A visit to Égypte to uncover its mysteries must inevitably pass through Cairo, a city of many faces. This timeless megalopolis witnessed the reign of the pharaohs, leaving behind the prestigious Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx.

It has also been witness to Roman conquest, the Arab conquest, Napoleon, and the British. The city itself is an open book on Égypte's past. History enthusiasts will find an extraordinary journey here, encountering the great monarchs and civilizations of the ancient and medieval world.

History

The city's history unfolds in different stages. Overall, Cairo seems to be a combination of several cities, joined together and built at different times.

South of the current megalopolis, the ancient city of Memphis, for example, tells the story of Égypte in the pharaonic era. Further east, the Romans had settled in the region and built a true fortress. To the north, the Arab conquest left its mark at al-Fustat.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and Cairo was constructed over centuries by history's great conquerors.

It all began in 4000 BC, northeast of present-day Cairo, when the pre-pharaonic civilization founded the city of Onou, south of the Nile Delta. Its growing power made it the powerful city of Heliopolis, whose remains are still visible, notably the obelisk of Pharaoh Senusret I.

Development continued around 2800 BC. This strategically significant military and commercial zone quickly attracted the attention of the great conquerors of the time. A few kilometers south of Heliopolis, the pharaohs founded Memphis, which became the capital of ancient Égypte.

These builder-kings undertook great works in the region. Under the directives of the gods, they established a necropolis near the city, Giza. There, within their monumental pyramids, lie the great monarchs of the era, such as the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.

Over the ages, Memphis gradually declined. The Greeks and then the Romans invaded the country. They decided to build a true fortress to maintain control over all territory. Standing the test of time, the Roman fortress of Babylon still stands and carries within it the history of Cairo's Coptic community.

The Arab conquest of 640 led to the founding of the city of Fostat to the north, then al-Mansuriya. Later, the caliph al-Muizz li-Din Allah renamed it al-Qahiratu—Cairo.

From there, the city never stopped expanding and growing. It has known glory, war, and the Black Plague. Part of it was burned during the Fatimid Caliphate. Yet it recovered. The great monarch Saladin built the magnificent Citadel of Cairo.

Then came the conquest of the Ottoman Empire, followed by Napoleon and the British.

Modern infrastructure was developed by Pasha Muhammad Ali and later by Isma'il. The latter drew inspiration from European infrastructure of the time and built the Tahrir Square and buildings of the same style, as well as wider streets.

Cairo Today

Cairo is a city full of energy. As in all the world's great capitals, vibrancy is felt everywhere.

The various expansions over the ages gave birth to a megalopolis of 453 km². Built along the Nile, south of the Delta, it stretches from northeast to south, encompassing the islands of Gezira and Rhoda.

In the heart of the megalopolis, you can stroll through Garden City and the city center. The atmosphere is noticeably calmer. You can admire buildings constructed in the 19th century and the famous Tahrir Square, developed by Pasha Ismail. These structures tell the story of Cairo during its great modernization.

Heading south, you enter Old Cairo. Again, you'll encounter other chapters of Égypte's history. The Roman conquest left behind the fortress of Babylon, around which several Coptic churches were built. You can learn more by exploring the Coptic Museum's various exhibitions or by wandering around to admire the Hanging Church and other Coptic churches in the neighborhood.

You can also visit Fostat, where remnants of the ancient city are still visible, despite the fire that devastated it around 1168. In Islamic Cairo, there are also some prestigious mosques, such as the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As or the Mosque of Ibn Tulun.

East of Old Cairo, you can travel back to the medieval period when the great Saladin became the first sultan of the city. The beautiful Citadel, built in the 12th century, offers breathtaking views of the city. From its terrace, you might almost feel the mixed emotions of awe and pride that the great monarch must have felt contemplating his city.

Cairo allows you to discover several places that can astonish history enthusiasts from around the world. Strolls along the Corniche, a walk through the streets of Sharia Al Muizz Li Din Allah al-Fatimi, exhibitions at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo, and the beautiful gardens of Al-Azhar Park are magnificent sites that inspire you to learn more about Égypte and unravel its mysteries.

Heading to the far south of the city, admiring the great Giza Pyramids and its sphinx is a unique experience in the world and essential to any trip to Égypte.

What to Do in Cairo?

Visiting monuments within the city

A stroll through the city allows you to discover Égypte's history. The first step in this discovery would be to visit the Coptic Museum or the Islamic Museum. You can admire one of the world's most important collections of Coptic and Islamic art.

Then you can walk along the cobblestones of the oldest street in the city, on Sharia Al Muizz Li Din Allah al-Fatimi. This district is filled with structures dating from the medieval era. The setting is such that you'd think you were in a medieval film or in an open-air museum.

From there, you can admire the city's ancient mosques, the Al-Azhar Mosque founded in 970 and the Sultan Hassan Mosque built in 1356. A bit further south, you can stroll through the Coptic quarter and see the remnants of Rome at its height through the fortress of Babylon. Then take a moment of reflection in a peaceful Coptic church, such as El Moallaqa.

At sunset, taking a breath of fresh air in the Al-Azhar Park is simply restorative. A view from this peaceful, verdant place allows you to admire all of Old Cairo bathed in a red-orange glow.

You can also head to the Corniche to contemplate from afar the islands of Gezira and Rhoda. Then you might be tempted by a peaceful Nile cruise to discover all its secrets.

Dining and Shopping

Visiting a mythical city without tasting its many traditional dishes and picking up some souvenir items would be completely unthinkable. You can indulge yourself in Cairo's grand bazaar, at Khan Al Khalili, or in the Zamalek district, on the Gezira island.

Visiting monuments outside the city

And what would a visit to Cairo be without admiring the Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx?

Located further south, in the Giza necropolis, they stand as testimony to the ancient power of Égypte's great pharaohs. They wished to make known to the gods and future generations the supremacy of their reign through the construction of gigantic tombs—the famous pyramids.

The ingenuity of these extraordinary structures suggests they were built by supernatural beings.

Climate

The best time to visit Cairo would be late in the year, between October and December, or between February and early March. During these periods, temperatures range between 19 and 30°C. Rainfall is notably less frequent between October and November.

Starting in March, violent winds can strike the city, bringing with them a significant layer of sand from the desert.

Between May and August, scorching heat can reach 35°C.

From Paris, you can fly to Cairo and land at the city's international airport, located in the Heliopolis district. The journey typically takes four to six hours of flight.

From one of Égypte's cities, you can reach Cairo by train or by road.

Cairo benefits from a diversity of transportation options. You can get around by bus, taxi, or rental car.

There are three types of buses in Cairo: public service buses, microbuses, and minibuses. The latter can sometimes be quite comfortable, with air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Transportation costs can run about five Egyptian pounds per person.

Some Cairo taxis also offer a near-luxury service with comfortable, well-equipped vehicles.

You can even choose to rent a limousine for pickup and transport to your hotel.

The city's metro, meanwhile, mainly serves getting to certain localities around Cairo.

And to admire the wonders of the Nile and its islands, you can also book a peaceful cruise on this mythical river.