Things to do in Cairo
The imposing Citadel offers views of Islamic Cairo's medieval market streets and ornate mosques, and busy Downtown with the Egyptian Museum. To the south are peaceful Coptic Cairo's Christian churches. A Felucca ride along the Nile brings you alongside affluent Gezira and Zamalek. On the outskirts are the mammoth Pyramids at Giza. Most major attractions are open daily, around 9am-5pm, usually changing during the month of Ramadan.
Umm Kulsoum Museum
Singer's memorabilia museum
Honouring Egypt's - and probably the Arab world's - best-known singer, the
small Umm Kulsoum Museum in Rhoda has photographs and memorabilia of her
life. A short film portrays her early life when she performed disguised as a
boy.
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Cost
E£2
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-2pm
Address
Sharia al-Malek as-Salih, Rhoda, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0) 2 2363 1467
Transport
Metro to Opera
Coptic Museum
Coptic artefacts
More than an archive of Coptic history, Cairo's Coptic Museum is a case study
in the formative years of a major religion. It houses the world's most
important collection of Coptic art, showing examples of the first Christian
representations.
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Cost
E£50
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm
Address
Mary George Street, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0) 2 2362 8766
Egyptian Museum
Ancient artefacts and mummies
Boy king Tutankhamun's gold and lapis-lazuli burial-mask and coffin are
highlights of the Egyptian Museum in Downtown Cairo. With over 120,000
antiquities, covering centuries of ancient history, be selective. Royal
mummies, immersed in hallowed hush, are worth the extra ticket.
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Cost
E£60; mummies E£100
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-6pm
Address
Midan Tahrir, Cairo 11557
Telephone
+20 (0) 2 2578 2448
Transport
Metro to Sadat
Citadel
Imposing landmark with views
An unmissable landmark, the Citadel near Islamic Cairo was home to Egypt's
rulers for 700 years. With great city views - and breeze - the huge fortress
contains mosques, palaces and museums including the white marble Mohammed
Ali Mosque.
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Cost
E£40
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-4pm (mosques closed Fri during prayers)
Address
Midan el-Qala'a, Cairo
Telephone
+2 (0) 225123109
Transport
Taxi
Hanging Church
Coptic 9th-century church
In serene Coptic Cairo, the Hanging Church was built above a Roman water
gate, and ascended by steep stairway. Renovated many times, the interior of
the 9th-century church has 13 pillars holding up the pulpit, representing
Jesus and his disciples.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm (Coptic Mass Fri 8am-11am & Sun 7am-10am)
Address
Shariah Mar Girgis, Cairo
Transport
Metro to Mar Girgis
Ibn Tulun Mosque
Ancient mosque
Made from mud-brick and wood, Ibn Tulun Mosque in Sharia Ibn Tulun was built
in 879AD, featuring a pointed arch well before Gothic architecture, and
decorative inner arcades. The minaret can be ascended by spiral staircase
for city views.
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Cost
Free (donation welcome)
Opening Hours
Daily 8am-6pm
Address
Sharia Ibn Tulun, Cairo
Transport
Taxi
Pyramids at Giza
World wonder necropolis
The last surviving of the Seven Wonders of the World, Giza's three immense
pyramids, Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, built over 4000 years ago, were the
pharaohs' necropolis. Check out Solar Barque Museum's ancient cedarwood
boat. Early morning is coolest.
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Cost
E£60 (Great Pyramid of Khufu E£100); Solar Barque Museum E£50
Opening Hours
Daily 8am-5pm
Address
Giza Plateau, Giza, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0) 2 33838823
Transport
Bus 355 or 357 from Downtown Cairo
Al-Azhar Park
Serene green space
A welcome green space in chaotic Islamic Cairo, the 30-hectare city-centre
Al-Azhar Park was completed in 2005 and landscaped after clearing a
rubbish-filled wasteland. Inside is the restored 12th-century Ayyubid Wall,
plus paved walkways, serene cafes and panoramic Citadel views.
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Cost
E£10
Opening Hours
9am-12am
Address
Shariah Salah Salem, Cairo
Felucca ride
Traditional Nile cruise
To see Cairo at its most serene, hire a felucca, a traditional wooden boat,
and captain to sail down the Nile for city views. Sunset has the best light,
plus sounds of the call to prayer from many surrounding mosques.
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Cost
E£30 (approx)
Opening Hours
Sunrise to late evening
Address
Corniche el-Nil, Garden City (opposite Grand Hyatt), Cairo
Transport
Metro to Giza
