If youre traveling around Egypt for a week or two, youre bound to see lots of desert, but there arent always convenient opportunities to do activities like this, so Cairo is a great place to do it. Historically, its centred around an area called Coptic Cairo, where its said that Jesus and his parents passed through briefly. If you want to experience a slice of tranquil heaven, you can book a night or two at the Kempinski Nile Garden City for a luxurious stay. Starting with Palaeolithic times before leading into Ancient Egypt, it then covers the Romans, Byzantines, various Islamic periods, right up to modern day. Built in the 12th century, it had two subsequent major renovations to make it what you see today. Although it had an incredible collection of thousands of items, including the finds of Tutankhamuns tomb, they were all crammed into a small old building. Not many tourists come out here so youll be able to walk through the sand without the crowds and get up close to these skeletons that are about 40 million years old. Its not clear exactly what the old Egyptian Museum will look like when the new one opens, because many of its top pieces have been moved to the modern space. From smoky baba ganoush to flavourful falafel, youll have a smorgasbord of dishes to sample on this tour. One of the finest examples of Mamluk architecture in the world, Sultan Hassan Mosque is a vision of Islamic artistry with an abundance of stalactite detailing and intricate arabesque features. Your email address will not be published. Its here youll find the Pyramid of Djoser, considered to be the oldest pyramid in the world and a precursor to the more famous ones about 15 kilometres away. I would also recommend taking a tour when you do go to see the site. Certain civilizations are incredible and fascinating. Pay particular attention to the roof, which resembles the formation of Noahs ark and the churchs impressive columns. The pyramids alone are worth the trip, but having something extra to see also helps for a better experience. to 2528 B.C.) From partying it up at a dance club, to dining on the Nile, to chowing down on delicious street food, here are 12 things to do in Cairo besides the pyramids. This extra exhibit is well worth the slightly higher admission price to see! I never did but still love ancient artifacts do I think I would love the museum a lot. This open-air market is the largest in Cairo and features a plethora of vendors selling jewelry, souvenirs and exotic spices. If youre a regular reader, youll know that I always advocate taking a food tour in a new city, because its a great way to learn about the best types of places to eat (and we all need to do that, right? I missed so much! Plan to dedicate at least a few hours wandering through the stacks and exploring the sights within the library. Ive got a whole story about what its like to visit Egypts Whale Valley. Amongst all the heritage in Cairo, it can sometimes be easy to forget that contemporary life is going on amongst the museums and historical sights. Sultan Hassan Mosque. 30th May 2023, 11:03 am, by If youre just looking for a visit to the main sights, I would recommend this excellent guided tour. Guide at the Pyramids and Sphinx 3:46 am. On the outer wall, there are carvings of letters from every known language in the world, just as the old ancient library was rumored to have texts from every written language in the world. Thought to have been a monument to the pharaoh Khafre and built around the same time as his pyramid, historians have puzzled over the history of the Sphinx for centuries. I disagree. Across the large plateau, its the three main pyramids that immediately draw your eye. From the Sultan Hassan Mosques huge and ornate entrance portal, it feels like a bit of a maze to walk through a bending medieval corridor to get to the main attraction the central courtyard. If it's. At the end of a causeway running down from the second-largest, the Pyramid of Khafre, stands the Sphinx, another of the sites icons and a highlight in itself. One of the most obvious landmarks is Cairo Tower, a 187-metre-high structure with a revolving restaurant at the top near its lotus flower design. But rather than just admire it from a distance, why not get on the water on experience it up close. Here are the top five things to do in Cairo besides seeing the Pyramids. At 187 m, this concrete tower that resembles a lotus plant dominates the Cairo skyline and is the tallest building in Egypt. On the western edge of Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza rise like beacons in the desert. Thats all changed now, with the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum. The Ben Ezra Synagogue is also here, and is rumored to be the spot where Moses was hidden in the Old Testament. It was quite a surreal experience going inside and Ill warn you its probably not one for the claustrophobic, but there was something about standing inside an ancient wonder of the world and seeing