Cairo and the Pyramids

Our expert Egypt

Cairo and the Pyramids

Cairo and the Pyramids The Pyramids of Giza are a 45-minute drive from the Egyptian capital. A.Lorgnier ©

Overcrowded and busy, Cairo is home to a quarter of the country's population, that is to say 17 million inhabitants. Its ancient Mosques, the old Copt area and its museums deserve a visit during an ideal stay of 4 to 5 days. You must go to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities: 5,000 years of Pharaoh art, and the fascinating treasures of Tutankhamun. Also check out the Museum of Islamic Art and Museum of Mahmoud-Khalil and its beautiful collection of Impressionist paintings. The great Khan el-Khalili soukh (market) is home to a thousand stalls in 14th century alleyways. Also visit the Al-Azhar Mosque (10th century), the mosques of Ibn Tulun, the oldest in Cairo (9th century), Sultan Hassan (14th century), plus the Old Cairo, the Copt neighbourhood, and its discreet churches.

Meanwhile, modern Cairo, is also a must-see for the Soliman Pacha Square and its 19th century buildings, upmarket shops, book shops and pre-war pastry shops. You musn't miss the pyramids of Giza (Cheops, Khafra, Menkaura) and the Sphinx, three quarters of an hour away from Cairo. A little further is the famous step Pyramid of Djoser, on the Saqqara plateau. After having been restored, the Menkaura pyramid is now open to the public.