Gayer Anderson Museum, is a 16th-century Islamic house which was restored in the 1930s by the British civil servant, Robert Gayer Anderson Pasha who worked as a military doctor and lived there between 1935-1942. It is a treasure trove of antiquities, ancient literary works and textiles and tiles. But above all, it’s a fascinating insight into domestic living and oddities of the time, such as the covered portal from which women were allowed to observe what men got up to in the salon below.

As one of the largest mosques in the world and home to the finest example of Mamluk architecture in Cairo, this is a beautiful sight to behold. 

Just left of Al-Azhar Park’s entrance, a grand palm-lined avenue leads to Al Khan by Granita, where Egypt’s once-cosmopolitan spirit meets Islamic-inspired interiors. The picture-perfect setting pairs classic Egyptian dishes with flavours from further afield, while the park’s entry fee keeps the crowds at bay. 

As with many of the galleries and the museums in Cairo, the sheer size of their collections is pretty jaw dropping. The Museum of Islamic Art is no exception. Gaze at the magnificent façade before exploring inside; there is good reason why this is considered to be one of the greatest museums in the world.