Landmarks in Cairo

Cairo is chock full of landmarks and iconic buildings. Top of the list, of course, is the Great Pyramid, with the Sphinx and the Pyramid of Chephren following close behind. Pictures can nowhere near do justice to seeing these monuments in the flesh.

One of the other major landmarks in Cairo is the Citadel of Salah ed-Din – or, more accurately, the minarets of the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. The Citadel has watched over Cairo for nearly 1000 years, and is an integral part of the city's skyline.

A more contemporary but no less recognisable landmark is the Cairo Tower, supposedly built to represent a papyrus plant, and lit up at night by a rippling display of colour-shifting lights. The views of Cairo from here are second to none.

While every Cairo mosque is a landmark in its own right, the two most iconic must be al-Azhar Mosque, spiritual centre of Sunni Islam, and Ibn Tulun Mosque, with its unique spiral minaret and somehow imposing elegance.

Bab Zwayla takes its place amongst the top landmarks of Cairo not just because of its good preservation and formidable appearance, but because it still marks the intersection of an important crossroads in Islamic Cairo.

The Egyptian Museum and the Cairo Opera House also deserve their places on the list, not just because of their eminence as buildings, but because of what they represent to Cairo in terms of heritage and culture, both ancient and modern.

The Great Pyramid

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Giza Plateau

Last remaining ancient wonder of the world...
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The Sphinx

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Giza Pyramids Plateau

Haunting, mysterious and iconic...
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Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren)

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Giza Pyramids Plateau

Limestone cap still intact...
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The Citadel

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Salah Salem Highway

Imposing fortress with fantastic views, mosques and museums...
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Cairo Tower

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Next to Al-Ahli Sporting Club

Best views of Cairo plus a revolving restaurant...
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Al-Azhar Mosque

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Al-Azhar Street
Opposite El-Hussein Square

Egypt's Highest Islamic Authority...
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Ibn Tulun Mosque

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Off 'Abd al-Magid al-Labban (Al-Salbiyya) Street
Ibn Tulun Street

Stunning architecture and unique minaret...
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Bab Zwayla

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Sharia al-Muizz el-Din Allah Street

The imposing southern gate of Fatimid Cairo...
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Cairo Opera House Performances

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El Borg Gezira
(Next to Kasr el-Nil Bridge)

Home of arts and culture in Cairo...
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