The Best Museums in Cairo
With the Great Pyramids of Giza in the southwest and the Obelisk in the northeast, modern Cairo is a city steeped lavishly in history and culture. This, combined with its thousand-year heritage means Egypt’s capital attracts the attention of tourists year-round.
Discerning travellers know that a visit to Cairo requires a certain level of attention to detail, and according to our knowledgeable Luxury Travel Managers, this means exploring some of Cairo’s finest museums. Combining modern sophistication, with famed Egyptian luxury, these are the museums you simply have to visit when you are in Egypt’s extravagant capital city.
1. The Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum and Cultural Centre
Founded in 2006 and named after the renowned sculptor Mahmoud Mokhtar, this is a relatively new addition to Cairo’s cultural scene. Combining an extensive collection of contemporary Egyptian art with a large event space. The Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum and Cultural Centre is a one-stop destination for experiencing the high art of Cairo in a refined setting.
Previous exhibitions include works by Wafaa Nashashibi and Rania El Hakim, for example “Man…Earth Connectedness” and solo exhibitions by Magdy Hanna, as well as work by Mokhtar himself. Located opposite the Cairo Opera House, this gallery and museum is well situated for a day of thought-provoking insight into the world of Egyptian art.
2. The Egyptian Museum
Built in 1902, the Egyptian Museum is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in the world. Unlike The Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum, the Egyptian Museum focuses on the past with a mission to restore and curate the finest collections of pharaonic artefacts in the world. As the resting place of Tutankhamun and 1,700 of his possessions, they certainly have a legitimate claim.
Once you have visited the museum’s extensive collections, our Luxury Travel Manager recommends walking across the Nile for an unrivalled evening of sumptuous food at the Fairmont: Nile City. With unparalleled views of the Nile and the city and food that will delight your taste buds, this is an unmissable establishment, which we would be happy to book for you.
3. Museum of Islamic Art
After 8 years of renovation and at a hefty cost of $10 million, the Museum of Islamic Art reopened in 2010 to a stunning reception. As one of the finest collections of Islamic artefacts in the world, take a trip to downtown Cairo to experience a window into the history of the world’s most practiced religion.
With a display of around 2,500 artefacts curated over 25 galleries, and 95,000 objects in storage, the collection of ceramics, glass, crystals and textiles is something to behold. While the museum is undergoing some restoration work to its façade, the resilience of the museum and its incredible collection is unquestionable and inspirational.
Cairo is a city full to the brim with cultural and historic wonders waiting for you to explore. When you are ready to plan your trip to Egypt, contact our Luxury Travel Managers, to organise your itinerary. Your trip should be nothing short of perfect, so allow us to book your private charter yacht down the Nile, your helicopter trip over the city and your stay in the finest hotel of your choice. If you would like more advice on additional local attractions, call us today on 0203 535 9290 or email us on info@simplexitytravel.com.