Uncovering Downtown Cairo’s Hidden Struggles Free Tour

Downtown Cairo has undergone many changes throughout the years, and much of Egypt’s modern history can be traced in its streets . Downtown has been both the center of governmental power and people’s power, and control of it has changed hands several times between colonial rulers, modern pharaohs, competing political forces, and the ordinary citizens. Today, however, downtown has become a place that no one, at least for now, seeks ownership of. The powerful have deserted it, and the powerless steer away from it.

On this tour, we walk through Downtown, visit its most historic places, and sit in some of its famous cafés. We let Downtown tell us how Egypt has arrived at its current state and what might be in store for it in the future. Egypt's modern history is as dramatic and full of surprises as its ancient times, and its stories will help explain some of the many mysteries of today's Egypt, a chaotic, mismanaged, and worn-down country that is somehow full of compassion, ingenuity, and plenty of laughter.