Africa Safaris Destinations |WildLife Gorilla Tours |East West & South African Travel Guide |Holiday Vacations: Egypt Tourism Attractions: Cairo Popular Attractions Museums River Nile

Egypt Tourism Attractions: Cairo Popular Attractions Museums River Nile
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adminafrica on 26 May, 2008 09:31:00
 
This is Africa's largest city. It has for long been kept secret in terms of
beauty. The attributes that are sure to make Egypt (Cairo) the most memorable
destination experience include the numerous historic buildings of the city's
many rulers - Arab, Roman, Greek, Turkish, British, and French - spanning over
five millennia. This can be an overwhelming experience and of course there are
the Pyramids and the Sphinx just outside Cairo, in Giza. Cairo is also a great
place to shop and soak up some Islamic culture.
More than 16 million people call it home; it's chaotic, exotic, lively, dusty,
and also beautiful. Cairo has never been described as dull, so in my opinion it
is worth spending more than just a couple of days. There are different
attractions in this attraction (Cairo).
Cairo and Popular Attractions of Cairo:
Old (Coptic) Cairo
Coptic Cairo (Masr al-Qadima) is the oldest part of the city, and is the
original site of Roman built Babylon and the oldest part of the city. This part
of Cairo has been inhabited for more than 2000 years. It is the center of the
Coptic Christian community. This is where you'll find most of Egypt's churches.
These include the Hanging Church which is the center of Coptic worship and the
Ben Ezra synagogue. Ben Ezra synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Egypt. Roman
remains and old cobbled streets make this area very interesting for the
historians among us.
Egyptian Museum:
If you visit Luxor you'll find most tombs are empty and what the looters didn't
take home with them, ended up here at the Egyptian museum. The Egyptian Museum
holds archaeological glory. Along with mummies, sarcophagi and many other
ancient relics this museum represents Egypt's archaeological glory and takes a
good position of “miss not attractions” when you visit this amazing
country. The objects taken from Tutankhamen's tomb should not be missed. The
boy-king's death-mask made of solid gold has been described as the most
beautiful object ever made.
Cairo Tower:
This is one of the best places to enjoy a panoramic view of the city while
sipping a beer in a slowly revolving restaurant. This tower is located on
Gazera  Island (Zemalak).
City of the Dead (Qarafa)
This may not sound like the liveliest part of Cairo to visit, but this huge
necropolis on the East side of Cairo is in fact home to several million
Cairenes. A vast 'living cemetery' as it were makes it a fascinating place to
visit. Ornate tombs have become the living quarters for many of Cairo's poor
and their place of business too.
Islamic (Medieval) Cairo
Worth exploring for its warren like streets and bazaars, Islamic Cairo is where
you'll get to see many mosques, the Citadel and the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar). The
major mosques worth visiting include the Mosque of Mohammed Ali (named after a
19th century ruler, not the boxer). The Ibn Tulun is one of the largest mosques
in the world and the Al-Azhar mosque houses the oldest university in the world
(from 970AD).
Whirling Dervishes
Free performances by Sufi dancers take place at the Citadel and on Wednesday
and Saturday nights at the Mausoleum of Al-Ghouri in Islamic Cairo. By all
accounts these are amazing performances and will not disappoint.
A Falucca on the Nile
Tired of breathing exhaust fumes and getting asked to buy a carpet? Head for
the peace of the Nile. You can rent a Falucca (an ancient sail boat) by the
hour. Take a taxi or walk to Garden City opposite the Meridien Hotel for your
launch.
As with most destinations in Egypt, the weather really determines the best time
to go because it gets very, very hot in the summer. The best time to visit is in
the cooler months between November and March. For Cairo's current temperatures
and annual averages