Cairo

Cairo is Egypt's sprawling capital and the largest city in the Arab world, built along the Nile just north of the Giza Pyramids. It is a dense, energetic metropolis where centuries-old Islamic and Coptic districts sit beside modern bridges, business towers and riverside neighbourhoods, making it both a gateway to ancient Egypt and a living centre of contemporary Egyptian life.

The city's history is visible in Islamic Cairo, with its medieval gates, mosques and markets, and in Coptic Cairo's churches and the Egyptian Museum's collections of pharaonic antiquities. Landmarks such as the Citadel, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Al-Azhar Mosque and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar show how Cairo has long been a crossroads of religion, trade and scholarship.

Central neighbourhoods such as Downtown, Zamalek, Garden City, Maadi and Heliopolis each offer a distinct atmosphere, from colonial-era architecture and riverside cafés to leafy residential streets and shopping districts. Visitors often pair the city's museums and mosques with day trips to the Giza Plateau, Saqqara and the pyramids.

Cairo is also Egypt's main economic and administrative hub, with a strong presence in banking, media, industry and events, and it anchors a metropolitan region of more than 20 million people. Its food scene ranges from street stalls serving koshari and ful medames to upscale Nile-side restaurants, while cultural festivals and a busy calendar of exhibitions add to its international relevance.

For leisure travellers, Cairo offers history, culture and unmistakable local atmosphere; for business travellers, it is the country's commercial centre and a key destination for conferences and trade. The city rewards visitors who allow time for both its famous monuments and its everyday street life.