National Military Museum of Egypt

Housed inside the Cairo Citadel in the former Harem Palace of Muhammad Ali, the National Military Museum traces Egypt's martial history from the pharaohs to the modern era across grand, chandeliered halls. The building itself is half the attraction, all painted ceilings, gilded salons and Turkish-Ottoman opulence.

Inside you will find an eclectic, sometimes surreal collection: ranks of uniforms and weaponry, dioramas of famous battles, captured hardware in the outdoor yard, and, curiously, several elaborate galleries designed and gifted by North Korean artists. It makes for an offbeat counterpoint to the ancient sites, and since it sits within the Citadel walls, it pairs naturally with a visit to the alabaster Muhammad Ali Mosque next door.