With so much to do in the sprawling metropolis of Cairo, it’s easy to feel disoriented and overwhelmed. And you don’t want to be disappointed by realizing, by the time you leave, that you haven’t made the most of your time in Cairo. Here are a few suggestions about the most important attractions in Cairo, and how to plan your visit to ensure you spend your time well during your visit.
1. The Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza
You’ve read about Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza since you were a child. You saw them on the Discovery Channel and promised yourself that you would visit them some day. And here you are, finally! Impressive yet extremely crowded during the day, these historical attractions appear even more spectacular in during the evening, when the sound and light show brings these ancient structures to live.
2. The Egyptian Museum is an excellent place to visit and learn more about the complex and intriguing history of Egypt. Discover Egypt’s past when you browse among the exhibits – some of which are priceless - arranged chronologically behind protective glass. It’s also the place where you’ll come face to face with King Tut and the amazing treasure revealed when his tomb was discovered many years ago.
3. Khan-el-Khalili is a huge and extremely charming open air-market dating back to 1382, and is considered by many travelers to be the most entertaining part of Cairo. Prepare yourself for great souvenir shopping at this unique and interesting venue! There are traditional galabeya robes, interesting spices, sheesha with flavored tobacco, and lots of colorful jewelry to suit any taste and preference. Stick to these simple rules – keep your calm, compare prices in several shops and be friendly! Relax with tea and sheesha at the picturesque Fishawi’ café that has been in existence for more than 200 years.
4. Listen to the silent tale of Egyptian architecture by visiting the most sacred site in Cairo, the Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussein. Don’t miss the massive Citadel of Salah-el-Din, a witness of Egypt ’s tumultuous past, crowned as the mosque of Mohammed Ali. The reward for facing the heat in this Islamic tour is the impressive view from the Citadel over Cairo and the Pyramids.
5. A felucca ride on the Nile will show you a side of Cairo at its most serene. Enjoy the best city views in the sunset light, when the city sounds disappear and you can hear the prayers from all the mosques of this amazing metropolis.
More Attractions
Papyrus Museums, Jewellers and Perfumeries
No tour of Cairo is complete without a visit to one of the many papyrus “museums” (referred to alternately as institutes, academies and galleries) in which “modern papyrus” is made onsite in demonstrations. While not the same as ancient papyrus (the plant used in ancient times is now rare, thanks to modern agriculture and building on the nile delta) the construction methods are similar and it forms an entertaining demonstration of a craft which is long forgotten in most of Egypt. A huge range of papyrus souvenirs is available at prices which range from reasonable to ridiculous, containing friezes of Pharaohonic Egypt, cartouches with Heiroglyphics and more.
Cairo is also famous for its jewellers, and most tours will include a stop at at least one. There are bargains to be had here – gold is typically sold by weight, and if you know what you're buying you can pick up some astonishing craftsmanship at a fantastic price. Popular souvenirs include cartouche pendants with a name of your choice represented in Heiroglyphics or Arabic letters.
Perfume too is a long-standing Cairo tradition, with perfume oil a particular Egyptian strength. Unlike western perfume and aftershave, it uses no alcohol base and is alleged to have moisturising properties rather than the drying nature of western products. A wide range of scents is available, including passable imitations of most high-street fragrances. It's not uncommon to find them offered in decorative bottles which make nice gifts for those seeking a souvenir that doesn't look like it came from the airport Duty Free.
The Cairo Opera HouseCairo has a surprisingly rich operatic tradition, but 1971 saw the destruction of the Royal Opera House in a large fire, leaving the city without an opera house. The Japanese partnered with the Egyptians to build the National Cultural Centre and the new Cairo Opera House opened in 1988, restoring the city's place at the forefront of Middle Eastern opera.
The Pyramids and the SphinxThe Pyramids represent one of the greatest architectural acheivements done by man. Collectively, They are one of the seven wonders of the world. It's the oldest attraction and it's mostly the reason why people come to Egypt. The Pyramids were built as a tombs for the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. The three main pyramids are Khufu, Khafrae and Menkaura. The Sphinx is located in front of the pyramids. The Sphinx in Arabic is called "Abu El-Haol", which means "The father of terror".
Old Cairo
As is clear from its name, it is the oldest part of the city, and is the place where the Romans built Babylon. It's also called Coptic Cairo because the Coptic Christian community are located there. You can find many churches here, such as the Hanging Chruch and the Ben Ezra synagogue.
Islamic Cairo
Here you will find many mosques. There are two mosques that are considered to be the most famous, the mosque of Ibn Tolon, which is said to be the largest mosque in the world, and the mosque of Mohammed Ali . The Citadel is also located in Islamic Cairo. There you will also find Khan El-Khalili, which is like a bazaar where you can find many souvenirs. Finally, El-Azhar mosque is the oldest university in the world.
Egyptian Museum
Most of the things that are found in the tombs in Egypt from Luxor and Aswar, are taken to the Egyptian Museum. If you go to any of the tombs, you will find that they are empty. Along with the mummies, the ancient treasures found in the tombs are taken to the museum.
The objects that you can't miss are the artefacts taken from Tutankhamen's tomb and the boy king's death mask, which is made of gold. The mask was said to be the most beautiful thing that has been made.
A Falucca on the Nile
If you get tired from walking all over Cairo, the best way to relax is to rent a Falucca on the Nile. It can be rented by the hour.
Whirling Dervishes
The Sufi dancers perform at the Citadel in Islamic Cairo. These performances are usually on Wednesday and Saturday at night.
Cairo Tower
This is the best place to enjoy a view the whole city while sitting at nice restaurant. The Cairo towers opens from nine o'clock in the morning up till one o'clock at night everyday.
