Cairo Overview

Cairo is officially known as al-Qāhirah and is regarded to be one of the world’s largest urban areas. It is the administrative capital of Egypt and full of life and opportunity.
 

The city is located very close to virtually all of the country’s pyramids as well as being central to ancient tombs, churches and mosques. Culture is abundant in Cairo, with art galleries and music halls housing exhibitions and concerts from artists throughout the world while the museums document Egypt’s long and fascinating history.

Shopping and dining opportunities are excellent in the city, with superb restaurants offering authentic Egyptian cuisine and unique souks selling everything from camels to clothing. Modern shopping centres are being erected throughout the city and house numerous high street shops as well as designer labels and expensive home furnishings.

Cairo has a wide variety of accommodation to choose from, with choices that are guaranteed to suit every taste and budget. Luxury hotels can be found in the city centre and close to the Pyramids of Giza. These include some of the world’s premier resorts such as the Four Seasons and the Grand Hyatt Cairo Hotel.

Most budget hotels can be found in downtown Cairo, close to all conveniences. Prices depend on quality, although it is possible to stay in a very nice hotel for a reasonable rate.

It is always advisable to book your hotel in advance, especially during the peak months of November, December and January.

Although the Pharaoh’s ancient pyramids date back to 5000 BC, archaeological evidence of the first inhabitants of the city of Cairo actually point to the Romans. The remains of the very first settlement can be found at Babylon Fort and date back to 150 AD.

Babylon Fort was a major symbol of Roman power in the city. Later, it ironically became a safe-house for Egyptian Copts fleeing from Roman persecution. Many of the churches built in and around the fort by the Copts still remain intact today.

In 642 AD, Muslims from Saudi Arabia gained entry and conquered Egypt. They won immediate support and respect from the peasants and the townspeople, and are believed to have laid the foundations for the Cairo we know today. Babylon Fort became their headquarters, from where a prospering city soon began to develop. 

The Al-Azhar Mosque was soon built along with the city’s university. Both helped to mould Cairo into one of the frontrunners of learning and philosophy. The school can still be seen today and is a prominent centre for Islamic studies.

By 1315, Cairo was one of the most prosperous cities in the world. Its status and wealth climaxed in 1348, when it became the largest city in the world. Shortly after however, the Arabs began to lose their hold over the country and slowly, the Europeans and Turks eased their way in.

In 1517, the Ottoman Empire took Cairo by force and managed to hold onto the city for almost 300 years. Napoleon and his army conquered Cairo in 1798, but this had little impact on the Egyptian people and the culture, as Napoleonic forces only managed to hold onto the city for three years.

The French were driven out in 1801 by British and Turkish forces, and Cairo was returned to the Ottoman Empire. Cairo soon became the new capital of Egypt, and due to its consistent growth, many Europeans moved to the city.

Cairo has had a thriving tourist industry since the middle of the 19th century. People gathered in droves to appreciate the ancient wonders. The mighty and mysterious pyramids are the city’s main source of income.

Cairo experiences two seasons throughout the year, which include a very hot season and a cooler season. The cooler season can be enjoyed from September until April, making October to March the best time to visit.

January and February are often overcast and experience occasional thunder storms, while March and April suffer from strong, dry winds which blow in from the desert. These are known as the khamseen. 

As Egypt is surrounded by desert, Cairo tends to get very dry and dusty, especially during a khamseen and the hot season. The low humidity helps to make the immense heat bearable during the hotter months, as temperatures can reach a stiflingly 38°C from May through September.