Visiting Old Cairo: An Amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site

Old Cairo is definitely an area of Cairo you need to visit! Visits to Cairo tend to include the pyramids and the Egyptian museum, however there is much more to see in Cairo. Old Cairo has history just oozing out of the walls and streets!

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Old Cairo: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Old Cairo, is a historic area in Cairo, Egypt, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a wealth of cultural heritage. Thankfully, many historic buildings have been well preserved and are open to visitors.

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Old Cairo: Places to Visit

• Mosque of Muhammed Ali is also known as the Alabaster Mosque. This is becaue of the alabaster that covers this this enormous place of worship. The architecture was inspired by Istanbul’s New Mosque.
• Khan El Khalili is a must visit location. Jam packed with local trades people selling gold, copper, spices and much more. A market since the 14th century, Khan El Khalili is Egypt’s most important souk. Plus it is still an incredible place to shop, eat and soak up the atmosphere.
• The Citadel was originally built in the 12th century to protect the city from attacking Crusaders. Saladin Citadel on the hill top offers amazing views across the city.
• Mosque of Ibn Tulun is the oldest and largest mosque in Cairo. Plus it is known for its beautiful architecture.
• Muizz Street is one of the oldest streets in Cairo. It is about one kilometre (just over half a mile) long and is home to a wealth of Islamic history. Discover amazing Islamic architectural treasures as you walk along the street. These includes mosques and madrassas to mansions and palaces.
• Ben Ezra Synagogue was the site of the famous Cairo Geniza. Houses collection of around 400,000 Jewish manuscripts and documents that catalogue 1,000 years of Middle Eastern and North African history. This is thought to be the most diverse collection of medieval manuscripts in the world!

Old Cairo: More Places to Visit!

• The Hanging Church, is one of the oldest churches in Egypt and the history of a church on this site dates to the third century. It is built on top of the southern gatehouse of the Roman-built Babylon Fortress and gets its name from the fact that its nave is suspended over a passageway. This unique location gives the church the impression of hanging in mid-air, a spectacle that would have been even more impressive when it was first built when the ground level was several metres lower than it is today. The Hanging Church has an Arabic name, al-Muallaqah, which roughly translates as “The Suspended”.
• The Fort of Babylon is a fortress that was once part of the fortifications of Roman Cairo. It is thought that the first fort was built by the Persians in about the 6th century BC on cliffs overlooking the Nile river. When the Romans moved into Egypt they used the old fort for a while. However, because of problems of water delivery, they relocated the fort to its present location which was nearer to the river. Since then, the course of the Nile has moved again.
• Rhoda Island or Rawdah Island, is an island located on the Nile in central Cairo. The island is in the El-Manial district and is the location of the Al-Manyal Palace Museum and gardens. Rhoda Island is one of the most ancient landmarks in the whole of Egypt and is definitely a place to visit!

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If you want to explore Cairo from your Hurghada resort, 123 Taxi & Tours Hurghada is here to help. We provide private trips to Cairo from all Hurghada resorts. We also provide private transfers both ways between Cairo and all Hurghada resorts.

If you don’t see what you are looking for, get in touch today to discuss how we can help you explore Cairo.

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Why Choose 123 Taxi & Tours Hurghada

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