Cairo is a cosmopolitan city that fills the soul, heart and mind of every traveler with the warmth of a thousand suns, and is full of ancient celestial wonders, modern attractions, fascinating culture and the opportunity to witness the essence of beauty, sophistication and truth. The purpose of this article is to provide every traveler with all the information and details about the legendary city of Cairo. This article has been written by a team of highly skilled and knowledgeable tour operators, tour guides and travel consultants.

Location of Cairo City

The city of Cairo has served as an endless time capsule, custodian, and center of culture, art, and beauty for thousands of years. It is famous for being the capital of Egypt, the largest urban area in Africa, the Middle East, and the Arab world, and the 15th largest city in the world. Cairo (Al-Qahira) means “Cairo” in Arabic and is one of the few cities in the world that has managed to stand the test of time. Cairo occupies an area of ​​approximately 528 square kilometers in northern Egypt, 120 kilometers (75 mi) west of the Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal, 165 km (100 mi) south of the Mediterranean Sea, and is located on both banks of the Nile River near the Nile Delta.

The History of Cairo

Cairo has always been associated with the ancient city of Memphis, which dates back 5,000 years. Memphis is located 24 km southwest of Cairo, and close to it is the Giza Pyramid Complex, which includes the only remaining pyramid of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Khufu.

The early ruins of Egypt can be traced back to the Romans 2,000 years ago when they captured Egypt and built a fortress called Babylon which was the heart of the Orthodox community during the Coptic period in the late 4th century. The city’s true history began in 641 BC when Amr ibn al-Aas conquered Egypt and built the new Islamic capital of Egypt, Fustat, north of the ancient citadel of Babylon.  From this point on, a series of amazing immortal constructions took place in the city such as the Ahmed bin Tulan Mosque in 878 BC.

In 970, during the rule of the Fatimid dynasty, a general named Jawhar founded a new city called Al-Qahira (Cairo) northeast of the present settlements and in that dynasty became the official capital of Egypt along with the magical khan. Al-Khalili Market after the city of Fustat was destroyed by fire in 1168 during the battle against the Crusaders. During the 11th century, Egypt came under the rule of Saladin, who transformed the city into an imperial city and built the powerful Cairo Citadel.

In 1340, Cairo officially became the largest city in Africa, Asia Minor, and Europe as well as a center for the spice trade. Al-Azhar University became a center for Islamic studies, and was built into one of Cairo’s greatest architectural masterpieces by the Mamluks.

In the modern era, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, a man named Muhammad Ali sought to restore the beauty of Egypt to its former glory, so he built the Muhammad Ali Mosque, which is considered one of Cairo’s most wonderful moments. Muhammad Ali’s descendants continued his great work as his grandson Ismail Pasha (1863-1879) built many maidens, roads and a modern area called Downtown Cairo which was influenced by Baron Haussmann’s renovation of Paris.

From the 1950s until now, many developments have taken place as new cities, museums, huge art galleries and projects continue to be built everywhere. In addition, many developments are being implemented to prepare for population expansion and provide the necessary transportation services and infrastructure that everyone in Cairo will need now and in the future.

Immerse yourself in the Bustling Khan Al Khalili Bazaar 

Khan Al Khalili Market is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Cairo. It is famous for its ancient history and the products of local artisans that can be purchased here.

No visit to Cairo Is complete without a tour of Khan Al Khalili Market. This colorful, noisy, crowded and exciting cultural market offers all kinds of sparkling items and trinkets.

You’ll find traditional Egyptian elements, but don’t get distracted; Focus on more precise shopping than just items you can find elsewhere. For example, you can buy all kinds of herbs from the spice market next door.

The perfume market Is overflowing with an endless mixture of essences and essential oils. As you head towards the central part, you will find the largest variety of products and stalls ranging from gold sellers and textile merchants to carpet merchants and everything you could possibly want.

Egyptian Souvenirs 

It depends who you ask, but here are some of the most common answers: Egyptian papyrus; Egyptian-made cotton clothing; Coptic crosses, rosaries, and other religious items; Copy of the Sphinx; Alabaster vessels. Sandstone scarabs (also known as “scarab beetles”); Printed silk scarves featuring traditional designs or historical sites.

Bedouin crafts: include jewelry, pottery, and other handicrafts.

