7 Cairo Highlights Beyond the Pyramids

You know the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, but what else does Cairo offer? Here are seven highlights to add to an upcoming Egyptian itinerary. © Evgeniy Fesenko | Dreamstime.com

Salah El-Din Citadel is likely the most popular Cairo attraction that isn’t the pyramids or the Great Sphinx. A fortress built in the 1100s, its history is intertwined with the Christian Crusades. © Fleckus | Dreamstime.com

No visit to Cairo is complete without a stop at the Egyptian Museum. Beyond the pyramids, glimpse the huge array of ancient artifacts, from King Tut’s treasures to marvelous mummies. © Zeljkokcanmore | Dreamstime.com

A unique shopping experience awaits at Khan el-Khalili, an Egyptian marketplace filled with everything from souvenirs to spices. Test your bargaining skills against the vendors; it’s entirely expected. © Merydolla | Dreamstime.com

You know the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, but what else does Cairo offer? Here are seven highlights to add to an upcoming Egyptian itinerary. © Evgeniy Fesenko | Dreamstime.com

Coptic Cairo is the oldest part of the city, with a history stretching to the 500s B.C. A Christian district in contrast to the Islamic Quarter and other areas of Cairo, it’s a relatively calm portion of the city with historic churches and cemeteries. © Evgeniy Fesenko | Dreamstime.com

For a different, less popular set of pyramids, visit Dahshur. The trio of pyramids date to 2575 B.C. Notice the differences between these pyramids and those at Giza, as they reflect the ancient Egyptian’s evolving architectural skills. © Marek Poplawski | Dreamstime.com

Take a ride to Zamalek, a modern, hipster-esque district situated on an island in the Nile. Beyond art galleries and trendy restaurants, travelers find extravagant mansions, the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art and Cairo Tower. © Alex Zarubin | Dreamstime.com