Things to Do in Cairo

Old Cairo is a relatively small area but it is rich with history. Also known as Coptic Cairo, Fustat (in reference to the first Muslim city established there), and Masr al-Qadima to the locals, it has been inhabited since the 6th century BC. It has been a Roman fort protecting trade routes, a Christian city from around the 5th century AD, a Muslim army camp from 641 AD, then Egypt's capital city until yet another conquest in the 10th century.

The main interest these days is in its role as Coptic Cairo. The narrow cobbled streets contain the Religious Compound, full of churches including the Hanging Church (dedicated to the Virgin Mary and still in use), the oldest synagogue in Egypt, the remains of the Roman fortress, and the Coptic Museum. Just northeast is the site of ancient Fustat which contains the oldest mosque, Amr Ibn al-Aas. The rest of the area is interesting for the Zabaleen, people who live in a shanty town and sift through Cairo's huge amount of garbage to reuse and recycle it.

Ramses II was a the longest serving pharaoh in Ancient Egypt, reigning from 1279 BC to 1213 BC, a total of 66 years and 2 months. This made him a very powerful and significant man in history and it's not surprising he left behind so many huge statues of himself. One of these is the freestanding red granite statue reaching 36 ft (11 m) in height discovered by Giovanni Battista Caviglia in 1820 in Memphis, the ruined ancient capital city. It was broken into 6 pieces but in 1955 Egyptian President Nasser had it restored and installed in Cairo at Ramses Square. Pollution took its toll on the 3,200 year old sculpture however and in 2006 it was moved to Giza where it will be installed in the new Grand Egyptian Museum when that opens in 2013.

Other statues of Ramses II are found at Abu Simbel and Luxor. The British Museum also has one which was found at Thebes.

The red-and-white-striped Mosque of al-Mu'ayyad (the Red Mosque), built on the site where its patron Mamluk Sultan al-Mu'ayyad had earlier been imprisoned, displays a particularly grand entrance portal, dripping with stalactite vaulting; the interior is equally lavish. The mosque was completed in 1421 and was considered the finest built in Cairo.

It is one of the finest examples of Mamluk architecture in Egypt with a dome and two minarets standing at the southern gate. Originally all four sides were equally decorated and all considered front facades and entrances. It has intricate stone carvings, bronze doors, inlaid mosaic patterning and a painted floral pattern ceiling. The central pavilion with the ablutions fountain is unusually large. Inside an entrance hall leads to the tombs of Sultan al-Mu'ayyad and his son.

One of the most iconic and mysterious Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (and the only one still standing), the Pyramids of Giza—the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Khafre, and Pyramid of Menkaure—still live up to more than 4,000 years of hype. Seeing these three fourth-dynasty pyramids and their guardian Great Sphinx rising from the Giza Plateau is a must on any trip to Cairo (and the reason many travelers find themselves in Egypt).

The Basics
Few structures on the planet are as immediately recognizable as the Giza Pyramids, and travelers have several options for visiting these wonders of ancient Egypt. Most see them on a full-day tour from Giza or Cairo; these tours often also include a Nile River cruise or stops at other sights such as Memphis, the Egyptian Museum, and the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Once at the pyramid site, explore the pyramid complex on foot, or choose to take in the view from afar with a camel ride (a great photo opportunity). Those who visit on their own should keep in mind that there are separate entrance fees for the complex and each individual pyramid.

• Remember to wear closed-toe shoes and modest clothing at the pyramids.
• Be prepared for plenty of sun; bring along a hat, sunscreen, and water to stay comfortable.
• Choosing a private tour will allow you to customize your experience.
• Leave yourself plenty of free time to explore.

How to Get There
While a guided tour from Cairo or Giza is the easiest and most convenient way to see the pyramids, it’s also possible to visit independently by taking a taxi or public bus from downtown Cairo or the Giza metro station along Pyramids Road.

When to Get There
The winter months (late November to early February) tend to bring optimal weather; in summer, expect temperatures in the 90s F. Keep in mind how traveling during Ramadan could impact your plans, and note that Fridays, a traditional day of rest in Egypt, tend to be a bit quieter at the Great Pyramids of Giza.

How to Avoid Scams and Touts at the Giza Pyramids
The main entrance to the pyramids is often crowded with pushy souvenir vendors, touts, and taxi drivers looking for a fare. To gain the assistance of a professional guide and avoid looking for vendors on the spot, it’s best to book your tour in advance, but if arriving by taxi, ask your driver to take you to the vehicle entrance, where there are fewer touts but still opportunities to book horse riding, camel riding, or carriage tours. You may also come across unofficial guides who claim you must tour the complex with them; this is not true.

The city of Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt. It was the King's residence and the political and administrative center until around 2,200 BC. It had impressive fortifications and temples, largely to Ptah, the god of creation and artworks. Estimates of population vary from 6,000 to 30,000 but either way, it was one of the larger, if not the largest, cities of its era.

Archaeological digging in the area has uncovered a Temple of Ptah and sculptures, including a sphinx (smaller than the one at Giza but still impressive), and the Colossus of Ramses II. These are now housed in the outdoor Memphis Museum in Mit Rihina, the modern town in this area. In 1979, UNESCO designated the area a World Heritage Site.

Jaundiced travelers often dismiss the Khan al-Khalili as a tourist trap; there's no ignoring the fact that it's a favored stop of tour buses and has all the associated annoyances (touts and tat) that come with them. But it's worth remembering that Cairenes have plied their trades here since the founding of the Khan in the 14th century - the buying and selling didn't begin with the arrival of the first tour group.

Today the market still plays an important role in the day-to-day commercial life of thousands of locals. In its narrow streets you can buy anything from shoes to souvenirs to clothes, chess sets,  cushions, ceramics, brass, gold, silver, rugs, fabrics and on it goes.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Hanging Church, which is still in use, is called the Hanging or Suspended Church as it is built on top of the Water Gate of Roman Babylon. Steep stairs lead from the forecourt to a 19th -century façade topped by twin bell towers. Beyond is a small inner courtyard, usually filled with sellers of taped liturgies and videos of the Coptic pope, Shenouda III.

The interior of this 9th-century (some say 7th-century) church, renovated many times throughout the centuries, has three barrel-vaulted, wooden-roofed aisles. Ivory-inlaid screens hide the three haikal s (altar areas), but in front of them, raised on 13 slender pillars that represent Christ and his disciples, is a fine pulpit used only on Palm Sunday. One of the pillars, darker than the rest, is said to symbolize Judas. In the baptistry, off to the right, a panel has been cut out of the floor revealing the Water Gate below. From here there is a good view of one of the gate's twin towers.