Many bucket lists embrace a visit to Egypt.
Whether or not it’s historical past you’re in search of or a soothing seaside vacation, Egypt matches the invoice, and Cairo, the unique metropolis that by no means sleeps, is at the epicenter of all of it. It’s a hustling and bustling place with loads to preserve you occupied.
Plan all the things you need to see and do with this information to Cairo’s high experiences, and permit not less than 5 days to take pleasure in all of it correctly.
1. Cruise the Nile as the pharaohs did
The Nile has been Egypt’s lifeline since historical occasions and the 6600km-long (4100-mile) river connects nearly all the cities of Egypt. A cruise on the Nile is an unmissable factor to do, particularly if you happen to go in a felucca – a wood Egyptian crusing boat. Head out round sundown for the final enjoyable expertise. Some boats provide meals, or you possibly can pack your personal and have a picnic on the water.
2. Eat like an Egyptian
Egyptians love to eat and this can be a nation that appreciates good meals. There are some must-try dishes in Cairo. There’s fuul medames, a breakfast dish of fava beans stewed with tahini and seasoned with garlic, cumin and lemon. Fuul has been an Egyptian staple way back to the 4th century the place the beans have been buried over embers to sluggish prepare dinner.
There’s additionally kushari, thought-about to be the nationwide dish. It is often made up of rice, lentils, macaroni, chickpeas, fried onions and a spicy tomato sauce. In Cairo, Abou Tarek is the place to go for kushari, though Koshary El Tahrir (7 Abbas El Akkad St) can also be fashionable.
As for different eating places to take into account, Khufu’s has an unimaginable view of the Pyramids in addition to a range of distinctive takes on conventional Egyptian dishes. Abou El Sid has branches throughout Cairo, however the Arabian palace-esque decor makes the department in Zamalek the high decide. The Circasian hen in walnut sauce is a favorite, and that is the place to attempt the Egyptian speciality of pigeon. Zööba, which additionally has branches throughout Cairo, is nice for fast and scrumptious road meals dishes. Sachi, named Best Restaurant in Egypt by “The World’s 50 Best Eating places” can also be ranked in “MENA’s 50 Best Eating places.”
Planning tip: The visitors in Cairo rivals New York and London and is particularly hectic round time for supper, so make certain to issue visitors time in if in case you have a reservation.
3. See the Pyramids… after which extra pyramids
It’s an apparent one. You’ll be able to’t go to Cairo and never see the Pyramids of Giza, the solely remaining surprise of the historical world, and beautiful Egyptian icon. However what many individuals don’t notice is that there are 118 totally different pyramids in Egypt, not simply the large three – Khufu (Cheops), Khafre and Menkaure – in Giza.
There are 11 pyramids in whole in Saqqara, together with the Step Pyramid, also referred to as the Pyramid of Zoser, which is the oldest pyramid in the world and effectively price a go to. Some are open for exploration, together with the Pyramid of Teti, a pharaoh of the sixth dynasty whose inscribed basalt sarcophagus nonetheless lies inside the tomb.
Planning tip: The Pyramids are a preferred vacation spot and will probably be extremely busy. The best approach to take pleasure in them is to rent a neighborhood information both earlier than arrival or by your lodge who is not going to solely take you round with ease however may even regale you with unimaginable tales as you stroll by historical past. SEE Egypt gives high quality excursions and guides.
4. Go to the Nationwide Museum of Egyptian Civilisation
NMEC is the first museum in the Center East that focuses solely on the historical Egyptian civilization, masking all the totally different historic durations that embody Egypt’s historical past. It’s additionally the residence of royal mummies, who have been transported by royal procession to the museum in 2021.
5. Store in the historic Khan Al Khalili bazaar
Established in the 14th century, the Khan Al Khalili market in Cairo has a wealthy and engaging historical past, making it an vital district for each cultural and financial exercise.
This historic bazaar has been a hub of commerce and commerce for hundreds of years, showcasing the enduring traditions of Egyptian crafts and service provider tradition. Entering into Khan Al Khalili is like taking a journey again in time, the place you possibly can immerse your self in the historical past of this bustling market and discover its intricate alleyways, lined with stalls providing a wide selection of items, from detailed jewellery to colourful textiles and fragrant spices.
Detour: Hidden away in Khan Al Khalili Bazaar, the historic Naguib Mahfouz restaurant opened in 1989 and is a tribute to the well-known Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz, who received a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. He was born in Outdated Cairo in 1911 and set most of his early works and quick tales in the metropolis. The restaurant’s arabesque environment transport you again to the days of Outdated Cairo. You’ll discover traditional Egyptian dishes corresponding to lamb or hen kofta, kushari (a combination of noodles, rice, black lentils, fried onions and tomato sauce) and mezze spreads, but it surely’s the grill that may be a should attempt.
6. Go to the Citadel
The Cairo Citadel, perched on high of a hill, is Egypt’s most iconic mosque and a medieval fortress constructed by Saladin. Begin at the Ottoman-style Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the iconic centerpiece of the citadel. Often known as the Alabaster Mosque, it has partitions coated with alabaster and a gleaming white courtyard, which is fantastically illuminated.
Transfer on to the Palace of Jewels. This 1814 Ottoman-style constructing was the residence of Sultan Muhammad Ali and now comprises the throne of Mohammed Ali. On the second flooring, there’s a gallery of portraits of Egypt’s rulers from Mohammed Ali onwards.
Planning tip: The fortress gives an unimaginable aerial view of Outdated Cairo stretching all the approach to the Nice Pyramids of Giza.
7. Stroll the streets of Outdated Cairo
El-Moez St in Outdated Cairo – deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Web site in 1979 – is a 1km-long (0.6-mile) pedestrian road with some of the biggest focus of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world. Search for a mix of medieval mosques and buildings alongside trendy distributors and outlets in the historical neighbourhood of Gamaleya. The road begins at the northern Bab Al Futuh, one of the final three remaining gates to the unique walled metropolis of Cairo, which was constructed by a Fatimid caliph.
It is free to stroll alongside El-Moez St, however you want a ticket to enter locations like the Qalaun Complicated and Beit el Suheimy. Purchase particular person tickets or a mix one that permits you to into totally different spots of curiosity on El-Moez St, together with historic homes, palaces and mausoleums. Most of the mosques are free to enter. Girls want to have one thing to cowl their hair and all genders want to take off their sneakers at the entrance.
Native tip: The road is lengthy and it hasn’t been refurbished in a while – count on uneven surfaces and put on sturdy, snug sneakers. Deliver a bottle of water alongside too. It’s price getting a information for El-Moez St as a result of of the sheer quantity of historical past, however the caretakers of every monument may present a guided tour.
8. See complicated textiles created by Cairo’s artisans on Khayamia St
In the coronary heart of previous Islamic Cairo, simply behind Bab Zuweila, throughout the bustling sq. lies Khayamia St or “the Avenue of the Tentmakers,” one of the oldest streets in Cairo, which dates to 1200 CE. The phrase “khayamiya” is derived from the Arabic phrase “khyma,” which means “tent” and the craftspeople of the previous right here have been tentmakers.
Traditionally, the Egyptian tentmakers sewed complicated interiors for city tents. At this time, they use these abilities to create textile artworks resembling quilts, sustaining their expert craft inside altering financial and political circumstances. At one time it’s stated that there have been greater than a thousand individuals working in the road however now there are solely about 20 outlets and 30–40 stitchers. The work was featured in the documentary The Tentmakers of Cairo by Kim Beamish, which provided unprecedented entry to this small group of gifted craftspeople.