*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Cairo

Overview:

At around 22 million people, it doesn’t get much bigger and chaotic than Cairo. It also doesn’t get much more historic and atmospheric. This urban sprawl next to the famous pyramids is filled with buzzing streets and a variety of life that’s hard to beat. Yes, it’s not the cleanest, quietest city, and there are touts and hassle to endure, but it’s more than worth it in Cairo. The history, the crumbling character, the size, the chaos, the variety of unique neighborhoods and that signature golden brown look all come together to make one of my favorite atmospheres for street photography in the world. 

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Cairo has to offer before you even arrive.

Map:

1. Khan el Khalili
2. Al Azhar Park
3. Ramses Railway Station
4. Downtown/Tahrir/Mohammed Mahmoud Street
5. City of the Dead/Garbage City (Mansheya Nasser)
6. Corniche/6th October Bridge/Zamalek
7. Old Cairo/Coptic Cairo

Top 7 Street Spots:

1. Khan el Khalili 

This medieval-style bazaar is the most famous in the city. When tourists aren’t at the pyramids, they’re probably at Khan el Khalili bazaar. It was built in the 14th century and contains many streets and squares lined with shops selling everything from gold, spices and oils to camel figurines and other souvenirs. While it is very touristy, many locals still come here too, more specifically for the gold and coppersmiths. It’s not as divided as it once was so you can just explore away among the crowded chaos with your camera and see what you find. My favorite part of this area is actually the surrounding parts, though. The street sellers extend seemingly forever, and the further you get, the more local and less touristy it feels. You can find less modern and more authentic interest with more space to work too. Sometimes I just take a walk in these surrounding areas without ever entering the bazaar, but I’d still recommend exploring it all for street photography.

2. Al Azhar Park

For life and potential street photography spots, parks can be hit or miss, but this one doesn’t miss anything. Al Azhar Park has both beauty and endless interest. It’s won international awards as a public space and if you visit you’ll see why. It’s one of the more impressive and memorable parks I’ve been to anywhere, especially for street photography. On the weekend especially, Al Azhar Park gets packed with life and locals. After entering the gate and climbing to the top, you have views of the city below from all sides and 74 acres of space to explore. Pathways, streams, fountains, fields of grass, benches, food carts, and people everywhere. Locals come for picnics, sports, play, relaxation, weddings and more. A lot of money went into making Al Azhar Park impressive and they succeeded. There’s a variety of scenery, spaces and life here that could last you a whole day for street photography. There’s a few parks that stand out as being much more than just a park and this is one of them.

3. Ramses Square/Railway Station

Ramses Square sits in front of Cairo’s main railway station, possessing the same name. This hotspot of traffic and activity might make for an unattractive mess, but it does provide street photography opportunities. It’s one of the busiest squares in the city and the busiest hub for transportation. Due to the ugly mess and pollution here, the city is pushing for some reconstruction, but right now you’ll want to focus on finding interest within all the life surrounding you, instead of any of the surroundings. There’s a small green space in the middle of the traffic that fills with people relaxing, while you’ll find foot traffic heading in every direction surrounding it. While not visually appealing, if you like chaos and characters in your street photography, Ramses is worth a stop for guaranteed life.

4. Downtown/Tahrir/Mohammed Mahmoud Street

Downtown is the commercial heart of Cairo. It’s crowded, vibrant, full of character and feels like the center of it all. Its location also makes it my favorite spot to stay in the city. This area was originally designed for the elite who wanted the French architecture to give it a European style and feel, with wide streets and impressive buildings. While much of the architecture has seen better days, the neglect mixed with its styling makes for an interesting atmosphere unique to Cairo. It provides a look at the city’s past vision while exploring the bustling downtown streets full of life, businesses, shopping, and more. It’s a great area to explore as there’s endless interest and activity to discover no matter where you turn, all with some edge and character that can make for great street photography. 

The famous Tahrir Square is also located here. Most known for the 2011 Egyptian revolution, it’s the main public square for political demonstrations, in addition to other events. This might provide a misleading image, though, as the open space is normally pretty empty and quiet most days. Still, it’s a good point to head from to other street photography spots. The nearby Mohamed Mahmoud Street is a good spot for graffiti lovers too, as its walls have become a popular urban canvas for artists since the revolution. 

5. City of the Dead/Garbage City

The City of the Dead is a cemetery in Cairo, but it’s not your normal cemetery. People live and work in this grid of tombs and streets. Half a million people call it home, but it isn’t as bad as you might imagine. Tombs are inside rooms and small box-shaped houses. The square homes have electricity, running water, gardens and more. The streets are much more quiet here, creating an interesting atmosphere along with the miles of similar shaped homes. It’s a unique place where you can find good light due to the low one story structures too. In many ways it feels less like a slum in look because of how organized, peaceful and less messy it is here. You do get a bit of an eerie feeling too, but nothing like I imagined of a neighborhood in a cemetery. It’s one place I wish I’ve spent more time in while in Cairo because I think it could provide some nice, slightly surreal minimalistic street photos.

