Photo: Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia (CC BY 2.0)
Egypt
Cairo and Giza
The capital that never sleeps, and the wonder of the ancient world
City · Egypt
Discover Cairo and Giza
Cairo is the largest city in the Arab world, and Giza, on its west bank, guards the last surviving wonder of the ancient world: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, with the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx beside it. The site is part of "Memphis and its Necropolis, the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur", on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979.
About 2 km from the pyramids stands the Grand Egyptian Museum, fully opened in November 2025, which shows the treasures of Tutankhamun together for the first time, with the colossal statue of Ramesses II in its grand hall. We suggest the pyramids early in the morning and the museum in the hot hours.
In historic Cairo, also on the UNESCO list since 1979, you walk between Al-Azhar Mosque, Al-Muizz Street and Khan el-Khalili, climb to Salah al-Din's Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali above the city, and pray in the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan. In the evening the Nile corniche and Zamalek show another side of the capital.
Experiences
What to do here
ShoppingKhan el-KhaliliHistoric Cairo's best-known market, for brass lanterns, silver, perfumes and spices.
LandmarkMosque-Madrasa of Sultan HassanOne of the greatest Mamluk buildings in Cairo, below the Citadel.
LandmarkThe Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad AliSalah al-Din's fortress on the Muqattam hills, with the domes and minarets of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali.
Egypt
