Cairo Governorate​ is the vital core of Egypt. The city remains the main capital of Egypt, even after the creation of the New Administrative Capital City. The governorate has many divisions, however, it is Central Cairo is used to refer to Downtown Cairo, Heliopolis, and Old Cairo combined.

The name Cairo is the English word for Al-Qāhira (Al Kahera), translated as the conqueror or the victorious. Its name is used to reflect its historical resilience in combating all the invaders the city faced all throughout history. Also, Cairo’s name was chosen to reflect the dominance and victory of the Fatimid dynasty, which originally created the city and gave it its name in 969 AD. 

The Cairo we know today is the geographical connection between various capitals of older Islamic dynasties in Egypt. Those dynasties are: The Fustat city, the Qata’i city, the Asker city, the Fatimid Cairo, and the Khedivial Cairo. The city evolved over time to be today’s Central Cairo. 

The city holds significant historical, geographical, and cultural importance. Also, Cairo Governorate spans an extensive land area of 3084.676 square kilometers. 

Moreover, sometimes, Cairo Governorate is included in a bigger semi-official entity referred to as “Greater Cairo”. Greater Cairo includes Cairo, Giza province, and some of its suburbs, and Shubra El-Kheima of Qalyubia province.

Central Cairo Neighborhoods 

Cairo Governorate is divided into 4 main areas comprising 38 districts, as follows:

• South area, which consists of 12 districts, it is considered Old Cairo Region 

• North area, which consists of 8 districts 

• West area, which consists of 9 districts, it is considered Downtown Cairo Region 

• East area, which consists of 9 districts, it includes Heliopolis Region 

As for these districts, they include the following:

• El-Mokattam

• El Khalifa

• El-Basatin

• Dar El-Salam

• El-Sayeda Zeinab

• El-Tebin

• Helwan

• El-Maasara

• El-Maadi

• Tora

• May 15

• El-Nozha

• Nasr City 

• El Salam 

• El Mataria 

• El Marg

• Manshaet Naser

• Boulaq

• Abdeen

• Azbakia

• Moski

• Bab El Shaaria 

• Shubra

• El-Zawia El-Hamra

• Hadayek El-Kobba

• Rod El-Farg

• El-Sharabia

• El-Sahel

• El-Zaiton

• Al-Ameria

Cairo Egypt Location​

Cairo Governorate is located in northeastern Egypt (Lower Egypt Region), near the Nile Delta, on the eastern bank of the Nile River. 

Also, the city is bordered by Qalyubia Governorate from the north, and is bordered by Helwan from the south. Not to mention, Cairo Governorate is also bordered by Giza Governorate from the west, and is bordered by the Eastern Desert from the east. 

This central location makes Cairo approximately:

• 30 minutes away from Cairo International Airport 

• 30 minutes away from Maadi 

• 40 minutes away from New Cairo City 

• 40 minutes away from El Sheikh Zayed City 

• 50 minutes away from 6 October City

• 50 minutes away from El Shorouk City

• 60 minutes away from New Administrative Capital City 

• 60 minutes away from Mostakbal City 

• 90 minutes away from Ain Sokhna 

• 150 minutes away from North Coast (Sahel)

Main Road To and From Cairo Governorate 

Being a central city, Cairo Governorate has links to and from all the attractions of the country through major roads. The following is a list of the main roads connecting the city to and from the other destinations:

• Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road 

• Salah Salem Road

• Cairo-Ismailia Road

• Cairo-Suez Road

• Cairo–Ain Sokhna Road

• Cairo–Assiut Western Desert Road

• Road El Farag Axis 

• Mehwar 26 July

• Autostrad Road 

• Ring Road 

• Middle Ring Road

• Regional Ring Road

• Wahat Road

Cairo To Alexandria​

The distance between Cairo Governorate and Alexandria Governorate is approximately 188 km, which takes around 2 and a half hours. 

This distance is taken through the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road for a fast route. However, a slower route can be taken via Cairo-Alexandria Agricultural Road. 

Cairo To Gouna​

The distance between Cairo Governorate and El Gouna is approximately 445 km, which takes an average of 5 hours.

