In which quarter house in Cairo?

Accommodation in the land of the Pharaohs: easy? Discover the best areas to stay in Cairo, the capital of Egypt!

Before you find out where to sleep in Cairo, you have to know that this city is huge. With more than 16.5 million inhabitants, it is the largest city in Egypt and the Middle East and the second city of Africa after Lagos (Nigeria). In addition, it is the sixth largest city in the world. Located upstream of the Nile Delta, Cairo enjoys a breathtaking historical and cultural heritage: it was a major centre of influence of ancient Egypt from the third millennium before the Christian era. Today, Cairo is home to most of Egypt’s historical monuments – the pyramids, for example – that are part of UNESCO’s world heritage.

Finding accommodation in Cairo is not difficult, but you have to arm yourself with patience and book in advance when you have found where to sleep. Here's our selection of neighborhoods to stay in Cairo.

Old Cairo

Five kilometers from Tahrir Square – made famous in 2011 during the revolution against Hosni Mubarak – stretches near the banks of the Nil Masr al-Qadima , the oldest part of the city: the Copte district, also known as the Christian quarter. The remains of the neighborhood date from the Roman era, when Cairo was slammed in the fortifications of the "Baby of Egypt". The ruins of the Al-Fostat Mosque, the Coptic Museum and the suspended church, dedicated to the Virgin, are among the must-sees of the area.

Don’t miss the Manial Palace and its botanical garden, the Moqqatam and the troglodyte church Saint-Samaan-le-Tanneur. On the banks of the Nile, be sure to taste excellent dishes in the dahabiya (floating houses) amarred to docks. A good drop point where to stay in Cairo to visit the city.

Cairo city centre

Otherwise called Wast El Balad, this neighborhood is the center of the Egyptian capital. You'll find a supervolted and effervescent life. Take time to visit the Cairo Museum, a panorama dedicated to the history of ancient Egypt (momies, sarcophages in solid gold, luxurious jewellery). You will not pass next to El-Tahrir Square, the tourist heart of the neighborhood. To go shopping, take the direction of Midan Tala’t Harb and its merchant arteries full of department stores.

It should be noted that it will certainly be necessary to learn about the art of merchanting, a true cultural practice here. If it is not difficult to find narguiled bars and restaurants in this neighborhood, it will be more difficult to meet the tranquility: Cairo is a noisy city although Gardien City’s mini-neighborhood is more serene. Choose this area where to sleep in Cairo if you are not afraid of noise.

Zamalek

Zamalek is a privileged area of tourists and expatriates because it is a district that offers comfort and security while being close to the city centre and the tourist attractions of Egypt: pyramids and the Sphinx in Gizeh . It is a bit the island of Parisian City to Egypt: a state-of-the-art neighbourhood, with residential cities, shopping galleries and refined and green gardens. The animation beats its 24-hour range, with its bars and restaurants along the Nile.

Staying in Zamalek makes it possible to discover authentic Egypt, because the neighborhood has managed to preserve its heritage: antique shops and art galleries are numerous in the neighborhood. During your walks, move to the souk Khan Khalili, in the Islamic quarter of Cairo: entangled with shops and spices, fabrics, perfumes, Turkish coffee, black tea and narguiles... Thousand colors and thousand flavors: must-have!

Main photo credit : Flickr – cliff hellis