Cairo's Stunning Contemporary Art Galleries and Museums

Interior of the Main Hall, The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (Egyptian Museum), Cairo, Egypt, North Africa, Africa
Interior of the Main Hall, The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (Egyptian Museum), Cairo, Egypt, North Africa, Africa | © wael hamdan / Alamy Stock Photo
James Norman

Cairo, land of sands, myths, legends and bustling markets. Whether you take a ride through the narrow streets stuffed with heavy traffic or slink down a back alley into a cafe, the intoxicating mayhem masks a city of deep-seated history and hidden gems. The Culture Trip delves into the city’s tantalising culture scene and unveils 10 of the finest contemporary art galleries and museums in Egypt’s historic capital city.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Zamalek Art Gallery

This contemporary art gallery hosts differing exhibitions each month, showcasing the work of the most renowned and exclusive artists in Cairo and beyond. There is a permanent collection of work inside the Gallery, courtesy of established Egyptian artists and up-and-coming young talent. There is also a spacious exhibitor area, creating ample opportunity for both visitors to appreciate the works on display. Zamalek Art Gallery is located in the trendy Zamalek area of the city, a cultural hub. The Gallery has been involved with many notable projects, including the extensive six-month art festival commemorating 100 years of the Aswan Old Cataract Hotel in 1999-2000.

Cairo Opera House

The original opera house that stood on this spot was commissioned in 1869, a beautifully neoclassic masterpiece, which unfortunately burned to the ground in 1971. The Royal Opera House of today has become known as a cultural landmark and is a popular centre for exercising creativity and imagination. The Cairo Opera House offers some of the finest productions of ballet, opera and symphonies in Egypt. Talented young individuals from across the country study and develop their talents, giving breathtaking performances to audiences on a regular basis. Visitors can enjoy music and gallery images as well as the charming opera museum.

Townhouse Gallery

This gallery in downtown Cairo is host to a collection of contemporary fine art. The Townhouse Gallery was established in 1998 and, as the first independent art space in the country, its goal was to bring contemporary art to the general populace while encouraging creativity among new and existing artists. The Townhouse works on a non-profit basis and assists in raising the profile of gifted artists by hosting exhibitions, educational platforms and outreach programmes. The Gallery works tirelessly to forge strong relationships both nationally and internationally to build greater levels of creativity and an appreciation, growth and understanding of contemporary art in Egypt and the Middle East.

Al Masar Gallery

A relative newcomer to Cairo, the impressive Al Masar Gallery opened in late 2008. This stylish venue showcases the work of renowned Egyptian artists, the ‘stars of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation of the 20th Century Egyptian Art Movement’. The Gallery puts a focus on vibrancy and uniqueness both in the works shown and in the gallery’s historic location of the Baehler Mansion. The Gallery defines itself as ‘both the path and the trace as a cultural nexus of exhibitions and documentation to define the genuine value of modern and contemporary Egyptian art.’

Darb 1718

A non-profit organisation in operation since 2008, the Darb 1718 Contemporary Art and Culture Centre has indoor and outdoor areas that can hold different art displays and cultural events. There are two exhibition areas, plus stages and an outdoor cinema area for film screenings. Visitors can enjoy a number of exhibitions, concerts, festivals and events from national and international artists. There is also a variety of performance workshops being regularly held, giving emerging artists the chance to exhibit exciting new works alongside more established artists.

Picasso

This gallery hosts an interesting collection of contemporary art pieces and is the home of a large number of exciting, regular exhibitions covering all aspects of life. From new interpretations of the locomotive to the human body, clowns laughing/crying or visionary ideas of past, present and future Egypt, there is a variety of collections here that will cater to all tastes and pique the interests of visitors. This summer at Picasso, visitors can expect a series of Egypt-focused exhibitions looking at contemporary artists from the country. There is also a permanent collection featuring an eclectic mix of ancient and contemporary art

Karim Francis

The Karim Francis Gallery helped to establish the Al-Nitaq, Cairo’s first independent arts festival. This fascinating event includes an intriguing selection of poetry, film, music and theatre productions. The event encapsulates the cultural scene of the city and brings art to the streets of the downtown area, taking it to cafes, restaurants, alleys and lanes, shops and apartments and hotel and office lobbies, all to promote contemporary art within the city. The Gallery was founded in 1995 and helped increase the rate and awareness of contemporary art within the city. Visitors can enjoy a host of painting and sculptures at this special venue.

Khan El Maghraby

This small, stylish gallery is located in cultural centre Zamalek, a romantic area of Cairo. Former exhibitions of interest include the works of Branka Ridicki, a Croatian artist who currently resides in Sri Lanka. Her paintings have no doubt been inspired by her numerous travels around the globe, and she has been part of both solo and group exhibitions during her career so far.

Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum/Cultural Centre

The Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum, launched in 2006, is home to a vast array of events, from exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances, to outdoor garden theatre and poetry recitals. There is also an extensive collection of contemporary art on show. Twice a year, visitors can let loose their inner creative self and unleash their talents on a special graffiti wall in the expressive Graffiti Festival. The centre was named after the renowned sculptor Mahmoud Mokhtar, who died in 1934 but whose work continues to charm and enchant visitors and artists to this day.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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