Cairo Tower (Burj al-Qahira)

The Basics

Most visitors head to the Cairo Tower for the 360-degree view from the top. On a clear day, you can see all the way across to the Giza Pyramids in the outskirts of the city. Enjoy a simple snack in the café; opt for fancier fare at the restaurant; or watch the sunset from the observation deck. Many Cairo sightseeing tours stop by the tower.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Cairo Tower is a great choice for photographers when the skies are clear.

• To dine at the revolving restaurant, you need to make a reservation as well as purchase a ticket to access the tower.

• The restaurant is accessible to wheelchairs by elevator, but the observation deck can be reached only by stairs.

How to Get There

In the heart of the city, on Gezira Island in the Nile, the Cairo Tower is about a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) walk east of Tahrir Square and a 5-minute walk from the island’s Opera metro station (Line 2).

When to Get There

The Cairo Tower is typically open daily until late at night, and the lines for the elevators are longest around sunset on the Islamic weekend (Friday and Saturday). Aim to visit at a clear time of day (generally late morning or late afternoon), or soak up the twinkling lights at night.

Nights with a View in Cairo

On the Cairo Tower’s 60th floor, the El Dawar restaurant is an icon of the city. The Grand Nile Tower Hotel, about a mile (1.6 kilometers) south of the Cairo Tower, also has a revolving restaurant. For a more 21st-century feel, check out the 11th-floor rooftop pool bar at the Kempinski Nile.