Cairo is a city of many wonders, and its history is one of the richest in the whole world. With all the ancient ruins and modern towers that Cairo is host to, you will definitely find something interesting for you!
For travelers, Cairo is one of the most visited cities in Egypt. It is known for its monuments and ancient history, as well as for its Islamic heritage. This travel blog post brings you some of the most popular and beautiful monuments in Cairo you must visit.
About Cairo
Egypt is a country in Northern Africa, and its capital is Cairo. The city lies in the Nile Delta area.
Cairo is one of the largest cities in Africa, and it has been a center of commerce and culture since it was founded. The city has an estimated population of 18 million people, and it is ranked among the top ten most populated cities in the world.
Egypt’s capital city has the highest number of skyscrapers in Africa, and it is believed that many more are expected to be built in the future. Cairo is also one of the most archaeological cities in the world. The monuments in Cairo date from literally every millennium, from early prehistory to modern times.
Most popular monuments in Cairo Egypt
1. The Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum has a fascinating history behind it, and it is one of the largest museums in the world. The museum covers most of the periods in Egypt’s history, including the prehistoric, Pharaohs era, and the Coptic era. It also features a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. The artifacts have been divided into groups, and you can visit them in different halls in the museum.
2. The Citadel
This is probably one of the most famous landmarks in Egypt, and it is located on the eastern edge of Cairo. The fortress was designed to protect the city from potential invaders, and it works as a home for many army buildings and military offices. The Citadel is one of the most important monuments in Cairo and it is also host to several palaces and ancient mosques.
3. The Pyramids
The Pyramids are the most significant artificial objects globally and are found in Egypt. You can visit a few well-known ones, such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is built in an ideal shape and is considered one of the world’s seven wonders. Other famous pyramids are the Pyramid of Khufu and The Pyramid of Djoser.
4. Hanging Church of Virgin Mary
The Hanging Church of the Virgin Mary is also known as the Watchtower of Octa, and it is known for its unique sculpted detail on the upper part. Coptic Christians built this church, and it has been a popular destination for travelers since the 18th century. It is one of the most beautiful churches in Cairo, most especially due to its unique location at the top of a mountain.
5. Al-Azhar Mosque
Al-Azhar Mosque is probably the oldest and most famous mosque in Cairo. It is located in a very significant location that used to host a palace for the rulers of Egypt. The mosque contains many valuable manuscripts and books that great Islamic scholars wrote in the past. The most popular tourist destination in Al-Azhar Mosque is its minaret, one of Cairo’s highest ones.
6. Coptic Museum
This is a museum that was created in the 19th century to display artifacts and relics related to Coptic history. This museum has a lot of different exhibits that show how Coptic culture developed and how it influenced other cultures as well. The museum is dedicated to preserving all the artifacts related to Coptic history and maintaining accuracy concerning their original places of discovery.
7. Saqqara & Dahshur
The many other pyramids located at the large burial ground of Saqqara and the nearby area of Dahshur are one of the preferred locations by the visitors. At only a 30 km drive from Cairo, these sites encompass the famous Step Pyramid as well as the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid. The large burial place at Saqqara is also an archeological site that keeps unearthing many historical findings.
8. National Museum of Egyptian Civilizations – NMEC
A museum that tells the entire story of Egypt from its inception. It is the home to the Royal Mummies Collection and the famous Pharaonic mummies. It is located at Fustat which is only a 3 km walk from Coptic Cairo. It is currently partially opened and they’re planning to inherit a collection of over 50,000 artifacts to cover the history of Egyptian civilization.
9. Khan el-Khalili
The 14th-century market, Khan el-Khalili, offers a wide range of traditional crafts and souvenirs crafted by some of the best artists and workshops in Egypt. This place also has several restaurants, coffee shops, and street food vendors that offer a wide range of delicious cuisines. El Fishawi’s one of the oldest coffee houses today is been here since 1773. The Shrine of al-Hussein is also located at the boundary of Khan el-Khalil.
10. Cairo Festival City Mall
This is one of the biggest shopping malls in Egypt, and it is a popular destination for tourists as well. The mall is home to over 100 different brands, which means you can find almost anything here. The mall also has two hotels and restaurants, making it an excellent place to stay while visiting Cairo.
BONUS: Cairo Tower
This is the most admired tower in Cairo. It is made up of stones from all over the world, and it was built to be the tallest tower in all of Africa. This exciting building is mainly used for entertainment purposes, but you can also find a restaurant and observation deck on top of it.
These are the buildings and monuments you should explore when you visit Cairo Egypt. Make sure you complete your Egypt Air ticket booking to reach this beautiful city and explore its rich historical past, and you will be amazed by these unique places and their beauty. You should visit these monuments in Cairo to see why so many people have fallen in love with this city.
Mirela Letailleur is a Romanian travel blogger living in the South of France. She writes on The Travel Bunny travel blog about affordable travel in Europe. Creator of unique free travel guides and local travel expert. Problem solver. Wannabe coffee guru.
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