Pyramids, sand and history amassed – What better place to explore than Cario, Egypt?! At Must Do Travels, we encourage you to learn and get out there and explore every inch of this amazing world, the known and the lesser known and the popular and the hidden gems.
Brief History of Cairo
Cairo is the capital city of Egypt, and one of the oldest cities in the world. It is the largest city in Africa and among the most populated cities on earth. It has an area of 453 square kilometers and a population of 6,750,000 people. The city is nicknamed “the city of thousand Minarets” due to much Islamic architecture. Cairo has remained a center of political and cultural life for ages. Al-Azhar University is located in Cairo and is the worlds second oldest institution of higher learning. Cairo is comprised of both the modern and ancient architecture, AKA – a tourist’s gym. The whole city is full of tourist’s attractions. Visitors come to Cairo from near and far to visit historical landmarks and monuments like Bab el-Fateh, Cairo Tower, Citadel (Al-Qalaa) and Great Sphinx. These sights are not only world famous but have their unique importance. Yep, traveling to Cairo should be an experience of a lifetime. And at Must Do Travels, one of our biggest beliefs is to make travel an fantastic and notable experience. So, Cairo, here we come!
Why Visit Cairo?
If any destination captures our attention and allows us to let loose with our imaginations, it’s none other than Cairo. Every grain of sand in the desert is full of history and culture! For each pyramid, there’s a story of a pharaoh, a society and much more. A trip to Egypt’s temples is a trip back in time.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are a must! You’ll find that these not only live up to the images found on Google, but surpass them. No matter when you go, you’ll be able to see all of the Great Pyramids from the outside. During any one time, though, three of them will be closed for preservation purposes, so make sure to plan ahead if you had your heart set on a specific tour. Also, be aware that the number of visitors to a temple may be limited. Khufu’s Pyramid, for instance, allows only 150 visitors inside per day. WOAH! Let’s get in line.
If you’re willing to go a bit beyond the standard temple tour, you can get a little more up close and personal with a pyramid. Dahshur’s Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid were precursors to the larger pyramids at Giza, and are well preserved. At these, you’ll be able to tour the inside and avoid the long lines of nearby Cairo. Exploring inside a real pyramid is like traveling back centuries in time. And hopefully nothing like Tom Cruise’s experience.
When should you visit Cairo?
Egypt is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world along with the scores of the Cairo’s 16 million residents that flood the area during the school year. Timing your trip may be a little tricky, but it’s totally doable. When it comes to the weather, November through March is much more temperate, especially for those from non-desert peeps. Summer in Cairo can be barely tolerable for those who are used to it. So, if you’re from a colder climate, this may not be the best time, but if you used to the desert heat, you can manage. But, you might want to consider a summer trip because the natives will have headed to the beach areas, and crowds thin out dramatically. You won’t have to wait in line, and you can always lounge on a beach or in an air-conditioned hotel or restaurant if the heat ends your day early. Honestly, though, Cairo is a Must Do for every traveler out there.
Cairo will not only live up to your expectations but capture your imagination afresh. So, what are you waiting for?!