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Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is the capital and largest city in Egypt and Africa. It is the most populous metropolitan area in Egypt and is also one of the most populous in the world. The city has plenty of fine 19th-century buildings, modern art and sculpture, precious green spaces, ancient districts and almost every Pyramid is close by.

Attractions include its ancient temples, tombs, and the Egyptian Antiquities Museum all within Cairo or nearby. Tourists are fascinated by its twisting streets, medieval buildings, oriental bazaars and Islamic architecture of carved domes, while being shocked by its dirt, pollution, noise, and crowds.

Most of the city lies on the east bank of the River Nile. The Westernised downtown district of central Cairo is popular with tourists where there is a public transport hub, and the city center's main attraction, the Egyptian Museum. Opposite downtown is the Nile island of Gezira, with the island of Roda just to the south. The Pyramids of Giza are on the west bank of the river, some 18km (11 miles) from the center. Old Cairo lies south of central Cairo, while Islamic Cairo encompasses a large area to the east.

Things to see and do

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
Pyramids of Giza
Khan al-Khalili marketplace
The Sphinx
Old Cairo

General Information

Cruise Season: Oct - April
Currency: Egyptian pound (LE) (EGP)
Language: Arabic
Land Area: 214 square kilometers
Population: 9,000,000 approx
Electricity: 2 round pins European style
Time: GMT plus two hours
International Country Telephone Code: +20

Port Location - Port Said is the gateway to Cairo and is located approximately two hours drive from Cairo. Ports at Aswan and Luxor also provide links to Cairo.

Transport Links - Cairo International Airport is located 22km (14 miles) northeast of central Cairo and is the main international gateway to Egypt. There are buses and taxis available for connection to the city. The Egyptian state railway provides links to other Egyptian cities.

Using public transport is not recommended in Cairo with the exception of the clean, cheap and efficient metro system or taxis.