Location

Cairo, Arabic Al-Qāhirah (“The Victorious”), city, capital of Egypt, and one of the largest cities in Africa. Cairo has stood for more than 1,000 years on the same site on the banks of the Nile, primarily on the eastern shore, some 500 miles (800 km) downstream from the Aswān High Dam. Located in the northeast of the country, Cairo is the gateway to the Nile delta, where the lower Nile separates into the Rosetta and Damietta branches. Metropolitan Cairo is made up of the Cairo muḥāfazah (governorate), as well as other districts, some of which belong to neighbouring governorates such as Al-Jīzah and Qalūbiyyah.

Mosque of Al-Azhar The oldest university in the world is built around this ancient mosque, which has been the center of Islamic scholarship since 975 AD.

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The Pyramids Of Giza Of all of Egypt's major tourist attractions, only one is at the top of any list - the Pyramids of Giza. They're Egypt's three main pyramids, built in the 4th Dynasty (circa 2550 B.C). The pyramids of Ancient Egypt were built as tombs for kings (and queens), and it was an exclusive honor to have such a tomb. However, this tradition only applied in the Old and Middle Kingdoms. Today there are more than 93 pyramids in Egypt; the most famous ones are those at Giza.

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The Great Sphinx The Great Sphinx, or as the ancients knew it, “Shesib Ankh” or “the living image”, has to be one of the most recognizable constructions in history. Think of the Sphinx and you automatically think of Egypt and the Giza Plateau. Sculpted from soft sandstone, many believe that it would have disappeared long ago had it not been buried in the sand for so many long periods in its lifetime. The body is 60m (200ft) long and 20m (65ft) tall. Its face is 4m (13ft) wide with eyes measuring 2m (6 ft) high. It faces the rising sun and was revered so much by the ancients, that they built a temple in front of it. The 18th Dynasty King, Thutmose IV installed a stele between its front paws, describing how, when Thutmose was a young Prince, he had gone hunting and fell asleep in the shade of the Sphinx ‘s head. Thutmose had a dream where Ra Hor-Akhty the sun God, talking through the Sphinx, spoke to him, telling the young Prince to clear away the sand because the Sphinx was choking on it. The Sphinx said to him that if he did this, he would become King of Egypt. Thutmose cleared away all the sand and s after 2 years, the god fulfilled his promise to the price and he was made the king of Egypt.

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Citadel (Al-Qalaa) An obligatory stop on the 'taxi tour', the Citadel offers the best free views of the city, exactly as the Turkish Sultan Selim saw it when he conquered the city. An enormous stone fort and bastions still stand despite many battles on this site, but it is the imposing Mosque, adjacent medieval palace and museum which make the trip up here all worthwhile.

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Cairo Tower A more modern and contrasting landmark, the Cairo Tower is more likely to endear the locals with pride than some of the more ancient relics. With a restaurant on top there's a good excuse to find your way up there to admire the views that spread beyond central Cairo to the distant desert landscape. A fun additional attraction that will interest the kids is the Pharaonic Personal Analysis, which provides Egyptian hieroglyphics together with an interesting personality analysis, available in both Arabic and English.

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Bab el-Futuh Marking the northern boundary of the old Fatimid City, the historic Bab el-Futuh gate also goes by the name of the Gate of Conquest. This striking landmark is a massive arch carved from one single block of stone and is bordered by two rounded towers. In days of yore returning pilgrims from Mecca would symbolically re-enter the city via this gate.

Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan Reputedly one of the world's largest mosques, this national treasure is a beautiful example of Islamic art with its accompanying madrassas. Cairo's Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan was completed in 1366 using stones from the pyramids and is held in high regard by locals and Moslems the world over.

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St. Mercurius Church This historic church dates back to the 6th century AD, was restored in the 12th century, and forms the basis of Cairo's significant Christian faith. Known as the 'Saint of the two Swords', St. Mercurius Church still sits on its original foundation.

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