Is Cairo the best city in Egypt?
Cairo is unquestionably the most important city in Egypt, but if you want something else, it could be different. Many people highlight Cairo’s background, traditions, population and future opportunities, but it is not free from problems.
The heart of Egypt
The Egyptian capital of Cairo is one of the most populous cities in Africa and the Middle East, and ranks among the top 20 largest metropolitan areas in the world. In Cairo, you can see historic sites, modern buildings, and everything in between. The Fatimid dynasty made Cairo their center in 969 CE and because it was built on territory that once hosted many ancient cities, it is home to thousands of years of history.
A city of contrasts
There are many contradictions to be found in Cairo. Areas including Al-Muizz Street have plenty of medieval buildings and religious heritage, particularly Al-Azhar Mosque and Sultan Barquq Complex. The UN has declared this street to be home to the largest collection of Islamic medieval monuments anywhere in the world.
Similarly, Cairo today is filled with main markets such as Khan al-Khalili, big shopping malls, luxury restaurants and comfortable cafés by the Nile. A number of hotels and homes offer views out to the Pyramids of Giza.
Multicultural and multi-faith
Cairo is very important to Coptic Christians. The Coptic Museum and the Hanging Church are just a couple of the major Christian places you can find in Old Cairo. Every part of Cairo reflects the cultural blend found there.
Life in Cairo: Pros and cons
A good thing about Cairo is that you can see examples of all kinds of monuments, since cities like Luxor mostly highlight ancient Egypt. The city is famous for lively arts and culture, countless schools and universities and many jobs.
Still, Cairo is crowded, noisy, congested with traffic and has air pollution and urban stress. Maadi offers a greener, more residential environment with many expatriates, while Shobra reflects a dense, authentic Egyptian urban experience.
Conclusion
Is Cairo considered the best city in Egypt? If you want to explore history, religion, art and current life all in one place, Cairo is the place for you. Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria are good choices if you want quiet and space. Cairo isn’t ideal—and yet, many consider it the home they can’t find elsewhere.