Top 10 SIghts to Visit in Cairo Egypt | Top Attractions

Cairo is a vibrant city in its own right, yet it is one of the most chaotic megacities in the world situated in Egypt. Cairo is one of the largest cities not only in Africa but in the Middle East as well, which may give the travelers a rather massive scale of the city at first sight. But beyond the first impression, there is a lot to see here, history, culture, and attractions that must be seen by travelers.

The Great Pyramids of Giza: 

Certainly, no visitors can leave Cairo without visiting the great pyramids of Giza which is the only one that still stands of the seven wonders of the world. Carved out of desert stone to house the remains of Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure 4,500 years ago, these structures continue to interest humanity. Discover all that we can learn from the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World and learn how these tremendous structures were built. One of the oldest intact ships and the Solar Boat Museum is near the pyramids as well as the Crocodile Kingdom.

The Egyptian Museum

A visit to the Egyptian Museum, a museum of archaeology, is the next stop that any visitor to Cairo should take should follow the Pyramids. Explore the complex of halls with more than 100,000 relics that depict the history of ancient China and its people for 5000 years, from jewelry to majestic statues made of stones. It is well-known for its Egyptian collection, including the gold funerary mask of the young pharaoh Tutankhamun and the almost complete mummy of the king himself. Others are the great statue of Amenhotep III, the statue of Queen Tiye, and scenics depicting daily life in the ancient civilization of Egypt.

Coptic Cairo

Get a glimpse into Egypt’s Christianity when you visit Coptic Cairo, the area that was a fortified Christian city established by the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD. Today, Coptic Cairo mainly includes the Church of Saint Virgin Mary which was built during the ninth century and it is also referred to as the Hanging Church as it is built over a gateway. This building houses the Coptic Museum that showcases the Coptic Art and ancient artifacts on three floors. It is imperative to visit the Church of Saint Sergius which has existed for centuries and contains wells and the Ben Ezra Synagogue – the place where baby Moses was found, according to tradition.

Khan el-Khalili

The Khan el-Khalili bazaar is a large marketplace covering several city blocks and has been in existence since the 14th century, and the merging of the historical past is apparent in Cairo. Waste your time walking amidst the labyrinth of narrow streets with shops, cafes, and glass-covered arcades. Haggle over Egyptian trinkets, silver, spices, and many other items as you navigate through one of the biggest markets in Africa and the Middle East. Do not forget to visit an ahwa traditional coffeehouse for tea and shisha when you are shopping.

The Citadel

The medieval Islamic Citadel in Cairo is located on a limestone spur and offers panorama views from above, which are splendid. Take your time to appreciate the elaborated Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan at the base before heading to a vast territory that houses three disparate mosques. I highly recommend not climbing the narrow spiral staircase located in one of the minarets of the Ottoman-era Muhammad Ali Mosque to capture stunning views of the city. Before you leave, be sure to drop by the National Military Museum which provides a keepsake of the Egyptian military history spanning over 200 years.

Memphis

Memphis is a city located 15 miles south of Cairo and is the site of the first capital of Egypt. Today it is an archaeological site and an open-air museum situated near Mit Rahina village; however, Memphis was one of the ancient cities in Egypt and the largest non-royal city of its time which witnessed the power and trade of Pharaohs. Explore the site to be able to appreciate several large statues such as the statue of Ramses II, temples, and tombs. Other attractions include the Step Pyramid Complex of Djoser at Saqqara, and the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur which can be visited on the same day if visiting Memphis.

Old Cairo

Come to a more modern part of Egypt and enjoy a walk in the Old Cairo district that combines memories of Egypt from the early centuries and Roman, Christian as well as Islamic periods. The forts built by the Romans are also visible up to date and traces of Babylon include the Roman theatre and the bath. While visiting, do not fail to tour the Cave Church where the tomb of Saint Simon is located, and the well-renovated Ben Maimon Synagogue which is recorded to be the oldest in Cairo. The Amir Taz Palace and medieval mosques do feature later Islamic architecture and decorative elements as well.

Aswan Day Tour

Book Egypt a seamless day tour to explore Aswan – the southern city of Egypt with the best Nile view and most fascinating ancient attractions. Explore the Aswan High Dam, which is the largest one in the world; enjoy the Philae Temple complex relocated due to the Nile River floods; make a felucca cruise around Elephantine Island. On the tour, there is a chance to marvel at the Unfinished Obelisk and the wonderful Temple of Queen Hatshepsut carved into stones of the desert. This is in effect a 14-hour tour of the Nile Valley without the night traversal.

Islamic Cairo

Old Cairo currently makes up the Islamic quarter of modern Cairo city with more than 600 categorized Islamic antiquities. From the massive Cairo Citadel topped with gold domes to the Al Azhar Mosque home to the world’s oldest university, Islamic Cairo is perfect for sight-seeing. Visit medieval madrassas, tour through luxurious Ottoman wikalas transformed into chic hotels, and explore cramped Mameluke backstreet mosques with stunning facade ornamentation for a complete Islamic architecture trip in Cairo.

Mameluk History Trail

The Mameluks who controlled Egypt dominated the region for about 300 years when they were overthrown by the Ottomans in 1517. There is evidence of their rule and domination in all the parts of Cairo that are associated with the Islamic structures. Check out their history route to observe the stunning artwork of Mamluk style in many buildings such as the Complex of Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad Ibn Qalawun which is featured with a tall minaret and mausoleum. Other attractions include the madrasa and tomb of Sultan Al-Zahir Barquq and the ancient Mamluk street of Bayn Al-Qasrayn which used to connect two Mamluk palaces in Cairo.

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