Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt, set in the north-east of Africa on the Nile. It is known as the City of a Thousand Minarets, a nickname that points to the skyline and to the city's long tradition of Islamic architecture. The city's Arabic name is Al-Qāhirah, written القاهرة.
What a visit offers
Much of the appeal lies in the old districts, where mosques, minarets and historic buildings stand close to the everyday life of the streets. Walking through them gives a sense of how the city has been built up over many centuries, and the minarets that give Cairo its nickname are visible from many parts of the city.
Cairo is also a gateway to the nearby pyramids, which lie within reach of the city. Many visitors plan a trip around them, since they are among the best-known ancient sites in the region and make a natural counterpoint to the city's Islamic heritage.
Planning your trip
- Allow time for the historic quarters, where the architecture rewards slow walking.
- Combine the city with a visit to the pyramids, which sit close enough to fit into a single outing.
- Expect a large, busy metropolis, and plan your days with its traffic and scale in mind.
For a visitor who wants both ancient monuments and the layered architecture of a major Islamic city, Cairo offers a distinctive combination in one place.
