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Cairo Attractions

Cairo's pyramids, museums, mosques and churches: what to see in Egypt's capital and how to visit.

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Al-Azhar MosqueAl-Azhar MosqueAl-Azhar Mosque in Islamic Cairo: founded in 970 AD, home of one of the world's oldest universities, with visiting tips. Al-Muizz StreetAl-Muizz StreetAl-Muizz Street in Islamic Cairo: the medieval main street with the Qalawun complex, al-Aqmar Mosque and Bayt al-Suhaymi, best walked at night. Al-Rifai MosqueAl-Rifai MosqueAl-Rifai Mosque in Cairo: built 1869 to 1912 beside Sultan Hassan, burial place of King Farouk and the Shah of Iran. Ben Ezra SynagogueBen Ezra SynagogueThe Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo: its history, the Cairo Geniza documents and how to visit with the Hanging Church. Bent PyramidBent PyramidThe Bent Pyramid of Sneferu at Dahshur: why its angle changes, its original casing, the Red Pyramid next door and how to visit from… Church of St GeorgeChurch of St GeorgeThe Church of St George in Coptic Cairo: Egypt's only round church, built on a Roman tower, with its history and visiting tips. Church of the Virgin Mary, MaadiChurch of the Virgin Mary, MaadiThe Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi, Cairo: where the Holy Family boarded a boat on the Nile, and the Bible found on… Citadel of Salah el-DinCitadel of Salah el-DinThe Citadel of Salah el-Din in Cairo: Saladin's fortress, the Alabaster Mosque, the French clock tower, views over Cairo and visiting tips. Coptic Cairo and Old CairoCoptic Cairo and Old CairoCoptic Cairo: the Hanging Church, Abu Serga, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Coptic Museum and the Roman fortress of Babylon, with visiting tips. Egyptian Museum in Tahrir SquareEgyptian Museum in Tahrir SquareThe Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square: what is still there, what moved to the GEM and NMEC, and the highlights worth seeing. Gates of CairoGates of CairoThe three surviving gates of Fatimid Cairo, Bab Zuweila, Bab al-Futuh and Bab al-Nasr: history, the city walls and the view from Bab Zuweila. Giza NecropolisGiza NecropolisThe Giza Necropolis: the three pyramids, the Great Sphinx, the temples, the mastaba tombs and the workers' town south of the plateau. Giza PyramidsGiza PyramidsVisit the Giza Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure: history, heights, going inside, the best photo spot and tips from local Egyptologists. Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)Guide to the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids: the full Tutankhamun treasure, Ramses II, the solar boat and tips for your visit. Hanging ChurchHanging ChurchThe Hanging Church (al-Muallaqa) in Coptic Cairo: built above a Roman gate, its ark-shaped ceiling, icons and how to visit. Ibn Tulun MosqueIbn Tulun MosqueThe Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo: the city's oldest intact mosque, its spiral minaret and the Gayer-Anderson Museum next door. Khan El Khalili BazaarKhan El Khalili BazaarKhan el-Khalili, Cairo's 600-year-old bazaar: what to buy, how to bargain, coffee at El Fishawy and tips for your visit. Meidum PyramidMeidum PyramidThe Meidum Pyramid south of Cairo: the collapsed pyramid of Huni and Sneferu, its inner chamber, the Rahotep and Nofret statues and visiting tips. Memphis, Egypt’s First CapitalMemphis, Egypt’s First CapitalMemphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt: its history, the giant statue of Ramses II, the alabaster sphinx and how to visit with Saqqara. Mosque of Amr ibn al-AsMosque of Amr ibn al-AsThe Mosque of Amr ibn al-As in Old Cairo, the first mosque in Egypt and Africa, founded in 641 AD next to Coptic Cairo. Mosque of Muhammad AliMosque of Muhammad AliThe Mosque of Muhammad Ali at the Cairo Citadel: Ottoman design, the alabaster walls, the French clock tower and tips for visiting. National Museum of Egyptian CivilizationNational Museum of Egyptian CivilizationThe National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo: the Royal Mummies Hall with Ramses II and Hatshepsut, the main galleries and visiting tips. SaqqaraSaqqaraSaqqara near Cairo: the Step Pyramid, the Pyramid Texts, painted mastaba tombs, the Serapeum and recent discoveries, with visiting tips. Step Pyramid of DjoserStep Pyramid of DjoserThe Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, the first pyramid ever built: Imhotep's design, the complex and how to visit from Cairo. Sultan Hassan MosqueSultan Hassan MosqueThe Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan in Cairo: the great Mamluk monument below the Citadel, its four iwans and empty tomb, with visiting tips. Wadi el-SebouaWadi el-SebouaWadi el-Seboua on Lake Nasser: Ramses II's temple with its avenue of sphinxes, Christian paintings and the nearby temples of Dakka and Maharraqa.