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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Cairo

10 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt

Updated May 21, 2020

Unusual Attractions in Cairo

Cairo, Egypt

Nilometer

An ancient instrument used to measure the waters of the Nile so Egyptian farmers would know whether to expect famine or flood.

Cairo, Egypt

Monastery of Saint Simon

The massive cave church of Cairo's Zabbaleen community is one of the largest Christian churches in the Middle East.

Cairo, Egypt

Al-Andalus Garden

A preserved oasis with traditional Andalusian-style architecture and beautiful views of the Nile.

Cairo, Egypt

Cairo's City of the Dead

In Egypt's expanding metro area, many of the neighbors are dead.

Cairo, Egypt

The Cairo Genizah

Hundreds of thousands of ancient documents offer a unique glimpse into Jewish life in Cairo.

Cairo, Egypt

The Hanging Church

Standing atop 2nd-century Roman ruins, this church is one of the oldest and most iconic in Old Cairo.

Cairo, Egypt

The Aquarium Grotto Garden

A strange aquarium with stuffed fish, and almost no water for them to swim in.

Cairo, Egypt

Agricultural Museum of Cairo

A huge museum of much more than just agriculture displayed in a princess's palace.

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Guided Tours of Cairo

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Ancient Wonders: Egypt & The Nile

Discover ancient and modern Cairo then cruise along the Nile taking in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.

Explore Cairo, Egypt

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Stories About Cairo

The Secret Language of Cairo's Goldsmiths

Their words speak to the legacy of a lost community.

by Shira Telushkin

The Ghost Airline That Has Linked Cairo and Tel Aviv for Decades

Air Sinai is shrouded in mystery. But why?

by Shira Telushkin

This Ancient Egyptian Textile Is Hanging By a Thread

Only 20 khayamiya artisans are left, in one dusty alley in Cairo. Can e-commerce save them?

by Stephanie Vermillion

September 26, 2019

Around the Middle East in Hummus and Falafel

A new book is an ode to chickpeas and the people that love them.

by Olivia Snaije

Exploring a 'Treasure Trove' of Medieval Egyptian Recipes

A newly translated cookbook provides a tantalizing glimpse of Cairo's past.

by Abbey Perreault

September 4, 2018

Dozens of Mysterious 'Reserve Heads' Were Sealed in Ancient Egyptian Tombs

Over 30 have been found, but their function is unclear.

by Hadley Meares

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