Capital of one of the most important empires in the world, Cairo is a sprawling city on the banks of the Nile. Characterized by Roman, Arab and Ottoman architecture, it is known for its unprecedented ancient monuments, sumptuous hotels, desert warmth and infamous traffic. Maximum cities, Cairo is a position of contrasts where centuries of history collide with the present.
Things have been difficult for the past decade since the Arab Spring uprisings, counter-revolutions and the covid pandemic, but a city that has existed for 1000 years has already experienced ups and downs. The archaeology museum is ready to open in Giza. If you are planning a trip, this is what you cannot miss in Cairo. Discover the most productive places to visit, eat and sleep in Egypt’s bustling capital.
The pyramids are some of the recognizable icons in the world. Although ancient Egypt had more than a hundred pyramids, the most prominent are located in Giza, a 30-minute drive west of Cairo. Built as grandiose tombs for the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2700 – 2200 BC). C. ), they are the only wonder left of the ancient world and an impressive feat of human ingenuity to marvel at genuine life. Visitors can explore 3 pyramids at Giza, built for Khufu, Khafra and Menkaure, and smaller pyramids for the queen. consorts located nearby.
Hidden beneath the desert sand for thousands of years, the Great Sphinx of Giza is another highlight. A limestone statue depicting the head of a human and a lion, it is one of the oldest monumental sculptures in the world and is still shrouded in mystery. Egyptologists claim that it was created by Pharaoh Khafre around 2500 BC. C. y that his nose was deliberately damaged between the third and tenth centuries AD. C. (although the reasons are still unknown).
The imminent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum at the foot of the Giza pyramids will be another explanation for why planning a stopover in Egypt. Designed to be the largest archaeological museum in the world, it will come with more than 45,000 artifacts, adding up to the entire collection of relics found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun (which will be moved from the Egyptian Museum).
Although Egyptian cuisine does not have the worldwide popularity of other Middle Eastern countries, the country has a rich gastronomic heritage that stores familiar flavors with its eastern and western neighbors. Dishes like hummus, baba ganoush and baklava are ubiquitous, Egypt has its own edition of classics like falafel, locally called “taameya” made with beans instead of chickpeas, and tajines served with béchamel for added flavor and comfort.
Stop by Zööba, a trendy eating spot serving Egypt’s most popular street food, which has parts of a dozen places around Cairo (as well as franchises in New York and Saudi Arabia). We love the cozy enclave of Zamalek, a large residential domain on an island in the Nile. Taameya sandwiches, stuffed with fried bean burgers, marinated salad and creamy tahina dressing, scouse borrows the show.
Koshari
Another Egyptian staple is koshari, an oddly tasty blfinish that contains a variety of carbohydrates to keep you energized throughout your visits. This undeniable and hearty staple includes pasta, rice and lentils with a tasty tomato sauce infused with chili, garlic vinegar and fried onions. As a chef and travel editor living in Italy, I was skeptical, but the end result is more delicious than it sounds. This specialty is also accidentally vegan and very affordable at 30 EGP (less than $2). Try this dish at Abu Tarek, it has been serving Cairo foodies for decades and was also visited by Anthony Bourdain in No Reservations in 2008.
Egypt has attracted visitors for its mythical art and culture for millennia, and the most productive collection of ancient antiquities can be discovered at the Egyptian Museum. Dating back to 1902 and located in Tahrir Square, this neoclassical construction traces the history of ancient Egypt in more than 120,000 treasures, adding gilded funerary masks, intricately painted stone coffins and statues, ancient jewelry and much more. Visitors do not confuse this museum with others in the capital.
Dorado de Tutankhamun
Some of the highlights of the Egyptian Museum, which added 20 royal mummies of kings and queens, were transferred to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in 2021. And the priceless contents discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb, which includes his famous death mask and two coffins, will soon be moved to the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Located at the northern end of Cairo’s Corniche, which offers fascinating perspectives of the Nile River and the sublime island of Zamalek, Fairmont Nile City is an oasis away from the bustling streets of the capital. A dazzling retreat with an art deco aesthetic, the hotel has 542 rooms and suites, as well as the capital’s only 360-degree pool on the 25th floor. If you look at the skyscrapers on the horizon, you can even catch a glimpse of the pyramids from here.
To pamper yourself, it’s worth upgrading to a Fairmont Gold room for perks like personal check-in and access to the exclusive Fairmont Gold Lounge. This elegant living room serves an elaborate morning breakfast for a small variety of guests, as well as afternoon tea and pre-dinner buffet with classic Egyptian recipes and foreign dishes.
Restaurant Gingko
The food can be delicious, but you need to reserve dinner space at Fairmont Nile City’s many restaurants. Options include Italian dishes at L’Uliveto, Pan-Asian dishes at Saigon and a taste of high-end oriental dishes accompanied through live music and Bab El Nil abdominal dancers. But it’s hard to compete with the hotel’s new opening, Gingko, a leafy Mediterranean-Asian bistro located on an outdoor terrace overlooking the Nile. Here, you can enjoy giant saffron-infused scallops served with caramelized peaches and sip a highly spiced hobthrough martini as the sun sets, bathing the entire city with a golden glow.
As a medium of commerce for thousands of years, the Egyptians perfected their craftsmanship and the art of negotiation. The culture is known for its haggling, a skill that visitors can practice in the country’s many markets and bazaars. The popular Khan Al-Khalili, in the center of Islamic Cairo, dates back to 1382. Stroll along El-Moez Street past mosques and minarets to explore colorful spice stalls, woven tapestries, and marble miniatures from the Egyptian pyramids. Head to El Fishawy Cafe, which has been serving tea and coffee for over two hundred years, or settle into um Kalthoum Cafe, a status quo covered with images of the beloved “Voice of Egypt,” an icon active between the 20s and 70s.
Zamalek Market
For more novelty design items, head to Zamalek Market, a craft fair and farmers market located on Zamalek Island every Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00. First introduced in 2017, this pop-up features local brands promoting home décor, herbal skincare and fashion accessories, as well as freshly made treats and seasonal products. Makra, a line of herbal clay pots made according to ancient Egyptian tradition, is worth choosing to prepare stews and tagines at home.
Located in the beautiful Garden City on the banks of the river, the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza is a sublime oasis in a strategic position to explore the capital. Surrounded by embassies, elegant restaurants, and cafes, it’s just a short drive from the Egyptian Museum and Zamalek Island, home to Cairo’s twentieth-century opera space and Cairo’s iconic 187m-high Cairo Tower covered with 8 million mosaics.
The asset has 365 rooms (including one hundred spacious suites with personal balconies), 3 swimming pools and a world-class spa. With impeccable fashion design and sumptuous furnishings, this is a trendy hotel that prides itself on its artistic and cultural offerings. As soon as you enter the grand lobby, you can appreciate the hotel’s poignant internal art collection with two hundred works by Farouk Hosny, Egypt’s summary painter and Minister of Culture between 1987 and 2011. The Four Seasons Hotel Cairo in Nile Plaza also supports the local Tawasol Foundation, a local NGO with a skills progression and performing arts program that is helping to foster social integration and Egyptian craftsmanship.
The assets provide a myriad of dining features in superbly decorated spaces. Egypt’s Zitouni serves a sumptuous buffet of local specialties, while the 8th brings Cantonese dishes to the capital. Two Italian restaurants allow visitors to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine during their stay: Riviera, animated through coastal cuisine and Bullona, a modern and sexy place to eat that showcases fresh Italian art lit with plenty of candles every night.
The view from the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza