Category Archives: Cairo

A Look at Cairo’s Top Contemporary Art Galleries and Museums

The lovely capital of Egypt, Cairo is home to some terrific contemporary art galleries and museums. Take a look.

Zamalek Art Gallery

Promoting contemporary art in Egypt, Zamalek Art Gallery welcomes culture and art lovers from different parts of the world. The gallery has a permanent collection from established Egyptian artists as well as promising young talents of the country. It has been a hub of contemporary Egyptian art for more than 20 years and is also involved with many remarkable projects including The Art collection of the Le Meridian Pyramids Hotel, 2011, The Art collection of the DusitThani Hotel, Lake View, 2010, The Art collection of the DusitThani Hotel, Lake View, 2010, and more.

Cairo Opera House

Cairo Opera House is a part of Cairo’s National Cultural Centre and is one of the finest performing arts venues in the Egyptian capital. With some of the best musical groups in Egypt,

Cairo Opera Housethe place treats visitors to fabulous music and dance performances in the city. There are two opera halls and an open-air theatre in the house, and the place has become a popular cultural landmark in the city. The place also hosts art exhibitions.

Gezira Center for Modern Art

Also known as the Egyptian Modern Art Museum, Gezira Center for Modern Art is dedicated to modern and contemporary art contributing to the development of fine art movement in Cairo. The museum is a part of the National Cultural Centre on El -Gezira Island and displays over

Gezira Center10,000 paintings and sculptures reflecting the development of the Egyptian art movement from the early 20th century. Visitors would love to explore the collection of works by renowned Egyptian artists such as Mahmoud Sa’id, Ragheb Ayad, Gazbia Sirry and Mohammed Naghi.

Al Masar Gallery

Opened in late 2008, Al Masar Gallery captures the attention with the work of renowned Egyptian artists. This art gallery hosts an array of exhibitions displaying a true presentation of the modern and contemporary Egyptian art. Visitors can explore works by prominent artists such as Kareem Al Qurity and Sami Aboul Azm displayed at the newest gallery space – The Art Lounge of the gallery.

Townhouse Gallery

Established in 1998, Townhouse Gallery is the first independent art space in Egypt situated in downtown Cairo’s bustling car mechanics district. A large number of large-scale events have been initiated by the gallery including the citywide Nitaq Festival (1999). It is home to a collection of contemporary fine art and works with the aim to bring contemporary art to general populace. Discover fine works of international artists including Amal Kenawy, Nader Sadek, Amina Mansour, Osama Dawod and Basim Magdy.

Cairo’s Top Attractions for First Time Visitors

Nestling along the banks of River Nile, Egypt’s sprawling capital is not only a historian and an archaeologist’s dream but also a culture lover’s haven. Site to several world-famous attractions that remain unmatched in grandeur, taking a trip to Cairo is like travelling back to the cradle of civilisation. Since there’s a lot you can explore here, don’t forget visiting these top attractions, especially if it’s your first time in the city:

The Pyramids of Giza

The-Pyramids-of-Giza

Believed to have brought the whole of Egypt together for their construction at one point of time in history, the Pyramids of Giza are archaeological wonders needing no introduction. Archaeologists and historians are still grappling to understand the exact process of their construction, lending them an air of mystery. The three pyramids- the Great Pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu, the sphinx pyramid of Pharaoh Khafre and the pyramid of Pharaoh Menkaure must be explored on separate days for an elaborate tour of their individual palaces, temples, solar boat pits and other features.

Egyptian Museum

Egyptian-Museum

The Egyptian Museum is quite literally the treasure trove of some of the world’s most fascinating arts and artefacts. From over 1, 20,000 precious artefacts housed at the museum, one can gain insights into the Egyptian history spanning over several centuries. Do check out mummies, sarcophagi, pottery, jewellery amongst a range of other valued art pieces but do not, under any circumstance, miss boy-King Tutankhamen’s treasures, including the gold death-masks discovered in his tomb.

Mohamed Ali Mosque

Mohamed-Ali-Mosque

Decorating the stunning citadel of Salah el-Din, the Mohamed Ali Mosque stands out because of its favourable location, its 52 metres high dome and 84 metres tall minarets as well as the prominent use of Alabaster stone. The mosque took a period of around 18 years, from 1830-1848, to be completed; the ornate interiors and exteriors vouch for the fact.

