Guide to Cairo

"Hold on tight. Cairo's mix of fascinating museums, amazing shopping and breathtaking pyramids promises an unforgettable holiday."

Nothing can prepare you for Cairo. At once archaic and modern, charming and thrilling, it bottles up the past and present and shakes them up into an utterly intoxicating cocktail of sights, sounds and experiences. It'll sweep you right off your feet – you and the 18 million people that live here. Forget the beach – there aren't any here and you wouldn't have time for them anyway. The reason? Your sightseeing list will be longer than a camel's neck. And even when you're through with that, there's plenty else to entertain, occupy and enthrall you. Like the multitude of restaurants and bars spanning everything from glitzy hotel lounges to cheerful cafes and coffee houses exhaling twirls of hubbly bubbly smoke. Or the labyrinths of streets and stalls in the old city, where a tide of trinkets, carpets and spices threaten to engulf anyone who comes near. And don't miss the bargain-hunter's paradise of Khan el-Khalili, a web of narrow alleyways crammed with haggle-happy copper, gold and silver sellers. It's Cairo's ancient history though that sprinkles it with stardust. Venture to the outskirts to marvel at the deeply poignant Giza pyramids, guarded by the mysterious Sphinx. Explore the warren-like Egyptian Museum to see dust-caked antiquities, age-old mummies and the glorious treasures of Tutankhamun. Admire the intricate artistry of the Sultan Hasan mosque, with its only minaret puncturing the cloudless canopy of sky cupped above it. If time allows you to, dip in and out of the myriad other museums, souks and mosques that compete hard for your attention. Finally, enjoy a cool drink overlooking the slow-moving waters of the Nile, watching as they idly follow their millennia-old course.

Cairo is the largest city in Africa with almost 9 million people inhabiting its sprawling architecture. There are many different districts, each with their own feel - Tahrir Square is home to the city's cosmopolitan business district; the Islamic quarter with its Citadel and fascinating bazaar can be discovered to the east. For a bird's-eye view of the whole city, take a trip up the 590-ft-high Cairo Tower - the panorama will thrill your soul.

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