3 Best Sights in Gezira Island and Zamalek, Cairo

Beside the Nile near 26th of July Street, Aisha Fahmy Palace is an embodiment of early 20th-century architectural splendor. Designed by Italian architect Antonio Lasciac, it was built in 1907 for Egyptian aristocrat Ali Fahmy, King Farouk's army chief. He left the estate to his daughter, Aisha, and she lived there with her husband, prominent actor and director Youssef Wahbi.

The two-story palace underwent a restoration that lasted more than a decade, and now, in addition to housing the Japanese embassy on the second floor, it serves as a cultural center, with art exhibitions throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to stop by for a look at its Rococo-style interior, featuring silk-clad walls, frescoes, and stained glass; just call ahead to be sure the palace is open. The gardens are also quite serene despite the bustle of neighboring 26th of July Street.

Designed by Egyptian architect Naoum Shebib and completed in 1961, the Cairo Tower soars 610 feet (187 meters), making it the tallest structure not only in Egypt but also North Africa. Its exterior exhibits pharaonic influences, as evidenced by latticework that is reminiscent of the lotus plant, and its observation deck affords an unprecedented, 360°-view of greater Cairo. Morning visits have their appeal, but sunsets from the tower are phenomenal.

The vast holdings at this museum across from the Cairo Opera House consist of modern works by 20th- and 21st-century Egyptian painters, sculptors, calligraphers, and other artists. Highlights of the permanent collection include sculptures by Mahmoud Mukhtar and paintings by Mahmoud Said, both pioneers of the Egyptian modern art movement in the 1920s and '30s. The museum hosts temporary exhibitions as well.