Cairo, Egypt

1. Abdeen Palace Museum

Abdeen Palace was built in 1863 by Khedive Isma'il Pasha. It was meant to symbolize Egypt's strength and acted as the royal residence until 1952, when the monarchy ended. It's still used today by the president for official events, but a portion of the palace was made into a museum by King Ahmed Fouad I in 1936. It was originally built to house the king's collection, and more items have been added to it by other rulers over the years. It is now divided into five sections: the Museum of Arms, the Presidential Gifts Museum, the Documents Museum, the Decorations and Medals Hall, and the Royal Silverware Museum.

Abdeen Palace Museum, El-Gomhoreya Square, Rahbet Abdin, Abdeen, Cairo Governorate, Egypt, Phone: +20 2 23916909

2. Abusir

Located 1.2 miles north of Saqqara, Abusir has several solar temples located throughout the site, although those of Userkaf and Niuserre are the only two to have been located. The site was easily accessible by boat via Abusir Lake and was used by the Memphite nobility until the end of the pharaonic era. There are two royal pyramids on site as well as other smaller pyramids. Paid tours of the sites are available.

Outside of Cairo, Cairo 11511, Egypt

3. Al-Fustat

Al-Fustat, also known as "Old Cairo," was the first capital of Islamic Egypt. The name may have been derived from the Roman military occupation, because it means "tent." Built in 642 by Amr ibn Al'as, it is considered to have been a major harbor for foreign maritime trade. It is located on the Nile between Upper and Lower Egypt. The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, the oldest mosque in Egypt, can be found there.

4. Al-Azhar Park

Al-Azhar Park offers a variety of cafes and restaurants as well as gorgeous views of Cairo. Visitors will feel like they've stepped back in time, but with the comforts of modern facilities. The Lakeside Café offers oriental and Lebanese food and overlooks a manmade lake, while the Mohamed Ali Mosque can be seen from the restaurant. Ayyubid Café offers fresh salads, sandwiches, and pastries and also has open air views of the park. The Citadel View Alain Le Notre offers views of Old Cairo, while the Citadel View Studio Misr offers a buffet and an ala carte menu. All restaurants can be found within Al-Azhar Park.

Salah Salem, Al Darb Al Ahmar, Cairo Governorate, Egypt, Phone: +20 2 25103868

5. Aqmar Mosque

The Aqmar Mosque is one of the oldest buildings in Islamic Cairo. Located on Al-Muizz Street, the mosque is on the smaller side and was built by the Fatimids, who originated from present day Tunisia. The mosque has several architectural features that are unique, being one of the first mosques to use an offset façade that remained square to the street front. The rest of the building sits at an angle, aligning with the Qibla, which is the direction of prayer toward Mecca.

Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi, El-Gamaleya, Qism El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt, Phone: +20 100 800 9475

6. Bab Al-Futuh

Badr al-Gamali built Bab Al-Futuh in 1087 to replace an earlier gate that sat to the south and was originally included in the enclosure wall of Gawhar. Originally called Bab al-Iqbal, which means Gate of Prosperity, the towers of the gate are decorated with an arched panel that sits on the front and the sides. Beyond the doorway is a passage that leads to a porch, which is covered with a shallow dome on pendentives. There is a long vaulted room inside each tower. The Mosque al-Mazhariyyah sits on the north side, which is the site of a madrasah that was built in 1298.

Bab Al Foutoh, El-Gamaleya, Qism El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

7. Bab El Nasr

Bab El Nasr sits at the northeast corner of Fatimid Cairo. It consists of two square towers and an arched gateway that is set back. There is a covered roadway between the two towers. The structure in its entirety measures 24.22 meters in width and 20.89 meters in height, with a depth of 20.47 meters. People can visit this amazing piece of Egyptian architecture to view the beautiful columns, interesting stone pieces, and the shields, half of which are circular while the other half are round on top and pointed on the bottom.

Bab El-Nasr, El-Gamaleya, Qism El-Gamaleya, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

8. Al Darb al-Ahmar District Trades and Markets

Al Darb al-Ahmar District Trades and Markets, meaning the Red Road, is filled with historic atmosphere. The area has been virtually unchanged over the centuries and is a maze of narrow alleyways that twist around and are lined with mosques and monuments. The market is a flurry of non-stop activity with a constant traffic flow every day of the week except for Sundays, when everything is closed. Samples of work are displayed up and down the street and craftsman can be found working away inside their shops.

Al Motaz Ldin Allah, El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

9. Salah al-Din Citadel

Dating back to the 12th century, Salah al-Din is Egypt's main military museum and castle. Sited on top of a hill, it was originally built originally to join Cairo with Fustat and now holds a number of museums and sights. Visitors can purchase the usual touristy souvenirs near the entrance, but what you'll really want to see is the view of the pyramids, visible once you climb to the top. There is a weapons museum on site that has weapons dating back to the Ottoman era. There is plenty to look at and see during your visit to this monumental place.

Salah al-Din Citadel, Al Abageyah, Qesm Al Khalifah, Cairo Governorate, Egypt, Phone: +20 2 31583632

10. Cairo Opera House

Designed by two Italian architects, Avoscani and Rossi, the Khedive Opera House was constructed during a 6-month period in 1869. It was designed to promote the art of acting, and specialists in theater construction were brought to Egypt to complete the work. The original structure burned to the ground in October 1971, and the inauguration of the new Cairo Opera House was in 1988. Today, ballet, operatic, and symphonic works can be seen there. Seminars and cultural conferences are also held there regularly.

Cairo Opera House, Opera Land EL GEZIRAH Zamalek, Cairo Governorate, Egypt