Cairo is the capital center of Egypt. Over the years Cairo has accumulated a number of nicknames like the Jewel of the Orient, the City of the Thousand Minarets and the Melting Pot of Ancient and Modern Egyptian Civilizations. All these names are a strong indicator of the way Cairo has managed to contain its culture and heritage over the years. Cairo is one of Africa’s biggest tourist magnet with a diverse foray of tourist attractions. Cairo has unique historic sites that have attracted both explorers and tourists. Located in North Africa it has a desert climate and in summer temperatures can rise up to 40 degrees. There a few places you will not want to miss visiting when you are in Cairo.

The sphinx located in Giza is the first place that most tourists visit. It is a gigantic structure which has the body of a lion and the head of a human being. It is a depiction of the Pharaoh Khafre, on the body of a lion. Though it has eroded over time, the sphinx is still intact and has never lost its glory considering it was built around 2500 BC. It portrays a guard protecting the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The Egyptian museum also known as the Museum of Ancient antiquities is also a great tourist attraction site which holds the world’s largest collection of Egyptian artifacts. It is divided into halls each hall containing artifacts from a specific time in history. It contains coffins, relics and even mummies.

The Pyramid of Cheops is the only remaining wonder of all Seven Wonders of the World. It is the largest burial chamber and it is a sight to behold. Tourist from all over the world find themselves in Egypt to see this wonder. The architecture that went into building this structure still puzzles scientists to this day. The lightest stone weighs about 5 tones and it is amazing how this 450 feet tall structure was assembled seeing there were no machines during its construction. If you want an excellent view of Cairo, there is no better place to visit than the Citadel. This is one of Cairo’s oldest mosque. It is located on the highest point of the city and on it you will clearly see the whole city. Inside the Citadel, you have to take off your shoes, but you won’t even think about your shoes when you see the assortment of light fittings hanging from the ceiling.

Other great attractions in Cairo include; the Step Pyramid of Saggara, the statue of Memphis, the papyrus institute and the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. Apart from site seeing, Cairo also has some of the best hotels in the region. Depending on your budget, taste and comfort ideals, there are a good number of hotels that provide excellent cuisine and service in Cairo.

The river Nile is also not a bad place to visit. You will notice hoe the locals have managed to tap water from this river and turn their desert environment into a green haven. Travel to Cairo this holiday, you won’t regret it.