Unique Activities Around Cairo, Egypt
An Overview of Cairo
Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, is a vibrant and bustling metropolis that’s steeped in history and culture. The city is located on the banks of the Nile River and is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, including the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Cairo Citadel. Cairo is also known for its rich art, music, and cuisine, and visitors can explore a variety of museums, galleries, and markets to experience the city’s unique culture. With a population of over 20 million people, Cairo is one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East, and it’s a hub for commerce, tourism, and education. Despite its size and modernity, Cairo remains deeply connected to its ancient roots, and visitors can easily spend days or even weeks exploring the city’s many historic sites and cultural attractions.
Advice When Visiting Cairo
When visiting Cairo, it’s important to keep a few things in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Dress appropriately: Cairo is a conservative city, and it’s important to dress appropriately to respect local customs and traditions. Women should cover their shoulders and avoid wearing short skirts or shorts, and men should avoid wearing sleeveless shirts.
Stay hydrated: Cairo can get extremely hot, especially during the summer months, so it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
Be wary of scams: Like any major tourist destination, Cairo has its fair share of scams and hustlers. Be wary of anyone who approaches you on the street and offers to be your guide or sell you something.
Negotiate prices: Bargaining is a common practice in Cairo, especially in markets and bazaars. Be prepared to negotiate prices for goods and services, and don’t be afraid to walk away if you feel like you’re being ripped off.
Respect local customs: Egyptians are known for their hospitality and friendliness, but it’s important to respect local customs and traditions. Avoid public displays of affection, and be mindful of local customs when visiting religious sites.
Unique Activities Around Cairo, Egypt
The Bent Pyramid
The Bent Pyramid is an ancient Egyptian pyramid located at the royal necropolis of Dahshur, approximately 40 kilometres south of Cairo, built under the Old Kingdom Pharaoh Sneferu. A unique example of early pyramid development in Egypt, this was the second pyramid built by Sneferu. It is nearby the The Black Pyramid and the Red Pyramid.
Pyramid of Pepi II
The pyramid of Pepi II was the tomb of Pharaoh Pepi II, located in southern Saqqara, to the northwest of the Mastabat al-Fir’aun. It was the final full pyramid complex to be built in Ancient Egypt. Long used as a quarry, the pyramid was excavated for the first time by Gaston Maspero in 1881.
Mit Rahina Museum
This is a small museum housing the huge statue of Ramesses II. This museum contains the only remaining evidence of ancient Memphis in a noteworthy open-air display.
The Excavated Tombs of Saqqara
Located next to a series of resorts, this massive archeological area contains some of the most potent remnants, tombs, pyramids and dig sites pertaining to Ancient Egyptian culture. This includes Tomb of Horemheb, Saqqara Necropolis, Pyramid of Djoser, Imhotep Museum, Pyramid of Userkaf, Mastaba of Mereruka burial tombs, Serapeum of Saqqara underground chambers, The Cobra Wall, Gisr el-Mudir dig site and more.
The Great Pyramids of Giza
While the legendary trinity of pyramids needs no introduction, many of the spaces nearby merit a visit. This includes the Great Sphinx of Giza, Khufu’s ship, the Giza Necropolis, The West Field at Giza and Mastaba of Hemiunu.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
This is an archaeological museum under construction in Giza, Egypt, about 2 kilometres from the Giza pyramid complex. The museum houses various artworks, guides to hieroglyphs, unique architecture and amazing designs.
Khan El Khalili
Established in the 14th century, the Khan El-Khalili market in Cairo has always been an important district for cultural and economic activity. It’s full of cheap and interesting traditional wares.
Pharaonic Village
The Pharaonic Village is an open-air tourism museum located in Cairo, Egypt. It is a unique and fascinating attraction that provides visitors with a glimpse into the ancient world of the Pharaohs. The village is home to a variety of replicas of ancient Egyptian monuments, including temples, tombs, and pyramids.