Khufus sarcophagus. Several good restaurants-some with entertainment. A large part of the palace is now taken up by five museums the War Museum, Presidential Gifts Museum, Royal Museum, Historical Documents Museum, and Silverware Museum. Off to the sides, are more chambers and rooms connected to the madrasas and other parts of the mosque complex. This is great, we are hoping to visit this spring! _g1.setAttribute('src', _g1.getAttribute('data-src') ); This vast building has been beset with delays but its been worth the wait, with the collection now housed in the worlds largest archaeological museum. As a huge andbustling African metropolis, it has far more to do than look at some 4,500 year-old stones. From partying it up at a dance club, to dining on the Nile, to chowing down on delicious street food, here are 12 things to do in Cairo besides the pyramids. Stroll Through the Egyptian Museum 3. It was such a magical adventure. _g1.classList.remove('lazyload'); The Discoveries Of is a member of the Amazon associates program. These pyramids include the Great Pyramid of Khufu (aka Cheops), Pyramid of Khafre (aka Chephren) and the Pyramid of Menkaure (aka Mycerinus) and the smallest of the three main Pyramids of Giza. The only options are private trips so it can be a bit expensive but this guided tour is the cheapest (and will be less per person if youre in a group). Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade. Take a Felucca Ride 8. This monumental mosque opened in 1363 is considered to be one of the finest examples of early Mamluk architecture in Cairo, partly because of its enormous size and partly because it used quite innovate architectural elements. The price of the journey is very cheap at around E4 ($0.15USD). The collection was established in the 19th century and boasts 107 halls filled with artifacts dating from prehistoric time through the Roman periods. Hip Hangouts: Cairos Best Coffee Houses And Cafes The pointy thingy is nice yet theres so much more! Some claim its definitely Khafre an idea supported by the likeness of the monuments face to other depictions of the pharaoh, others say otherwise. As well as the complete Tutankhamun collection (definitely a highlight), there are more than 13,000 other items on display, including a huge statue of Ramses II, the 42-metre boat buried beside the Great Pyramid, and much more. Egypt has long been one of my dream destinations. Abdeen Palace, built in 1863, was one of the official residences of the Egyptian Royal Family that ruled from the 19th to the mid-20th century. Just cant understand why its so expensive to get there??? Pyramids of Giza Grand Egyptian Museum Citadel of Cairo Coptic Cairo Museums Egyptian Museum National Museum of Egyptian Civilization Museum of Islamic Art Abdeen Palace Museum Islamic Cairo Sultan Hassan Mosque Al-Rifa'i Mosque Ibn Tulun Mosque Bab Zuweila Local experiences Souks Food tour Al-Azhar Park Zamalek Tours City tour Nile cruise Its pure madness to drive there! I think the most important sight near Cairo is Saqqara, about an hours drive south of the city centre. If the pyramids together form one of Cairos must-see spots, The Sphinx isnt far behind. While the pyramids - the only remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the World - are indeed a must-see attraction, it would be downplaying the Egyptian capital's beauty and charm to suggest they are the only bucket-list worthy sight. Nadia Farha Mubin Feluccas traditional wooden sailing boats are popular on the river and provide the perfect vantage point to see the city in all its glory. This being said, there is a cheap public transit system available with metro and buses that, while not very widespread, are convenient to get to certain locations. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. These bustling shopping centres are full of sounds and smells, with vibrant displays where you can find some souvenirs or taste the local food. But some of the highlights worth mentioning are the Fortress of Babylon, the Hanging Church, Abu Serga (the oldest church in Egypt, built in the 4th century), and the Coptic Museum. Vent has become a staple of the local nightlife scene featuring cutting edge local performers, hip-hop nights, and DJs throughout the week. Two Days in Cairo - August 1:25 am. Thats cool! At only 28 years old, she has been lucky to have traveled quite a bit 6 continents, 44 countries and countless cities blogging about her journeys at traverse-blog.com. Many tourists visit Cairo simply as the starting point of a tour of Egypt. Xunantunich. Although it has about 100,000 objects, only about 5,000 are on display, with rare woodwork and plaster artefacts some of the most significant items. Youll find an unusual shop where you least expect. } Even if you dont buy anything, the experience alone will still be worth it. Its one of Cairos largest and most famous museums, with its primary focus on Islamic artistry and artefacts.Besides providing a wonderful