What to see in 1 day in Cairo

Almost all travel itinerary proposals in Egypt that we found in internet put in a corner (unfairly) the Egyptian capital: most of the time Cairo is a simple stopover for the most famous Luxor and Aswan in Egypt.

We’ve “studied”, we’ve searched informations and we’ve discovered that this city actually offers a lot to the traveler in search of new experiences. So, we gave it a possibility dedicating one full day to Cairo.

We did not regret it! In fact, if we could come back, we would spend more time.

The feelings that we continuosly felt walking around in Cairo is that it is a capital with great splendor in its past but in progressive decline: majestic buildings of classic style abandoned and left without any kind of maintenance, dusty streets blocked (as well as by incessant traffic) from dustbin bags besieged by stray dogs and cats, few tourist information along the city and everything left in a sort of chaos.

Despite this, the city is full, alive with people and smells, is a continuous dive into the past where time seems to stand still: suq illuminated by the light of bronze lights and smells of pungent spices, the voice of the muezzin that resounds from the beautiful minarets, street vendors who insist on promoting their merchandise, tok tok whizzing like other people regardless of pedestrians, …

With only one day available we had to organize our visit in very detail; we walked a lot (25 km!) and we used the crowded subway but it was well worth it.

Keep in mind that most of the monuments of main interest close at 4 pm: try to organize the itinerary by dedicating the morning to visit the monuments and the afternoon for visiting the neighborhoods.

We decided (due to the very tight time) to skip the Egyptian Museum: we did not want to sacrifice the full day available inside a museum crowded with tourists but we wanted to fully experience the real city. And then, we are from Turin where there’s one of the most magnificent Egyptian museums in the world.

Have a look to our itinerary to discover Cairo

1. The Citadel (opening hours: 8 am – 4 pm; price: LE 140/70 adults / students)

Wake up early to admire in perfect solitude and peace the majestic Mohammed Ali mosque, modelled on classic Ottoman lines, inside the walls of the Citadel, the fortress that dominates the eastern side of the capital.

Stroll around the mosque along the terrace that offers a 360° view of the capital: on particularly clear days you can glimpse the expanse of the pyramids of Giza in the distance. The inside of the mosque is just as marvelous as the outside: crossing a courtyard and an ancient portico, you will come to a large hall (remember to take off your shoes!) that is illuminated from above by myriads of round lamps that create play of light.

Mohammed Ali Mosque – Cairo Citadel

2. Islamic Cairo

Discover the Islamic area of Cairo, full of markets that sell products of all kinds. Here, you can taste the local life of the capital: the markets begin to come to life late morning and they are a real show. Stop at one of the many street food stalls: falafel, hummus, crispy chips quickly handmade; all at a very low price. The neighborhood is alive and noisy: spend as much time as you want, you will not regret it!

Continue to the beautiful Al Azhar Mosque (no entry fee), one of Cairo’s ancient mosque which houses an enchanting courtyard surrounded by white and gold colonnades. At this point, take the Sharia Al Muizzi Li Din Allah Street, lined with colorful shops of spices of all kinds, to the alleys of Cairo’s historical souq, Khan Al Khalili: here, stop and take the typical Egyptian tea with mint leaves at the famous local Fishawi’s.

Drinking the tipical egyptian tea in Fishawi’s – Khan Al Khalili

3. Coptic Cairo and surroundings

Push yourself towards Coptic Cairo, the beating heart of Coptic Christianity. Lose yourself in the alleys inside the fortress walls guarded by the soldiers, admiring the beautiful Church of San Giorgio and Bacco, the Orthodox Church of Sergius and the sinagogue Ben Ezra.

Exit the walls of Coptic Cairo and continue towards Old Cairo to the Al Malik Al Salih metro station: get lost in the streets full of vegetables markets, children playing in the streets, workshops and donkey carts: a vision of the Cairo stopped in the past!