Tourist Attractions in Cairo, Egypt, Part 1

Cairo has been attracting tourists for thousands of years and the Pyramids of Giza alongside the Sphinx are some of the oldest and arguably most impressive attractions in the world. One would think other attractions in Cairo competing for attention would pale in comparison. Yet, visitors find some of the best the sights in Cairo are rare places where people go about daily life in ancient surroundings. Here is a list with some of the most popular tourist attractions in Cairo that are really worth visiting.

1.     Egyptian Museum of Antiquities

With over 100,000 artefacts in 107 halls, the Egyptian Museum provides days of exploration. Inside are treasures from ancient Egypt, including priceless finery taken from ancient royal tombs, and one of the museum’s masterpieces, the statue of Khafre (Chephren). The most popular attraction is the Tutankhamun Gallery where exquisite treasures from the tomb of the Boy King are displayed, including the famous solid gold death mask. Another top attraction is the Royal Mummy Room containing mummies of some of the most powerful Pharaohs in Egypt dating from the 18th to the 20th Dynasties.

2.     Old Cairo

The small and enclosed area, also known as Coptic Cairo, is the oldest part of the city and was once known as the Roman stronghold of Babylon; some of the old walls still exist. It is the ancient heart of the Coptic Christian community and although only five of the original 20 churches remain they are interesting to visit, along with the first mosque built in Egypt and the oldest synagogue, a representation of three of the major religions of the modern world. It is a peaceful place to wander around and a respite from the busy city centre.

3.     Coptic Church of St George (Mari Girgis)

One of the few round churches still in existence in the East, the Greek Church of St. George features a long set of steps that lead up to the church where visitors will find a relief of St. George and the dragon wrapped around the outer brickwork of the tower. For centuries, the church alternated between Copt and Greek ownership, but since the 15th century it has remained Greek Orthodox, and the adjoining monastery of St. George is now the seat of the Greek patriarch. The St George Church is most famous for its beautiful wedding hall, (Qaat el Irsan) which dates back to the 14th century.

4.     Hanging Church

The Hanging Church derives its name from its location on top of the southern tower gate of the old Babylon fortress with its nave suspended over a passage. It's the most famous Coptic Church in Cairo with the earliest mention of the church being a statement in the biography of the patriarch Joseph (831AD - 849AD). It went on to become known to travelers as the 'staircase church' during the 14th and 15th centuries, because of the twenty-nine steps that lead to the entrance. The visual impact of the church's elevated position has been reduced due to the rise of land surface by around 20ft (6metres) since the Roman period. The Roman tower remains mostly buried below ground.

The mentioned places of interest are only a part of the great number of attractions. Visits to the mentioned places can be organized by individual tourists. It is important to say that most of Cairo attractions are also included in guided tours but taking part in such a tour you will not have enough time to experience with your own senses the whole atmosphere there. Another important issue by planning your trip to Cairo is the accommodation. You can find many options for accommodation in Cairo. The best is to stay in a Cairo hotel. As it is a well-known tourist destination, you will easily find the one you are looking for.