collection of creative works for visitors to peruse and enjoy, the museum also provides extensive education programs. The other two are just as impressive in their own ways. Some great tips! This felucca ride can be done at various times during the day, including at sunset. Ive written a whole story about visiting Saqqara from Cairo, but the easiest way to get there is with a tour (most of which also include the Giza Pyramids and other parts of ancient Memphis). Worry not, there are thousands of other pieces that have never been displayed that will remain at the old Egyptian Museum, most likely after it undergoes renovation. But in 2021, the new Grand Egyptian Museum is due to open, with many of the artefacts from the current museum spanning more than 5,000 years of fascinating Egyptian history being moved to their new home. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the city with a historical walking tour of Cairo. Visiting the most ancient of the Seven Wonders of the World (andthe only wonder that survived the ages) should be on every bucket list. Required fields are marked *. If youre into museums, the Coptic Museum has one of the largest collections of Coptic Christian artwork in the world. Battle of the Pyramids, also called Battle of Embabeh, (July 21, 1798), military engagement in which Napoleon Bonaparte and his French troops captured Cairo.His victory was attributed to the implementation of his one significant tactical innovation, the massive divisional square.. Bonaparte, then a general and key military adviser for the French Revolutionary government (), had proposed the . The Great Pyramid also called Khufu's Pyramid after the pharaoh Khufu, who commissioned it during his reign (circa 2551 B.C. I think youll get a lot more of an insight with a local guide, and theres this great tour of Coptic Cairo that also includes some of Islamic Cairo. One of the best ways to dive headfirst into the inner workings of a country is by savouring its unique flavours. The remainder of the wall that surrounded the old city is another important part of the Islamic Cairo site and one of the most iconic parts of it is the western gate called Bab Zuweila. Theres nothing to see except the pyramids they decry all from the confines of their hotel room they havent actually left except on a guided tour. var _g1; Top Attractions in Cayo. 2023 Nelson London Ventures Ltd (T/A NCL Travel). Popular things to do Bus Tours Day Trips Historic Sites Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Sacred & Religious Sites Multi-day Tours Full-day Tours Points of Interest & Landmarks Half-day Tours Photography Tours History Museums City Tours Night Tours Shopping Malls Horse Carriage Rides Private Day Trips Speciality Museums Rail Tours Artefacts from Ancient Egypt through to modern times have been carefully collected and put on display in the citys museums, offering a virtual journey through the whole country. Theres a small museum which is vaguely interesting but the real attraction is the view from the top, which offers a fantastic perspective of the old city which would have had a very similar layout to what you still see today. The walk to the cave entrance crosses the river three times allowing multiple opportunities for birding, and apprecia. Donovan. by The temple was disassembled (into 75,000 pieces nonetheless!) var _g1; But thanks for sharing your experience! There's a lot to see/do in Cairo. This quiet neighborhood in the middle of Cairo features several important sites including the Nunnery of St. George and the crypt of the Holy Family under St. Sergius Church. Built by Cairo businessman Charles A. Galigher, the manor features double walls intended to keep out the city's famous. Instead of domestic flights, you will hop on luxurious sleeper trains for your journey. READ MORE: WHY YOU SHOULD FORGET THE HEADLINES AND VISIT EGYPT NOW. Shop at the Khan al Kalili Souq 5. Find out more. Good to know there is something beyond pyramids too! Something nice about the various city tours of Cairo is that they all offer something a bit different. Gazing out from them to the west, the desolate desert dominates the landscape, a dry sandy expanse depicting how Egypt would once have been. Practice your haggling at Khan Al-Khalili. This is a country with such a long and storied past that it would be hard not to fall in love with it! With an ablutions fountain in the centre and a tall iwan on each side, theres lots of detail to absorb in this tranquil spot. Why not take a look for yourself and see what you think? 3. _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-inverted-img'); Youre very right. 1. The pyramids shouldnt be the only reason youre heading to Cairo. Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza You can't come to Cairo and not see the Pyramids. However, Egypt really is dedicated to protecting visitors, and I felt completely comfortable visiting there. Customize . 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