A trip to Cairo is like no other place in the world for that perfect gel of the ancient, the medieval and the cosmopolitan, all beautifully blended into the most exciting city on Earth. Explore the wonders of the ancient world, sample international cuisine, and luxuriate at the finest hotels in Africa for the ultimate adventure holiday that has no limits.
When planning your next visit to this bustling city, be sure to take stock of everything you would like to see and budget your time and finances accordingly. This is not only essential for the independent traveler, but also for those who will be booking tours, as there are plenty of free days in between scheduled itineraries. To enhance a limited stay in Cairo and its environs, a time efficient day begins with breaking down the attractions into their respective districts. Cairo traffic can be brutal at peak hours, so it would be wise to schedule your visits and lodging in carefully selected areas.
Downtown is a favorite lodging district for the first-time visitor to Cairo, as the major hotels are lined up along the Nile and offer spectacular river views. The major thoroughfare is called Corniche el-Nil, connecting Cairo’s top five star hotels, dining and night life with a peaceful and tranquil setting against the water. One of your first stops in this timeless city will be the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, located right next to the Nile Hotel. Additional attractions in the city centre include the Cairo Opera House, Nilometer, the Nile Bus watercraft, Gezira Promenade and Nile dinner cruising for a spectacular city lights tour at night.
Although the downtown district is teeming with restaurants to suit every budget and taste, there is one place in particular that is worthy of a stop. Kentucky Fried Chicken, in the enclave of Dokki, is the only KFC in the world to hire deaf people exclusively. This neat and tidy KFC is a joy to visit and run by a congenial and efficient staff. So, if you have a chicken wing on your mind for dinner, this is the outlet to support with your patronage and set an example for the world.
To the north of the downtown district lies the upscale neighborhood of Heliopolis, a 5,000 year old metropolis updated to receive the most discriminating traveler. Heliopolis is the international airport region, but is also one of the best places to stay for quiet nights with high-end dining and entertainment at your fingertips. The traffic is lighter up here, and the mood moves at a slower pace than that of Cairo’s city centre or the edge of the desert at the Giza pyramids. For the return traveler or those who want to unwind and relax at night, Heliopolis is the place to be for fine food, wines, and a sophisticated atmosphere.
Some of the most famous streets for sumptuous restaurants include Sharia Baghdad, Loqqany and Chantilly for fine European, Arabic and Mediterranean cuisine. In addition, some of the city’s attractions include the Heliopolis Palace, Baron’s Palace, and the tomb and memorial for Anwar Sadat.