Damask RoseOpens with
VanillaHeart
SandalwoodDries down to
Christophe RaynaudThe nose · 127 fragrances · also made L Eau d Issey Pour Homme Noir Ambre (2016)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Penhaligon's · Sold as unisex
Cairo
A winding alley in Cairo's old city, where the scent of spices mingles with floral notes from a hidden courtyard.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
CairoPremium · $100–250
58%Similar accords, often for lessZara Rose Elixir · ZaraBudget tier, under $40 · shares 6 of its 11 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
HeartThe Soul
BaseFoundation
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2019 by Penhaligon's and crafted by Christophe Raynaud, Cairo is a composition that evokes the city’s rich blend of spices, earthy textures, and warm florals. The fragrance opens with Damask Rose and saffron, creating an immediate sense of luxury and depth. This floral warmth gives way to a heart of cypriol oil or nagarmotha, labdanum, and vanilla, adding layers of complexity and richness. The base notes of sandalwood, patchouli, and cedar create a grounding effect, reminiscent of the city’s ancient architecture and bustling markets.
For best results, apply this fragrance to pulse points and let it develop over time. The rich base notes take about an hour to fully bloom, so plan accordingly. It’s perfect for cooler evenings or layering under a jacket in warmer weather.
Fig. 01 — Cairo, Penhaligon's
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
Live prices aren't shown yet. Each link opens that seller's own search; we may earn a commission.
Not sure it's you?
Five questions, about a minute, no account. You get a shortlist that fits how you actually wear fragrance.
Christophe Raynaud
Architect first, craftsman secondChristophe Raynaud is a perfumer who describes himself as a craftsman with the sensitivity of an artist. He begins each fragrance with a raw olfactory block, working for hours to shape it as a sculptor would — first as architect, then as craftsman.
“At first, I am the architect, and then I become the craftsman.”
Christophe Raynaud · Fragrantica nose page bio (scraped into fragrantica_bio)
Designer Penhaligon's
More from the house · founded 1869 · United Kingdom
You Might Also Like
Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Penhaligon'sConstantinopleEDP · ★ 4.07Loved by the same people
Maison Francis KurkdjianBaccarat Rouge 540EDP · ★ 3.74Similar notes and accords
Maison Martin MargielaBy the FireplaceEDP · ★ 4.20Loved by the same people
Charlotte TilburyCosmic Power★ 3.33Wearers say it smells similarStill deciding?Try the Scent Finder →Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalCairoPenhaligon's · Premium · $100–250Zara · 2014Zara Rose ElixirShares 6 of its 11 notesunder $40★ 4.59 (17)
With Loewe Solo Loewe Origami
Adds aromatic, fresh spicy and citrus; shares patchouli.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 48%, disliked or hated by 8%.