Cairo Travel

First time visitors to  Cairo might find it a little overwhelming. Over populated, polluted and congested, Cairo is home to some 18 million people and growing all the time. The streets are dusty, the roads are noisy and the traffic is laughable. But if you stick around long enough to get under the skin of the place, you’ll soon start to appreciate the alluring chaos of Africa ’s largest city.

On arrival at Cairo Airport, most tourists who pass through Cairo make a B-line straight for the Giza plateau. Home to the great Pyramid, not to mention several thousand post card vendors, men touting camels, pizza hut and KFC. The Egyptian museum is next on any classic itinerary. Together perhaps with a brief shopping/toilet stop at one of the many papyrus institutes, this completes the common perception of  Cairo'  s “must see” sights.

But once you’ve visited the afore mentioned, and ticked them off your ‘to do before you die’ list you might want to consider the following. Head down to the Khan el Khalili market for a retail sensory overload. If you want something more authentic, old Islamic Cairo and its market are a short walk away. There's plenty of good food to try downtown in the form of foul, felafel, kosheri, and even Egyptian style pancakes.

You can visit a mosque from the inside, or go for drinks in Zamalek. The  step pyramids of Sakara are not far away and the site has some of the oldest pyramids in the country. A little bit further away, and far less crowded are the Pyramids of Dahshur. 

Whatever you choose to do don’t miss the River Nile, you hardly can. And make sure you take some time out to appreciate it, preferably at sunset when the mighty river is accompanied by the sound clash of prayer calls across the city. Click here for Cairo Itineraries

Distances from Cairo to other Egyptian towns and cities: 

Alexandria : 220km

Luxor : 720km

Hurghada : 500km

Aswan : 980km

Saint Katherines: 425km

Dahab : 540km

Nuweiba : 460km

Taba: 720km

Cairo Travel Links:

• The Giza Pyramids
  
  The Giza Pyramids | Travel planning advice | Pyramids entrance price | Where are there? How to get there? How much do they cost? And more...
• The Saqqara Pyramids
  
  Saqqara Pyramid Information | The oldest and most fascinating of Egypt's Pyramids | Travel planning information and advice
• The Pyramids of Dahshur
  
  The Pyramids of Dahshur | Easily the most stunning and peaceful in the country | See Giza but don't miss out on these. How to Reach Dahshur as an independent traveller
• Where to stay in Cairo
  
  Where to stay in Cairo | What are you looking for? Cairo has it all; convenience, luxury, budget, or atmosphere | First choose a district | Advice and Information.
• Downtown Cairo
  
  Downtown Cairo, the thriving hub of Africa's largest city, but certainly not everybody's cup of tea!
• Visiting the Egyptian Museum
  
  Visiting the Egyptian Museum | How much does the Egyptian Museum Cost? | How to get to the Egyptian museum? | What can I visit there?
• Arriving at Cairo Airport
  
  Arriving at Cairo Airport | An article everybody should read if they're flying in to Cairo Airport | Taking a taxi from cairo airport | Arrival Information
• Good restaurants in cairo
  
  Good restaurants in cairo | A Few Recommendations from AlternativeEgypt including the Egyptian Pankcake House & Abou Tarek Restaurant
• Ancient heliopolis and the virgin tree
  
  Ancient heliopolis and the virgin tree | Senusret Obelisk | Visitor information including prices and directions from Alternative Egypt
• Khan el Khalili market
  
  Khan el Khalili Market | Egypt's most famous and most colourful market. Tourist information and Travel Advice for the independent traveller
• Birqash Camel Market
  
  Birqash Camel Market | Visit a real live Egyptian camel market, where camels are sold each week for their meat
• Itineraries

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