Old Cairo

What is old cairo? Old Cairo Egypt, or Masr al-Qadima in Arabic, is among the most popular neighborhoods in Egypt that has a history and heritage. The area is not just a mere residential district; rather, it is a neighborhood full of life, stories, rituals, and monuments in every corner. 

The area has been listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1979 for its historical value. Also, this mystical neighborhood is known by UNESCO as “Historical Cairo”, sometimes it is also called “Fatimid Cairo”, and “Old Coptic Cairo”. 

These names reflect the essence of the area, as the historical name, which is one of the oldest historical districts in Cairo. Moreover, it is known as Fatimid Cairo because it was the center of the Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt, and most caliphs laid out the area’s streets and gave them their names. 

Lastly, it's Coptic because it currently holds most of the old Coptic monuments and churches in Cairo. Old Cairo City, Egypt, is an exceptional gateway for tourists, homeowners, investors, and history lovers.

From lavish compounds to premium facilities and unique historical monuments, Old Cairo, Egypt, offers an exceptional destination to live, invest in, and marvel at Egyptian history.    

Old Cairo Location​

Old City Cairo Egypt, is found on the eastern bank of the Nile River in the Southern district of Cairo Governorate.

The area is bordered by the Cairo Aqueduct (Sur Megra El-Ayoun) from the north and the Ring Road from the south.

Also, it is bordered by Khalifa Cemetery from the east, and Nile Corniche, Roda Island, and Manial Al-Roda from the west. This location puts Old Cairo Egypt, to the south of Downtown Cairo, and to the west of Cairo Citadel.

Old Cairo Egypt, has a central location that is, in fact, easily accessible from all over Egypt. But where is Old Cairo? It is exactly:

• 16 minutes away from Maadi

• 18 minutes away from Mokattam 

• 19 minutes away from Downtown Cairo 

• 30 minutes away from Cairo International Airport 

• 34 minutes away from New Cairo City

• 44 minutes away from 6 October City

• 54 minutes away from New Administrative Capital City

• 56 minutes away from Mostakbal City

Old Cairo Nearby Roads 

Old Cairo Egypt, is easily accessible from many roads, such as:

• Ring Road 

• Wahat Road 

• Waslet Dahshour Road 

• Nile Corniche Road

• Salah Salem Road and Autostrad

• Civilization Road

Old Cairo Map

Old Cairo was well-planned to be one of the highly populated districts in Cairo Governorate, which is highlighted in the area’s map that includes:

• Residential zones and compounds 

• Service zones 

• Medical, educational, commercial, and administrative facilities 

• Various historical, cultural, religious, and tourist sites 

Old Cairo Streets

Old Cairo, Egypt, is known for its historical streets, each of which has a story, and most of which keep their original old names.  

The following list is an example of the well-known streets in Old Cairo Egypt: 

• Khan El-Khalili Street

It is one of the very well-known tourist attraction streets in Old Cairo, Egypt. The street is parallel to another well-known street, El-Mo’ez Ledin Allah Al-Fatimi Street. 

It is named after its Fatimid founder, Emir Djaharks Al-Khalili from El-Khalil city in Palestine. Khan El-Khalili is famous for its monuments, souvenir bazars, and historical buildings and gates. 

• Al-Muizz Street

Al Muizz Street is also among the very popular streets in Old Cairo, Egypt. It is named after al-Muizz li-Din Allah, the Fatimid Caliph and the founder of the Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt. The street is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its historical value. 

The following are also important, famous streets forming the Old City Cairo, Egypt district: 

• Alfy Street

• El-Qalaa Street

• Al-Faggala or Al-Tabbala Street

• Al-Saliba Street

• Port Said Street (also known as El-Khalig El-Masry)

• Khurunfush Street

• Al-Seyoufia Street

• Darb El-Barabra “El-Barabra Alley”

• Amir El-Geyosh Street

• Magra El-Oyoun Street

• Qasr Al-Ainy Pasha Street

• Ibn Sender Street

• Mohammad Ezz Al- Arab Street

Old Cairo Properties 

Old Cairo features a wide selection of high-end properties, including:

• Apartments 

• Offices 

• Retail spaces  

Old Cairo Compounds 

Old Cairo, Egypt, is home to many upscale, fully-fledged, residential gated communities, amongst which is the very well-known compound El Fustat by Saudi Egyptian Developers (SED). 

This 950-acre compound was created with an aim to revitalize the sense of historical Old Cairo, while offering a modern, luxurious living experience. 

El Fustat Compound features many commercial zones, recreational areas and facilities, a tourist promenade, lush greenery, verdant landscaping, and abundant natural scenery. 

