Most first-time visitors to Cairo understandably make a bee-line for the pyramids. Located in Giza, 18km (11 miles) from the city centre, they dominate the skyline of the city's suburbs as they dominate the imagination of travellers. But Cairo is about much more than these remarkable constructions. Indeed, you could spend months in what could arguably be called the capital of the Arab world and still only scratch the surface.

Some sections of the city are attractions in themselves. The narrow streets of Old Cairo, the Coptic quarter and Islamic Cairo are like museums of historical buildings, punctuated by mosques, edged by the city gates and presided over by the citadel.  Meanwhile, the Khan al-Khalili, the city's main market (see Shopping), is the place to go to watch the Cairenese about their daily lives - especially from the vantage point of one of the many coffee shops or restaurants hidden in the warren of streets.

The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities is at the heart of the city, near Midan Tahrir, or Central Square. Dusty, and dated, this characterful old charmer houses some of the most exquisite artefacts of antiquity. To the north is Bulaq, a district of medieval back streets along the Nile. To the south is Garden City, a tree-lined former British enclave of the wartime years. Another area worth exploring is the Nile island of Gezira, famed for its opera house and art museums, and for a fashionable area of bars and restaurants known as Zamalek.

It is quickest and easiest to take a taxi to the first destination of the day and walk to nearby sights from there. Note that most museums are closed during midday prayers on Fridays, approximately 1130-1330.

Egyptian Tourist Authority
5 Sharia Adly, Midan Opera
Tel: (02) 2391 3454.
Website: www.egypt.travel
Opening hours: Daily 0830-2000 (0900-1700 during Ramadan).

There are also offices at Cairo Airport (all terminals), the Pyramids, Pyramids Street (tel: (02) 2383 8823) and Giza and Rameses Railway Stations.

There is no tourist office for Cairo itself but there is a dedicated Tourist Police hotline (126) and an official website for Cairo's Islamic monuments (website: www.cim.gov.eg).

There are no dedicated tourist discount passes in Cairo.