Traveling from Central Cairo to El Gouna can be via one of the following roads:

• Hurgada - Al Ismaileya Road 
• Sokhna–Hurghada Road
• Upper Egypt Desert Route (a longer drive)

Top Compounds In Cairo Governorate

Cairo Governorate is home to many upscale residential communities, which include the following:

• Golf City EL Obour by Zaghloul Holdings 

Golf City El Obour Compound is one of the upscale residential compounds created by Zaghloul Holdings in El Obour City, Central Cairo. The compound spans an extensive land area of 168,000 square meters. 

Golf City features a wide selection of premium apartments, duplexes, penthouses, twin houses, town houses & standalone villas. These properties overlook the verdant greenery of the 18-hole golf course in the compound or the overflowing lakes. 

The project is filled to the brim with many high-end amenities such as a golf course, water features, lush greenery, verdant landscaped gardens, and many more. 

• Degla Land Mark by Morshedy Group

Degla Landmark is among the top premium mixed-use developments in Nasr City by the reputable developer, Morshedy Group. The project offers a mix of elite residential apartments, in addition to a vast collection of commercial spaces. 

Degla Land Mark spans a land area of 62,760 square meters over which many amenities are found. The compound offers a commercial area, a fully-equipped gym, many cafes and restaurants, a world-class spa, and a swimming pool. 

• Capital East by Tabarak Developments

Capital East Compound is one of the opulent residential compounds by Tabarak Developments in Nasr City, Central Cairo. The compound boasts a vast selection of upscale amenities. It offers lush greenery, verdant landscaping, abundant water features, walking trails, a nursery, retail stores, and restaurants & cafes. 

The compound is centrally located in front of Chinese University in Egypt, just a few minutes away from New Cairo City. 

Moreover, Central Cairo has the following upscale compounds: 

• AutoVille by SODIC

• Maspero Business Tower by City Edge Developments in Downtown Cairo, Egypt

• El Fustat by Saudi Egyptian Developers (SED) in Old Cairo, Egypt

• Marriott Residences Heliopolis by A Capital Holding in Heliopolis, Egypt

Facilities Of Cairo Governorate Egypt​ 

Being the capital, Cairo Governorate has a comprehensive list of top-tier facilities. Central Cairo facilities include the following facility categories:

• Religious facilities such as historical mosques and churches 

• Cultural facilities such as museums 

• Medical facilities, mainly hospitals 

• Hospitality facilities, mainly hotels 

• Educational facilities such as nurseries, schools, and universities

• Commercial facilities such as shopping malls, restaurants, and cafes 

•  Sports facilities such as sporting clubs and youth centers 

• Transportation facilities such as buses and metro lines

• Recreational facilities such as public parks, cinemas, and amusement parks

Sports Facilities in Cairo 

Sports facilities in Cairo Governorate include sporting clubs, gyms, and football fields. Those include the following:

•   Al Ahly Sporting Club in Zamalek

•  El Gezira Sporting Club in Zamalek

• Heliopolis Sporting Club in Heliopolis

•  Maadi Sporting Club in Maadi

•  Wadi Degla Club in Maadi

• Shams Club in Nasr City

• Zohour Sporting Club in Nasr City

• Gold's Gym in Maadi

• Olympic Gym in Heliopolis

• Platinum Gym in Dokki/Mohandessin 

•  Smash Academy in Heliopolis

• Cairo Tennis Club in Garden City

Recreational Parks in Cairo 

Cairo Governorate hosts a wide range of parks to enjoy verdant outdoor spaces and sunlight. These parks include the following:

•  Al Azhar Park in Al Azhar 

• Andalus Garden in Zamalek

• Manial Palace Gardens in Manial 

Cairo also has many amusement parks, including:

• Fun Kingdom in Nasr City

• Magic Planet in Citystars, Nasr City 

• Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Heliopolis

Nurseries in Cairo Governorate 

Cairo is home to many upscale educational facilities, including nurseries, schools, and universities. The nurseries in Cairo Governorate include the following:

•  Nananees Montessori World Nursery in Heliopolis 

• Little Stars Montessori Nursery in Zamalek 

• Kiddie Corner Nursery in Maadi 

• Giggles Nursery in Mohandessin 

Schools In Central Cairo

Central Cairo is home to many upscale private schools, which include the following:

• Cairo American College (CAC) in Maadi 

• Deutsche Evangelische Oberschule (German Evangelical School) in Garden City 

• The International French School (Lycée Français du Caire) in Maadi 

• International Montessori School in Zamalek

• Crescent English School in Dokki 

• Future Generation British International School in Dokki 

• The International School of Cairo (ISC) in Garden City 

• Advanced Education Schools - Dr. Nermien Ismail Elnahas in Nasr City 

• Uptown Cairo School in Mokattam 

• El Alsson British & American International School in Garden City 

• The International Montessori School (IMS) in Downtown

Universities In Central Cairo

Central Cairo hosts a wide variety of premium private universities. Those include: 