Nilometer

Nilometer refers to the Turkish-style pencil dome located inside the Monastirli Palace compound. The tomb was used to check the water levels of the river during different period of a harvest cycle, thereby predicting disasters and floods as well as fertile harvests in advance, cause of a big celebration. When you visit this architectural marvel from AD 861, don’t miss out descending the steps below the measuring column, leading right below the level of River Nile.

Citadel

The mighty Cairo Citadel is your best bet for panoramic views of the city. From a few terraces of the Citadel, it is even possible to see the Pyramids of Giza. If you would like a slice of history to go with beautiful sightings, a tour of the citadel will reveal that these buildings served as fortifications to protect the rulers of Egypt for over 700 years. You can get details on each of the rulers and other historical facts from your knowledgeable guide.

Cairo Opera House

Search for the finest performing art events in Cairo will lead you to the Cairo Opera House, part of Cairo’s National Cultural Centre. The building, including two opera halls and an open-air theatre, is shared by both the Cairo Ballet Company and the Cairo Opera Company. Visit here for witnessing some of the best music and dance performances in the city. It’s also possible to attend art exhibitions here. Do check the schedule before you go.

The New Camel Market

Travel about 35 kilometres northwest of Cairo to arrive at the New Camel Market, the largest camel market in the whole of Egypt. The scene here is pretty vibrant albeit crowded as hundreds of camel owners bring their animals here for trade of an everyday basis. It is advisable to visit the market on Friday for most action. Try to reach there between 7am-11am.

Unravel Ancient Mysteries in Cairo

cairo

The mention of Egypt’s capital city Cairo brings to mind the mysterious, ancient and awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza. This bustling city is a popular travel destination due to its endless list of historical attractions. Some of these world famous historical attractions are well-preserved while some are in half dilapidated condition. However, these are all-time favourites. Listed below are some of Egypt’s pearls of the ancient world.

Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are undoubtedly the most popular and most visited attraction in Egypt, let alone its capital Cairo. The Pyramids of Giza are a collection of three primary pyramids or mortuary monuments, which were built around 4,500 years ago. Admire the architecture of the Pyramid of Cheops, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, which is the biggest pyramid of the three. Travellers can explore the interiors of its narrow passages, which contain a tomb chamber and a sarcophagus. The Pyramid of Chephren, popular as the Pyramid of Khefre, is the second pyramid. The Pyramid of Mycerinus, also known as the Pyramid of Menkaure, is the third and the smallest pyramid of the three.

Great Sphinx

Lying close to the Pyramids of Giza is the lion-bodied and pharaoh-faced Sphinx. Another world-famous and must-visit attraction, the Sphinx is said to be the guard of the Pyramids of Giza! Admire this ancient sculpture, which has a massive height of 66 feet and is 234 feet long. The monument is flanked by two ancient temples; one belongs to the Old Kingdom, while the other belongs to the New Kingdom.

Al-Azhar Mosque

Visit the serene Al-Azhar Mosque located in the centre of the Islamic Cairo district in Cairo. The mosque is a fine example of ancient architecture and is said to be one of the earliest surviving mosques in Cairo. Enter from the main entrance, the Gate of the Barbers, and reach the central courtyard to soak in fantastic views of the five minarets of the mosque. Walk through the courtyard to the main prayer hall, which covers a massive area of 3,000 square meters.

Saqqara

Another marvellous ancient site in Cairo, the Saqqara is located between Giza and Dahshur in southern Cairo. Saqqara is home to the oldest stone pyramid in Egypt, the Step Pyramid of Djoser. The archaeological site, surrounded by palm trees, houses the Step Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt’s oldest stone pyramid. The Step Pyramid is believed to have been built for pharaoh Djoser by architect Imhotep. The monument contains beautiful ancient graffiti on its walls.

The Citadel

Visit Cairo’s equally mystifying ancient site of the Citadel, which is located at the foot of the Mokattam Hills in Cairo. The Citadel contains many ancient monuments including the famous Mosque of Muhammad Ali, also popular as the Alabaster Mosque, the El-Nasir Mosque, and the Gawhara Terrace among others.

Best Desert Safari Experiences in the World Holidaymakers Just Can’t Miss

lDesert safari is indeed one of the most luring baits that set adventure freaks on a mad quest to grab air tickets for flights to different world destinations. This exciting adventure activity allows the holidaymakers to enjoy the enthralling dune bashing in scorched landscape near the city. The adventure filled ride over 4 x 4 sophisticated SUV vehicles through stunning spectacles of tanned terrains and challenging Bedouins all together make for a lifetime experience. Here’s a quick list discussing about the best desert safari destinations in the world.

