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Al-Azhar Park, Cairo
Cairo
Sprawling across the Nile, Cairo is one of Africa’s
greatest cities and it continues to grow at a rapid
pace. It is very much the focus of Egypt’s political
and cultural life, so much so that Egyptians refer
to their country and their capital with the same
name – ‘Masr’. First impressions are of urban
sprawl, dusty streets and chaotic driving, but
visitors who persevere are rewarded with a
diverse and dramatic history and some relatively
unknown attractions. The one stop that must be
included in any visit to Cairo is the Museum of
Egyptian Antiquities, which contains a vast
treasure trove handed down through the ages –
the building itself is a jewel of the French colonial
period in Egypt. Scratch beneath the surface and
Cairo reveals wondrous secrets, beautiful
mosques, an imposing citadel, labyrinthine bazaars,
ancient Coptic churches and unexpected patches
of green beside the River Nile.
Cairo Walking Tour
We have designed a self guided walking tour of
Cairo based on our personal experiences and
knowledge of the city. Eschewing the standard
stops on most visitors’ itineraries, it not only
shows the city’s less well-known gates, mosques
and monuments, but also offers an insight into
daily Cairene life, in all its entertaining chaos.
Street by street directions let you explore at your
own pace and pass from the colonial-era
Downtown district to your final destination, the
legendary medieval souqs at Khan El Khalili.
SOFITEL EL GEZIRAH, CAIRO
The Sofitel is located on the southern tip of
Gezirah Island, between the Downtown and
Giza areas of Cairo, in a secluded, relatively quiet
spot. The 433 rooms have a subtle decor and
smart, compact bathrooms. The hotel boasts
fantastic views over the Nile, with the Muqattam
Hills and the Pyramids of Giza visible on clear
days. Inside, the range of facilities is impressive,
with a Middle Eastern restaurant, and as one
would expect from the Sofitel chain, a French
restaurant, amongst other dining options.
The Museum of
Egyptian Antiquities
The joke goes that there are so many
artefacts packed into the Museum of
Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo that some
of them need to be re-excavated from
the basement. Whether or not this is
true, it is clear that the museum is in
need of some renovation or even a
relocation – both solutions have been
mooted in past years. Nonetheless, the
museum is an essential inclusion on any
trip to Cairo. Rooms are crammed with
statues, models, jewellery and mummies,
but the highlight is undoubtedly the
Tutankhamun galleries, displaying the
funerary artefacts of the Boy Pharaoh,
glistening with gold, precious lapis lazuli
and coral stones.
Sofitel El Gezirah, Cairo
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