What Does Cairo Contain? The city is most famous for containing the famous Giza Pyramids Complex that holds one of the Seven Wonders of the World the Great Pyramid of King Khufu, the world's oldest and biggest statue the Sphinx and the house of mummification the Valley temple.
Since its foundation thousand years ago, Cairo has been the main center of Arab-Islamic civilization. It is one of the Islamic world's unique cities known for its historical position and variety of monuments. Cairo was home to most capitals of Egypt over the ages.
One of the biggest things that attracts millions of tourists to Cairo are the pyramids. No trip to Cairo is complete without a stop at one of the many pyramids that are found scattered across the Egyptian desert.
Egypt is nearly crime-free. Most crime is petty theft, with little violent crime. Still, you need to keep alert when walking through densely populated areas of Cairo or Alexandria, just as you would in other large urban areas around the world.
Cairo has walkable areas, but is not typically a walkable city. Sidewalks are not consistent throughout the city and can often land you walking in the street, even in suburban areas such as New Cairo City.
You should plan to spend at least 2-3 days in Cairo, the heart and soul of Egypt. This includes exploring the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and the bustling bazaars of Khan el-Khalili. You'll want a full day for the pyramids alone, with another day or two for the other sights.
The interiors of all three pyramids of Giza are open to visitors, but each requires the purchase of a separate ticket. Although tourists were once able to freely climb the pyramids, that is now illegal. Offenders face up to three years in prison as penalty.
The Pyramids of Giza sit about 11 miles southwest of downtown Cairo on the Giza Plateau and are open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Public transportation is not available within walking distance, so it's best to drive, hail a taxi or take a bus tour to the site.
Most Cairo slums resulted from explosive post-World War II population growth. But it wasn't until the mid 1960s that slums really started to appear, with little official resistance to informal and clearly illegal subdivision and construction on the agricultural lands at the urban fringes.
With a population of 6.76 million spread over 453 square kilometres, Cairo is by far the largest city in Egypt. An additional 10 million inhabitants live just outside the city. Cairo, like many other mega-cities, suffers from high levels of pollution and traffic.
The rich spiritual and religious history of Cairo adds an extra dimension to a visit to Egypt, where ancient sites and thriving communities continue to draw modern-day visitors.
The necropolis that makes up "the City of the Dead" has been developed over many centuries and contains both the graves of Cairo's common population as well as the elaborate mausoleums of many of its historical rulers and elites.
The Egyptian pound is abbreviated to EGP, E£ or in Arabic ( ج. م). One Egyptian Pound is subdivided into smaller currency denominations known as piastres and millimes.
Egyptians often refer to Cairo as Maṣr ( IPA: [mɑsˤɾ]; مَصر), the Egyptian Arabic name for Egypt itself, emphasizing the city's importance for the country.
The specially designated space around the Great Sphinx in Giza makes it impossible to get close to the monument and touch it, but you can still get close enough to have a good look at the Egyptian Sphinx's nose, and take an effective photo.
Were Egyptian tombs booby trapped? Well, no, not in the way we see in movies like “Raiders of the Lost Ark” or “The Mummy”. There were no giant rolling balls, pits of snakes, or flesh-eating bugs. The ancient Egyptian tomb builders went to great lengths to protect the mummy and the funerary goods buried in the tombs.
The capital of Egypt – and the country as a whole – is a great destination for travelers on a budget, with reasonable prices for accommodation (even high-end properties if you time it right), food and activities.
The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April when daytime temperatures are comfortable and nights are cool, but you're still guaranteed sun. The conditions are perfect for exploring chaotic Cairo or venturing into the desert.
Our budget Egypt travel guide. Egypt is not an expensive country to travel in - it's very budget friendly. It's an incredible destination, from the hustle and bustle of Cairo to the mighty Nile, the marine life of the Red Sea, and the treasures and monuments left by ancient civilizations.
While Cairo is generally safe for tourists, solo female travelers should be cautious, especially at night. It's always best to avoid walking alone after dark.
Egyptians are famous for their friendly nature. Many foreign citizens who have moved here say that the locals are extremely responsive and always ready to help.
Adopting the conservative dress code will hopefully deflect unwanted attention from the Egyptian men, which for most women is desirable. Basic clothes could include loose linen/cotton trousers or a below knee skirt and sleeved blouse. (If you're planning to ride a camel, a skirt is not a good idea.)
