What to See and Do in Cairo

THE LANDMARKS

As the one remaining Ancient Wonder of the World, the GIZA PYRAMIDS are one of the world's most truly spectacular sights. They date from 2570BC and are still fascinating today, especially due to their mysterious construction. Going on a tour is a must.

MODERN ART

The Townhouse Gallery shows the more contemporary side of Cairo, with photography, video, and film exhibitions mostly by local artists.

CLASSIC ART

The Egyptian Museum has been showing all of the country's great treasures for over a century. It has the world's most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities, and with so much to show, a large part of it remains in storage awaiting the construction of a larger space. But what you'll find on display is enough to awe you for hours, especially the fabulous jewelry, the mummy rooms, and King Tutankhamun's stunning collection. To get the most out of the visit, you can go on a private tour.
The Coptic Museum is houses another important collection, the world's largest of Christian or pre-Islamic Egypt artwork. Particularly interesting are the Christian scenes with Egyptian gods.
You may also want to take a look at the Museum of Islamic Arts, with pieces from all over the Islamic world, such as ceramics, woodwork, crystal, and textiles.

STRIKING ARCHITECTURE

The CAIRO TOWER was the world's largest concrete structure when it was completed in 1961. It still stands out in the city's skyline today, and you can go to the top for city views and a drink or meal at the café and restaurant.

ANCIENT SITE

The 12th century CITADEL is home to the 19th century Muhammad Ali Mosque, known for its huge dome and tall minarets. From the courtyard you'll have one of the best views over Cairo, and the wonderful atmosphere will make you want to stay for a few hours.

CITY LIFE

You'll find as many tourists as locals at the bustling KHAN EL KHALILI BAZAAR, a must-do experience for the variety of products (from crafts to spices) on sale, for a stop at the many cafes, and above all, to enjoy the haggling with a good dose of sense of humor.
Finally, the perfect way to end a visit to Cairo is going down the Nile on a cruise. You'll see traditional lateen-rigged sailboats called Falucas by the docks offering rides at reasonable prices, or you can go on a pre-booked Nile cruise.

TOURS & DAYTRIPS

Go on an organized tour of Cairo and the Pyramids and easily see the best of the city and its ancient wonders.
From Cairo, most tourists also move on to the temples and other Egyptian wonders in Luxor and Aswan

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Tomb of Pabasa (TT279)

Pabasa, who was also called Pabes, has a large tomb at Asasif, just outside the entrance to Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahri. Like Ankh-hor, who held this important title after him, he was the ‘Chief Steward of the God’s Wife Nitocris’ (Neitiqert) during the reign of Saite king Psamtek I. Pabasa’s tomb still has a large mudbrick superstructure. A steep flight of stairs leads down to the entrance of the subterranean levels and on the lintel above the doorway is a fine relief of a barque, adored by the souls of Pe and Nekhen, by the God’s Wife, Nitocris and by the deceased. A small vestibule leads to a larger pillared sun court. The vestibule shows scenes of Pabasa’s funeral procession, including mourners and the ‘Abydos Pilgrimage’. There is a long text of Pabasa and depictions of his son, Thahorpakhepesh, who acted as sem-priest at his father’s funeral. On the inner lintel of the entrance to the court, a relief shows Osiris and Re-Horakhty, in the cent...

The bindweeds of Egypt and their symbolic role for the deceased

http://www.egyptraveluxe.com/cairo_half_day_tour_to_cairo_egyptian_museum.php From the Middle Kingdom until the 18th Dynasty, representations are found of a parasitic bindweed associated with the stems of papyrus, . Its representations increase and refine themselves during the Amarnian period because of the naturalistic leaning to nature; but it is in Ramesside times, and more particularly that of Ramesses II, that the images become more beautiful and most detailed. The plant is frequently attached to the stem of the papyrus, or to bouquets, but being also able to, more rarely, exist separately. After the 20th Dynasty, if the theme persists, the quality of the representations decrease (as do all more representations of nature). This success under the Ramesseses is probably linked with the specific beliefs of that time, and notably the eminent place that the solar cults occupy. The nature of the plant has been under debate a long time ...

US authorities return eight stolen ancient Egyptian artifacts

US authorities agreed to return eight ancient Egyptian artifacts stolen and illegally smuggled out of the country. Today, upon his arrival from the United States, Minister of Antiquities Mohamed Ibrahim announced that US authorities agreed to return eight ancient Egyptian artefacts stolen and illegally smuggled out of the country. The objects are to arrive next month. The pieces include the upper part of a painted anthropoid wooden sarcophagus from the Third Intermediate period depicting a face of a woman wea ring a wig decorated with coloured flowers. Two linen mummy wrappings covered with plaster and bearing paintings showing winged amulets pushing the sun disc are also among the artefacts. Hieroglyphic text showing the name and titles of the deceased are also found on the plaster cover. The third piece is a cartonage painted mummy mask from the Third Intermediate period while the fourth and fifth items are Middle Kingdom wooden boats. The other three items are lim...

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