Pharaonic Statues: This is a must-see for history buffs and Egyptian art lovers. You’ll find these objects in museums all over Egypt or in souvenir shops in Cairo and Luxor.

Papyrus Scrolls: These are great for anyone who loves writing or wants something cool to hang on their souvenirs from the Egyptian markets – carpets, spices, jewelry

The Egyptian Bazaar is one of the most famous places to buy souvenirs in Egypt. You can find everything from carpets and rugs to spices, incense, jewelry, fabrics, and even ceramics and papyrus scrolls here. You can also buy traditional wooden toys or toys that will remind you of your trip back home.

Marvel at the Stunning Architecture of Cairo’s Mosques and Churches 

Mosque of Muhammed Ali. Muhammad Ali Mosque is distinguished by its distinctive exterior and interior design, and is also known as the Alabaster Mosque. It is consider to be one of the best tourist attractions in Egypt. Located atop the Saladin Citadel, the mosque has minarets that stand 270 feet tall – well above average! Tourists can see almost all of Cairo from above, including the Giza Plateau. The mosque was built between 1830 and 1957 by the prominent architect Youssef Bashnak, commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the former ruler of Egypt.

Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-As:

This site is of special historical importance, as it was the first mosque to be built in Africa (641-642 AD). The mosque was home to the tent of Lieutenant General Amr ibn al-Aas, the commander of the Muslim army at that time. It contains the grave of his son Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas. The mosque was the first true university in the whole world, and a center for learning and teaching, although it no longer serves this purpose. The site has been expanded and rebuilt over the years.

The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan:

One of the largest mosques in the world, the Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrassa is a historical and architectural landmark that should not be missed. It was built in the Mamluk Islamic era (14th century) by Sultan Hassan, famous for his lavish spending. The landmark also served as a school, besides being a site of worship. There are teaching areas In the inner courtyard for the four main schools of Sunni Islamic theology: Hanafi, Malki, Hanbali, and Shafi’i.

Al-Azhar Mosque:

Built in 970 AD, the Sheikh of Al-Azhar is considered the highest religious authority among Egyptian Muslims. The building has undergone extensive expansions over its 1,000-year history and is a harmonious blend of architectural styles. The mosque contains three minarets from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. The major courtyard is the oldest part. The building also hosts the second oldest university in the world, dating back to 988 AD, whose large modern campus is the most popular place to study Sunni theology.

Cairo Churches 

The Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo, Egypt. The best churches, cathedrals and monasteries in Egypt

The Hanging Church Is one of the most famous churches in Egypt, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Historic Cairo. 

It received the name “Hanging Church” (or “Hanging Church” in Arabic, “the Hanging”) due to its location above the Roman castle’s gatehouse. When it was first built, the columns of the gatehouse were easy to see, creating the “hanging” effect of the church, but they are now buried by the rising ground over the past 1,300 years. 

It is believed that the church is the first basilica-style church built in Egypt. It contains 110 icons, most of which are made of ebony and some are inlaid with ivory. The oldest and holiest of them dates back to the eighth century.

The “Cave Church” – Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner

This magnificent cave church (or “churches” in technical terms – the monastery complex of Saint Simeon includes seven churches) is unlike anything else we have in Egypt. 

The monastery’s main hall, carved into the Mokattam Hills, can hold more than 20,000 people, and is named after the Coptic saint Simeon, who, according to legend, moved Mount Mokattam in 979 AD as a sign of the strength of his beliefs. 

The Church of Christ was built by the Zabbaleen community in Cairo’s Garbage City, and today it is not just a religious place but an educational center, kindergarten and school for the deaf.

Best Things to Do In Cairo

Cairo is known among locals as the mother of the world, the mother of the world, and the cradle of civilization, and jokers call it the city that never sleeps. The Heavenly City of Cairo is one of the few cities that has stood the test of time and has been able to protect and expand the legacy and legacy of Old Cairo. There are countless ways to truly explore the magic of the city through a series of activities such as a night dinner cruise, exploring all the Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic monuments, shopping at Khan El Khalili Bazaar, and visiting all the museums and cultural centres.

You can know more about the better things to do in Cairo. Cairo is full of amazing attractions, so if you are interested in witnessing the grandeur, you can check out our daily Cairo tours, and if you are not in Egypt and would prefer to visit the land of the Pharaohs, you can check out our Egypt tour packages and choose your favorite trip.”