AIA International Conference Cairo 2026
Layers of Civilization
11 - 14 November 2026

When: Wednesday 11 November evening - Saturday 14 November 2026 (Optional extension tours: 15 November onwards)
Where: The American University in Cairo Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt

Program Summary

11 November

The conference will welcome guests to Cairo on the evening of Wednesday 11 November with a Welcome Reception.

12 November

Day 1 will open with a morning of talks. The afternoon tour will take us to Ancient Cairo - first we will head to the Giza Plateau, to see the monumental Great Pyramids and Sphinx, followed by a visit to The Grand Egyptian Museum.

13 November

Day 2 will likewise start with a morning of talks and panel discussions. This time the tour will focus on Coptic Cairo. Looking at sacred architecture within the Fortress of Babylon, we will be visiting sights including the Hanging Church, Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus and the Church of the Holy Family Dwelling.

The day will conclude with an evening Nile Cruise.

14 November

Saturday 14 November will be a full day of tours taking in the sights of Islamic Cairo. From the Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, to the Gayer-Anderson Museum, the Citadel of Saladin to Al-Muizz Street, we will explore many aspects of historic Cairo architecture, from the religious and monumental to the domestic, and how historic buildings have been adapted for contemporary use.  

The conference will close that evening with the Design Awards and the Gala Dinner.

15 - 20 November - Optional Extension tours

Optional Extension tours will be available for Sunday 15 November onwards. These are:

• Alexandria Tour, Sunday 15 November - a full day extension to Alexandria. The tour bus will leave from and return to Cairo. The tour will move between the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, the Roman Theatre and the Citadel of Qaitbay. Tickets are on sale via the Eventbrite registration page.

• Upper Egypt Nile Cruise, Monday 16 - Friday 20 November - 5 day, 4 night extension tour. Fly to Luxor. Cruise travels from Luxor to Aswan, including visits to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and more. Fly back to Cairo from Aswan. Please note the final program (including optional excursions) and booking link are to be confirmed.

More details to follow.

This event is organised by AIA International and we reserve the right based on reasonable assessment of the circumstances to exclude individuals who display unprofessional or disruptive behaviour. AIA International, its programmers and moderators can and will select those questions and comments they deem pertinent to the talk and program.

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