Black Rock Desert, USA

The state of Nevada is much popular for Los Vegas however the Black Rock Desert in the region attracts many adventure seekers owing to its amazing desert safari trial. The accommodation for the visitors is set inside a camp at the oasis or the travellers even have a choice to soak in natural hot springs. The desert boasts dry lake beds, natural wet lands, scary cities and abundant flora and fauna which make the entire safari experience much more enthralling. Holidaymakers craving to experience a natural American desert life must not wait to net flights tickets for USA and partake in the Black Rock Desert Safari.

Cairo, Egypt

egyptEgypt is and will always be a hot favourite desert safari destination attracting holidaymakers from all corners of the world. Cairo, the capital of Egypt boats an extensive desert area providing enormous opportunities to the global visitors to participate in desert safari. The safari terrain of Egypt is quite extensive in comparison to other destinations and travellers need to spend almost a week to see the desert tourism in Egypt.

Dubai, UAE

dubaiDubai undoubtedly tops the popularity charts when it comes to experiencing the authentic slice of desert safari. Safari tours in the city are organized in both morning and evening hours thus giving the adventure seekers enough time to enjoy the amazing sport. Visitors can enjoy a 20 minutes safari aboard 4 x 4 SUV vehicles that pass through amazing sand dunes bashing. One can even try hands in the 15 minutes Quad biking, sand skiing or camel ride which are sure to give them a jaw-breaking experience. Soft drinks and water bottles are provided to the guests and later they are dropped at the preferred destinations.

Cairo – Useful Airport Info for Arriving Travelers

Cairo International Airport is the major international gateway for most Egypt bound flights. It is one of the largest airports in the nation and remains the key aviation hub for Egypt’s capital city. Handling thousands of Egypt flights every year, it is among the busiest airports in Africa. Here is some useful information for travelers who board flights to Cairo and land here.

Nightlife-in-Cairo---Two-Bars-Giving-Flights-to-Fancies-of-Revellers!

Passenger-Friendly Services

Cairo International Airport is home to four state of the art terminals, each featuring a vast range of passenger-friendly amenities and efficient baggage handling systems. There are banks and ATMs in Terminals 1 and 3. In addition, 24-hour bureaux de change can also be found in the departure areas of almost all the terminals. Communication is extremely easy with airport’s public telephones and Wi-Fi facility in many areas of the terminals.  Transit passengers and waiting fliers can also satiate their hunger at immense collection of international fast-food and coffee chains strewn across the airport. One can also find various bars in departure halls of Terminals 1 and 3 that are open 24 hours a day. What’s more, wide-ranging shops including duty-free outlets and business centres are also there.

To and From the Airport

Cairo International Airport is located 13.5 miles northeast of Cairo in Heliopolis with easy accessibility via public as well as private transportation. Buses, shuttle and taxis are some of the public services that offer convenient connectivity to key areas of the city.  However, shuttle and taxi remain the most popular means among international tourists who take Egypt bound flights and get in the city. A shuttle bus service consuming 45 minutes links the airport with Heliopolis and central Cairo.

Nearby Hotels

Business travelers and time-pressed vacationers have number of options when it comes to choosing ideal airport hotels. Most of the hotels are located in immediate vicinity and provide complimentary shuttle buses from the terminals. The five-star Concorde El Salam hotel is located ten-minutes away from the airport and remains the famous accommodation option among leisure as well as business travelers.

A Brief Guide to Hotel Grand Nile Tower in Cairo

Egypt’s colorful capital of Cairo teems with a vibrant range of accommodation options that can put even some of the royal palaces to shame. But the one that simply hogs all the limelight is Grand Nile Tower, formerly Grand Hyatt Cairo hotel. Overlooking the River Nile, this luxurious property remains popular with a huge fraction of travelers booking Cairo flights to explore popular attractions such as the Citadel, the Egyptian Museum, the Giza Pyramids, and the Sphinx. Here is a brief guide to this lavish retreat in the city of Cairo.

A-Brief-Guide-to-Hotel-Grand-Nile-Tower-in-Cairo

Accommodation options

GrandNileTower features 715 well-appointed rooms and suites that have all been done elegantly and offer sweeping views of the Nile. The wide variety of rooms ranging from Standard Rooms, Club Rooms, Grand Suite, Diplomatic Suite and Royal Suite allow travellers to take their pick. All rooms and suites in the hotel feature modern amenities such as high-speed Internet access, marble bath, air-conditioning, satellite TV, work desk, twin beds or king bed to ensure comfortable stays for luxury seekers on flights to the city. The wide variety of rooms ranging from Standard Rooms, Club Rooms, Grand Suite, Diplomatic Suite and Royal Suite allow travellers to take their pick.

