To-GoFamous Places to go in Egypt
Updated: Jul 24, 2021
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Places you should visit in Egypt.
Part 1- Cairo & Giza.
When people hear the word "Egypt", they think of the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Nile.
However, for more than 7,000 years of unique history, heritage and culture, there are many other fantastic attractions in Egypt to visit.
Here are the most famous attraction places you should visit or know about...
**ALL PRICES ARE BASED ON THE PRICES FROM THE MINISTRY OF ANTIQUITIES AND TOURISM OF EGYPT**
Cairo
Cairo Opera House
The Cairo Opera House or "Egyptian Opera House", part of Cairo's National Cultural Centre, is the main performing arts venue in the Egyptian capital. The opera house was inaugurated on 10 October 1988. It was the first time for Japan to stage a Kabuki show, (a traditional popular drama with singing and dancing), in Africa or the Arab World.
The London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra chose it as a venue for their first performance in the Middle East and Africa in January 2007.
Cairo Tower
Due to its height of 187 meters, the Cairo tower offers the most amazing panoramic views of Cairo.
It is a free-standing concrete tower in Cairo, located on Gezira Island in River Nile, Zamalek District.
It has been the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa for many years.
It is considered one of the major tourist attractions in Cairo.
Built from 1954 to 1961, and was designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Shebib.
Its design looks like the pharaonic lotus plant,
The tower is crowned by a circular observation deck and a rotating restaurant with a view over greater Cairo. One rotation takes approximately 70 minutes.
The Tower and its various restaurants were fully renovated in 2009.
Opening Hours: From 8:00 am to midnight.
Tickets: 60 EGP per person (while children under 6 years old go free).
Baron Empain Palace
The Baron Empain Palace, "Qasr el Baron", is a historic and luxurious palace inspired by Indian architecture built by the Belgian millionaire
Baron decided to establish a palace, which was a legendary palace, and it was designed as that all the rooms and the lobbies don't miss the sun.
The palace was designed by French architect Alexandre Marcel and decorated by Georges-Louis Claude. Inspired by the Hindu temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, it was built between 1907 and 1911, in reinforced concrete.
Opening Hours : 09:00AM to 03:00 PM
Tickets: Foreigners: Adult: EGP 100 / Student: EGP 50
Egyptians/Arabs: Adult: EGP 20 / Student: EGP 10 -
The Roof Foreigners: EGP 50 Egyptians: EGP 20 -Photo shot tickets (by camera ) : Camera:EGP 50 \ Camera Stand: EGP 20 - Photo Session:EGP 800.
Islamic & Coptic Monuments
Khan Al Khalily
Khan El-Khalily souk in Cairo's biggest open-air market that was built in 1382.
Khan El-Khalily is today the heart of Islamic Cairo, found to the west of the El Hussien square.
This bazaar is famous for its unusual souvenirs and handmade crafts.
The bazaar has beautiful cafes, restaurants, shops, plus a large number of vendors and buyers.
The most famous cafe there is Al Fishawi Cafe.
You can buy anything from spices, food, lamps, gold, silver, and copper goods and souvenirs as shoes, clothes, chess sets, cushions, ceramics, rugs, and fabrics in its narrow streets.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
El Moez Street
It is one of the oldest streets in Cairo, its length is approximately one kilometer long.
The street is named for Al-Moez li-Din Allah, the fourth caliph of the Fatimid dynasty. Today, it is the largest open-air museum for Islamic monuments in the world, and a unique heritage site that was added to The UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
The historical street stretches between two of the gates of Cairo’s old city walls, from Bab al-Futuh in the north to Bab Zuwayla in the south, passing along many of the significant and uniquely preserved ancient alleys and streets, such as Amir al-Juyush Street, Darb al-Asfar and Bergowan Alley, Khan al-Khalili and al-Ghuriyya.
The northern part of the street extends from the Al-Hakim Mosque in the north to the Spice Market at Al-Azhar Street and includes the antique markets section, Al-Aqmar Mosque (one of the few extant Fatimid mosques), the Qalawun complex, and several well preserved medieval mansions and palaces.
Here Are some places in Al Moez street:
Bab Zuwayla
It is one of Cairo’s most iconic monuments. It is the only remaining gate of the southern wall of the city’s Fatimid phase. It opens onto the historical‑Mu’izz Street, which leads to Bab al‑Futuh at its northern end. Built by the Fatimid vizier and commander‑in‑chief, Badr al‑Jamali, in 480 AH/1092 AD.
Bab Zuwayla witnessed the end of Mamluk rule when the Ottoman Sultan, Selim I, hanged the last Mamluk Sultan, Tumanbay in 922 AH/1517 AD.
Opening Hours: From 09:00 AM To 04:00 PM.
Tickets: Foreigners: Adult: EGP 40 / Student: EGP 20 .
Egyptians/Arabs: Adult: EGP 10 / Student: EGP 5.
