Egypt's ancient capital, Cairo, is one of the most fascinating, multifaceted, recognizable yet surprising places on earth. Starting with the Sphinx, the Pyramids at Giza, the wonderful Egyptian Museum, and the secrets of Old Cairo, this city probably has the largest collection of recognizable monuments and antiquities in the world. All certified guides must be trained Egyptologists, and most Western tourists book one of them for private tours of the places above—which are always teeming with people—as well as lesser-known places like the Alabaster Mosque and the ancient former capital city of Memphis. For souvenir shopping in fifth gear, brave the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, a famous bazaar with roots stretching back to the 14th century.