Dating back to 5500 BC, Egypt is the site of one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The country was once ruled by the mystical pharaohs and was later an important outpost for the Greek and Roman empires. The city of Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great himself in 332 BC. Thus, Egypt is a haven for travelers seeking to visit the stunning archaeological sites from some of the world’s classic civilizations. The backdrop of the Sahara desert and the ancient river Nile adds a mystical charm to these wonders. Following are just a few of the places in and near Cairo that have intrigued visitors for centuries. Destinations further afield, along the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Nile River will be highlighted in future meeting notices.
With a population clocking in at a whopping 21,750,020, The Greater Cairo Area is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the world. The megacity has nearly 20 thousand people per square kilometer, making it one of the world’s most densely populated cities. The Islamic Cairo district is filled with medieval mosques, monuments, and madrassas, and is one of the foremost Egypt tourist attractions. The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan is an impressive example and visible reminder of the Islamic heritage of this beautiful city.
One of the many places in ancient Egypt to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in central Cairo. The Saladin Citadel was built by the Ayyubid ruler Saladin to protect the first Egyptian capital under the Caliphate against Crusaders. The huge fortification is lined by several watchtowers and houses several stunning mosques and the Well of Joseph. The Al-Naseer, Sulayman Pasha and Al Gawhara Palace Museum are three places that are a must for Egypt sightseeing tours in Cairo. The panorama deck is located at the back entrance of Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque. When you are at the highest point of the citadel, you will have the feeling that you can see all the land of Egypt. The entrance fee is approximately USD$6.
Coptic Cairo is a part of Old Cairo which encompasses the Babylon Fortress, the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church, the Greek Church of St. George and many other Coptic churches and historical sites. The Coptic Museum is here, which holds the largest collection of Coptic Christian artwork and artifacts in the world. Founded in 1910, the museum records Coptic history from the arrival of Christianity in Egypt up through the Ottoman era, displaying a mixture of artwork influenced by Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman traditions.
The ancient cities of Egypt have been excavated to reveal temples, palaces, and tombs that are thousands of years old, and you may wonder where all the fabled treasure went. After all, the Egyptians were famous for burying their dead with all kinds of things – gold, golden artifacts, books, and so on. Worry not, because the Egyptian Museum is that dream come true. The pyramids tell you only half the story, the other half is housed in this biggest Egypt collection in the world, including the famous excavation from the tomb of Tutankhamun, making it one of the most spectacular Egypt places to visit.
Khan El Khalili bazaar is the oldest market of the middle east for cheap Egyptian gifts. This huge bazaar, located in the center of Islamic Cairo, houses innumerable mini bazaars and traditional coffee shops, attracting foreign tourists and Egyptians alike. The market has inspired many through the ages such as the Egyptian intellectual author Nageeb Mahfouz who wrote some of his famous novels in the street of Khan El Khalili.
The River Nile is the longest river in the world. Cairo lies on the east bank of the river and includes two islands, Gezira and Roda. The Nile in Egypt stretches from the northern border of Lake Nasser to the Mediterranean, where it splits into the Rashid and Damietta branches to make the Nile Delta. More than ninety-five percent of the people in Egypt live on the banks of the river, making it among the most densely inhabited areas in the world. The Nile is truly the lifeblood of Egypt. You can cruise the Nile in a traditional Felucca and experience Cairo from the water. Enjoy a relaxing experience sailing down the same river Cleopatra did so many centuries ago.
The Museum of Modern Egyptian Art, located in the Cairo Opera House, is Egypt's main modern art museum holding collections of early 20th Century contemporary art pioneers.
The Cairo Tower is a free-standing concrete tower in Cairo and the city’s most famous modern monument. At 187 meters you cannot miss it on Gezira Island in the River Nile, close to downtown Cairo. It is the best place to go for sweeping views of Cairo and Giza from above.
The three pyramids in Giza, which house the tombs of ancient pharaohs, are one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Located on the Giza Plateau adjacent to Cairo, the pyramids are the only Wonder to have remained intact over thousands of years. The Great Pyramid, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, is 138 meters high and is open to tourists via the Robber’s Tunnel. The limestone Sphinx structure is also part of the same complex. The pyramids of Giza complex is the jewel of Egypt tourist attractions, and it is recommended to spend at least 3 hours to half a day to see all three pyramids, enter one of the pyramids, visit the Solar Boat Museum (recently excavated from the base of the Great Pyramid), and the Worker's Cemetery. When visiting, it is best to purchase the Inclusive Area Tickets (approximately USD $20 for adults and $10 for children and students) which include entry to The Great Pyramid and the Solar Boat Museum. Once you have your tickets, it is important to know that there are two entrances to the Pyramids of Giza: The first is next to the Great Pyramid, near the Marriott Mena House hotel. The second is further down from the pyramids in front of the Sphinx.
Tips for Going Inside the Pyramids:
• The passageways and galleries inside the pyramids are very narrow, so please reconsider going inside if you suffer from claustrophobia.
• It takes about 30 minutes to complete a visit inside the Pyramids of Giza and can take longer on crowded days.
• Cameras are not allowed inside the pyramids, and you can leave them at the entrance with the guards. You will get a ticket to collect them after your visit.
• If you are planning to go inside the pyramids, avoid long flowy dresses as the passageways can get very steep.
• Remember that there are no mummies inside the pyramids, since they were all moved to the Egyptian Museum, which is well worth a visit.
• You cannot climb up the outside of the pyramids, as it is illegal and extremely dangerous.
Saqqara Necropolis is a vast ancient burial ground near the Pyramids, on the West Bank of the Nile, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Step Pyramid of Saqqara is one of its best attractions.