Al-Roda Nileometer
A nilometer was a structure for measuring the Nile River’s clarity and water level during the annual flood season. There were three main types of nilometers, calibrated in Egyptian cubits: a vertical column, a corridor stairway of steps leading down to the Nile, or a deep well with culvert.
The Hanging Church
An interesting walk by sight, this building is a Coptic Orthodox church with a wooden roof in the shape of Noah’s ark, a 5th-century pulpit & icons.
Exploring Old Cairo
Old Cairo is a historic area in Cairo, Egypt, which includes the site of a Roman-era fortress, the Christian settlement of Coptic Cairo, and the Muslim-era settlements pre-dating the founding of Cairo proper in 969 AD. It is part of what is referred to as Historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
قبة الامام الشافعي – The Mausoleum of Imam al-Shafi’i
The building is distinguished by its ornate wooden dome, which is the largest dome in Egypt. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful and ornate sites in Cairo.
St. Simon “The Tanner” Monastery
Also known as an immense cave church and formally known as St. Simon the Tanner Monastery, Cairo’s vast Cave Church pays tribute to a miracle St. Simon (also written St. Samaan or St. Simeon) is believed to have performed. The city’s Coptic Orthodox Christian garbage collectors (Zabbaleen) dug the church out of the Mokattam mountain during the 1970s.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali
The Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha or Alabaster Mosque is a mosque situated in the Citadel of Cairo in Egypt and was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848. This area includes the main mosque grounds, Palace Ablaq, Al-Gawhara Palace, Citadel Saladin and Al-Nasser Mohammed Ibn Kalawoun.
Beit Al-Razzaz
Bayt al-Razzaz is a historic residential complex located in the district of Darb al-Ahmar, where heritage conservation has contributed to revitalization efforts over the last decade. Ahmad Katkhuda al-Razzaz, the heir of a wealthy Ottoman rice merchant, created the complex in the late eighteenth century by joining two adjacent palaces.
Al-Azhar Park
This is a public park located in qism al-Darb al-Ahmar, in Historic Cairo, Egypt. This park also hosts the legendary cemetery otherwise known as City Of The Dead of Cairo Egypt. This is a sprawling ancient cemetery known for its warren of ornate tombs, mausoleums & historic burial sites.
Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo
The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, Egypt is considered one of the greatest museums in the world, with its exceptional collection of rare woodwork and plaster artefacts, as well as metal, ceramic, glass, crystal, and textile objects of all periods, from all over the Islamic world.
Khan el-Khalili
Khan el-Khalili is a famous bazaar and souq in the historic center of Cairo, Egypt. Established as a center of trade in the Mamluk era and named for one of its several historic caravanserais, the bazaar district has since become one of Cairo’s main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike.
Sabil-Kuttab of Abdel Rahman Katkhuda
Sabil-Kuttab of Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda is a historic monument in the historic district of Cairo, Egypt. It comprises a public fountain or sabil, an elementary Quran school or kuttab, and an adjacent residential wing.
Abdeen Palace Museum
Abdeen District is the home of Abdeen Palace, a 19th-century Cairo palace built by Khedive Ismail and served as Egypt’s seat of government from 1874 until the July Revolution in 1952. Since then it is one of the presidential palaces.
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, commonly known as simply the Egyptian Museum, located in Cairo, Egypt, houses the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. It houses over 120,000 items, with a representative amount on display. Located in a building built in 1901, it is the largest museum in Africa.
Baron Empain Palace
The Baron Empain Palace, better known as Le Palais Hindou, is a distinctive and historic Hindu temple inspired mansion in Heliopolis, a suburb northeast of central Cairo, Egypt.
Prince Mohamed Ali Palace (Al Manial Palace)
The Manial Palace and Museum is a former Alawiyya dynasty era palace and grounds on Rhoda Island on the Nile. It is located in the Sharia Al-Saray area in the El-Manial district of southern Cairo, Egypt.
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