stands out for its expansive courtyard, rows of pointed arches, and a prominent minaret. Linger here and take in the courtyard’ s scale; the repetition of the arches and the relative calm within the complex offer a striking contrast to the densely packed city beyond its walls. Al-Azhar Mosque presents another chapter of Cairo’ s history. Founded in the 10th century, it features a marble courtyard, columns, and minarets that reflect centuries of evolving architectural styles and the long religious and intellectual traditions of the surrounding district.
CAIRO IN MOTION
Nearby, those layers of history spill into everyday life at Khan el-Khalili. The medieval bazaar unfolds through a labyrinth of narrow lanes packed with shops selling everything from jewelry and stained-glass lanterns to leather goods, incense, spices, and brass and copper wares. Craftspeople and merchants work alongside cafés and restaurants, making the surrounding historic district more than a collection of preserved monuments.
It is also a place to slow down. Duck into a traditional café, wander around neighboring Al-Muizz Street, or simply watch the crowds move through streets that have served as the commercial center for centuries. Here, the Cairo Sabry describes feels particularly tangible: old and new, sacred and secular, historic and everyday, all sharing the same crowded streets.
GO BEYOND: LUXOR
For travelers who want to continue deeper into Egypt’ s ancient history, Sabry recommends heading south along the Nile to Luxor.“ Luxor is often described as the world’ s greatest open-air museum,” she says. The city is surrounded by temples and burial sites, including the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, two major necropolises located only a short drive from one another. After seeing artifacts and monuments interpreted inside Cairo’ s museums, Luxor allows travelers to encounter ancient Egypt on a much larger scale, across temples, tombs and the landscape of the Nile Valley.
The pyramids may be what first draw many visitors to Cairo. Stay beyond the obligatory photo, however, and another city comes into view: one where thousands of years of history exist alongside markets, traffic, faith, music and a street life that barely seems to sleep.
Cairo
Credit: Matthew Stephenson
GETTING THERE
EgyptAir offers nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport( IAD) to Cairo International Airport( CAI) in Egypt, three times a week.
Grand Egyptian Museum
Credit: Grand Egyptian Museum
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