Where to stay in Cairo?

To stay in downtown Cairo: the capital's nerve center

To take full advantage of Cairo's bustle, staying in Downtownis the best choice for a stay in the city. Considered to be the center of Cairo, this is the area best positioned geographically to fully explore the Egyptian capital. Stretching from the banks of the Nile and Tahrir Square in the west to the Azbakeya Gardens in the east, this district can be visited on foot. It also boasts a large number of stores, boutiques, restaurants and cafés.

The main sites of interest in the Downtown area are as follows:

• Egyptian Museum, located on Tahrir Square, with the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities.
• Headquarters of the Arab League, the main organization of Arab countries, located on the banks of the Nile to the west of Downtown.
• Talaat Harb Street, the commercial artery of downtown Cairo

Cairo also offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets. Travellers can choose from a wide range of hotels. Thanks to a well-developed public transport network, you'll find several metro stops in Downtown that will take you to other parts of Cairo.

Lodging in Garden City: an upscale neighborhood on the banks of the Nile

Located south-west of Downtown and Tahrir Square, Garden City is the city's most exclusive area. Home to many foreign embassies, including that of the USA, Garden City is an interesting alternative for staying in Cairo. Enjoying a quieter atmosphere than Downtown, this residential district is ideal for those not particularly looking for atmosphere during their stay in the capital.

Accommodations in Garden City are mainly high-end resorts. However, it is also possible to stay in a number of good-quality hotels at lower prices.

Although one of the few sites of interest in the area is theChurch of St. Mary, a Coptic religious edifice, from Garden City you can travel north to Zamalek Island and south to Rhoda Island. And with two ferry terminals, you'll have the opportunity to take a boat on the Nile.

To stay in Zamalek and Rhoda Island: two islands in the heart of the Nile

Having the opportunity to stay on an island within a megalopolis such as Cairo is an interesting experience in itself. Staying at Zamalek and Rhoda Island, two islands on the Nile, can be an interesting alternative when visiting the Egyptian capital.

Zamalek is the more northerly of the two islands. Located to the west of Downtown, it can be reached on foot in 20 to 30 minutes via the Qasr El Nil bridge from the southern part of the island. Alternatively, you can reach the center fairly quickly by taking a bus or cab over the October 6th Bridge. The main landmark here is the Cairo Tower, a 187-metre-high edifice offering a magnificent view of Cairo from its summit. On this island, you can also see the Cairo Opera House, golf courses, parks and the Al Ahly stadium, one of Egypt's most popular soccer clubs.

OnRhoda Island, also known as Al Manial, south of Zamalek, you can see a number of sites of interest. Chief among them is the Manial Palace Museum, built in the early 20th century by Mohamed Ali, former governor of Egypt under the Ottomans. Located in the north of the island, this site includes, in addition to the museum, a former royal residence, a garden, a mosque and a hunting museum. In addition to its calm and originality, Rhoda Island also benefits from its proximity to the Coptic quarter of Cairo, located to the east of the island.

Accommodation in these parts of Cairo consists mainly of hotels and apartments, to suit all budgets.

Accommodation in Giza: close to Egypt's great pyramids

A little more out of the way from Cairo, Giza is a district of particular interest for one reason: its proximity to the site of the Giza pyramids. Located to the south-west of the capital, this area is a good choice for staying in Cairo to visit them. The accommodation on offer in this district is very extensive. Travelers can choose from a wide range of hotels and bed & breakfasts.

Consideredone of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Giza site is an undisputed tourist destination in Cairo and Egypt. Listed as a World Heritage Site since 1979, the complex comprises the 3 most imposing structures: Khéops, Khéphren and Mykérinos. It is also famous for the Giza Sphinx, an imposing sculpture 20 metres high and 73 metres long.

In addition, another major site of interest is due to open in Giza at the end of 2022. This is the Grand Egyptian Museum( GEM ), a structure that will become the largest museum devoted to a single civilization, in this case that of ancient Egypt. It will include the treasure of Tutakhamun.

To stay in Coptic and Islamic Cairo

The Coptic Quarter and Islamic Cairo are two areas that are definitely worth a visit during a stay in Cairo. There are many sites of interest to see in these two areas. On the other hand, accommodation in these districts is not very attractive, due to their rather eccentric locations and the lack of accommodation on offer.

The Coptic Quarter is about 5 kilometers south of Downtown. Despite the many sights to see in this area, it's simply not possible to stay here, due to the lack of accommodation.

Nevertheless, it's absolutely essential to visit this district, with its many buildings dedicated to the Egyptian Coptic community. The main site to visit is theHanging Church, or El Moallaqa, a Coptic church founded in the 9th century on walls dating back to the 4th century. Nearby, you'll also findSt. George's Church, a 10th-century Orthodox edifice with the unique distinction of being the only round church in Egypt, built on an ancient Roman tower. Nearby, you'll also have the opportunity to visit the Coptic Museum, the world's largest venue dedicated to Coptic art. Last but not least, this area also includes the Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque, the oldest mosque in Egypt and on the African continent, dating back to 642.

The Islamic Cairo district is also well worth a visit for its sites of interest. Located some 4 kilometers east of Downtown, this area is too far from the center of the city for accommodation. What's more, very little accommodation is available in the area.

Nevertheless, it's a great place to visit. Take a stroll through the Khan al-Khalili souk, Cairo's oldest market, dating back to the 14th century. All kinds of merchandise can be found here, from antiques to spices and souvenirs. Nearby, you can visit the Al-Azar mosque, built in the 10th century and home to the world's oldest Islamic university. Further south, you can also see the Citadel of Saladin, a fortress dating from the 12th century.

Accommodation at Cairo airport

To stay at or near Cairo international airport is a possible alternative. It's best for a single night, either for a late arrival or an early departure.

This can allow you to relax or avoid the stress of the many traffic jams between the center and the city. A number of good-quality hotels are available in and around the airport.

However, it's not advisable to stay in or around the airport for your entire stay. Indeed, even if it's less than 20 kilometers from the center of Cairo, the journey time can quickly become very long due to the capital's frequent traffic jams. You'll lose precious time on a daily basis, to the detriment of your local sightseeing. And your local experience will clearly be less interesting than in the city.