Cairo, city of the living and the dead, of noise and the sacred.
It’s here, on the edge of the desert, that the Grand Egyptian Museum finally opens, a vast arch of stone and light facing the pyramids of Giza. A long-awaited event, symbolizing an Egypt that is reinventing itself and a heritage that is being reborn in a contemporary light. This day belongs to it – to the Cairo of yesterday, today and always.
Morning – Between sky and minarets
Cairo dawns to a chorus of horns and calls to prayer. The sun beams down on Saladin’s hilltop citadel. From up there, Cairo stretches as far as the eye can see – an ocean of flat roofs, domes and antennas, pitted by minarets. The air is filled with the scent of sand and mint.
A few steps further on, the al-Rifa’i mosque, more austere but with a sovereign grace, houses the tombs of kings and sultans. The geometric patterns of its walls interact with the morning light, while the murmur of prayer slips between the columns.
It’s a suspended morning, out of time: the city is bustling in the distance, but here, everything exudes serenity. A must-see for those wishing to visit Cairo in a different way, between spirituality and light.
Midi – Coptic Cairo
Head south to the Coptic quarter, the thousand-year-old refuge of Africa’s first Christian churches.
In the Hanging Church, suspended above the remains of a Roman fortress, incense rises like a prayer. The mosaics tell of centuries of faith, and the quiet resistance of a deep-rooted community. The silence is dense, almost mineral – a breath of fresh air in the urban frenzy.
A little further on, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abou Serga) sinks into the gloom. Under its dark wooden vaults, tradition has it that the Holy Family found refuge here during their flight from Egypt. The air is charged with incense and history, with a simple, still fervor. Sitting on the stone benches, you have the feeling you’re still hearing the footsteps of pilgrims, centuries old.
As we exit, the alleyways once again fill with laughter and engines. Cairo is back to its tireless rhythm.
Afternoon – Souks and mirages
Back to the beating heart of Old Cairo, in the labyrinthine Khan al-Khalili, one of Egypt’s oldest souks. Under the arcades, copper resonates, spices pile up in colorful pyramids, and merchants beckon with a gesture or a smile. Here, haggling is an art of living, conversation a game. We linger over vials of lotus oil, taste a Turkish coffee with cardamom, nibble a lukewarm foul (bean purée) or a ta’amiyya, the crispy Egyptian falafel.
The sun goes down, the light turns to honey: this is the time when Cairo becomes photogenic – and when anything seems possible. Travelers looking for what to do in Cairo in a day will find that the answer lies in a simple stroll.
Late afternoon – The breath of the desert
The road to Saqqarah leads away from the city and through ochre villages where mud bricks dry. Donkeys trot between alfalfa fields, children wave as the wind picks up sand.
Then comes the step pyramid of Djeser, the first of Egypt’s great pyramids – the very first human attempt to reach the sky. Here, everything begins: architecture, memory, myth.
At the end of the day, your gaze glides towards the horizon: the silhouettes of the Giza pyramids stand out against the pink sky. The golden giants, motionless for four thousand years, still stand watch. This is the moment when you realize that visiting Giza is not just a tourist stop, but an intimate experience of time.
Evening – The Nile and its lights
When night falls, Cairo is transformed. Festive boats glide down the Nile, illuminated by pink neon lights and pop music.
Families stroll along the bridges, couples exchange a discreet word. Sitting on a terrace, mint tea or Stella beer in hand, we watch the city live its night.
Magnificent chaos: noisy, vibrant, terribly human.
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24h in Cairo” is a journey – from sacred to profane, from desert to river, from past to future.
Like the Egyptian capital itself: elusive, fiery, multiple.
And as the Grand Egyptian Museum opens its doors to the treasures of the Pharaohs, we dream that Egypt, once again, is about to be reborn.
