Modern Cairo has a history as old as time. Mosques, churches and museums compete for attention with Shisha pipes, a pulsating nightlife and belly dancers.

Cairo, Egypt - city of adventure day and night

When you visit Egypt, your first stop is usually the capital city, Cairo and your main mission is – to see the Pyramids at Gizeh and The Great Sphinx.

This is easy to do from Cairo, so spend some time in this 13th largest city in the world and experience a different world - a world of antiquities where Islam and Christianity live peacefully side by side and where the river Nile is still the lifeblood of the country.

Cairo is all worlds in one- it is ancient and modern; fast and slow with nightlife like nowhere else on earth. It is truly a city that never sleeps.

You must visit the following Cairo attractions:

• The Egyptian museum, situated at Tahrir square. Do this before you visit the pyramids- you’ll have more information and will appreciate the visit more.
• The Cairo Tower on a small island in the Nile is a prominent landmark with a panoramic view of Cairo from the top. Great place to see Cairo by nite.
• Khan el-Khalili - Cairo’s Bazaar, built in 1382, is a real quarter of small stores renown all over the world.

Islamic Cairo

• Al Azhar is said to be the oldest surviving university in the world. Today the university built around the Mosque is one of the most prestigious Muslim schools.
• The Saladin Citadel in S/E Cairo dates back to 8th century. The Mohammed Ali Mosque is apart of the Citadel
• Al-Hussein Mosque cannot be missed at the entrance to the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar, in Midan Hussein square.

Coptic Cairo

• The Hanging Church (Al-Muaallaqah) in Cairo may have been originally built in 684 on the top of Roman walls.
• Mari Guirguis (St. George) Church
• Abu Serga (St. Sergius) Church is build on a cave in which the Holy Family is believed to have stayed when they came to Egypt

Restaurants and Nightlife in Cairo

• El Morocco - located at the Blue Nile moored boat with five restaurants and a night club
• Le Pacha 1901, a turn of the century paddle boat moored on the Nile along the Gezira Island has 10 restaurants including Le Tarbouche - Akl Zaman, The Tycoons, Mazmaza and -“L’Asiatique
• Cairo Jazz club – check out the website for location and gigs.
• Cairo Opera house and Al-Qawmy National Theater – see the local press for what’s on
• Belly dancing shows. Most Casinos have belly dancers. The best ones appear at the top hotels. Casinos along Al Haram street open at a bout 3 am.

Some things you must do in Cairo:

• From Luxor to Aswan or in Cairo, a cruise on the Nile is something not to be missed in Egypt.
• Smoke a shisha pipe at El-Fishawi Café, Khan el-Khalili on Al-Badistand. Try an assortment of flavors like peach, mint, strawberry, and apple.
• Eat the local food – it is delicious.

Accommodation in Cairo can be from super-luxury to really affordable - hotels, guesthouses - its' your choice.

Tip: If you’re visiting mosques take a plastic bag with you for your shoes. You are not allowed to enter any mosque with your shoes on, and often the shelves inside the mosque are already full. And always dress conservatively.

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