Tahrir Square, whose name means ‘Liberation Square’, is the largest public area in Cairo. Meeting point of some of the capital’s main avenues and adjacent to the River Nile, it is the city’s most iconic square. Because of its symbolism and strategic location in the city centre, some of the main political demonstrations in Egypt’s recent history have taken place there, notably the popular uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak as president in 2011. In this article we will tell you what you can see in Tahrir Square. Keep reading!
- History of Tahrir Square: the 2011 revolution
- Things to see in Tahrir Square
- Where to eat near Tahrir Square
- Where to stay near Tahrir Square
History of Tahrir Square: the 2011 revolution
Tahrir Square was originally called Ismailia Square, after Ismail Pasha, the Egyptian viceroy who commissioned the creation of the district where the square is located. The district was conceived as ‘Paris on the Nile’ at the time, inspired by the French capital’s architecture. After the Egyptian Revolution of 1919, it became popularly known as Liberation Square, although the name was not officially changed until another uprising in 1952, which ended the monarchy and imposed a republic.
Tahrir Square gained international fame in January 2011, when historic protests erupted in Cairo. Hundreds of thousands of young people turned Tahrir into the headquarters of a movement demanding a radical programme of social reform and the resignation of the then president, Hosni Mubarak. The protests continued for 18 days in which Tahrir was the scene of many street clashes between protesters and police. On 11 February, after 18 days of demonstrations and almost 850 deaths, Mubarak announced that he was stepping down.
Things to see in Tahrir Square
The main visual landmark in Tahrir Square is the Ramses II obelisk, which used to be at the archaeological site of Tanis and was installed in the square in 2020, in the centre of the huge roundabout that distributes the traffic.
To the north-east, there is a statue of Umar Makram, leader of the Egyptian resistance against the Napoleonic invasion in 1798. Just behind it is the mosque that bears his name, designed by the historic Italian architect Mario Rossi, one of the greatest exponents of the Islamic style in the 20th century.
Tahrir Square is also home to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, one of Egypt’s main tourist attractions. Founded in 1902, this museum housed a very important collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts until recently. However, most of the main items were moved to the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which is expected to open in late 2022.
Around Tahrir Square are landmark buildings such as the headquarters of the Arab League, the Mogamma (a grandiose government building), the Kasr El Dobara Evangelical Church and the original campus of the American University in Cairo.
Where to eat near Tahrir Square
Although Egyptian cuisine is not one of the Middle East’s finest, Cairo is a major international city and there is no shortage of options for fine dining. Here are some ideas for places to eat near Tahrir Square.
- Koshary Abou Tarek: a family business that is a veritable institution in the centre of Cairo. With three floors and huge neon lights covering the entire façade, it is impossible to ignore if you walk past it. Only one dish is served there: the traditional koshary, a combination of vegetables with rice or noodles.
- Fasahet Somaya: homemade food very close to Tahrir Square. The restaurant, which shares the name of its charismatic owner, does not have a fixed menu, but varies every day depending on what she finds in the market.
- Birdcage: this restaurant specialises in Thai cuisine. At Birdcage you can sample some of Thailand’s signature specialities, but beware of the spiciness: the focus is on authenticity.
- Zitouni: it is generally regarded as one of the city’s best restaurants, with a menu that covers both Egyptian and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean specialities.
Where to stay near Tahrir Square
The Barceló Cairo Pyramids is located on what is known as Pyramids Avenue, i.e. Sharia Al Haram. Just 4 kilometres from the legendary Giza plateau, home to the famous Pyramids, it is one of the best options for exploring both the historical legacy of Ancient Egypt as well as the exciting metropolis of modern Cairo.
Tahrir Square is located in the heart of the city, so there is something to suit all tastes and budgets in the surrounding area. There are hotels from the major international luxury chains and a wide range of hostels and guest houses for those travelling on a tighter budget.
