The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Cairo

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

Unusual
Attractions
in Cairo

The nilometer of Rhoda Island near Cairo

Nilometer

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

30.0070, 31.2252

Added by AaronNetsky

Monastery of Saint Simon

Monastery of Saint Simon

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

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Added by EricGrundhauser

Cairo's City of the Dead

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

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Added by JBHewlett

Original letter of Abraham, the son of Maimonides found in the Cairo genizah.

The Cairo Genizah

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

30.0048, 31.2455

Added by oksanam

The Aquarium Grotto Garden

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

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Added by Asger Hunov

A taxidermied lion lies on its side, broken.

Agricultural Museum of Cairo

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

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Cairo’s Garbage City

Slum Settlement Filled With Mountains of Garbage.

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Added by Tawsam

Al-Andalus Garden.

Al-Andalus Garden

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

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Added by yarasam

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alohaxally wants to go to The Aquarium Grotto Garden

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Stories
About Cairo

A male reserve head found in the shaft of a tomb c. 1915.

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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