Cairo Attractions : Most often Cairo is the starting point for a

traditional Egypt tour. It is the city of a

thousand minarets, teeming with life, and

chock-full of great tourist attractions as

follow :

The Giza Pyramids and the

Sphinx :

Most must-see attractions within the

Giza area are concentrated on the Giza

plateau at the end of Pyramids Road.

These include:

The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)

The Great Giza Pyramid of Khufu is the

last surviving member of the Seven

Wonders of the Ancient World. It was

originally 146 m (479 ft) high but now

stands a still impressive 137 m (449 ft).

Over 2 million blocks of stone were used

to construct it, and all with manual labor.

The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren)

The Giza Pyramid of Khafre is a little

smaller than the Great Pyramid but

appears slightly larger than it from a few

angles because of a better position on the

plateau.

The Solar Barque Museum

The Solar Barque Museum is just

alongside the southern face of the Great

Pyramid. This museum is well done and

showcases an excavated reconstructed

"solar boat," which was buried with the

pharaoh for use on his daily journey with

the sun across the sky. Entry fee is LE 40.

The Interior of the Pyramids

If you venture into the interior of the

pyramids, be warned that they're hot,

humid and may be claustrophobic. If you

can stand it, however, entrance into them

is very interesting and educational.

Personal viewing of the interior walls and

passageways can give you an even deeper

appreciation of the tremendous

achievements these pyramid builders

attained when they built these impressive

structures.

The Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus)

The Giza Pyramid of Menkaure is the

smallest of the Giza Pyramids and stands

just 62 m (203 ft) high (originally 66.5 m).

It should be noted that although not all of

that Pyramids can be equally accessed so

that interested parties can explore them

inside, the Egyptian Supreme Council of

Antiquities will be closing even the

accessible ones one at a time so that they

can do conservation and renovation work.

The Sphinx and the Temple of the Sphinx

The Sphinx, a colossal, recumbent human-

headed lion, was the Egyptians'

representation of the sun god Re-

Horakhty - "Horus of the horizon".

Egyptians call it Abu el-Hol, the "Father of

Terror." In addition, the Greek name

"Sphinx," when translated, means

"Strangler".

45 meters long and 22 meters wide, it is

carved from a giant block of sandstone

and is much smaller than the Pyramids

surrounding it. It's also missing the nose,

purportedly the victim of target practice

by bored soldiers. Some say these soldiers

were British soldiers in World War I or

that they were Napoleon's troops in 1798,

but 18th-century drawings show the nose

is already missing, which thus points the

finger at the occupying troops.

Complete your visit by going to the

various Queens' Pyramids and Nobles'

Tombs, which are located in regimented

cemeteries surrounding the royal

Pyramids

The Egyptian Museum:

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo provides

you with the opportunity to see Egypt

ancient history up close and personal.

This museum is a must on your Cairo

travel itinerary.

Cairo has a number of wonderful things to

offer to visitors. It is located on the

beautiful Nile, and it is close to some of

the most famous sites in all of Egypt – the

Great Pyramids of Egypt and the Sphinx.

Everyone who comes to the beautiful city

will find a number of wonderful things

that will keep him or her busy.

The Egyptian government established the

museum, located in Cairo, in 1835. They

began the museum as an effort to stop all

of the plundering and looting that was

going on at all of the different

archaeological sites in the area. The

museum would protect the priceless

artifacts that trace Egypt's past.

The Egyptian Museum has a number of

wonderful items in their collection. When

you visit Cairo, you must stop by the

museum and take a look at everything it

has to offer.

Funerary Works

The Egyptians have a very unique belief

in the afterlife, and this collection

contains many traces of that. One can see

sarcophagi, funeral art, and many other

items and artifacts.

Jewelry

Egyptian jewelry is beautiful and unique,

and the museum has the most incredible

collections in the world. You can see

jewelry of both silver and gold, some even

inset with precious stones. The

workmanship is highly detailed and

beautiful.

Sculpture

Egyptian sculpture was used for religious

depictions and was often located in

temples and tombs. The museum houses a

number of different sculptures from

throughout the history of the culture of

Egypt. The attention to detail in the

sculptures is incredible.

Some of the most impressive pieces in the

collection are a sculpture of the goddess

Selket from the Canopic Shrine and the

bust of King Merenptah. You can find a

wide variety of sculptures.

King Tut

Probably the most famous artifacts in the

entire museum belong to the King Tut

collection. A boy king, he ruled for only

nine years, but his power and legend are

still felt today. He had in incredible

collection of treasure and much of that is

located at the museum.

Some of the most impressive pieces in

this collection are shields, bracelets,

jewelry and more. The collection is vast,

and has a great variety of items.

Anyone who comes to Cairo should make

certain to visit the Egyptian Museum. It

makes a great place to visit along with the

pyramids and the other historical sites

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar:

The Khan El Khalili Bazaar is one of the

oldest markets in Egypt, begun in the late

1300s. This bazaar still operates and

allows you to experience an exciting

world where treasures can still be found.

open Air Markets In Islamic Cairo:

Islamic Cairo is famous for its open air

markets where vendors hawk their wares

to anyone and everyone who passes by.

Haggling is the order of the day and, once

one gets used to it, it can be quite fun! One

of the most famous of these markets is the

Khan El Khalili Bazaar. It's not just a

tourist attraction, the many wares are of

high enough quality to lure locals as well

as those just visiting the nation.

