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Cairo (Arabic: القاهرة,al-Qāhirah) is the capital of Egypt and, with a total population in excess of 16 million people, one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East (which regions it conveniently straddles) - it is also the 13th largest city in the world. Situated on the River Nile, Cairo is famous for its own history - preserved in the fabulous medieval Islamic city and in Old Cairo - and for the ancient, Pharaonic history of the country it represents. No trip to Cairo would be complete, for example, without a visit to the Giza Pyramids, to nearby Saqqara, or to the Egyptian Museum in the center of town. Though firmly attached to the past, Cairo is also home to a vibrant modern society.
NB: While al-Qāhirah is the official name of the city, in local speech it is typically called simply by the name of the country, Mişr (Arabic, مصر) pronounced Maşr in the local dialect.
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SEE DO EAT
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 SEE
- Pyramids of Giza. The only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is the country's most famous tourist attraction.
- Sphinx.
- Egyptian Museum. The world's premier collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts.
- Saqqara.
- Memphis.
- Citadel. A grand castle built by Salah Al-Din. Also parts of the water pipes (Majra Al-Oyouon) are still there, these pipes used to carry the water from the Nile River to the citadel.
- Nile-meter South end of Rota island, Nile. Was used before Assuan dam was built and the level of the Nile was measured and therefore the tax rates for the farmers fixed.
- Al-Azhar Mosque. One of the pillars of Islamic thought and home to the world's oldest university.
- Ibn Tulun, close to Sayidna Zeinab. The oldest, and maybe most beautiful mosque in Cairo.
- The Coptic Museum.
- the "Hanging Church" (Church of the Virgin Mary), in Zabeleen Area (District of Manshiet Nasser) below Mokkatam Hills, not far away from the Citadel
- the Al Rifai & Sultan Hassan mosques (19th C & highly decorated: 14th C & beautifully austere).
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DO
- Felluca: Ride a boat along the Nile river. Negotiate a fair price of no more than 20 to 30LE for about a half hour for the boat, no matter how many people are on it. DO NOT PAY UNTIL AFTER YOUR RIDE IS COMPLETE!!! Or the guy you pay (separate from the boater) might disappear! A great way to relax and enjoy a night under the stars in Cairo. Public boats with loud arabic music and a giggling crowd are also available for 2 EP for 1/2 hour.
- Have a coffee, mint tea or Cola at El Fishawy's coffee shop in Khan el Khalili. Smoke a Shisha pipe (you simply hire them: try apple tobacco) and watch the world go by. Great cheap entertainment.
- When you need a break from city life, try a round of golf on the famous Mena House Golf Course overlooking the Pyramids, watch the horse racing at the Gezira Club or visit the Zoo and the Cairo Botanical Gardens.
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EAT
Cairo has an enormous amount of restaurants, catering to most needs. Cheap food can be found everywhere in street restaurants and snack stalls. The top notch restaurants are often, but not always, found in hotels and Nile boats. The borders between restaurants and cafes are not crystal-clear in the Egyptian capital. In many places it is perfectly acceptable to just have a drink or sheesha. Medium and high-range outlets might have a minimum charge. Cheaper restaurants will normally not serve alcohol as well as some more expensive outlets.
In general, downtown is good for budget eating, while for higher quality eating you should head to Zamalek, Mohandesin or any of the other more affluent parts of town. Most guidebooks and food critics agree that Cairo is not a great culinary destination. Ingredients are often low quality, and even the "best" restaurants might serve questionable dishes. That said, there are still a few good places to eat.
For those with a greater interest in Cairo's culinary life, look for Cairo Dining, a magazine with a half-yearly update of 1000 Cairo restaurants (and places to go out) sorted by price, kind of food and area. It is sold in chain cafes like Cilantro and Beanos. Otlob.com delivers food from a large number of Cairo restaurants, and is also practical because it offers a list of restaurants by type of food, area, and even covers menus, conveniently all in English. Almost all but the highest quality Cairo restaurants offer delivery or takeout.
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Some recommended Cairo restaurants
al-Gahsh (?????) This budget restaurant, it's name meaning "the mule," is purported to serve the best fowl in Cairo. It's location--opposite to one of Cairo's most revered mosques, Seidna Zeinab, and it's proximity to Ibn Tulun--makes it an necessary part of any visit to this part of Islamic Cairo.
Kushari Tahrir This Kushari chain with several outlets downtown is always popular and for good reasons. It only does Kushari, and it does it very well.
Abou al-Sid This upscale Zamalek restaurant makes elegant Egyptian food. Make reservations in advance and dress up to get in.
Soqaia, Zamalek. Good Lebanese food, a selection of more than 50 kinds of waterpipe tobacco, good drinks and an excellent Nile location makes this one of the most comfortable places to enjoy a Cairo evening.
Maison Thomas, Zamalek. The best pizza in Cairo as well as other great Italian food. They also have an in-house deli that sells pork, a rarity in Cairo.
Euro Deli, Zamalek. This comfortable international cafe serves some of the best healthy sandwiches, salads and bagels you will find in the city.
La Bodega, Zamalek. This upscale restaurant has a great menu, excellent service, and good drinks, which can be difficult to find in Cairo.
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