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What are the best places to walk around in Cairo?

Cairo is a very interesting city with the essence of life and history. In spite of all the crowds, the traffic and the crowds of people on the streets, numerous places can be seen where it is quite possible to have a memorable walk and to really feel the atmosphere of this city. This is the list of the most appropriate areas to roam in Cairo according to true experiences and the nature of the city.

Old Cairo (Islamic Cairo): A walk through history

The historic heart of Islamic Cairo is one of the most remarkable places of walking in Cairo. This entails the famous Al-Muizz Street also known as the oldest street in Cairo. At nearly one kilometer, Al-Muizz Street looks like a giant open-air museum with more than one millennium of the Islamic architecture. You will look at the amazing mosques, medieval houses, and marvelously restored buildings. The stroll here is likely going to be lasting approximately two hours unless you keep going to Al Azhar Street and the busy downtown of Cairo.

Just a few minutes far is the Al-Hussein Mosque and the colorful Khan El Khalili Bazaar. These neighborhoods are vibrant and narrow alleys are enclosed by shops with spices and traditional crafts, jewelry and souvenirs. One may make a halt to taste local Egyptian food or a cup of mint tea in one of the traditional coffee houses. Strolling around this section of Cairo but more commonly at night, will give you the taste of the real old Cairo in one interesting sector.

Coptic Cairo: Tranquil walks in a historic district

Coptic Cairo has a different atmosphere and it is a very good place to go for people who are longing for a quiet spiritual place to be there. Here it is possible to walk around the Hanging Church, to visit the Coptic Museum and to move through narrow alleys with hundreds of years old churches and places significant to Egyptian Christianity. It is a peaceful area to visit on foot, away from the noise of the city.

Nile Corniche: Scenic Riverside strolls

A stroll up the river banks along the Nile Corniche especially in the vicinity of Kasr El Nile Bridge, the river provides good sights especially during sunset. At this part of the riverbank you can now find lots of floating restaurants, clubs, and hotels; however, you can also find some areas where you can have a good relaxing walk along the promenade. To have an out-of the-ordinary experience, you may get a ride on a felucca (a riding boat) at the river Nile within an hour or two to appreciate the cool breeze and the image of the city skyline.

Zamalek: Green, calm, and elegant

Another locals-and-expats favorite walking place is an island in the Nile called Zamalek. It is a high society area crowded with trees, gardens, art galleries and trendy cafes. It does not seem as unsafe and stressful to walk as in the city center, and you may admire lovely buildings and calm atmospheres.

Downtown Cairo: Urban walks with historic flair

The Downtown of Cairo and the neighborhoods around the Tahrir Square are excellent spots of urban walks. There is the ancient architecture of the beginning of the 20th century, the Museum of Egypt or Egyptian Museum and so many shops and cafes. Even though traffic is heavy, the streets are lively and rich in character so you may enjoy walking in them in case you are not afraid of metropolis crowds.

Pyramids of Giza: An unforgettable walking experience

It is mainly a historical place, but walking in the Giza plateau is an experience on its own. The enormousness of the pyramids and the great desert is breathtaking during a stroll. To get into the Great Pyramid you will need stamina since you will be walking bending down the corridors till you get to the burial chamber.

Final tip for walkers in Cairo

Cairo can be hectic as far as traffic and the congestion of people in the streets is concerned and therefore in case you want fresh air and a nice environment, the resorts such as Hilton or Mövenpick in Dream where there are greeneries and golf courses available where air is very fresh. But, nothing can be compared to the very peculiarity of passing through the edgy streets of Cairo, where every nook and corner can speak.

In Cairo, wherever you walk, you will get absorbed into history, culture and really happening life. It is a city that pays off to people who stroll through it, eyes open and thirsty as they may be.

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