Egyptian Cities

When visiting the country of Egypt, one of the most fascinating and fun things to do is take time to visit various cities. Because the lifestyle and pace of each is so unique, you experience a wide array of adventures. We will start with Cairo, the capital city and hub of the country for more than 1,000 years. The most intriguing aspect of Cairo is that you see an interesting blend of medieval times and modern day living. As an example, it is common to see mud-brick houses sitting right next to high-rise office buildings where in front, donkey-drawn carts and flashy sports cars travel side-by-side.

Although the exact number of people living in Cairo is unknown, experts believe it is somewhere around 16 million. Of those, approximately 5 million consist of people living in the slums or “squatter camps.” The most densely populated area of Cairo is the Islamic Cairo. However, to experience the city’s history and culture, you want to head to the Darb al Ahmar district where you will discover numerous mud-brick homes, goats, camels, donkeys, and food hawkers. Here, the streets are lined with temples and mosques, with the air filled with the strong smell of animals mixed with cumin and turmeric.

Other areas of interest in Cairo include the Mosque of Qaitbey, which is a 15th century mosque, made with amazing Mamluk architecture, the Al Azhar Mosque, considered the keystone of the Islam in this country, or perhaps the Citadel, which is a true medieval fortress that for more than 700 years served as the seat of power. Within the Citadel, there are many museums along with mosques, well worth the visit. Of course, you could take time to visit the remaining structure of the Fortress of Babylon or walk inside the Coptic Museum to gain a better understanding of the Christian era of this country.

Another city in Egypt worth seeing is Luxor, which is built on the site of the ancient city of Thebes. As a prime destination for tourists, people from around the world have been going there for thousands of years. The Luxor Temple, which was built by the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, is one of the older temples that were added onto by people such as Ramses III and Alexander the Great.

Then, there is the Temples of Karnak, which is actually a number of different temples to include the Mut Temple Enclosure, the Montu Temple Enclosure, and the Amun Temple Enclosure, filled with statues and tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Of course, Luxor is probably best known for the magnificent sphinx, specifically what they call “Sphinx Alley” or “Sphinx Street” where you will find several sphinxes all lined up neatly.

Next, you have the city of Alexandria, which was named after Alexander the Great when he arrived in Egypt around 331 BC. This small fishing village on the Mediterranean cost was at one time the new capital and during its prime, had a massive library that contained more than 500,000 volumes. While there, try to spend some time at the Graeco Roman Museum (sculpture shown to the right is just one on display) where you will discover 3rd century relics, a sacred bull that was once worshipped by the Egyptian people, and a variety of other treasures such as pottery, jewelry, tapestries, sarcophagi, and even mummies.

Other cities that offer a great experience include Port Said, which was only founded in 1859 and a quiet, Mediterranean town or Aswan that is a successful market city where the Tombs of the Nobles is found. However, if you want to get away from the normal tourist destinations, think about going to Dakhla Oasis, which is a laidback town of mud-brick houses and the remains of an old Citadel with a magnificent view. Then, you have Dahab that sits on the Gulf of Aqaba and a place where pot-smoking backpackers from inexpensive accommodations and a gorgeous beach, or Sidi Abdel Rahman, a charming waterfront town that boasts pristine, sandy beaches.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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