Cairo is an exuberant and frenetic city with crowded city streets, bustling marketplaces, ancient artifacts and stunning sunsets. Spanning both banks of the Nile River, Cairo sprawls outward into neighborhoods filled with historic buildings, modern commercial and industrial districts, and never-ending suburbs. It is only the vast, sweeping deserts to the east, south and west that seem to contain the energy, clamor and activity of an ever growing population. Cairo is definitely captivating and one of those vacations you simply must take.
Cairo separates Lower Egypt (north to the Nile Delta at Alexandria) and Upper Egypt (Aswan to the south of Cairo) and marks the beginning of the fertile fields of the life giving Nile Delta. Although not a capital city until the 10th century, Cairo and the surrounding area have played a significant role in shaping the history of Egypt and is evident by the number of visitors that travel from far and wide to see this open air museum. The past is still alive in today’s Cairo.
Because Cairo offers so many sightseeing possibilities, here are some recommendations for must-see sights and tours when traveling in Egypt:
Take a stroll to the Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo) quarter, almost a city within a city. Some of Cairo's oldest churches and mosques can be found along the scenic, cobbled streets and alleys in this ancient part of Cairo believed to have been settled as early as the 6th century BC.
The Coptic Museum houses art, icons, old manuscripts, textiles and stone work dating from 300 to 1000 AD.
The Hanging Church (Al-Muaallaqah ) origins date to the 3rd or 4th century and was rebuilt in the 11th century.
Church of St Sergius, the oldest church in Egypt, is where the Holy Family reportedly stayed during their flight to Egypt.
Ben Ezra Synagogue is Egypt's oldest surviving synagogue, dating to the 9th century.
Al-Azhar Mosque, founded in 970, is one of Cairo's oldest mosques and the world's oldest operating university (connected to the mosque).
Tour the Islamic Cairo neighborhood in central Cairo. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, this district is characterized by narrow streets, crowded suqs (bazaars), and hundreds of mosques, many dating back to the medieval period. Here is the hub of everyday Egyptian living.
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar is Cairo’s ancient market (since the 14th century) and one of the largest in the world. A neighborhood of winding streets and narrow alleyways, you will find shop stalls and factories buzzing with the buying and selling of jewelry, rugs, silk, spices and other souvenirs. All sales are open to negotiations and bargaining is expected.
A tour of the Citadel is a must! One of Cairo's most visible landmarks and most popular attractions, this medieval fortress is perched on a 350-metre-high bluff that overlooks the city and houses a number of museums and ancient mosques. From here you have a spectacular view of the pyramids of Giza, Cairo and thousands of years of Egyptian history.
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha (Alabaster Mosque) is one of the most recognizable landmarks and tourist attractions in Cairo and is within the Citadel.
You won't want to miss a tour of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities which houses treasures from Tutankhamen’s tomb. With more than 136,000 Egyptian antiquities on display, it is home to the greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world.
Probably Egypt's most fascinating attraction is the Pyramid Complex of Giza, the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the icon most associated with Egypt. There are three main pyramids in Giza; the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the Pyramid of Kafhre and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaura. Each Pyramid is a tomb for a different pharaoh. The Great Sphinx of Giza statue stands as the half-human, half-lion guardian of the Giza Plateau.
Should you need a little modern with your ancient, tour the Cairo Tower which stands approximately 614 ft high and provides a commanding view of the pyramids and the Citadel.
Perhaps there is no better way to get an intimate look into Egypt's history, landscapes, landmarks and culture than on a Nile River cruise. The Nile passes through Egypt for nearly 1,000 miles and with more than 70 pyramids along the river, this is a unique way to travel and explore ancient cities and great monuments along the way. A Nile cruise is an experience not to be missed.
Travel to Egypt has thrived for thousands of years as Greeks, Romans, Persians and Europeans flocked to witness the greatness of Egyptian civilization. Its legacy is just as powerful and awe inspiring today.
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you will be able to book this vacation at a lower price.