that the Sphinx is far older than the 4th-Dynasty age that conventional Egyptology insists on. Scholars have long dismissed the assertions of some of these authors, such as Zechariah Sitchin and Erich von Daniken, while those of more recent writers on the subject are consistently dismissed or dismissed as irrelevant or erroneous.

Citadel

The Citadel, built by Saladin in 1176 as a defence against the Crusaders, was home to Egypt’s rulers for 700 years, sprawling over a limestone spur on the city’s eastern side. Their legacy consists of three distinct mosques, several palaces (some of which house mediocre or nearly-always closed museums), and a handful of terraces with spectacular Cairo views – on a clear day, you can see Giza’s Pyramids in the distance.

Following Saladin’s Ayyubid dynasty’s collapse, the Mamluks expanded the complex, adding lavish palaces and harems. The stronghold was expanded westward during the Ottomans (1517–1798), and a new main gate, the Bab Al Azab, was built, while the Mamluk palaces deteriorated. Nonetheless, when Napoleon’s French forces took possession of Cairo in 1798, the emperor’s savants considered these structures to be among Cairo’s best Islamic monuments.

Cairo Tower

This is at the height of 187 metres, giving the most incredible sights of Egypt’s capital. For the best views of the city, climb up in the afternoon or late morning. A restaurant is also located on the top floor. The restaurant rotates around the main axis of the tower on occasion. Naoum Chebib, an Egyptian architect, created the tower. It took half a decade to finish, from about 1956 to about 1961. Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. 60 EGP for adults, free for children under the age of six.

Mosque of Sultan Hassan

This mosque was constructed from 1356 to about 1363 and has a mausoleum, madrasa, and a congregational place of worship. There are minarets, and also a citadel, where usually a lot of people spend most of their time. The major portion of the façade includes muqarnas portals. You can even see the exteriors in different styles with the vertical focus.

Bab El Futuh

This is a part of the historic place of Cairo’s northern wall, and it was constructed by the famous Amir al-Juyush who was also the Commander of the Armies. It was made during the Fatimid Caliph al- Mustansir bi Allah’s time. This space was forced to have a square surface area with sides measuring around 1200 metres because of the wall. If you notice the exterior of Cairo, a number of gates were opened, but only three remain: Bab al-Futuh is situated in the start of al-Muizz Street or popularly called as the kasbah of the old Fatimid City.

Egyptian Museum

This is one of the oldest Middle East’s archaeological museums. You will find the popular greatest treasures of Pharaonic antiquities. The museum houses a huge assortment of artefacts dating from the popular Greco-Roman Period.

The building’s architect was chosen through a first-of-its-kind international competition in 1895, which was won by French architect Marcel Dourgnon. Khedive Abbas Helmy II opened the museum in 1902, and it has since become a historic landmark in the well known downtown Cairo, housing some of the world’s most stunning ancient masterpieces.

 

Step Pyramid

This is located at Saqqara and is considered one of most important archaeological sites in the country. Though it is not incredible or popular, this monument is crucial to archaeologists’ knowledge of pyramid development.

It was built during Djoser’s 3rd dynasty dominance in the 27th century BC. It is Egypt’s first pyramid, but cannot be considered a “real pyramid” with flat walls as it represents a vital milestone in their evolution.

So, what are you waiting for? Do your Egypt airlines booking right away and enjoy your next trip.