The Atlas Obscura Guide To Cairo

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

Updated November 9, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Cairo

The nilometer of Rhoda Island near 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.

Monastery of Saint Simon

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.

Al-Andalus Garden.

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.

The Hanging Church.

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.

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

Cairo, Egypt

The Cairo Genizah

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

See All 14 Things To Do in Cairo

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

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Architecture 4

Sacred Spaces 3

Churches 2

Rivers 2

Museums 2

Eccentric Homes 2

Ancient 2

Homes 2

Wonder Cabinets 2

Natural History Museums 1

Taxidermy 1

Fortresses 1

Gardens 1

Collections 1

Basilicas 1

Medical Museums 1

Public Works 1

Botanical Gardens 1

Mystery 1

Military History 1

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Stories About Cairo

A Cairo goldsmith works on golden rings depicting a pharaoh.

The Secret Language of Cairo's Goldsmiths

Their words speak to the legacy of a lost community.

by Shira Telushkin, Atlas Obscura

Crowds on Al Moaz in Cairo.

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

Air Sinai is shrouded in mystery. But why?

by Shira Telushkin, Atlas Obscura

Cairo’s Sharia Khayamiya—the Street of the Tentmakers, aka the Tentmakers Market—is the only place in the world where the decorative appliqué textile is made.

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, Atlas Obscura

September 26, 2019

A falafel stand in Gaza.

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, Atlas Obscura

Behold!

Exploring a 'Treasure Trove' of Medieval Egyptian Recipes

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

by Abbey Perreault, Atlas Obscura

September 4, 2018

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, Atlas Obscura