30 | Egypt Destination Guide
Egypt's bustling capital
is a treasure trove of
ancient history, and
those who linger are
rewarded with a
sensory journey through
time like no other.
City Guide
CAIRO
Known as the "City of a Thousand
Minarets," Cairo is bursting at the
seams with Islamic architecture.
Nowhere is this more in evidence
than the medieval Islamic quarter,
where mosques and madrassas
represent Islamic culture from
around 900 AD to the present day.
BAB ZUWEILA
An 11th-century gate with
breathtaking views of the
city below. After admiring
Mamluk-era splendour, let
the sounds and smells of
Khan el-Khalili transport
you back to the golden
era of the Silk Road.
COPTIC CAIRO
Home to some of the country's oldest churches,
including the Hanging Church. The Citadel of Salah
el-Din is the best place to get a view of the whole
city, sprawling out as far as Giza's pyramids on a
clear day. The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
is one of the city's most spectacular mosques; take
time to admire the marble panels and muqarnas
(stalactite vaulting).
TOWNHOUSE GALLERY
The city's first independent
art space. Housed in a
converted paper factory
in downtown Cairo, it
was instrumental in the
redevelopment of the area,
including the opening of the
150-seat Rawabet theater.