Nearby, you also have Mansheya Nasser, commonly called “Garbage City,” which provides a much different atmosphere. The nickname comes from the city dumping 20 million people’s garbage here everyday, as Cairo never came up with a better system. Most of the inhabitants are Coptic Christians and work in collecting and recycling all the city’s garbage. Trash and garbage bags filled to the brim completely cover the streets and rooftops. The community here has been working this way for 70 years now and while it’s not a pretty place, it can be interesting to see. Other than the garbage piled high everywhere, people do live normal lives in apartments and other homes. There are markets and everything else you’d expect in a neighborhood. And for a change of religious scene in Cairo, the Christian influence is seen all over here with religious figures hanging above the streets and painted on walls. 

6. Corniche/6th October Bridge/Zamalek

The famous Nile River flows right through the center of Cairo, making the Corniche a scenic spot to walk. It’s not as busy as other river walkways I’ve been too, but around the 6th October Bridge it can attract a good amount of life. Walking across the bridge, you’ll come to Gezira Island right in the middle of the Nile. The affluent Zamalek district is located in its northern section, where you’ll find a much more upscale atmosphere within Cairo. In addition to the more wealthy locals, many foreigners choose to live here too. There’s a lot of greenery in Zamalek, making a tranquil walk, but you’ll also find boutique shops, art galleries, cafes, luxury hotels, upscale restaurants, and nightlife hotspots. It can feel quiet, but many people enjoy its nicer atmosphere. I miss the crazier Cairo character, but it can be worth a visit for a change of scenery and look at Cairo’s glitzier side.

7. Old Cairo/Coptic Cairo

Located in Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo is the oldest part of the city. The concentration of historic religious structures bring tourism, but the surrounding area is filled with ancient local character, narrow alleys, street vendors and religious influence. The heart of the Coptic Christian community and home to Africa’s first Christian church, it also contains Cairo’s oldest mosque and synagogue. All the tourists focus their visit to the small concentrated area around the Hanging Church, Coptic Museum and other original religious buildings, but for street photography away from attractions, you’ll find local life filled streets a short walk west and north of Coptic Cairo.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Cairo:

• Start your morning walking by Tahrir Square (4) and walk down Mohamed Mahmoud Street (4)
• Then walk north and explore downtown (4) with your camera (Talaat Harb Square and 26 July Street are two busy spots to stop along the way)
• Stop at Ramses Square (3) and capture the chaos
• Walk southeast, or taxi/uber, all the way to Khan el Khalili bazaar (1), where you can spend hours finishing the day all around this famous market and surrounding streets

3 Things I’ll Remember About Photographing Cairo:

1. Cairo possesses a one of a kind atmosphere

I’ve heard very mixed reviews from other travelers on Cairo, but I don’t pay much attention to that anyway, especially during my 100 City project. I’m looking for photographic opportunity, not touristic relaxation and fun. This means much of the time what tourists like and what I like doesn’t match. As far as major cities go, Cairo is about as major as it gets at 20 million people, but there’s also not many cities more famous and with more history than this one. For me, Cairo gets a very good review as one of my top city photography experiences. For a variety of reasons.

Cairo has a one of a kind atmosphere. It feels ancient, while also feeling gigantic. It’s a 20 million people metropolis that also possesses a history that includes the pyramids. No, Cairo isn’t clean, but it has character around every corner that more than makes up for it. The browns and tinted sky mixed with the crumbling walls and impressive architecture. The streets fill with life and noise, while the city has a wide variety of neighborhoods to explore all that life they contain. There are other cities that mix big city with history, but Cairo has it’s own distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart. It’s a city I could definitely spend a lot more time in for street photography.

2. Cairo’s Signature Golden Brown

From the ground to the buildings to the air, there’s a constant hue of golden brown to Cairo. This tan tint also comes across in photos and becomes part of the city’s atmosphere. Other cities have signature looks too and while it doesn’t make the air the best for breathing, it is something I like about the city when it comes to photography. I like when you can see the place from the color, character and atmosphere. With the universal brown across many backgrounds it can make for a nice background to what’s happening in the foreground, which can come across nicely in a photo. Just before sunset, the light shines through that brown tint and really brings out Cairo. 

3. It’s not quite the tourist chaos capital anymore

Cairo used to have one of the worst reputations in the world for haggling touts and overcrowded tourism, but a lot has changed since the Arab Spring and Egyptian Revolution of 2011. Tourism is nothing like it once was and there aren’t as many guides and sellers smothering you in the streets. The pyramids still bring in the tourists, of course, but it doesn’t feel more than many places anymore. Even Giza wasn’t the crowded mess you’d picture from the past. As for the city, minus the heart of Khan el Khalili, it feels local and authentic without much touristic polish. I’m able to walk most places without any hassle, and the shopping streets that bring out the touts are easy to spot. With less hassle and less tourism, it means it’s a more relaxing photography experience now, and with space to shoot. After hearing so much about its past reputation for tourism, I don’t think it’s something to deter anybody now. As far as famous cities go, I honestly felt less tourism than most. And Morocco definitely has them beat on the tout haggling today. 