Dining & Entertainment

The GrandNileTower in Cairo gives other hotels a run for their money when it comes to dining and entertainment. Tantalizing dining seems to be the forte of this luxurious property and the hotel features many fascinating venues to treat taste buds to some of the world’s most coveted flavours. Sakya, the Revolving Restaurant, Okashi, Fontana, La Dorada, Chingari, La Famiglia and NubianVillage are just some of the many venues that dish out a countless variety of multi-ethnic cuisines making this hotel a preferred choice amongst epicureans booking Cairo flights. Likewise, the property never fails to impress when it comes to entertaining its visitors on Cairo flights with daily live entertainment. Some of the popular venues within the hotel for entertainment seekers are Baccarat, The Revolving Restaurant Lounge, Lobby Lounge and Pool Lounge.

Recreational Activities

The hotel leaves no stones unturned when it comes to entertaining those with a penchant of shopping, sightseeing or other recreational activities. The hotel features Galleria shopping arcade and entertainment centre, cinemas and food court, Royal Club and heated outdoor swimming pool. Besides, the hotel also offers Nile River cruises aboard its private yacht, Marquise.

Cairo’s Khan El Khalili-The Colourful Labyrinth of Shopping Wonders

Sitting in the heart of Islamic Cairo, Khan El-Khalili bazaar is one of the most prized possessions of Cairo. The ever bustling bazaar quivers with eternal glory and transports you to an old Arab souk. Perhaps, it remains a compelling stop for almost every traveler who spends on tickets aboard Cairo bound flights. Here, shop owners clamour and call you to their stalls, the distinctive odour of spices and aplomb oozes out of every corner. Founded in 1382, this market substantially contributed to the development of trade from the east to west.

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Shopping

The shopping experience of Khan el-Khalili remains for a lifetime! It incorporates world into itself as good from all over the globe arrive here and shine across its alleys and streets. The open-air bazaar is filled to brim with awe-inspiring items ranging from spices to perfumes and jewellery to souvenirs. Shoppers buying tickets on Cairo bound flights will be spoilt for choices. They can get hands on vast range of items such as jewellery in gold and silver. The alleys of the bazaar are laden with leather items from Egypt and all over the world. Tourists having penchants for silver can buy the amazing collection of trinkets and jewellery. Water pipes are ubiquitous and can be easily found in myriad of shops. Tourists can also grab the wonderful assortment of home decorations highly acclaimed for their artistry and many masterpieces.

Key Areas

Khan El-Khalili is sits beside two markets namely Bab Zuwayla and Azbakiyyah. It is fringed on the south by al-Azhar Street and Muski Market on the west. The ancient gates make for the entrance to the authentic courtyard at the middle of Sikkit al-Badistan (street). Nearby is the El-Fishawi Cafe, or Cafe of Mirrors, the popular cafe frequented by host of tourists who buy tickets aboard flights landing in Cairo. The area north of al-Badistan and to the west are highly revered by locals while west area of the Khan offering great deals of gold and silver is apt for shoestring travelers seeking to make the most of their money invested on tickets cheap air tickets on Egypt bound flights. Move further and check out the Brass as well as copper-smith markets.

Shopping & Eating at Cairo International Airport: A Real Pleasure!

Egyptian capital, Cairo is a terrific tourist destination. The city has all the charisma, mystique and the romanticism to capture the interest of even those holiday makers who aren’t supposed to be easily pleased. Every year, millions book flights to the city airport, with many of them being first-time visitors. Cairo International Airport is well adept in handling the demands and desires of incoming and outgoing passenger traffic, and maintains a long inventory of passenger services and amenities. Let us talk about two of the most basic yet very useful ones.

Shopping-&-Eating-at-Cairo-International-Airport

Dining at Cairo International Airport

There is simply no dearth of dining options at Egypt’s busiest airport. Some of the planet’s most well recognized brands as well as a plenty of local eating joints can be found at different locations of the airport. Variety is not a problem either. Owing to Egypt’s central location, Cairo is popular stopover for travelers from all corners of the world, and hence the diversity in passenger traffic has led to the emergence of restaurants with various sorts of cuisines. So, while you have an American fast food major, Burger King at Terminal 1, you also have an Asian food specialist, YUMCHA at Terminal 3. For those who prefer a rather cheap fare, there is a McDonald’s. Bill Bentley’s, Puro Gusto, Gino’s Pizza and Pasta, Cilantro and Segafredo Cafe are some other dining options that can please passengers who have flights to and from Cairo International Airport.