• The British University in Egypt - BUE in El Shorouk 

• Misr International University (MIU) in El Oubour 

• American University in Cairo’s (AUC) Tahrir Campus 

• French University in Egypt in El Shorouk 

Best Shopping Malls In Cairo​

Cairo Governorate has many upscale shopping malls, which include the following: 

• City Stars Mall in Heliopolis 

• City Center Almaza Mall in Almaza 

• Downtown Mall in Dokki 

• Genena Mall in Nasr City

• Sun City Mall in El Nozha 

• Grand Mall in Maadi 

Best Restaurants In Cairo​

Restaurants in Cairo Governorate offer a highly diversified dining experience. Cairo is home to many restaurants, including:

•  Zooba Egyptian street food in Downtown Cairo 

• Abou El Sid Egyptian food in Zamalek

• Sequoia seafood in Zamalek

• Kazoku Japanese / Sushi restaurant in Zamalek 

• Left Bank International cuisine in Zamalek 

• Crave International cuisine in Garden City 

• Culina International cuisine in Maadi 

• Osmanly Turkish restaurant in Zamalek

• Sobhy Kaber Egyptian food in Downtown Cairo

• Dewan Middle Eastern / Lebanese restaurant in Garden City

• Chili’s in Downtown Cairo

• Maison Thomas Itlian restaurant in Heliopolis

• La Trattoria Italian / Mediterranean restaurant in Zamalek

•  L'Olivo Pizzeria Italian Cuisine in Zamalek 

Hotels In Cairo​

Cairo Governorate offers high-end hospitality services in the following hotels:

• The Nile Ritz-Carlton Cairo in Downtown Cairo 

• Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza in Garden City 

• Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo in Garden City

• Pyramisa Cairo Downtown Hotel in Downtown 

• Ramses Hilton Hotel in Downtown, Tahrir Square 

• Safir Hotel Cairo in Downtown Cairo 

• Baron Hotel Heliopolis in Heliopolis 

• Marriott Mena House Cairo in west Cairo 

• Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino in Garden City

• Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah in Zamalek 

• Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir in Downtown Cairo 

• Conrad Cairo in Garden City

• InterContinental Cairo Semiramis in Garden City 

• City View Hotel in Downtown Cairo 

• Osiris Hotel in Downtown Cairo

• Nile Sunset in Downtown Cairo 

Hospitals in Cairo City 

Cairo Governorate offers premium medical care services in the following hospitals:

• As-Salam International Hospital in Maadi 

• Al Hiah Hospital in Dokki 

• Al Watani Hospital in Heliopolis 

• Saudi German Hospital in El Nozha 

• Cleopatra Hospital in Heliopolis

• Al Assema Hospital in Dokki 

• Dar El Foud Hospital in Nasr City 

Cultural Sites in Cairo 

Cairo Governorate is home to many cultural, religious, and historical sites to which you can go sightseeing, including:

• Grand Egyptian Museum

• Giza Pyramids and Sphinx 

• Khan El Khalili Street 

• The Citadel of Saladin 

• Al-Fustat Islamic Museum

• National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

• Hanging Church 

• Al-Azhar Mosque 

• Bab Zuweila zone 

• Sakakini Palace

• Museum of Islamic Art

•  Abdeen Palace Museum

• Jewish Synagogue Ben Ezra

• Cairo Tower in Downtown 

• Fustat Ruins and Coptic Museum

• Agricultural Museum

Things To Do In Cairo​

Cairo Governorate offers many activities to do and enjoy, such as:

• Shopping in one of the premium malls

• Dining in any of the various restaurants 

• Sightseeing the religious and cultural sites

• Walking by the Nile 

• Attending a concert at Cairo Opera House or Al Sawy Culturewheel

• Taking time off in Alazhar Park 

• Taking a felucca ride on the Nile

• Dining on a Nile cruise 

• Walking around in old streets such as West El Balad 

• Watching the architecture in different sites, such as old Islamic mosques 

• Trying street food in any of the local areas 

Buy Property In Cairo Governorate Egypt​ With Nawy

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