I will mention that while there is still a fair share of hassle, which can also extend to people not wanting photos, the only real problem I had there was with police. Multiple times I was stopped just for carrying a camera, one of which was one of the more rude experiences I’ve dealt with (but that’s a whole story in itself). There are a lot of areas, like government buildings and banks, where police and military guard large blocks. Most of the time I walked by fine, but they are extra suspicious of cameras so I’d be careful in these areas, even if they just see you holding your camera.

3 Non-Street Photography Things To Do in Cairo:

• Eat: Koshary, Ful Medames, Mahshi and Fatir
• Drink: Tea, juices and beer
• Visit: Egyptian Antiquities Museum and Pyramids of Giza

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Cairo might not have the best reputation for safety, but in reality it feels as safe as most western cities for visitors. The turmoil since the revolution has drastically lowered Cairo’s once booming tourism, so many might be surprised at how safe it actually feels. Street touts and scammers are the main thing you need to watch out for, but they only want to harm your wallet. Police and security fills the city and even in the quiet, edgier areas, looks are misleading, as it feels relatively safe walking the streets. Normal street smarts and precautions should keep you safe. (*It is worth noting that I’ve been messaged on the blog now from multiple women that ran into harassment issues when out shooting in Cairo, so take necessary precautions when out exploring alone as a woman.)

People’s Reaction Score: 6

Cairo isn’t the most photo friendly city in the world, but that goes along with territory, or region in this case. Still, it’s photo friendlier than most big cities in the region and people are used to seeing cameras. You should be prepared for some “no’s,” but it’s nothing to deter you from freely shooting here. The only time I’ve ever faced any real negativity is from police and military. Of course, you should never take photos of them, unless you want serious trouble, but some don’t even like seeing cameras. So be aware of your surroundings, shoot confidently and you shouldn’t have a problem in Cairo.

Street Tips:

Beware of Scammers and Ask the price first

Cairo is famous for its street touts so you have to be ready for that. Khan el Khalili bazaar and around the city center are hot spots for scammers, but they can be anywhere.  They’re nothing to worry about, but if someone in the street starts a “friendly” conversation with you, there’s a 99% chance they’re trying to get money out of you. As a street photographer, this means definitely don’t let someone show you a “great spot for photography” as it will always end with a demand for money.

Cairo has Uber

I’m not speaking for Uber in general, but in Latin America and Africa, Uber is a beautiful thing if your city has it. And Cairo has Uber. What this means, especially in a city like Cairo, is you don’t have to deal with haggling over the price, you don’t have to worry about any trouble, and you’ll likely pay much less than a taxi while in a nicer vehicle. It’s a no brainer here. Saying that, Cairo also has a metro system that can be useful when needed.  

Watch out for Police, Military and Security

For the region, I don’t find street photography difficult when it comes to the locals. Most people are friendly towards candid photos, but you do have to watch for police and other security. They don’t like photos. Around government buildings and banks, photography is a big no-no, which will be obvious by all the gunned up officers surrounding these spaces. Now, while this should be obvious not to take photos around, don’t be surprised if you’re stopped just for carrying a camera. They can be suspicious and as the locals will tell you, don’t mind displaying their power. So, just be careful when walking by while out shooting.

And of course, see the pyramids

Although I photograph in many places, I very rarely do anything touristy since I started my 100 City project. I always focus completely on photography for the project and work for this website. But this time I was in Cairo so I had to make a half-day exception. Staying here and not seeing the pyramids would have just been too crazy. 

If you haven’t been, Giza, where the pyramids are, is basically in Cairo. It’s a short city drive from the urban center and all of a sudden you’re in the desert. While you could visit it yourself, there are some extremely cheap options that take care of it all for you. For $25, I was picked up in the morning by a guide who drove me to the pyramids, showed me around, provided a 2 hour desert camel ride around all the pyramids and sphynx, and then drove me back to my place. All fees were included and a small lunch was even provided. While it was somewhat rushed and touristy, it was still an experience well worth the price and time. And there’s still the possibility to grab a couple of interesting not-so-cliche photos if you try. Although, the bumpy 2 hour ride on my camel “Pepsi” left me sore for the next couple days of street photography walks :)

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the work of local Cairo photographer Ahmed Hayman. And as always, you can check out 33 of my photos taken in Cairo.

I hope this guide can help you go experience Cairo… So grab your camera and capture all that Cairo has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Cairo, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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