Also, Saudi Egyptian Developers (SED) equipped the compound with many high-end services, such as access control, HVAC, heating, ventilation, and AC, voice evacuation system, CCTV and surveillance cameras, and a smart parking management system.

Lastly, El Fustat is composed of many phases, including Arabesque Al Fustat and Khan Arabesque.

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Old Cairo Facilities 

Old Cairo Egypt, is a well-structured neighborhood with many upscale facilities. The area is well-known for its recreational facilities, including shopping venues, dining options, and sightseeing sites. 

The neighborhood also exhibits many healthcare facilities and educational facilities. As for the sightseeing options, the list includes the following places: 

• The Hanging Church (Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church)

• Ben Ezra Jewish Synagogue

• Coptic Museum

• Amr ibn al-As Mosque

• Al-Muizz Street

• National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)

• Roda Island and its promenade 

• Nilometer

• Fustat Park 

Moreover, Old Cairo Egypt, has many well-known shopping venues, which include the following:

• Khan Al-Khalili Bazar

• Al Muizz Street 

• Souk El Fustat  

• El Sagha Souk (Gold Souk)

• Qasaba of Radwan Bey (Street of the Tentmakers)- textile market

Also, Old City Cairo has many nearby healthcare facilities, which include the following: 

• El Sayeda Zeinab Hospital

• Dar El Shefa Hospital

• Kasr Al Ainy Hospital

Top Nearby Schools & Universities 

Having a central location, there are many schools and universities nearby in Old Cairo Egypt. The schools include the following:

• Cairo Modern International School

• Futures Language School New Fustat City Branch

• Deutsche Schule der Borromarinnen DSB Kairo

• Summits International Schools

• Mid Cairo International School

Moreover, the top nearby universities include the following:

• Cairo University

• Ain Shams University

• The American University in Cairo (AUC) – Tahrir Campus

Old Cairo Restaurants 

Old Cairo Egypt, has many dining options offered in different restaurants either in Old Cairo itself or nearby, which include the following: 

• Al Khan Restaurant & Cafe

• O Sole Mio Italian Restaurant

• Fish Boat Abouzeid

• El-Fishawy Café

• Naguib Mahfouz Café

• Taverna Restaurant

Things To Do In Old Cairo​

Old Cairo Egypt, hosts a wide selection of recreational and cultural activities that you can enjoy. In Old City Cairo Egypt, you can:

• Enjoy a well-structured tour of sightseeing the main historical and cultural sites, such as the museums, churches, mosques, and streets.

• Go shopping in one of the well-known venues, including Khan el-Khalili Bazaar and Souk El Fustat.

• Take a walk or a mini cruise by the nearby Nile Corniche.

• Dine in one of the top-tier restaurants in the area.

• Stroll the beautifully designed streets, such as El Muizz and Khan El Khalili, and enjoy their unique architecture.

Old Cairo History & Facts

Old Cairo, Egypt, is known for its historical value, which it has gained over different historical eras. The history of the area of Old Cairo, Egypt, started in the Pharaonic era, which was an important area on the Nile called “Memphis”. 

It continued to be an important area during the Ptolemaic era, till the 4th century, when the Romans came to Egypt. When the Romans conquered Egypt, they built the well-known “Babylon Fortress,” whose remains are still present in today’s Old Cairo City. 

The area stayed under Roman control until the 7th century, when Arabs entered Egypt and started to create districts in the area. 

Their creations started with developing “Al Fustat”, one of the oldest and main districts in nowadays’ Old Cairo, and which currently hosts one of the most well-known mosques, Amr Ibn Al-As. 

Later, during the Ayyubid state, another neighboring district was created, which is “Al Askar”. Even later, during the Mamluk state, Al Qataa’ (where the Ahmed Ibn Tulun mosque is found) was developed. 

Those three districts (Fustat, Askar, and Qataa) are the main districts that form today’s Old Cairo, Egypt. 

Over time, the historical weight of the city started to decline, and a new capital was chosen for Egypt during the Fatimid Dynasty, which is today’s Cairo. 

Why Live & Invest in Old Cairo?

Getting a home in one of the premium compounds in Old Cairo, Egypt, entitles you to enjoy the following advantages:

• Residing in a centrally located neighborhood that is close to all the major attractions of Cairo and easily accessible via many roads. 

• Living in a historically themed area, in which you will be surrounded by the remnants of Roman, Islamic, and Coptic Egypt. 

• Being close to all the recreational, educational, and healthcare facilities that are found in the area.  

• The high investment potential (thanks to being a tourist district) your home holds, in case you wanted to rent it.