Cairo Tower Information
The Cairo Tower, also known as Borg Al-Qahira, is separate in the Egyptian capital’s Gezira district. It is the most recognizable modern monument in Cairo, presiding over the island of Gezira in the middle of the Nile River. It is the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa, standing 614 feet / 187 meters tall.
It was also the tallest building on the African continent until the Hillbrow Tower in Johannesburg opened in 1971. It has 90 floors and a diameter of 46 feet / 14 meters.
Today, the tower serves as an observation and communication tower and is one of Cairo’s most popular tourist attractions.
The history and architecture of the Cairo Tower
Naoum Shebib, a prominent Egyptian architect, designed the Cairo Tower, completed by a team of 500 workers. Its lattice design is inspired by the lotus plant, a popular motif among the ancient Egyptians to represent the sun, creation, and rebirth.
Similarly, the tower’s base and main staircase are carved from polished Aswan pink granite, a material popular among ancient Egyptian architects, while the tower itself is reinforced concrete. A layer of 8 million small tiles protects the building from the elements on the outside.
This was not the Americans’ intention: the money was a $ 6 million gift to Nasser to encourage him to end his support for Algeria’s fight against French colonialism. Offended by the bribery, Nasser used the money to construct the tower across the river from the US Embassy as a symbol of Arab resistance.
Before the tower’s 50th anniversary in 2004, a five-year restoration project was completed.
How tall is the Cairo Tower?
Its height reaches 187 meters and is 43 meters higher than the Great Pyramid of Giza. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the capital and represents the world’s tallest concrete-built tourist tower.
Cairo tower location
It is located in the Nile River’s heart of Cairo on Zamalek Island.
Why was the cairo tower built?
- The tower was built as a symbol of Arab resistance.
- To play its role as a television tower.
- To prove the Egyptian engineering capabilities when there were plans to build the High Dam.
History of Cairo tower
Cairo tower was built from 1956 to 1961 during the presidency of Gamal Abdel Nasser with Soviet assistance. And it stands on the base of the Aswan granite stones that the ancient Egyptians
used to build their monasteries and temples of the pharaohs. It contains 16 floors, the trip inside the elevator tower to reach the end of 45 seconds
More than 500 workers built it from Egypt at approximately $8,320,200 million in construction cost. Egyptian engineer Naoum Shabib designed it, and this design takes the form of the Egyptian lotus flower.
Can you see the pyramids from the Cairo Tower?
Cairo Tower Attractions
The circular entrance hall is an attraction in its own right, even though the goal of visiting the Cairo Tower is obviously to reach the top. A mosaic mural depicts Egypt’s landmarks.
Among these landmarks are the Giza Pyramids, the Salah al-Din Citadel in Cairo, the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, and the Hama Watermills.
The mural, like the tower, was intended to be a clear representation of Arab pride and to provide insight into the region’s political landscape in the second half of the twentieth century.
After exploring the lobby, take the elevator to the top of the tower to reach the circular observation deck. A 360o panorama awaits you here, providing unrivaled views of the Greater Cairo area. On a clear day, one can see from the Muqattam hills in the capital’s eastern outskirts to the pyramids and the start of the Sahara desert in the west.
The Nile then flows around the two banks of the island of Gezira and through the city, as it has since the Fatimid dynasty founded it in 969 AD.
Telescopes are available for those who want a better look at Cairo’s highlights.
Alternatives for eating
The Sky Window Cafe, located on the floor directly beneath the observation deck, serves light refreshments at reasonable prices and is a great place to sit and enjoy the view during the day. Reserve a table at 360 Rotating Restaurant for a more opulent dining experience.
The restaurant was a favorite dining destination for President Nasser and a brilliant roster of 20th-century politicians and celebrities, with a complete revolution in approximately 70 minutes. Katherine Hepburn was the first celebrity to visit.
Today, the restaurant serves pricey European and Egyptian cuisine, and while there are better options in nearby Zamalek, the view is unrivaled.
What is inside the Cairo Tower?
Inside the tower, there are about 14 restaurants at your complete disposal of excellent quality, and all the tower managers always offer a more convenient service to visitors.
You cannot miss eating the typical Egyptian food on board a tourist restaurant at the top of the tower, and it rotates 360 degrees and allows you to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Egypt.
Cairo Tower Ticket Prices and Hours of Operation
Regarding the opening hours in the Winter season: from 8:00 to 00:00 and in the Summer season: from 9:00 to 1:00.
How much does it cost to visit the Cairo Tower?
Cairo tower ticket price is EGP 60 per person (while children under 6 are free).
What is the best time to visit Cairo Tower?
The best time to visit is in the late morning after the early mist has burned away or at night when visitors are greeted by the spectacle of a million lights that shine brightly throughout the city.
How to get to the tower?
You can quickly get to the Cairo Tower via the Egyptian Metro, or if you are visiting Egypt with a travel agency, you can ask to add a guided tour of the tower to your itinerary.
