Your trip to Egypt begins with the capital city, Cairo. Once clearing customs at the newly renovated airport
www.cairo-airport.com , you’re on your way to exotic adventure. Traveling with a guided tour group suits the needs of most, but in addition to the planned itineraries, you will have much free time to explore on your own.
Knowing what you want to see will help you maximize your time in that great city. My 20 top picks are:
1. THE GREAT PYRAMID in GIZA.
The great pyramid, Cheops, is opened during daytime only and offers a sound and light show at night.
Climbing the exterior is dangerous and illegal, but you are permitted to explore the interior. The entrance is
about 10 feet from the ground and once inside, be prepared for a laborous uphill journey. Reaching the
summit, you’ll enter the burial chamber of Khufu, the monument’s owner. Photography is not allowed
inside.
www.zahihawass.com
2. SPHINX.
The Sphinx is located nearby the Great Pyramid; an easy walk on a paved connecting road. Separate
admission is required and photography is allowed.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Sphinx_of_Giza
3. THE SOLAR BOAT MUSEUM.
The Solar Boat is open during daytime only and the third element to see on the Giza Plateau.
It houses a well preserved boat belonging to Khufu that’s displayed out in the open. Due to
possible contaminates coming into the museum, you will be issued protective slippers that
fit over your shoes.
www.phouka.com/tr/egypt/photos/giza/solarBoat-01.html
4. THE PHARAONIC VILLAGE.
The Pharaonic Village is located in downtown Cairo and offers a yacht cruise through many ancient Egyptian
settings. Sailing on the Nefertari, each scene, enacted by real people, takes you to a traditional way of life
as the pharoah’s lived it.
At the end of the cruise, gift shops and restaurants are plentiful and there’s the Cleopatra Studio
where you may have your photo taken in ancient egyptian costumes. Tour time varies from 1 to 3 hours.
www.pharaonicvillage.com
5. THE CAIRO OPERA HOUSE.
The Opera House is located downtown and offers symphonies, ballet and opera from visiting international
artists. It is well advised to book your tickets in advance online.
www.cairoopera.org
6. THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM.
This awe-inspiring museum will be on every tour, but it’s a place you will want to go back to on your own.
General admission covers all exhibits, except the Mummy Room, located on the second level.
There lie some of Egypt’s greatest rulers where you will meet them up close and personal.
For a quick and economical lunch, try a fried chicken plate at the nearby sandwich and deli shop. It’s a
separate structure located to the left of the museum entrance. Photography is not allowed inside the Egyptian
Museum.
www.aknet.co.uk/cairo.htm
7. DREAMLAND PARK.
Dreamland is an open-air theme park located in the 6th of October district near the pyramids.
There are rides for all ages: rollercoasters, bumper boats and more. Eateries range from sit-down
restaurants to walk-up windows and gift shops abound. When traveling with children,
Dreamland Park is a must.
www.dreamparkegypt.com
8. GOLF AT THE PYRAMIDS.
For some, golfing is a must-do anywhere, but only in Cairo can you golf at the foot of the pyramids.
Breathtaking views are offered at 2 courses in Giza, one at the Mena House and the other at Dreamland.
www.dreamlandgolf.com
www.oberoimenahouse.com
9. DEALS PUB.
For a relaxing night out, Deals has 3 locations in Cairo. The staff is friendly and the food is excellent.
Music and DJ’s are offered nightly and karaoke on the weekends. Of the 3 locations, my favorite pick is
in the district of Mohandaseen, which is richly designed in African decor. The prices are reasonable and
the people are nice. Enjoy !
www.dealspub.com
10. KHAN EL KHALILI SOUQ
The Khan el Khalil open-air market has been in business since the 14th century and is still going
strong today. It’s comprised of independant merchants carrying everything from fine jewelery to fava
beans and haggling is a must. This is a fabulous half day trip into the Islamic section of Old
Cairo where the air is filled with spices and oriental flair. For lunch, the famous Egyptian Pancake House is
worth a stop. If you’re not much of a sweet tooth, I recommend that you ask for your cakes to be made
with reduced sugar as they are heavily sweetened beyond the threshold of most people. This restaurant
is located inside the Khan; just look for “Egyptian Pancakes” in the red neon lights.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_el_Khalili
11. CITY STARS COMPLEX.
For more contemporary shopping, the City Stars Complex in Heliopolis offers over 600 stores, 21 state-of-the-art
movie theaters, 2 indoor theme parks and dozens of quality, cost efficient restaurants. You’ll find many
American corporate favorites such as Chilis, Starbucks, Sbarro, Fuddruckers, Ruby Tuesday,
Johnny Rockets and more. There are also 3 recommended hotels within the complex, all just minutes away
from Cairo’s main attractions. The Holiday Inn offers clean, comfortable rooms in a quiet section. For those who
wish to be more independent, Staybridge Suites provides a kitchen in the rooms, and higher-end luxury
lodging is at the Intercontinental.
