Cairo Tower Giza
The Cairo Tower is one of the modern icons of the Egyptian capital, with its stylized appearance and lattice top designed to mimic the image of a lotus flower. It is located in the modern district of Zamalek, and it is an Etisalat tower. It is 187 meters tall and for 10 years was the tallest tower in all of Africa, until 1971 when it was surpassed by the Hillbrow Tower in South Africa.
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The Cairo Tower was designed by engineer Naoum Shabib and opened on April 11, 1961 during the reign of Gamal Abdel Nasser. For five years, between 2004 and 2009, it underwent a meticulous restoration to celebrate its 50th anniversary in April 2011.
Its internal structure has 16 floors and three elevators. It was built of granite from Aswan, a material known for its nobility and very symbolic in Egypt because it is the same material used in the construction of the pyramids.
Its charm can be seen at first sight, in a majestic form that is difficult to ignore and in this form that represents birth and prosperity through the lotus flower, is present in the paintings of many tombs and pyramids in the tombs of ancient Egypt. And its exterior is as unmistakable as it is iconic, with that lattice of criss-crossing webs forming a large tube that opens slightly as it reaches the top.
But also, the Cairo Tower has an extra charm inside and it offers the best panoramic views of the city with its 360 degree circular platform. It also features a revolving restaurant at the end of the tower to enjoy the views as it glides smoothly giving you different views of the skyline. An additional fact about the restaurant is that in addition to preparing the most traditional delicacies in the Egyptian kitchen, the famous actress Katharine Hepburn dined there during its opening.
What you have to keep in mind is that often in Cairo there is a constant fog that prevents you from getting a clear view, even from the top of the tower. This is due to several factors, the vast majority of which are associated with smog and desert sands. So if you decide to climb the Cairo Tower, it is best to do it on a clear day, so you will enjoy your visit better.
The Cairo Tower is one of the modern icons of the Egyptian capital, with its stylized appearance and lattice top designed to mimic the image of a lotus flower. It is located in the modern district of Zamalek, and it is an Etisalat tower. It is 187 meters tall and for 10 years was the tallest tower in all of Africa, until 1971 when it was surpassed by the Hillbrow Tower in South Africa.
To go to Zamalek district, the best way to do it if you go on your own is the metro. The stop is Opera, on line 2. You can also take a taxi or private car from your hotel by arranging the price in advance. Some buses also leave you close to the area but they are usually very full and don't advertise stops, so it's easy to get lost if you catch one.
The schedule varies according to the seasons. In the fall and winter from 8:00 am to 0:00 am, and in the spring and summer, the tower's operating hours shift from 9:00 am to 1:00 am. That is, it is open practically all day and all year round, although if you prefer to visit with a few people, we advise you to avoid periods near sunset, as it is the preferred time for most tourists who visit the Cairo Tower. But if you don't mind the crowds, this is the perfect time to take in the best views, because the sun sets behind the horizon and the ancient buildings are lit up with night lights, forming a panorama as idyllic as it is cinematic.
Another good option is to visit early in the morning, with clear skies and enjoy a coffee or tea in the tower's cafeteria. Or a romantic dinner in the revolving restaurant with the most amazing night views.
The entry price to the Cairo Tower is 70 Egyptian pounds. You can hire a guided tour service but we do not recommend you to do that because all you need to know about the tower you just read in this post. What distinguishes it, in addition to its dimensions and architecture, is that you climb to admire the views, so it is not necessary to hire a guided tour.
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