The northern districts of Greater Cairo form a vast and highly populated region, but which is generally of little interest to the tourist.

The ancient city of Heliopolis was here, but it's mostly covered over by urban sprawl of the Matariya neighborhood. (Modern Heliopolis was built a few km away in Greater Cairo's eastern districts.)

Get in

The northern branches of Metro lines 1 and 2 go here.

See

• 1 Obelisk of Senusret I, Midan al-Misallah (10 minute walk from El-Matareyya metro stop (line 1)). The obelisk originates from the Temple of Atum in the ancient city of Heliopolis, which was located here. (Cleopatra's Needle in London and the obelisk in New York's Central Park came from the same temple.) The obelisk dates back to approximately 1900 BC, providing a reminder of Heliopolis' past, as it sits in Midan al-Misallah in the midst of the modern city. 

Sleep

• 1 Al Horreya Hotel, 14 horreya Street, Heliopolis, ☏ +20 2 22900070. (updated Sep 2018)