www.citystars.com.eg
12. THE PYRAMIDS AT DASHUR.
If the 3 pyramids at Giza were not quite enough for you, there are several more located in and around
Saqqara, about 45 minutes south of Cairo. The pyramids at Dashur were built by the Pharoah Seneferu
of the 4th Dynasty. The “Red Pyramid” and “Bent Pyramid” , though badly damaged, are yet
architectural wonders and worth the drive to see them. You will find this area fairly free of
tour buses, giving you some elbow room to look around.
www.bibleplaces.com/dashur.htm
13. STEP PYRAMID OF ZOSER.
Zoser’s magnificent Step Pyramid was built by his vizier and chief architect Imhotep. Though you may
not enter the pyramid, your admission covers Zoser’s entire funerary complex, including a walk
through the hypostyle halls and a visit to the ancient subterranean grain silos believed to be
those of the Biblical Joseph. This monument closes at 5pm and photography is allowed.
www.egyptologyonline.com/saqqara.htm
14. THE SERAPEUM.
As long as you’re there in Saqqara, why not walk behind the Step Pyramid for a visit to the
Serapeum? Built by Ramses II, this dark and twisted catacomb houses twenty five sacred
Apis bulls. The creatures were thought to be the embodiment of Ptah, the god of Memphis,
ergo, they were given honorary embalment and funerary rites. At the end of the tunnels lie
their most impressive granite sarcophigi.
www.egyptologyonline.com/saqqara.htm
15. MEMPHIS MUSEUM.
On the road back to Cairo, lies the city of Memphis. This was once the center of commerce for
the pharoahs, but today is mainly fertile farming land. The Memphis Museum is small, yet
significant. The museum was built around a colossal of Ramses II lying on it’s back, and there
are other important statuary objects in the garden belonging to Amenhotep and others from the
New Kingdom era. Photography is allowed.
www.arvendalstudios.com/egypt/photos/pharao3a.htm
16. SAKKARA CARPET SCHOOL.
The last stop to make before returning to Cairo is the Sakkara Carpet School where you may watch the
young artisans weave incredible carpets before your eyes. A guided tour is provided, finishing in the showroom
where you’re given time to browse. The carpets are well made and of intricate design. In addition, this company
will ship your purchase home for you via DHL Express.
www.sakkaracarpet.com
17. NILE DINNER CRUISE.
Nile cruises are most often associated with Upper Egypt, or the Pharaonic cities from Luxor to Aswan.
Not to be overlooked are the two hour lunch or dinner cruises from cosmopolitan Cairo. The
sweeping skyline and city of lights are spectacular at night. There are three main cruisers that may
be booked from your hotel. The Maxim is operated by the Marriott in Zamalek and picked up in
front of the hotel. Oberoi Mena House operates The Crystal and the lavishly appointed Peking
(serving mainly Chinese fare) may be booked through Min Travel. Entertainment is provided along
with a fine meal and beautiful sights making the dinner cruise a good bang for your buck.
www.mintravel.com
www.oberoimenahouse.com
www.marriott.com
18. CAIRO TOWER.
For a bird’s eye view of magnificent Cairo, the only way to go is straight up. The Cairo Tower is located
on Gezira island and charges a nominal entrance fee to go to the top. If you wish to eat there (not
recommended), the fee is increased a few egyptian pounds and there is an additional fee to
operate a video camera.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/cairo_tower
19. CHRISTIAN and JEWISH PLACES OF WORSHIP.
In the ancient section of Old Cairo are several churches dating back to the days of Christ. St. Sergious
Church is believed to be the place where Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived when they fled from Herod.
Nearby stands the Hanging Church, so called because it’s built over a Roman watergate. It’s dedicated to
the Virgin Mary and dates back to the 4th century. Further down is the Ben Ezra Synagogue which
alleges that the prophet Jeremiah convened here with his troops. A few miles north, in the district of
Abbassia, is the Cathedral of St. Mark. The Saint’s remains are humbly interred in the main sanctuary in
front of a life-size portrait of him.
These worship sites are still in use
today, so dress appropriately: no shorts or tank tops please.
www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6577
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Mark’s_Coptic_Orthodox_Cathedral
20. THE CITADEL.
The Citadel completes the grand tour of Cairo. It’s an impressive structure with too many functions to mention.
Be mindful that Muslims are often in prayer and your voice and actions must be subdued. Shoes are not
permitted inside and a conservative dress code is strictly enforced. There is a door monitor who checks
for modesty, ensuring that women have their legs and shoulders covered. Violators may be refused entry.
Outside on the lower level, there’s a camera shop providing Arabian clothing for photography. Their
quality of work is good and they will process your 8×10 glossy within the hour. With a backdrop like
the Citadel, your photo can do no wrong.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo_Citadel
