This large telecommunications tower has become a tourist attraction in Cairo thanks to its popular 143-metre-high observation deck. What can you see from the top of the tower? Is it worth going up? Go for it!
The project was financed with US government funds which, through the CIA, were intended as a gift to Egyptian President Gamal Nasser to curry his favour and stop supporting the Algerian War of Independence. In view of this bribery attempt, Nasser used the money to build the tower so that it would be ‘visible from the US Embassy as a symbol of Egyptian, African and Middle Eastern resistance and pride’.
Construction began in 1956 and was completed in 1961, the year of the tower’s inauguration and opening. Materials such as concrete and granite from Aswan were used for this purpose. The exterior of the tower is characterised by latticework reminiscent of a lotus plant as well as the spire antenna that crowns it at a height of 187 metres.
- Tower observation deck
- The best time to visit the Cairo Tower
- Practical information
- Where to eat near the Cairo Towero
- Where to stay near the Cairo Tower
Tower observation deck
Getting to the Cairo Tower’s observation deck is reaching what used to be the tallest building in North Africa until 2021, when the new 385-metre-tall Iconic Tower in New Cairo was completed. Despite losing such an honour, the Cairo Tower continues to attract visitors and is considered one of the city icons, after the pyramids.
Its location on an island of the Nile makes it the perfect vantage point from which to view most of the Egyptian capital. Since Cairo does not have many other options to see the city from above, the tower is an interesting option if you like to going to these types of viewpoints.
To the west, you will see the pyramids, the Sphinx and the first sands of the Sahara desert. To the east, you will see Historic or Islamic Cairo, with Tahrir Square, the Cairo Museum, the Citadel and most of the mosques. To the north, you will see the rest of Gezira Island and Zamalek district. To the south, you will see the mighty Nile upstream. Undoubtedly, the 360-degree view from the centre of the city offers the best panoramic view.
The best time to visit the Cairo Tower
The Cairo Tower has long opening hours, from 8 am to midnight, allowing visitors to choose the most convenient time to see the city or fit in with their schedule in the capital.
One recommendation is to choose the right time of day to enjoy the view from above so that you can plan ahead and arrive at the top of the tower in good time. For example, at dusk, so that you can watch the sun go down while the city lights up.
It is also advisable to check the weather forecast in advance for your chosen day of visit, although Cairo generally enjoys mostly dry and rain-free days. The haze created by pollution can be a greater nuisance, but nothing can be done about this.
Practical information
The Cairo Tower is a city icon. Here are some of its main milestones:
- Architect: Naoum Shebib
- Main materials: concrete and granite
- Year opened: 1961
- Tower height: 187 metres
- Deck height: 143 metres
- Number of floors: 62
- Lifts: three
Where to eat near the Cairo Tower
In addition to the panoramic observation deck, the Cairo Tower has a rotating restaurant that gently rotates to give diners a 360-degree view while enjoying their meal.
Next to this attractive restaurant, in the vicinity of the tower we can highlight the following:
- Zööba: this popular small chain of Egyptian restaurants provides good value for money. It has several premises in the centre, both in Zamalek and near Tahrir Square.
- Abou El Sid: on the banks of the Nile is this beautiful restaurant where the aesthetics of the place will help you immerse yourself more in Egyptian culture. It has an extensive menu with the main dishes of the country’s cuisine.
- Le Pacha 1901: this is located on one of the ships anchored on the eastern side of the island. It has up to seven different restaurants, including Carlo’s and L’Asiatique, voted the third best restaurant in Africa. The style is a little more elegant and the prices are in line with this distinction.
- Crimson Bar & Grill: we highlight this restaurant because it has magnificent views of the Nile thanks to its location on the fourth floor of a building.
Where to stay near the Cairo Tower
The tower is located in the elegant and cosmopolitan Zamalek district, one of the most affluent areas in Cairo. Throughout the area there are numerous medium- to high-income accommodation options, with the presence of many international companies.
An option not far from the tower is the Barceló Cairo Pyramids, the Spanish chain’s four-star hotel located on the avenue that links the city centre to the pyramids. It is a convenient area halfway between these icons of Ancient Egypt and the more touristy areas of the capital.
