Egyptian Museum
Housing more than 120,000 artifacts in 107 halls, the Egyptian Museum is the home to the most extensive collection if ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world. This is what makes it hard to get around everything in one visit. If you’re itinerary is hectic, and you scheduled only one visit for the museum, then you concentrate in some astonishing highlights which are; the Amarna Room, devoted to Akhenaten, the 'heretic king' portrayed with Mick Jagger-like lips; the Graeco-Roman Mummies; the glittering galleries that display an astounding array of finery extracted from New Kingdom tombs found at the Delta site of Tanis; and the larger-than-life-size statue of Khafrea (Chephren), which many consider to be the museum's masterpiece. Two more things that you cannot deprive your eyes from are the shimmering treasure of the young new kingdom pharaoh Tutankhamun and the amazing solid- gold death mask.
Cairo Tower
Cairo Tower also known as Gezira Tower isn’t only the city’s splendid tower that lights up the Nile, but it’s also its most renowned landmark after the Pyramids. Built in 1961, the Gezira tower represents a 185m-high wicker work tube. You can observe the restless Cairo through its 360- degree spectacular views. Dining in the tower is exceptional, as you can experience an exotic meal in its revolving restaurant, or just pause at its cafeteria.
El Manial Palace
The vividly painted architecture lining in the walls of El Manial palace may be the most famous feature of it, and the stunning harmonious combination of the Ottoman, Moorish, Persian and European rococo that can ever be seen in the world. Today the palace houses an assortment of collections in five buildings, including a Hunting Museum housing Farouk's huge horde of dusty stuffed hunting trophies - not recommended for animal lovers. It was built in the early part of the 20th century as a residence for Prince Mohamed Ali Tawfik. The main palace encompasses giant rooms that are authentically furnished. The prince’s private museum displays some of his manuscripts, clothing, silver objects, furniture, writing implements and other items dating from medieval times to the 19th century. Stroll through the beautiful gardens afterwards, planted with rare tropical plants and marvelous palms collected by the prince on his travels.
Monasterli Palace
Situated in a serene Nileside garden, Monasterli Palace is a complete sustenance for mind and soul. It was constructed in 1851 for an Ottoman Pasha whose family hailed from Monastir, in northern Greece. The Slamalik that was built for public functions is nowadays a classy venue for concerts, while the other part is now the ‘Um Kalthoum Museum’. Dedicated to the most famous Arab diva, the small museum is more like a shrine, given the reverence with which the singer's signature rhinestone-trimmed glasses and glittery gowns are hung under spotlights in display cases. There's a multimedia room where you can listen to her music, and a short film shows key moments of her life, from the beginning when she performed disguised as a Bedouin boy, to her magnetic performances that brought Cairo to a standstill, to her funeral, when millions of mourners flooded the streets.