CAIRO PART1

LINING THE BANKS of the Nile River, Cairo is a fusion of ancient. Churches are built atop Roman ruins and skyscrapers rise behind medieval monuments. Egypt's capital is best known for preserving the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but the city contains infinite treasures beyond the Pyramids of Giza.

Discover early Christian history in Coptic Cairo, browse the world’s largest collection of pharaonic antiquities, and sip on Egyptian-style coffee in the bustling Khan El-Khalili souk. While ancient temples and intricate tombs await farther south in Luxor and Aswan, here’s why you should pause in Cairo before your journey onward.

Spend your time in Cairo Memorably

Day 1: Nile views

9:30 a.m. Start your trip with a stroll in Zamalek, the glamorous northern part of the Gezira island on the Nile. Dotted with elegant townhouses, Zamalek houses embassies from all over the world. Away from the chaos, its tree-lined streets march to the beat of a gentler drum. Begin your day at Left Bank, a chic, riverside café that offers a smattering of indulgent menu options, including the traditional Cairene breakfast. The hearty spread consists of slabs of feta cheese sprinkled with tomatoes, accompanied by local staples like falafel and fulmedames, a flavorful fava bean dish. Two eggs cooked in any style round up this morning meal against the backdrop of the Nile.

3 p.m. Calling the Cairo Tower a tourist trap is harsh but accurate. Go anyway because it’s the best way to get a bird’s-eye view of the city. Enjoy the refreshing breeze on its towering terrace and take in the view of the Nile. The quiet afternoon hour is a relief from the flow of tourists, who often come in the evening to see Cairo Tower bejeweled with colorful lights. The café located just under the terrace is a promising spot for a light meal, coffee, and a changing panorama of Cairo as the sun sets.

7 p.m. The most prominent structure in the National Culture Centre, the Cairo Opera House, is a well-appointed performance venue. Visitors can don their formal finery and enjoy performances by Cairo’s finest music groups in a main auditorium that seats 1,200. The elegant room is split across four levels, tailor-made for opera and ballet performances by touring global groups. Don’t miss the thoughtfully curated Museum of Modern Egyptian Art which displays the works of local artists across mediums: painting, sculpture, and other mixed media. The museum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.