History

This market has deep historical roots. It was started in the late 1300's and founded by Emir Djaharks el-Kalili under

Burji Mamlik Sultan Barquq. The Emir built what is called a caravanserai, a place where travelers stopped to rest for a while on their long journeys. These waypoints are unique to the Middle East and allowed for enough room so that animals could be allowed to take in the shade, as well. The original caravanserai still stands today in the market.

Souvenirs

The market is famous for clothing, spices, traditional jewelry and perfumes. The items are of high quality which is part of the reason that this market has survived for so long. The bazaar is far from a tourist trap, though there are plenty of souvenirs available. Many of the high quality cloths and other items made by local artisans

provide the best souvenirs, however, as they are a part of Egypt's people and culture.

The Coffee

This Egyptian bazaar is a great place to while away an entire day. The sights and sounds are enduring examples of the Egyptian culture that have been going on for hundreds of years. For a break from the heat, there are plenty of coffee shops along the street. Egyptians like their coffee strong, so be prepared for quite a jolt from their favored drink, but also prepare for some of the most exotic tasting coffee you'll ever have.

The Souk

Open air markets such as Khan El Khalili

Bazaar and the other markets in Old Cairo

are called a "souk" in Arabic. The tradition

of buying and selling, haggling and

bargaining among the crowds is more

than a consumer activity in Egypt. It's a

great way to socialize and meet new

people.

You'll find many tourists visiting the

bazaar area and, given the fact that it's

one of Cairo's major draws, you'll likely

find more than a few from your own

country as well.

El Azhar Park :

Located in the heart of old historic Cairo

and commanding stunning panoramic

views of the world's most intriguing city,

Al-Azhar Park offers every visitor a

glimpse into the captivating past. Lush

green landscaped gardens are an

enjoyable sojourn away from city's major

tourist attractions. Embracing valuable

history, the park is home to the newly

discovered Ayyubid wall, constructed by

Salah El Din more than 800 years ago.

Covering an area of about 30 hectares, al-

Azhar Park is the largest expanse of green

in Cairo. Established by the Aga Khan

Trust For Culture in 1984, it was built

over the top of a huge pile of rubble that

had been turned in to a rubbish tip. Don’t

let this put you off: al-Azhar Park is a

peaceful oasis on the edge of the chaos

that is Islamic Cairo.

Paths meander through idyllic gardens,

and you are never far from one of the

many water features. It’s a great place to

relax, and many people take a picnic. If

you’d rather be waited upon, there are

four restaurant/cafes located in the

grounds. Because al-Azhar Park is on a

hill, you get amazing views all over Cairo.

On a clear day you can even see the

Pyramids!

As with much of Cairo, the best bit is

people-watching: old men reminiscing on

benches, children playing leapfrog, and

daring young lovers holding hands as

they stroll through their own little world.

If history is your thing, then check out the

800 year-old Ayyubid wall that has been

partially restored. If music is more your

scene, then ask at the information desk

about up-and-coming concerts; many of

them are free!

Al-Azhar Park is a perfect place to chill

out after you’ve tackled some of the

nearby sights of Islamic Cairo, such as

Khan al-Khalili or the Citadel. You can get

here by taxi, or even walk up from Khan

al-Khalili.

The Cairo Citadel:

Explore amazing medieval architecture at

The Cairo Citadel. Learn why you should

consider adding the Citadel of Cairo to

your travel itinerary.

Saladin Citadel of Cairo

The Citadel, also known as the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cairo and throughout all of Egypt. Cairo is the capital of Egypt and also the 13th largest city in the world. About 16 million people live in the city and enjoy it not only for its thriving modern society but also for its historical significance. The Citadel is part of the Muqattam Hill near the center of the city. It was once renowned for its breezes and beautiful scenery, as far back as Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din, who built it and then fortified it against attack. The estimated construction date is between 1176 and 1183.

The Mosques Inside

You may notice that the Cairo Citadel is also referred to as the Mohamed Ali Citadel because inside, it holds the actual Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, built in the 19th century. The mosque was constructed in honor and in memory of Muhammad Ali's oldest son who died young. There are two other mosques to see at the Cairo Citadel: the Hypostyle Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad and the Mosque of Suleyman Pasha. Other sights to see include Al-Gawhara Palace, the National Military Museum and the Police Museum. There are also music events that are held in various areas of the citadel. The Citadel of Cairo has been called a grand castle and still contains many artifacts and surviving properties of ancient civilization. For example, water pipes that used to carry the water from the Nile River to the citadel can still be seen.

The View is Spectacular

What have tourists said regarding the experience? The scenery is definitely the best feature of the Citadel. Some tourists have remarked that it’s as if nothing has changed in the Saladin Citadel for century. There are still medieval decorations, wooden bay windows and decorative arches. Many tourists have commented that the view from the terraces is the most exciting and inspiring aspect of the experience. In addition to the scenery, remember that there are also several museums to enjoy as well as historical buildings, mosques and other “ancient” style amenities. Experienced tourists suggest that you wander around at your own pace and preferably away from the crowds, as there are a lot of people coming in and out. The Citadel is not only one of Cairo’s top attractions but also one of the most iconic images in the world. Come experience the beauty of the Saladin Citadel of Cairo!