Cairo

Central Cairo

Despite the name, central Cairo is more the commercial hub of the city than a bustling city centre packed full of star attractions. However central Cairo is still a great place to get a hotel as it is at least central! Sights you will find in central Cairo include the Islamic Art Museum and the Cairo Tower where you can get a bird's eye view of the surrounding area. There's a restaurant at the top, but we hear that it's not worth the money ? stick to eateries on to the ground! Central Cairo is a good spot for a stroll, to take in some café culture, and take your mind off your hectic sightseeing schedule. Mohandiseen is part of this region of the city whilst Heliopolis is just out to the east.

Downtown Cairo

Just south of the central area lies downtown Cairo. The area is busy with shops and fast food chains, so staying here you will be part of a frenzied way of life. Tahrir Square and the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities form a focal point for the area, but there are plenty of other sights too. The imposing silhouette of the Saladin Citadel presides over the whole downtown area, there are many wares worth haggling over in the Khan El-Khalil souk and you shouldn't miss the grandeur of the Parliament Building. Cairo Opera House nestles on the southern end of Gezira Island or for a journey into ancient Egypt take a boat tour through the Pharaonic Village. The Madrasa Sultan Hassan Mosque and the Al-Rita'i Mosque offer another look at the religious architecture the city is known for.

Old Cairo

Old Cairo in the south of the city really comprises of the two separate areas; Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo. There is a wealth of architecture and old religious buildings to explore from Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths. Space is scarce in Old Cairo which makes it an expensive area to stay in. Head in for the day instead and explore the highlights like the Hanging Church, the oldest church in Egypt, and Mari Girgis, another old Christian place of worship. There's also the Ibn Tulum Mosque, which is one of the hugest in the city. The Coptic Museum tells of the area's illustrious history, whilst the minarets of the Mosque el-Imuayyad on the Bab Zuwayla gate offer some of the best views around. The city of the dead is here too, where hundreds of people have made their homes in old tombs.

Zamalek

Zamalek is a small district, nestled on the northern half of Gezira Island. Whilst it's lacking in attractions, its residential streets are home to plenty of expats and have a European and relaxed feel. It's fairly expensive to stay here but if you're after a trip in the lap of luxury then this is the place to be.

Further Afield

Cairo is a huge metropolis with a wide number of districts. Thankfully for tourists most of the sights are contained in just a few so you needn't travel about a lot unless you want to. One trip that most people are sure to take is out to the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, where you can also spend some time at the Solar Boat Museum, or playing golf.