Bab Al Futuh & Bab AL Nasr
Bab al Futuh & Bab Al Nasr are one of three remaining gates in the walls of the old city of Cairo. It was finished in the year 1087 and faces north. The other remaining gate is Bab Zuwayla in the south. Bab al-Nasr is in the north and Bab Al Futuh is in the north. Bab al-Zuwayla, Bab al-Futuh & Bab Al Nasr are located on Muizz Street in Cairo. It was built by the vizier and commander‑in‑chief, Badr al‑Jamali, during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al‑Mustansir Billah.
Mosque of al‑Hakim bi‑Amr Allah
The Mosque of al‑Hakim bi‑Amr Allah is the fourth oldest mosque in Egypt and the second largest after the Mosque of Ibn Tulun. It is named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (985–1021), the sixth Fatimid caliph, and 16th Ismaili Imam. The mosque is located at the end of al‑Mu’izz Street in the al‑Jamaliya district, between Bab al‑Futuh and Bab al‑Nasr.
Al Aqmar Mosque
Al-Aqmar mosque is located on al‑Mu’izz Street. Similar to the mosque of al-Azhar (970) and the mosque of al-Hakim (990-1013).
Beit Al suheymi
It is an old Ottoman house museum in Cairo.
It was originally built in 1648 by Abdel Wahab el Tablawy and in 1796 it was purchased by Sheikh Ahmed as-Suheymi whose family held it for several generations.
The Sheikh greatly extended the house from its original by incorporating neighboring houses into its structure.
A family mansion is famous for its unique mashrabiyya—wooden-lattice screens.
The house is built around a courtyard in the center of which there is a small garden with plants and palm trees.
Today the house is a museum you can find the beautiful marble floor work, wooden furniture, and ceiling decor is still intact.
Opening Hours: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Tickets: Foreigners: Adults: EGP 80 / Student: EGP 40
Egyptians/Arabs: Adults: EGP 10 / Student: EGP 5.
Sultan al-Mu'ayyad Mosque
The mosque is located in al-Mu’iz Street, adjacent to Bab Zuwaila. Sultan Al-Mu’ayyad Sheikh founded it in 818 AH / 1415 AD. The mosque was characterized by its unique construction, as its two minarets were built over another monument, Bab Zuweila. This gate dates to the Fatimid period and is adjacent to the mosque. Both structures were integrated to create the mosque. Together, they formed a wonderful architectural unit. The western minaret bears the name of the mosque’s founder, Sultan Al-Mu’ayyad. The other records the name Muhammad ibn al-Qazzaz, a minaret’s employee.
Mausoleum of al-Saleh Najm al-Din Ayyub
The Mausoleum of al-Saleh Najm al-Din Ayyub is located between al-Qasrayn (the two palaces) in al-Mu’izz Street and dates to 648 AH / 1250 AD. The complex was founded by the AyyubsultanAs-Salih Ayyub in 1242 and his mausoleum was added to it by Shajarr ad-Durr upon his death in 1249. It was one of the most prominent centers of Islamic learning in the Ayyubid and Mamluk eras in the 13th–14th centuries CE. Its remains are located on al-Muizz Street in the historic district of Cairo across from the Complex of Sultan Qalawun.
Sabil-Kuttab of Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda
This Sabil is located at the intersection of Al-Mu’iz and Tambakshiya streets. Prince Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda al-Qazdagli, an Ottoman military man, established it in 1157 AH / 1744 AD. Sabils are charitable institutions built to provide clean and fresh water to people away from the Nile.
Al Sultan Barquq
This building is considered one of the largest multi-purpose complexes to be erected in the cemeteries of Egypt, for it consists of a mosque, a khanqah for Sufi residents, a madrasa for religious learning, two mausoleums, two sabils (water dispensaries), and on top of each sabil, a kuttab, a Qur'anic school for children.
Its inauguration took place two years later, in 788 AH / 1386 AD.
Opening Hours: From 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM.
Cairo Citadel
The Citadel of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) is one of the most iconic monuments in Islamic Cairo, and among the most impressive defensive fortresses dating to the Middle Ages. Built by ruler Salah Al-din Al Ayouby between 1176 and 1183, The Citadel has witnessed numerous historical events throughout Egyptian history. For many centuries, it was the seat of the king and his government in Egypt.
The Citadel has defended Egypt against many violent attacks throughout time. And the reason for the Citadel’s construction was the risk posed to Cairo by the crusaders.
Its strategic location on the Muqattam Hills gave it a formidable defensive position, and offered, as it still does today, an unrestricted panoramic view of Cairo.
The citadel includes the marvelous Mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha, which dominates the citadel & shown the best example of Ottoman architecture in Egypt.
Also, it includes the Mamluk Mosque of Al Nasser Mohamed Ibn Qalawun (718AH/1318 AD), the Ottoman-era Sulayman Pasha al-Khadim Mosque (built 935 AH / c.1528 AD), as well as several museums such as the Police Museum, Al-Jawhara Palace Museum, the Royal Vehicle Museum, and the Military Museum.
In 1976, it was listed by UNESCO as a part of the World Heritage Site Historic Cairo (Islamic Cairo).
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Tickets: For foreigners 100 EGP/ Students 5 EGP
Egyptian/Arab 30 EGP/ Students 10 EGP.