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Zones and districts Naturally, a city with so many millions of inhabitants has multiple zones and districts. But before you panic and stress about organizing the trip, we will give you a summary of the main neighborhoods of the city and metropolitan areas that are worth knowing. You will see that everything is perfectly encompassable on your visit to Cairo. Heliopolis. A commercial and residential neighborhood, with large shopping areas and Cairo houses, so you can do your shopping and, at the same time, savor the local atmosphere. It is located next to the airport and is the richest area of ​​the city, with very modern buildings and luxury goods stores. This area in Cairo is also known as the City of the Sun and has a significant number of bars to relax and have a drink or dinner. Zamalek. The most westernized area of ​​Cairo and with the most activity in the city for its very famous cafes, restaurants and music bars. Where you can get alcohol in places specifically authorized for sale to tourists. The Islamic neighborhood. Located within the historic center of Cairo and the oldest area, it houses the most important monuments of the city, the old mosques and the famous Khan el-Jalili bazaar. It is the perfect area for the western traveler to immerse himself in the local life of Cairo, its religious customs and its beliefs and culture. giza. Although it is an independent city, its proximity to Cairo makes it unavoidable if we talk about areas within the Egyptian capital. Because the famous three pyramids and the Great Sphinx are located in Giza, 20 km southwest of downtown Cairo, in such a way that it can be considered part of the metropolitan area of ​​the Egyptian capital and, without a doubt, the place to visit most essential of all. Coptic neighborhood. Where the Christian community of Egypt is located, with many churches and a museum with 16,000 pieces of Coptic art. What to see in Cairo Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza. They don’t need much of an introduction, but it’s always good to remember that these wonders built around 2500 B.C. They are located 20 kilometers from Cairo, in the metropolitan area of ​​Giza. The pyramids were made to house the tombs of the pharaohs Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure. There is also the famous 20 meter high Sphinx, one of the most symbolic icons of Egypt. You can get there by taxi or bus if you go by yourself. If you hire a guided tour, they will pick you up at the hotel. Generally, organized tours start at 8 in the morning. Egyptian Museum. Located in Tahrir Square, The Grand Egyptian Museum contains the largest collection of treasures from ancient Egypt. Although it was built in 1902, it was not until 1922 that it became one of the most visited sites in Egypt after the arrival of Tutankhamen’s tomb and the 3,500 pieces found inside. Other essential pieces of the museum: statue of Djoser and Akhenaten, the Menkaure Triad and the figure of the Seated Scribe. Saladin Citadel. A panoramic viewpoint of the city and an old Saladin fortress with large towers and walls, built in 1176 by order of Saladin to defend the city from the Crusaders. It is home to the al-Nasir Mosque (famous for its tile-decorated minarets), the Ottoman-style Gawhara Palace, and the Muhammad Ali Mosque, popularly known as the Alabaster Mosque. A few meters away is the Al Rifa’i Mosque, the Alabaster Mosque, the Ibn Tulun Mosque and the Sultan Hassan Mosque. Khan el-Khalili. The largest and most historic bazaar in Cairo, where local life mixes with tourism and where you can buy excellent quality products. It was born in 1382 as a resting place for merchant caravans and has grown until today, becoming a large market. Hanging Church. Located in the Coptic Quarter, it is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, built in the 3rd century AD. on one of the towers of the Babylonian Fortress of Roman origin. Al Azhar Mosque. Located in the historic center of Cairo, it was built between 970 and 972 and from its origins until today it has functioned as a religious center and a center for the study of Islam. It has a very striking white marble patio and a library that is worth visiting. Cairo Tower. On days when there is no fog and the sky is clear, you can enjoy the vastness of Cairo from the top of this 186-meter-tall tower located in the Zamalek neighborhood on Gezira Island. Ibn Tulun Mosque. The oldest in the city, the one that is best preserved in its original form. Ibn Tulun It was built between 876 and 879 with mud bricks and stands out for the number of arches and domes. Bab Zuwayla Gate. It is one of the three surviving gates of the walled city in Old Cairo. It was built between the 11th and 12th centuries to protect Cairo from attacks and still maintains the two minarets that were used to visualize invaders. Where to stay in Cairo The hotel offer in Egypt has no middle ground: the hotels are either very good or very bad. Therefore, a three-star in Cairo is not the same as a three-star in any Western country and if you want comfort, we recommend choosing a hotel with at least four stars. According to the essential visits to be made in the city, these are the neighborhoods in which we recommend staying: Giza, Zamalek (especially on the island of Gezira), Garden City, the historic center or Heliopolis. How to get around in Cairo To get around in Cairo, you have the options of taxis, buses and the metro. Cab. There are two kinds. The black and white, cheaper and older, without air conditioning or taximeter, so do not forget to agree on the price before getting on. And the yellow and white ones, more modern, with air conditioning and taximeter. In both, it is common to tip 10% of the fare. You cannot pay by card or large bills, so try to always carry cash and change. Bus. They usually do not have the line number or the destination indicated, they are crowded and the driver often does not completely stop the vehicle at a stop, so you will have to get on the bus while it is moving. But if you like adventure and want to mix with local life, it is a good option to get around, and the cheapest: a ticket costs 1 LE and you pay in cash inside the bus to a collector. Meter. A good service, with clean and punctual trains. It works from 05:30 a.m. to 01:00 a.m. and with three lines: L1 (red), L2 (blue), L3 (green). The minimum ticket is 3 LE and is equivalent to a maximum of 9 stations, if you have to travel more the price increases: up to 16 stations 5 LE, more than 16 stations 7 LE. It is the best option to move quickly around the city. Points of interest on each line: L1 (Tahrir Square), Egyptian Museum, Coptic Quarter; L2 (Heliopolis, Zamalek, Giza); L3 (Heliopolis, Islamic quarter).