5 Must Visit Museum In Cairo

From Islamic and Coptic culture to the history of its ancient ancestors, Egypt has one of the richest cultures in the world. As the capital, Cairo is home to some excellent museums that protect and showcase its unique past. Here are a few that our local insiders say you really shouldn’t miss.

# The Egyptian Museum by night

Millions of tourists head to the Egyptian Museum every year to look at the world’s most extensive collection of pharaonic antiquities. The museum extends over two floors: the ground floor features a chronological journey through Egypt’s 5,000-year history with 160,000 objects, while the upper floor is home to changing exhibitions. These have previously included Tutankhamun’s tomb, divinity statues and implements from everyday life. Mix it up and go for the night-time viewings.

# Abdeen Palace Museum

Located in the Old Cairo district of Abdeen, the grand Abdeen Palace used to serve as the principal workplace of the president of Egypt. Today it is a museum and home to many sumptuous adornments and paintings. Explore the Silver Museum, Arms Museum, Royal Family Museum and Presidential Gifts Museum. Keep an eye out for audaciously gold-painted ornaments.

# Manial Palace Museum

Dating back to the Ottoman dynasty, the Manial Palace Museum is located in the El-Manial district of southern Cairo. It is also known as Prince Mohammed Ali Tawfik Palace, who had it built. The beautiful palace is a mix of European, Ottoman, Persian and Moorish styles. The sumptuous furniture and interiors showcase the lifestyle of the Egyptian prince.

# The Coptic Museum

Much of Cairo’s charm derives from its mish-mash of different religions and cultures. This museum represents the city’s multiculturalism. Founded in 1908, it houses Coptic art from the earliest days of Christianity in Egypt. There’s an elaborate wood-carving section, sculptures from the Ptolemaic period, rich textiles and monastery frescoes. On the first floor, you can find the world’s oldest book of psalms – the Psalms of David – with two original wooden covers.

# Museum of Islamic Art

Located in central Cairo and built on the site of an old Fatimid mosque, the Museum of Islamic Art is one of the largest museums in the world specialising in Islamic art, comprising 100,000 artefacts from various periods of Islamic history. Jewellery, weapons, wood and ivory objects, textiles and carpets showcasing fine Islamic workmanship sit alongside rare manuscripts of the Quran and calligraphy from all over the world. It also houses manuscripts from diverse Islamic sciences including medicine, engineering, astronomy and more.