Why visit
Cairo means the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and Islamic Cairo's mosque district.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Cairo is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Egypt. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Cairo, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Egypt better matches the trip style.
Cairo at a glance
City population
10.1 million
Metro: 21.8 million
Elevation
23 m
75 ft
Time zone
UTC+2 (UTC+3 DST)
Africa/Cairo
Airport
CAI
Cairo International
Founded
969 CE (Fatimid)
Getting around
Metro (3 lines), microbuses, taxis
Signature dish
Koshari, ful medames, molokhia, ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel)
Neighborhoods for travelers
ZamalekDowntownIslamic CairoCoptic CairoGiza (suburb)
Egypt at a glance
Country center
27.0°, 30.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
1,002,450 km²
387,048 mi²
Country population
114.5 million
114/km²
Subregion
Northern Africa
Currency
Egyptian pound (£)
EGP
Dial
+20
Language
Arabic
Demonym
Egyptian
Internet
.eg
UN
Member state
ISO code
EG / EGY
Where in the world
27.0° - 30.0°
Egypt
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Cairo is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East.
- The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World: in Cairo's outer suburb.
- Cairo has been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years. It is one of the oldest cities in the world.
- The Giza Pyramid was the tallest human-made structure on earth for ~3,800 years, until the Lincoln Cathedral was finished in 1311.
- Cleopatra lived closer in time to the moon landing (1969) than to the building of the Great Pyramid.
Bordering Egypt
Traveler notes
- The Grand Egyptian Museum, fully opened in 2025, is the largest archaeological museum in the world
- Khan el-Khalili for spices and souvenirs
- Fly internal to Luxor/Aswan; don't drive
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Cairo
What currency is used in Cairo?
Cairo uses the Egyptian pound (£), ISO code EGP.
What languages are spoken in Egypt?
The primary language is Arabic.
What is the international calling code for Egypt?
The calling code is +20.
What airport serves Cairo?
Cairo International (IATA: CAI).
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