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Culture of Cairo. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces
Cairo offers its visitors to attend various sightseeing objects. Among memorable places of the city travellers will find numerous colorful markets and ancient religious buildings, historic sites, museums, art galleries and unique natural reserves. Birqash Camel Market is traditionally very popular among vacationers. The market is located in Cairo suburbs, in a place called Birkash. The market is a huge field, on which hundreds of camels are sold. These animals are the main product of the market. Buyers and sellers come to the famous camel market from different cities, and travelers visit it as a local landmark.
Located in one of the newer districts in Cairo, CitySyar is a modern shopping center that will conquer the hearts of fashionistas with its gorgeous design and a broad range of branded shops. … 
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Discovering the architecture of Cairo from bird's eye view! Great Sphinx of Giza, Egyptian Museum, Abdeen Palace, all those monuments are defining the image of Cairo … Open
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Cairo and surroundings
Plan your own excursion through Cairo: churches, museums and castles
Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Cairo
Location on the map: 
Facts:
» The Mosque of Muhammad Ali was built between 1830 and 1848 and is located in the Citadel of Cairo. It was built in memory of his beloved son who died at the age of 22. Facts:» There is also a tomb of Muhammad Ali himself who died in 1849. His body was moved here in 1857. The burial sarcophagus is made of very valuable Carrara marble imported from Italy.
» The mosque is located on the highest point of the city and can be seen from any part of the city. It’s a very beautiful colourful construction crowned with a large dome that is 52 metres high and 21 metres in diameter and has two high pointed minarets.
» There is a huge prayer hall (1,600 square metres) inside.
» Both the inside and outside of the building are decorated with carved patterns. A clock tower was erected in the courtyard of the temple. This clock was presented by King Louis Philippe of France.
» The mosque is the main landmark of Cairo, so all tourists, even women, are allowed to enter it, but a certain dress code should be followed.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
Location on the map: Facts:
» The Egyptian Museum was built in 1902. 150 000 exhibits are kept in 100 showrooms. These artifacts are aged about 5 000 years. Facts:» The most precious of them are eleven mummies of pharaohs, items from the tomb of Tutankhamen, and a gilded throne with precious stones. On the throne, you can see pictures of the pharaoh and his wife.
» In the museum, there are also sarcophagi of high priests, including one made of gold and weighing 110 kilos.
» The hall that houses mummies found at different times is interesting too.
» One of the museum founders was the French archaeologist Auguste Mariette who left his job in the Louvre and moved to Cairo in 1850. He was dedicated to his profession and Egypt. In the yard of the museum, there is a monument to this scientist. There is also a sarcophagus with his ashes.
» Around the monument to Auguste Mariette, there are 23 busts of famous Egyptologists. They include a bust of the Russian archaeologist V. S. Golenischev. It was placed here in 2006.
Abdeen Palace, Cairo
Location on the map: Facts:
» Abdeen Palace had been built for 10 years upon the order of Khedive Ismail who had been to Paris, saw French palaces there, and wanted to build a more luxurious and more beautiful one in Cairo. Facts:» It was named after an outstanding commander Abidin.
» Architects from different countries, such as France, Italy, Egypt, and Turkey, were invited. All the 500 halls of the palace have a luxury interior.
» There are also rooms designed in the European or Eastern style. For example, the Throne Hall, the most sumptuous room in the palace, is decorated in the tradition of Egypt. Near it, there is a room designed in the style of Louis XVI.
» The upper floors of the palace serve as the Egyptian President’s residence. The ground floors are allocated for four museums: The Arms Museum, the Historical Documents Museum, the Presidential Gifts Museum, and the Royal Family Museum.
» One of the most interesting exhibits is a golden sword decorated with diamonds. It was bought at the auction by King Farooq I. You can also see a big box with Farooq’s treasures. It has two locks, so if you insert a wrong key, a gun will come out of the box and go off. Due to a huge number of fantastic exhibits, Abdeen Palace is one of the richest and most luxurious museums in the world.
Al Rifai Mosque, Cairo
Location on the map: Facts:
» The Al Rifai Mosque is located near the other mosque that is 500 years older. In 1869, the mother of Ismail Pasha wanted to replace and extend a medieval cell of the Islamic theologian Ahmad Ar-rifai. This place was revered by the local population. Facts:» The construction was completed in 1912. The reason for such a long construction was the death of the architect and Ismail’s abdication from the throne.
» The construction was resumed in 1905 by a new ruler, Khedive Abbas II, and a Hungarian architect.
» The mosque is also interesting because there are burials of Ahmad Ar-rifai, Sufi saints, and members of the Royal Family: Ismail Pasha, his mother Hoshiyar Hanim, his sons Fuad I and Farooq I (the last King of Egypt), and his daughter Ferial are buried here too. The last King of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi who was in exile and died in 1980 was buried here too.
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What to visit during two-day excursion in Cairo
The Pyramids of Giza
Where: Western edge of Cairo, 10km from downtown., Cairo;
Where: Western edge of Cairo, 10km from downtown., Cairo;
Solar Boat Museum (at the Pyramids of Giza)
Where: South side of the Great Pyramid, Cairo;
Where: South side of the Great Pyramid, Cairo;
Egyptian Museum
Where: Tahrir Square, Cairo;
Where: Tahrir Square, Cairo;
The Citadel
Where: Sharia Salah Salem, Al-Qalaa, Cairo;
Where: Sharia Salah Salem, Al-Qalaa, Cairo;
Aqueduct of An-Nasir
Where: Sharia Salah Salem, Al-Qalaa, Cairo;
Where: Sharia Salah Salem, Al-Qalaa, Cairo;
Museum of Islamic Art
Where: Bab El Khalk Square, Cairo; Telephone: + 2 (0)2 390 15 20;
Where: Bab El Khalk Square, Cairo; Telephone: + 2 (0)2 390 15 20;
Coptic Cairo
Where: Southern part of the East Bank of the Nile, Cairo;
Where: Southern part of the East Bank of the Nile, Cairo;
Coptic Museum
Where: Sharia Mar Giris, Cairo;
Where: Sharia Mar Giris, Cairo;
The New Camel Market
Reference information
Map of all art museums
Art galleries in Cairo and around
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Islamic Art' Cairo, 0.7 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Art museum 'The Townhouse Gallery' Cairo, 1.2 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Art museum 'Egyptian Museum' Cairo, 1.6 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Art museum 'Prince Amr Ibrahim Palace' Cairo, 2.4 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Islamic Ceramics' Cairo, 2.7 km from the center. On the map
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Hilton builds third luxury hotel in Kyoto
The project organizers note that the new Kyoto hotel is perfect for both business and leisure. Just to remind you, the opening of the Roku Kyoto hotel took place in the city in 2021. The luxury hotel also never ceases to amaze guests with its exquisite atmosphere and variety of services. It is close to famous attractions like Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Shozan Resort Kyoto Pavilion is a short walk from the hotel.
Read this
24.04.2024
The project organizers note that the new Kyoto hotel is perfect for both business and leisure. Just to remind you, the opening of the Roku Kyoto hotel took place in the city in 2021. The luxury hotel also never ceases to amaze guests with its exquisite atmosphere and variety of services. It is close to famous attractions like Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Shozan Resort Kyoto Pavilion is a short walk from the hotel.
Read this
24.04.2024
Photogallery of cultural heritage of Cairo
Landmarks of culture on Cairo map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc
Culture guide to Cairo. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Cairo: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Cairo. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!
