Information
Landmark: Cairo TowerCity: Cairo
Country: Egypt
Continent: Africa
Cairo Tower, Cairo, Egypt, Africa
Overview
Rising above the city, Cairo Tower stands as one of Egypt’s most famous landmarks, with a 360-degree view that sweeps from the winding Nile to the far-off desert.Rising from Gezira Island in the Nile, the tower marks modern Egypt’s skyline, its slim silhouette still among the highest in Africa.The tower went up between 1956 and 1961, rising stone by stone during Gamal Abdel Nasser’s presidency.Egyptian architect Naoum Shebib designed it, drawing inspiration from the lotus flower-a graceful bloom that held deep meaning in ancient Egyptian culture.The project was paid for with a disputed U. S. donation, which Egypt turned down, saying it was a push to sway its politics-like slipping a note under the table during a heated debate.Instead, Nasser poured the money into a national monument, turning the tower into a proud symbol of Egypt’s independence and defiance, its stone gleaming in the desert sun.The tower rises 187 meters-about 614 feet-into the sky, towering well above the Great Pyramid of Giza, which reaches only 146 meters.The design echoes a woven lattice of lotus flowers, like pale petals threaded together, creating a look that’s both distinctive and graceful.Made of reinforced concrete, the structure blends modern engineering with the timeless curves and carvings of traditional Egyptian design.The tower’s base flares like a pharaonic column, its carved lines echoing the grandeur of ancient Egypt.Highlights and must-see spots, like the old clock tower.From the tower’s observation deck, you can take in sweeping views of Cairo-the Nile glinting in the sun, the Pyramids of Giza rising on the horizon, and landmarks like Al-Azhar Mosque and the Citadel standing proud.On a bright, cloudless day, you can spot the outlines of Saqqara and Dahshur shimmering on the horizon.Two.On the top floor, a revolving restaurant slowly turns, giving diners shifting views of the city skyline as they savor each bite.The restaurant slowly makes a full turn about every 70 minutes, giving you time to watch the city lights drift past your table.Three.On the observation deck, you’ll find viewing telescopes ready to bring Cairo’s landmarks into sharp focus-like the gleaming tips of minarets in the afternoon sun.Number four.At night, the tower glows with bands of red, green, and gold, a bright jewel against Cairo’s dark skyline.The Cairo Tower stands as a proud emblem of Egypt’s post-independence era, its sleek silhouette rising over the city like a marker of national pride.You’ll spot it in Egyptian films, on TV dramas, and even tucked into the pages of local novels.The tower is still a favorite in Cairo, drawing weekend crowds of locals and camera-toting visitors from around the world.You can find it on Gezira Island in Zamalek, right in the heart of Cairo.We’re usually open from 9 a.m. until midnight, though the hours can shift-sometimes we close just as the streetlights flicker on.You’ll need a ticket for both the observation deck and the restaurant, whether you’re climbing for the view or sitting down for a meal with the city lights below.The city’s at its most stunning when the sun dips low in a blaze of orange, and again when night falls and the lights sparkle like scattered stars.Rising high above Cairo, the Cairo Tower honors Egypt’s rich culture and history, giving visitors sweeping views of the city and an experience they won’t forget.
