The lands along the Nile became the cradle of one of the greatest civilizations on the planet. Here, over 5,000 years ago, the state of the pharaohs was born, building monumental pyramids and creating a unique culture. Cairo, the current capital, is the living embodiment of this millennia-spanning chronicle. It was not the capital of the pharaohs but became the heart of Islamic Egypt and the heir to its entire complex history.
Where Are the Ancient Capitals?
The paradox of Cairo is that its main symbols—the Pyramids of Giza and the Saqqara Necropolis—were not part of the ancient Egyptian capitals of Memphis or Thebes. The history of the city as we know it began later. Everything changed with the arrival of the Romans, who in the 1st century AD built the powerful Babylon Fortress here. It was within and around its walls, on the bank of the Nile, that the city began to form, which in 969 AD became the capital under the Fatimids and has remained so ever since.
When planning your visit, be prepared for long distances and divide the main attractions into three key clusters. Exploring each will take a full day.
Day 1: The Age of the Pharaohs. Pyramids and the New Museum
Route: Pyramids of Giza → Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
This is a day of immersion into the world of Ancient Egypt. Head to the Pyramids of Giza in the morning. Go inside one of them (if your health allows), touch the cool stone, stand by the paws of the majestic Great Sphinx. Feel the silent grandeur of the pharaonic era.
In the afternoon, dedicate your time to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). This is a next-generation museum, where the treasures of Tutankhamun and tens of thousands of other artifacts are displayed in an ultra-modern space. The contrast between the ancient pyramids outside the window and the modern technology inside is stunning.
Day 2: The Cradle of Cairo. The Old City and the First Heritage
Route: Babylon Fortress → Churches of Old Cairo → Mosque of Amr ibn al-As → National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)
This is a journey to the origins. Start in Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo). Pass through the gates of the ancient Roman Babylon Fortress and find yourself in a labyrinth of narrow streets. Here, in the shadow of its walls, hide the most ancient Christian churches: the Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa) and the Church of St. Sergius (Abu Serga). A few steps away is the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As—the first mosque not only in Cairo but in all of Africa (founded in 642 AD).
Conclude your day at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC). Its crown jewel exhibition—the Royal Mummies Hall—leaves a grand impression. It is a view of Egypt`s history through the lens not only of the pharaohs but also of the development of crafts, science, and daily life.
Day 3: Power and Faith. The Citadel and the Modern Center
Route: Citadel of Saladin → Mosque of Muhammad Ali → Mosque of Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa`i → Tahrir Square Area → Gezira Island → Nile Cruise
Ascend to the Citadel of Saladin, which offers the best panorama of Cairo. Inside awaits the citadel`s "pearl"—the dazzling white Mosque of Muhammad Ali. At the very foot of the hill, admire the architectural duo of two great mosques: Sultan Hassan (a masterpiece of Mamluk architecture) and Al-Rifa`i.
In the afternoon, descend to the modern center—the Tahrir Square area. Here you will find the legendary Egyptian Museum in Cairo (with its old, authentic atmosphere) and the parliament building.
Then escape the hustle and bustle to Gezira Island (Zamalek)—a green oasis in the middle of the Nile with diplomatic quarters and galleries. Ascend the Cairo Tower to watch the sunset over the city from above. And the perfect finale to the day—a Nile cruise on a felucca or motorboat. From the water, nighttime Cairo, illuminated by the lights of hotels and bridges, looks absolutely magical.
Don`t Forget About the Saqqara Necropolis
If you have an extra day, be sure to make an excursion to the Saqqara Necropolis—the closest to Cairo and incredibly important. It is not just a cemetery but a vast open-air museum where you can trace the evolution of the pyramid—from the first stepped tomb of Djoser to later forms. This is a place where history comes alive in stone.
In Cairo, the layering of Egyptian history is clearly visible, where each epoch did not erase the previous one but was written over it. The Roman fortress became the foundation for Coptic churches, which in turn gave way to the great Islamic mosques and citadels that formed the imperial capital. To explore just the most important attractions of the city, you need to allocate at least three days.