Shopping at Cairo International Airport

Like dining, shopping is big at the airport. Keen shoppers who have heard a thing or two about Cairo’s specialty shopping would be able to start their retail expedition right from the airport, as soon as they get off flights! The duty free adds to the magic and surely turns up the heat for compulsive buyers who are boarding Cairo bound flights. Egypt Air Duty Free, at Terminal 3, is the place to be for cheap bargains. It is a huge arcade and offers a wide range of global brands that are not to be found in any other airport of the country.

Cairo Airport Duty Free, on the first floor of Terminal 1, is another option for making up for expensive flights tickets with pocket-friendly deals!

Some Lesser Known Attractions to Spice up Your Trip to Cairo

Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, might be synonymous with the Giza Pyramid complex and the Sphinx, located away from the city, but that only one aspect of what Cairo can offer to visitors. Those booking their passage on-board flights destined for the metropolis can easily immerse themselves into various unique adventures when they reach here. Following is a short list of lesser known attractions that holidaymakers can visit by booking tickets on-board Cairo bound flights.

Some-Lesser-Known-Attractions-to-Spice-up-Your-Trip-to-Cairo

Solar Boat Museum

History buffs who disembark flights at this metropolis should try and make their way to the Solar Boat Museum. The centerpiece is a boat belonging to the famous pharaoh Khufu. Though not featured prominently in guide books and popular itineraries of Cairo, it’s the best place in the city for those seeking further information about the pharaohs and their belongings beyond the pyramids and mummies. Tickets to the exhibition can be obtained at the location and though they are cheap, pre-booking is not necessary.

Cairo Opera House

For those interested in the music of the region, the opera house located in the heart of the city is well worth the tickets it takes to attend a show at the destination. It is open round the year and many leading musicians both local as well as international have performed at the venue. The melodies of a show here are sure to stay in the hearts of globetrotters long after they have boarded their flights to reach home.

Memphis Museum

This is a truly out of the way museum but it holds many wonders for those seeking to further their interest in ancient Egypt. Named after the old capital of the pharaohs, this place is home to numerous artifacts and statues that hark back to the days of ancient Egypt long before Cairo existed. The centerpiece of this establishment is the imposing limestone statue of Ramses II, considered to be the greatest pharaoh in the history of Egypt. It is only a short drive away from downtown, so those booking flights to Cairo should find time to visit it.

Top 3 Traditional Egyptian Restaurants in Cairo

Cairo, the magical city of wonderful pyramids and pharaohs is packed with numerous attractions. But the city offers various reasons to the foodies as well to book flights for the metropolis. Here is some information about three most popular eating joints of Cairo.

Abou el-Sid

The winner of the Pan Arab Web Awards, Abou el-Sid is the first modern form of Egyptian bistro in Cairo that is very popular among the locals as well as with the gourmets arriving on flights here. Located in Zamalek, the classy restaurant offers delectable Cairo cuisines and authentic Egyptian spirits. The typical furniture setting, huge hanging lamps and the atmosphere of the place offer a traditional feel to the guests. Some of the must tries are mezzas, stuffed pigeons, fattah, rabbit molokhiya, and bamya. You can visit the other branch of this eating joint at Midan Amman in West Cairo. Don’t forget to taste the famous ‘Umman Ali’ before boarding flights back home.

Koshary Abou Tarek

Koshary Abou Tarek is one of the best restaurants in Cairo. Foodies arriving on flights in this metropolis of Egypt and wanting to taste the famous local dish – Koshary, often visit this place. Located in the city centre, the eating joint is one of the best places where one can taste the finest Koshary in Cairo. The food is really yummy and the price is reasonable. Apart from the eating, tourists enjoy the traditional yet simple atmosphere of this place. You can sit and enjoy your meal. There is a take-away option as well.

Zooba

Travellers taking flights to Cairo would definitely love to taste street food. But people having a concern regarding the cleanliness. Zooba is a perfect destination that provides hygienic and healthy yet mouth watering street food. The place serves authentic Egyptian breakfast and brunch including various types of salads, foul bean soups, taamia, hawawshi, spicy sausage with foul, a variety of yummy pickles, rice pudding, rosemary mango and many more. The best thing in Zooba is they serve the traditional food with a touch of modernity.