-The Giza pyramids and the Sphinx

The Giza pyramids are the most famous in Egypt. If you haven’t seen the Giza pyramids, you might as well not have come to Egypt. The pyramid of Cheops is the last remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The sphinx is also located on the Giza Plateau. You can visit the Solar Boat Museum as well. Opening hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ticket Price: 60 L.E. (site only)

-Sound and Light show

An awesome sound and light show is carried out 3 times a night in 3 different languages. This show takes place on the Giza plateau and uses the sphinx as a narrator of Egypt’s history in the show. It is carried out in 6 languages: English, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Russian. If you plan on watching this show then you should wear something warm because desert nights are very cold. Tel: 3385 2880/3386 3469 Admission: 75 L.E.

-The Sakkara pyramids

Sakkara is a vast burial ground located 30km outside Cairo. Here stand the famous step pyramids, which are even older than the Giza pyramids. They were the foundation for the other pyramids (straight-sided ones) that followed. (You can read the history of the pyramids on the home page to find out more) Opening hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ticket Price: 60 L.E. (site only)

-The Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum is like heaven for all history buffs. The Egyptian museum’s large collection dates from the pre-historic era to the Roman-Greco period. You would have to be crazy if you plan to see everything all in one go. Some historians and students spend months in this museum. Of course they spend time studying artifacts in great detail. Below are the must-see exhibits of the Egyptian Museum:

Tutankhamen Galleries (on the 1st floor) (Yes, this is the famous King Tut everyone talks about!)

Old Kingdom Rooms (on the ground floor)

Royal Tombs of anis (on the 1st floor)

Royal Mummy Room (on the 1st floor)

Greco-Roman Mummies (on the 1st floor)

Yuyu and Thuyu Rooms (on the 1st floor)

Ancient Egyptian Jewellery (on the 1st floor)

Animal Mummies (on the 1st floor)

Note that the Royal Mummy Room closes earlier than the museum closure time.

Visiting hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tel: 2578 2448 Website: www.egyptianmuseum.gov.eg

Admission: 50 L.E. for adults, 25 L.E. for students; Mummy Room: 100 L.E. for adults, 50 L.E. for students

-Coptic Cairo

The Hanging Church

The Hanging Church is one of the oldest churches in Cairo. The exterior of the church is beautiful and it is above a gatehouse of the Roman fortress in Old Cairo. Visiting hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Coptic Museum

The Coptic Museum holds approximately 15,000 pieces- that’s the world’s largest collection of Coptic artifacts. Apart from the amazing woodwork interior, the items on display show a rich mix of different cultures that influenced Coptic tradition: Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visiting hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

-Islamic Cairo

Ibn Tulun Mosque

This mosque is one of the oldest and largest mosques in Cairo (erected in 879 AD) and is a beautiful example of architecture: its large empty courtyard, spiral minerate and arcades. What is really amazing is that it was built out of mud-brick and is still standing. You really have to go and check it out for yourself to see what I mean! Nearby, there is the Gayer-Anderson Museum – it’s supposedly one of the oldest preserved homes from the medieval time period. Visiting hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Citadel

The Citadel is a popular tourist attraction. It was built by Salah El Din to protect the city from invaders and people still look at it with awe. Visiting hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (summer)/6p.m. (winter) Admission: 40 L.E.

-Khan El Khalili

Khan El Khalili is Cairo’s famous colorful bazaar. This is the best place to buy souvenirs at a cheap price. Shops sell papyrus, scarves, oils, jewellery (all ladies LOVE jewellery), spices and small models of Egyptian monuments. Make sure you bargain as prices are generally increased when they see tourists. There are also cafes and restaurants nearby where you can stop to eat when you are tired after shopping.

-Cairo Tower

Cairo Tower is located on Gezira island of Zamalek. You can see beautiful views all the way to the outskirts of the city where the Giza pyramids are (that’s quite a distance). Whether you go at day or night, the views are spectacular. Visiting hours: 9 a.m. – 1 a.m. Admission: 65 L.E. Tel: 27365112

-Pharonic Village

The pharonic village is located outside Cairo’s city center along the banks of the Nile and is a definite must see. Entering the pharonic village is like going back in time. The Pharonic age is portrayed with the help of a group of talented actors, and replicas of buildings and temples. There is also Dr. Ragab’s Papyrus Museum (no extra cost), the largest floating museum in the world!!! Over here, you can see the ancient Egypt art of papyrus making for yourself!!! Admission: 120 L.E. – 200 L.E. depending on tour and lunch Pharonic photograph: 75 L.E. Visiting hours: 9 a.m. - 7p.m. daily Tel: 3571 8675/6/7