Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. You're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport. The city is an excellent place to explore and experience a modern, yet traditional Middle Eastern capital.

Most people think of the Pyramids when they think of Cairo, but there really is so much more to this city. You should easily allow at least three, if not more, days to fully explore even the most popular sights. You should definitely not miss the Egyptian Museum, which is conveniently located in the middle of town. You can spend hours seeing the artifacts that date back thousands of years. The museum is divided into many rooms and you'll find fascinating objects on display, and also scattered almost randomly around the room. In Old Cairo you'll see most of the Coptic sights, which offer you a glimpse into a very different side of the city. You can also take a stroll down the famed Nile River where you'll see plenty of young Egyptian couples out walking and taking in the evening light. The Nile is also lined with some of the city's best restaurants, which offer a delicious tasting of Egyptian cuisine. The food is comparable to Middle Eastern food elsewhere, with only subtle differences in the types of cheese used or the style of hummus. Many of the restaurants along the Nile are more expensive, but the ambiance and the quality of the food make them easily worth the added expense.

Cairo has a great metro system that you can use to travel many places around town. It can be very chaotic and crazy, especially during rush hour, but it is cheap and fast. Do keep an eye on your wallet during your ride though. Taxis are another good alternative. They are reasonably priced if you're a good negotiator, but be prepared to barter hard as some drivers can be quite stubborn in their prices.