Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 7 Opinions
56, Beirut Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt
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7 Opinions
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Military Museum at Cairo Citadel
Ceiling detail - Turkish Merchant's house
I will reach cairo on my way back at 2 pm int he afternoon and have a flight to catch at 8. how much time does it normally take with average interest to enjoy and see Cairo Citadel?
Well, it's a fairly extensive site but there isn't actually a huge amount to see. The Muhammed Ali mosque is pretty mediocre, there are a cople of other interesting mosques & a couple of museums which probably fall outside the 'average interest' remit. An aftenoon is probably enough.
The Citadel and Mohammed Ali Pasha mosque are worth seeing and would take you 1-2 hours. Getting there and back from the airport can take time and you have to allow getting through immigration on arrival and having to be back 2 hours pre-flight.
I just reread you post - you are not arriving in Cairo by plane - you should be able to do this. As LongTone says - there are other places in Cairo especially Ahmad Ibn Tulun mosque; but maybe not for 'average interest'.
We've been to Cairo twice. The Pyramids and Sphynx are awesome sites.
Remember it is a tourist spot so peddlers will come from everywhere. Enjoy the sites first, then bargain for souvenirs.
Stay in site of the bus parking.
Visit the Cairo Museum. It is amazing. The history of the site.
When possible walk. Especially in a city like Cairo, where the urban landscape can change every hundred meters. Also, I find by walking one gains much more confidence in the new surroundings. In Cairo, just make sure you stay in the shade, which there is a lack of, Watch out for the rubble, rubble rubble everywhere in Islamic Cairo!
The Islamic part of Cairo differs very much from its Christian area. It deserves the separate day of excursion, better – several days. Unfortunately I was lack of time and was able to admire only part of numerous Islamic sights.
Among them: the Citadel, Mohammed Ali Mosque, Sultan Hasan Mosque, El-Rifai Mosque, El-Azhar Mosque, Sayyidna el-Husein Mosque, Mosque of Sultan Barquq Qalaun, Mausoleum of Qalaun and Khan el-Khalili Bazaar.
You may watch my video-clip from my personal channel on YouTube: 2 min 44 sec Egypt Cairo Islamic 2007
Due to the laws in Egypt stipulating that the houses which are not finished are tax-free, most of the buildings have a strange unfinished exterior.
We've been told that usually it is build only the structure and finish partially an apartment when there is a potential buyer. Still in these cases they leave something unfinished in order to be registered as under construction building and not pay the huge taxes.
Compared to other buildings I've seen in Cairo, the high palaces around Maadi area had a more "elegant" look, although most of them were still unfinished.
As a blonde I did get my fair share of attention but it was only staring and smiling (nothing that was offensive) although even when travelling around in the car other vehicles would choose to follow and many car horns! I felt extremely safe for the entire time I was in Egypt and was treated fantastically (extremely warm and genuine friendliness by all.) I bought some truly beautiful scarves there, thinking it would be necessary to wear one at the Mosques but I found that it was not expected. Remember though that you are expected to remove your shoes before entering.
I only learnt a few phrases of Arabic before travelling but really did not feel I needed to speak the language to get by. Most people speak English very well or at least understand it when spoken. Dont forget to say Shukran as often as you can. Not only is it good manners to thank people for helping or for service but they seem to really love the fact that you are appreciating their assistance in their own mother tongue. I was not harassed by anyone anywhere and only treated with the greatest of respect. I cant wait to go back!
The saying is 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do' and it applies to everywhere we travel. This is particularly applicable to Egypt. Women will be treated as 'Queens of the Nile' if they dress suitably.
i.e. no strappy tight fitting or low neck tops. no short shorts. Please be respectful of their customs and enjoy the benefits of the additional respect. Lastly you are likely to get extremely sun burnt anyway and gone are the days of exposing our skin to the elements anyway. Coming from Australia I am keenly aware of the devastation of skin cancer. It seems to me that they are most sensible in covering up from the sun and maybe its for more reasons than just modesty.
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Q: taxi fares "Hi, Im planing to travel in Egypt. I would like to know about the Taxi fares in Cairo. Can I walk and see the important places?..."
A: "Taxi fares are very inexpensive and can be negotiated. I had the same cab driver for my week long stay in cairo. He picked me up every morning and dropped me off at my..."
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Address: 56, Beirut Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt
