If you spend much time in Cairo, you’ll almost certainly pass through Tahrir Square, perhaps en route to the historic Egyptian Museum, which sits just off the square, in search of a restaurant, or, if you’re unlucky, to the Mogamma to process paperwork. It’s a reasonably common stop on Cairo city tours by car, coach, or minibus. Tour guides focus on Tahrir’s role in Egypt’s Arab Spring, where hundreds of thousands of ordinary Egyptians came together to bring down the dictator Hosni Mubarak. Unfortunately, the current regime is very far from democratic.
A good candidate for the center of modern Cairo, Tahrir Square sits about a 5-minute walk east of the Nile, opposite the Zamalek end of Gezira Island. Catch the metro to Sadat (Line 2).
Tahrir’s choked traffic gets even more congested during Cairo’s rush hour (4–7pm) and after Friday prayers at lunchtime. Stay well away from the square if protests are underway.
Most visitors to Cairo focus on ancient Egypt, perhaps with a detour into the historic churches and mosques of Old Cairo. For a look at the modern city, try enjoying a performance at the Cairo Opera House, soaking up the views (perhaps with dinner) from the Cairo Tower, or taking a street food tour.
