Stretching along the banks of the River Nile, Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a vast city where ancient traditions still hold up against the onslaught of modern life. A city of numerous districts, Cairo is a unique mix of medieval buildings and skyscrapers, bazaars and modern shopping malls, museums packed with ancient relics and stunning new bridges.

Cairo's main square is Midan Tahrir, at the centre of Cairo and home to the Egyptian Museum, with downtown Cairo, the busy commercial district, to the north-east bordered by the River Nile. Gezira Island, connected to downtown by three bridges, houses the Cairo Tower and the Cairo Opera House. East of downtown is Islamic Cairo, the medieval heart of the city. Coptic Cairo, the seat of the Christian Coptic community, lies at the heart of Old Cairo, which is also home to Cairo's Jewish community. West of the Nile is Giza, about 18 kilometres south-west of the centre of Cairo, with the magnificent Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

Cairo Attractions

Citadel
Old Cairo
(4 kilometres south-east of the hotel)
An old fortress built by Salah El Din Al Ayoubi, founder of the Ayoubbid Dynasty (1171 to 1250). The Citadel encompasses the mosque of Mohamed Ali, the magnificent architectural masterpiece, the Madrasa of Sultan Hasa (Koranic school) and the Police and Military Museum. There is also the Well of Joseph, 90 metres deep, which supplies the water for the whole of the Citadel. Within a few minutes drive by taxi from the hotel, the Conrad Cairo.

Egyptian Museum
Tahrir Square
Cairo
(2 kilometres south of the hotel)
Tel: +20 2 757035
This unique museum, with well over 100,000 exhibits in 107 rooms and galleries, contains some of the world's finest ancient Egyptian relics. The golden sarcophagus and treasure of Tutankhamun has the power to hold visitors in quiet contemplation for hours. One of the favourite rooms contains a large collection of mummies. Approximately a five-minute drive by taxi from the hotel, the Conrad Cairo.

Ibn Tulun Mosque
Near the Citadel
Islamic Cairo
(3.5 kilometres south-east of the hotel)
One of the largest mosques in the world and among the finest in Cairo. It was built between 876 and 879 and is decorated in a plain yet sophisticated style that achieves a powerful, simplistic beauty. Standing 40 metres high, a splendid view of Cairo can be seen from the minaret. Within a few minutes drive by taxi from the hotel, the Conrad Cairo.

Pyramids of Giza
(18 kilometres south-west of central Cairo)
On the border of the Nile valley and the Sahara sits a small plain, now a suburb of Cairo, that is home to some of the world's most important historical monuments: the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and over 4500 years old. Approximately a 30-minute drive by taxi from the hotel, the Conrad Cairo.

The Sphinx
(18 kilometres south-west of central Cairo)
The 20-metre-high, 57-metre-long, half man, half lion is the guardian of a sun temple to the east of the Great Pyramid of King Khufu of Giza. Approximately a 30-minute drive by taxi from the hotel, the Conrad Cairo.

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