There is no denying the main attractions drawing tourists to Cairo Egypt are the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, but you are missing out if you don’t explore the numerous attractions the city has to offer. Cairo is home to a number of archeological sites and ruins, as well as museums and bazaars.
Egyptian Museum
There may be no museum in the world quite like the Egyptian Museum. The Cairo Egyptian Museum boasts over 100,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt, including sarcophagi, pottery, and jewelry. With a museum this large, there is no chance of exploring everything, even if you made several visits. Instead of trying to see everything, it may be a good idea to stick to the most important exhibits. One of the main draws of the museum is the Tutankhamun exhibit. This must-see exhibit features King Tut’s golden funeral mask, and for an additional charge, you can also see the mummy room. Visitors have access to a gift shop and a café inside the museum.
Salah El-Din Citadel
Salah El-Din Citadel is another extremely popular Cairo attraction. This enormous fortress was constructed in the late 1100s by Salah al-Din, founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Salah El-Din Citadel features several museums, as well as three mosques, and the Gawhara Palace. You will also find vendors selling drinks and snacks onsite. One thing to note is that there are restrooms inside, but there is a charge to use them.
Saqqara
This archeological site houses the Step Pyramid of Djoser, a stone pyramid that dates back to the Third Dynasty (2649 to 2575 B.C.) The Pyramid of Djoser was originally built as a tomb for the pharaoh Djoser. Although this is one of the most interesting sites of Saqqara, there are also a number of other tombs and pyramids on the site.
The Ancient City of Memphis
All that remains of this ancient city are the ruins of stone temples and a few statues, but what does remain is enchanting. The metropolis of Memphis dates back to 2925 B.C and is widely considered to the first imperial city on earth. A few of the stunning sites you’ll find among the ruins of this city include a large limestone statue of Ramses II, as well as a giant alabaster sphinx.
Khan el-Khalili
If you are longing to explore a vibrant Egyptian market, you won’t want to miss Khan el-Khalili. Here you’ll find vendors selling everything from souvenirs to spices and jewelry. As with many markets, the price of many products will be higher than what they actually sell for. Bargain the price down. This is what is expected.
Coptic Cairo
This is the oldest part of the city and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cairo. Here you can spend an entire day exploring narrow alleyways and ancient churches. There are a number of attractions to see, including the Coptic Museum, as well as the ninth-century Hanging Church. Both of these attractions are housed in an ancient Babylonian fortress. Coptic Cairo is a major attraction for the religious, but it is also an interesting site for history buffs.
