Top Museums in Cairo

Military Museum

With more space devoted to ceremonial equipment and costumes than the brutal realities of war, pacifists should not be deterred by the name of this museum. Scale models and life-size simulations depict several of Egypt's key battles, and visitors can actually step into the scene in which Egyptian soldiers cleverly blasted the "impregnable" sand Bar-Lev line with water cannons.

The Coptic Museum

Established in 1908 to preserve Coptic Christian artifacts from destruction, this renovated old building houses the world's largest collection of Coptic art. Its two wings contain fabulous artifacts (both secular and religious) produced by Copts throughout the ages. Exhibits are arranged roughly in chronological order, with the upper floor housing an exhibition of Nubian paintings salvaged from villages before they were flooded by the Aswan High Dam in the 1950s and 1960s. Worth a look are the wonderful examples of paintings and textiles, as well as metal, wood, glass and ivory craftsmanship. If you're a history buff, check out the Nag Hammadi documents on the top floor.

Egyptian Museum

Founded in 1858 by French archeologist Auguste Mariette (whose tomb is in the museum's garden), the giant salmon-colored building was built in 1902 under Khedive Abbas II Helmi. Housing one of the world's greatest collections of Egyptian artifacts, it boasts more than 136,000 artifacts from every period of pre-Islamic Egyptian history. It would be impossible to see everything in one go (allowing 60 seconds at each exhibit it would take nine months to see them all), so it is best to plan several visits if time allows. The exhibits on the ground floor are arranged more or less chronologically running clockwise with an ecclectic sample of Pharaonic highlights in the atrium. Don't miss the highly-lauded Amarna collection tucked away at the back. Upstairs are priceless treasures from the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the museum's crowning glory. Also on the top floor is the Mummy Room, which reopened in 1994 after years of controversy and contains the mummies of Egypt's mightiest Pharaohs.

Dr. Ragab's Pharaonic Village

Accessible only by boat, this private tourist project on an island in the Nile south of the Giza Bridge attempts to simulate life and work in ancient Egypt. Some find the living museum campy, but most will enjoy the two-hour boat tour past costumed performers acting out ancient Egyptian agriculture, crafts and industries. There is also a mock temple and several museums. The acres of papyrus swamps are a botanist's delight, and the two cafes and children's playground make the island an ideal family daytrip. All tours are multilingual.

Dr. Ragab's Papyrus Institute

The ancient Egyptian craft of papyrus making died out around the 10th Century CE but was revived over 1000 years later by Dr. Ragab, who conceived the idea of building a museum to demonstrate its ancient techniques. Here you will see papyrus go from grass to decorated wall piece and all the steps in between. The museum details the papyrus making process and its attached art gallery regularly holds exhibitions. More than anything, the boat functions as a papyrus showroom with some of the most expensive, though best quality, papyrus art in Egypt.

Museum of Ahmed Shawki

Opened on June 17, 1977, this museum pays a fine tribute to the great poet Ahmed Shawki, voted the Emir (the prince) of the Arab Poem. The museum features the poet's bedroom, study, and his extensive library. Of particular note are the 713 poem manuscripts. The museum's collection also includes medals, awards and gifts awarded to the poet in acknowledgment of his great achievements.

Al-Gawhara (Jewel) Palace Museum

Built in 1814, this was formerly the residence of Muhammed Ali Pasha and the location where, according to legend, he waited while his forces entrapped Mameluke leaders and massacred them as they were leaving the Citadel. Its restored 19th-century Ottoman rooms now contain royal portraits, paintings, costumes and furnishings of the period. It also includes a nice garden.

Carriage Museum

This small museum housed in a former British officers mess hall contains eight carriages used by Egyptian royalty. There are horse heads, saddles and riding equipment on display. The highlight is the glittering gold carriage presented by Napoleon to Khedive Ismail. Nearby is the carriage used by Khedive Ismail when he opened the Suez Canal in 1869.

Townhouse Gallery Exhibits

Arguably the best private gallery in the city, owner William Wells is a leading figure in Cairo's art community. Exhibitions change frequently and many feature area display installations. Wells is a driving force behind Al-Nitaq, the annual Cairo Art Festival, and a visit to the gallery is a must during that event.

The Police Museum at the Citadel

This quirky museum features rooms devoted to Egypt's most sensational murders and assassinations (although strangely Sadats is overlooked). It also showcases the 40 cells in which political prisoners were detained and tortured during the 1950s and 1960s. Some of the displays are bizarre to say the least, but there are many (like photos of battles against colonial forces) that will stir patriotic tendencies among Egyptian visitors.