Tourist Attractions in Cairo, Egypt
North African Capital Full of Cultural and Historical Gems
Sep 14, 2009
With over fifteen million inhabitants, Cairo is the largest city on the African continent and it can be an assault on the senses. With its heat, choking traffic jams and dusty streets it can be hard for first time visitors to get accustomed to walking around, let alone make sense of the chaos. Despite its unruly atmosphere, there is no denying that this city has enough to keep tourists busy for several days. By far the biggest attraction is the Great Pyramids at Giza. This article looks at these and other unforgettable sights no traveller would want to miss.
The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
With more than 120,000 artifacts on display, anyone can be easily overwhelmed by all of this history. Treasures from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, Egypt's most famous pharaoh, are on the second floor. His golden mask is thought to represent what the young king's face really looked like. Mummified pharaohs are showcased in the mummy room, also on the second floor.
On the ground floor visitors will see statues, coffins, coins, papyrus and other articles that show what life was like in ancient times. No photos flash or otherwise are allowed within the building.
The Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
Travellers can expect to hone their bargaining skills here and to meet some locals. Located in the city's Islamic district, this vast souk has been an important centre for trade since the Middle Ages. Spices, handicrafts, silks, gold, silver and copper goods await travellers in the maze of the bazaar. To get a break from the sun duck into one the ubiquitous coffee shops. Egyptians like their coffee strong so be prepared for a quite a powerful jolt.
The Great Pyramids
Giza used to be a town all its own, but has inevitably been swallowed by the ever expanding mass that is Cairo. Located eleven kilometres, or eighteen miles from the centre of the city, these majestic structures have been the most widely recognized symbols of Egypt throughout the ages. Innumerable foreign tourists flock here every year.
The Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Pyramid of Cheops, is the largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis. They have all stood the ravages of time rather well and the question of how they were built has not been given a definitive answer.
The Coptic Museum
Reflecting the long history of Christianity in Egypt, which linked the ancient period to the Islamic conquest of the country, this museum contains the largest collection of Coptic art in the world. Located in an older quarter of Cairo, which had been occupied by Romans in the second century A.D., the narrow backstreets are calmer and more subdued.
The museum is divided into seven sections: sculpture/frescoes, manuscripts, ancient texts, ivory and bone, metalwork, woodwork and pottery/glass. The exhibits are displayed in chronological order to give visitors a better understanding of the development of these objects through the centuries.
More Information About Cairo
The best time to visit is November through March, when temperatures are cooler. Anyone who visits between June and September should bring lots of sunscreen and a good pair of sunglasses, because like everywhere else in Egypt, the heat is intense. There isn't a lot of shade out by the Pyramids and daytime temperatures during this period can soar to 40°C or more.
There are a few options for getting around in Cairo. There are buses, which would be especially advantageous for visitors who can read and speak Arabic. Taxis are plentiful but remember to negotiate the price before the driver takes off. Cairo has a metro system, which is cheap and runs on time.
Source:
eternalegypt.org
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