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Cairo, the capital of Egypt
Flag of Egypt Capital of Egypt

Cairo

Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt, home to over 9.8 million people and part of the world's largest urban agglomerations. The city seamlessly blends ancient Egyptian heritage with modern metropolitan life, hosting iconic landmarks like the Giza pyramid complex and the ancient cities of Memphis and Heliopolis within its boundaries.

Photo: Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia (CC BY 2.0)

Quick facts

Population
—
Currency
Egyptian pound (EGP)
Language
Arabic
Timezone
EET (UTC+2)
Local time now
21:07:21

Hotels in Cairo

Cairo offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. Hotels like Royal Town Hotel, Cleopatra Hotel, Almadiafa, and Intercontinental Semiramis provide visitors with places to stay while exploring Egypt's capital city. See all hotels →

Royal Town Hotel
98 m from centre
Cleopatra Hotel
215 m from centre
Almadiafa - المضيفه
323 m from centre

Airports in Cairo

Cairo is served by several airports including مطار القاهرة الدولى (CAI), the main international gateway, alongside مطار ألماظة, مطار حلوان, and military airfields. These facilities connect the Egyptian capital to destinations worldwide. See all airports →

مطار مستشفى معادي العسكري
8.4 km from centre
مطار ألماظة
13.0 km from centre
مطار القاهرة الدولى (CAI)
18.8 km from centre

Car Hire in Cairo

Cairo offers several car hire options for visitors and residents needing vehicle rentals. Services include international providers such as Europcar alongside local companies like شركه ماضي كار لايجار السيارات, ليمو زين, and الكربه, giving you flexibility in choosing your rental provider. See all car hire →

Things to Do in Cairo

Cairo offers visitors a wealth of historical and cultural attractions to explore. From monuments like the Ramses II statues to sites of historical significance such as موقع ميلاد الثورة المصرية 2011 and موقع ميلاد ثورة 30 يونيو, there are numerous places to discover in Egypt's capital city. See all things to do →

مسلة ميدان التحرير
5 m from centre
موقع ميلاد ثورة 30 يونيو
22 m from centre
موقع ميلاد الثورة المصرية 2011
25 m from centre
Ramses II
356 m from centre
Ramses II
364 m from centre
تمثال قصر النيل
398 m from centre

Restaurants in Cairo

Cairo offers diverse dining experiences across the city. Whether you're looking for international chains like Pizza Hut, Lebanese cuisine at Rouh Beirut, local Egyptian fare at Fatatri At Tahrir and Felfela, or contemporary dining at Tom and Basil, there are plenty of restaurant options to explore throughout the capital. See all restaurants →

Pizza Hut
pizza · 109 m from centre
Rouh Beirut
lebanese · 129 m from centre
توم اند بسل
265 m from centre

Swimming Pools in Cairo

Cairo offers several swimming pool facilities for residents and visitors. Options include the Swimming Pool at Cairo University's Faculty of Agriculture and other dedicated pool venues throughout the city. See all swimming pools →

Swimming Pool, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University
4.1 km from centre
Pool
4.6 km from centre

Spas in Cairo

We're still gathering spas listings for Cairo — check back soon.

Nightlife in Cairo

Cairo's nightlife offers diverse entertainment options for evening visitors. From live music venues like Cairo Jazz Club to clubs such as Vent and Echo Club, the city provides a range of venues to experience Cairo's after-dark atmosphere. See all nightlife →

Vent
320 m from centre
Cairo Jazz Club
3.0 km from centre
Echo Club
العجوزه · 3.1 km from centre

Bars in Cairo

Cairo offers a diverse bar scene with venues ranging from casual spots to established nightlife destinations. Whether you're looking for Stella bar, King bar, Dos canas, جامايكا, or كرلتون, you'll find options to suit different tastes and atmospheres throughout the city. See all bars →

Stella bar
331 m from centre
King bar
516 m from centre
Dos canas
593 m from centre

Cafes in Cairo

Cairo offers a vibrant cafe culture with establishments ranging from modern coffee shops to traditional venues. Popular options include Cilantro, Juice, Café Al Bustan, Caf, and قهوة ريش, each offering their own atmosphere for visitors to relax and enjoy beverages. See all cafes →

Juice
109 m from centre
Cilantro
coffee_shop · 170 m from centre
Caf
319 m from centre

Shopping in Cairo

Cairo offers diverse shopping experiences across modern malls and traditional markets. Visitors can explore retail destinations such as طلعت حرب مول, النخيلي, and مركز البستان التجاري, each providing a unique shopping atmosphere in Egypt's capital. See all shopping →

مركز البستان التجاري
عابدين · 318 m from centre
النخيلي
379 m from centre
طلعت حرب مول
760 m from centre

Nature & Wildlife in Cairo

Cairo offers several parks and gardens where visitors can experience the city's natural spaces. From حديقة الأندلس (Andalus Garden) to حديقة الحرية (Al-Hurriya Park) and حديقة محافظة القاهرة (Cairo Governorate Park), these green areas provide peaceful retreats within the bustling capital. See all nature & wildlife →

ميدان التحرير
3 m from centre
حديقة محافظة القاهرة
755 m from centre
حديقة ضريح سعد زغلول
785 m from centre
حديقة الأندلس
797 m from centre
Al Zohriya Garden
919 m from centre
حديقة الحرية
1.0 km from centre

Climate snapshot

Cairo experiences a hot desert climate with warm to hot temperatures year-round. Winters are mild and pleasant, while summers are intensely hot and dry. Rainfall is minimal throughout the year, making it a predominantly arid destination.

Interesting Facts About Cairo — Weird & Wonderful

  • Cairo is home to the Giza pyramid complex and the ancient cities of Memphis and Heliopolis, with areas inhabited since pre-dynastic ancient Egypt around 6000 years ago.
  • The Greater Cairo metropolitan area has a population exceeding 22 million people, making it one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world.
  • Cairo hosted the first Cairo International Film Festival on 16 August 1976, launched by the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics.
  • The city is part of the largest urban agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East combined.

Events & Festivals Not to Miss in Cairo

16 August 1976
Cairo International Film Festival
The first Cairo International Film Festival was launched on 16 August 1976 by the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics, headed by Kamal El-Mallakh. The festival later became a major international event with competitive sections recognized by the FIAPF.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cairo

What is the population of Cairo?

Cairo is home to more than 9.8 million people. The Greater Cairo metropolitan area has over 22 million people, making it one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world.

What currency is used in Cairo?

The currency used in Cairo is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), as Cairo is the capital of Egypt.

What language is spoken in Cairo?

Arabic is the primary language spoken in Cairo, as it is the capital of Egypt.

What ancient sites are near Cairo?

Cairo is home to the Giza pyramid complex and contains the ancient cities of Memphis and Heliopolis within its boundaries, representing thousands of years of Egyptian civilization.

Is Cairo part of a large metropolitan area?

Yes, Cairo is part of the largest urban agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world, and the Middle East, with the Greater Cairo metropolitan area being one of the largest in the world by population.

Map of Cairo

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