Not only is Cairo Egypt’s largest city, the greater Cairo area is the largest urban area in Africa and the Middle East, and is the sixth largest metropolitan in the world.

With a population of 22 million, Cairo has one of the densest population in world at over 19,000 people per square kilometer.

UNESCO inscribed the whole of old town Cairo on its World Heritage Site list.

Cairo boasts one of two running metro systems in Africa, which is considered the 15th busiest metro in the world.

One thing I hadn’t known about until after my visit is Cairo has the largest food court in the world. With 25 restaurants and cafes, it has a capacity of over 4,200 and includes two cinema theatres.

The Great Pyramids of Giza

One of the biggest tourist attractions outside of the wonders of the world, the Pyramids of Giza is a complex of three pyramids, the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

After you’ve explored the trio of pyramids, there’s the Great Sphinx of Giza, a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx. A mythical creature with a human head and the body of a lion.

I didn’t bother with the camel ride, I mulled over it for a few minutes. I saw a few camels as we walked along the complex and they looked a right state.

I couldn’t help think paying to ride one would be me being complicit to possible mistreatment of them. On the other hand I met someone who rode a camel who shared a similar dilemma.

She said one of the people in charge of the camel rides told her to look at it as the money going towards the feeding and providing water for the camels. I guess it depends on what side you lean on. There’s no right or wrong. Maybe on any other given day I’d have gone on a camel ride.

Make sure you book a private tour guide. Although it wasn’t included, my guide took me around Cairo for bit after visiting the pyramids as well. We got to see some how some traditional food and drinks were made, as well as clothing and cloths. He went above and beyond to give me the full Cairo experience.

Citadel

The Citadel is a medieval Islamic fortress built to protect Cairo from potential crusader attacks, and provide a secure centre for the rulers.

Home to Egyptian rulers for 700 years, the Citadel was originally meant to be the centerpiece of a wall that was built for the purpose of protecting Cairo.

It was built on a hill to make it easy to see potential attackers.

The three mosques as well as the museums in the Citadel are well preserved to allow future generations of visitors to enjoy them.

A fascinating place to explore, the size of a small village with areas where you can get views of Cairo. You’ll spend around two hours. One thing I appreciated was the tranquillity when you consider how many tourists and tour groups visit here.

National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) is the first of its kind in Egypt and the Arab world.

The NMEC displays Egypt’s heritage in all its glory from the prehistoric times to the present days.

It has everything you can imagine, from mummies and artefacts, to coffins and lamps. The NMEC has the lot so you won’t be left feeling short changed.

With several regions and halls in the museum, you’ll spend a few hours admiring everything historic Egypt.

And even the outside is nice to walk around. They really went all out to make it look good inside out to maximise the experience for the visitor.

Cairo is a place you’ll either love or hate.

If you’re not use to people attempting to hustle you, it can be overwhelming, and that’s if the chaoticness of the city doesn’t do that to you.

Cairo is a place where you’ve got to take the smooth with the rough.

I can see on the flip side why people love Cairo be it as a tourist or a resident.

I could have spent more time here, I didn’t even get a chance to go to the old bazaar, that’s something for another time. I didn’t even get a chance to explore Cairo’s nightlife.

If there’s one advice to give you about visit Egypt, don’t come here during Ramadan because if you want to eat out, a lot of places tend to be closed. Something I didn’t know beforehand but another reason to come back at another time of the year.