CAIRO
Area: Egypt


Location:
In N Egypt, 140 miles SE of Alexandria and the Mediterranean; 14 miles SW of its international airport near Heliopolis.

Telephone code from UK:
20 2

Website:
http://www.tourism.egnet.net

Position:
Bisected by the broad River Nile, the city is bounded by fertile fields and date palms of the Nile Delta to the N and Nile Valley to the S, with desert to the SW around Giza.

Description:
Africa's largest city, Egypt's capital and spiritual heart is ugly, polluted and overcrowded. Cairo sprawls for miles along either bank of the River Nile and is home to over 12 million inhabitants. It is often difficult to get your bearings, and the omnipresent dust, traffic fumes (with perennial smog), decay, noise and general chaos will put off even the most die-hard city-lover, especially in the hot summer months when the problems seem to be exacerbated. Even Gezira Island in the middle of the Nile offers little respite from the traffic, although the feeling here is more residential and less frenetic. Heliopolis, near the airport, is quieter and a little more relaxing than the centre, having been designed originally as a garden suburb for wealthier Egyptians and expatriates. If you do not mind the long journey, the quietest and most pleasant place to stay is near the Pyramids at Giza. It is impossible to get to know Cairo in a few days; at best one can get the feel of its different districts and rich history. The possibility of Islamic Fundamentalist attacks on tourists in Egypt remains. Foreign Office advisory notices offer the latest official advice and should be consulted before booking.

Suitability:
International history buffs, Egyptologists and the curious. Tastes to suit all pockets.

Accommodation:
Unless you are insensitive to a 24-hour symphony of car horns it is advisable to choose a central base that is properly soundproofed. Hotels are at their most dense around the business district of Tahrir Square/Opera Square. There are further concentrations across the river in the dull but still noisy and traffic-laden W suburbs of Mohandessin and Dokki, around the airport and at Giza.

Shopping:
The main shopping streets are near the Egyptian Museum, although most of the available goods are pretty shoddy, and a visit to the giant Khan el Khalili bazaar is of more interest as far as souvenir and "atmosphere" shopping are concerned.

Beach:
None.

Entertainments:
Daytime: remarkable and varied sightseeing (Great Pyramids, Sphinx, numerous museums). The smarter hotels have swimming pools, health clubs and tennis. More tennis and horse racing at the Gezira Sporting Club. 9-hole golf. Nile trips. Nightlife: broad selection of discos, piano bars and a few hotel casinos. Plenty of exotic shows; live bands and belly-dancers. Thrice-nightly sound-and-light show at the foot of the Sphinx (check for times of English-language performances).

Eating:
Few restaurants worth hunting for outside the hotels. Those that are offer varied cuisine: Lebanese, Moroccan, French, Italian, Indian and Chinese. Levels of hygiene are often poor, even in hotels, and it is not unusual for tourists to get stomach upsets; use only bottled water even for brushing teeth.

Public-transport:
Getting around can be difficult. The buses are not recommended because of overcrowding, hair-raising boarding practices and few printed schedules. The French-built underground called the Metro is a cheap, fairly efficient and cleaner alternative. Taxis are metered, although the meters are rarely used, so ensure you agree the fare before setting off. It is helpful to have the name of your hotel or destination written down in Arabic. Beware: drivers tend to have a "kamikaze" streak to cope with the chaotic traffic conditions. Trains go to Luxor and Aswan; long distance buses also available. Internal flights are the quickest and most efficient way to cover long distances.

Local-excursions:
The Great Pyramids and The Sphinx at Giza 10 miles from the city centre (half or full day). Camel rides around the Pyramids are also popular, but many tourists get taken for a ride in more senses than one; bargain hard and do not pay more than the agreed price. Memphis and Sakkara (day). Numerous tombs. Various city and museum tours _ English-speaking guide or a good guide book are essential. Islamic Museum, Seheimy House and the Blue Mosque (half day). NB: when visiting mosques women must wear a head scarf or other covering and be "decently" attired _ shorts and miniskirts will offend Islamic sensibilities. Suez _ by car or bus (full day). Alexandria (full day).