Alexandria may be the second-biggest city in Egypt today, but that’s the least of its claims to fame. The namesake city of Alexander the Great, the capital of Ptolemaic Egypt, the once largest city in the world, the battleground of Cleopatra and the Romans, the home of two ancient wonders of the world and a leading center of learning… those are just a few things that make Alexandria a city worth visiting. And we haven’t even gotten started on its modern history! Read more: 2 Day Itinerary for Alexandria, Egypt Alexandria today is a faded version of what was once called ‘the jewel of the Mediterranean’, and the modern city sometimes imposes on its old dated beauty, but it’s still a quirky mix of old and new/beautiful and ugly that’s worth seeing and learning about. Here are some things you should definitely see and do while in Alexandria: 1. Citadel of Qaitbey This medieval Islamic fort has stood sentry on the western coast of Alexandria since 1480, built by the Mamluk sultan Qaitbey to protect the Mediterranean port. But before this spot of Alexandrian real estate was associated with the citadel, it housed something even more famous -- the world-renowned Lighthouse of Alexandria, Pharos, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. The lighthouse was destroyed by an earthquake in 1303 and Qaitbey used its rubble 150 years later to build the citadel. 2. Bibliotheca Alexandrina Speaking of ancient wonders of the world, Alexandria used to be home to two of the seven (Egypt as a whole had three of the seven, and the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only ancient wonder to still exist). Besides Pharos the lighthouse, the ancient Library of Alexandria was another marvel that put the Mediterranean city on the map. The Great Library was destroyed during the Roman conquest of Egypt, but in 2002 the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina was built as a nod to the ancient library and to recapture the spirit of knowledge and learning. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina has a main library, six specialized libraries, four museums, permanent and temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, an exploratorium, twelve academic research centers and four art galleries. Their official website. 3. Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa These catacombs are a rare mix of Egyptian, Greek and Roman architecture and monuments and are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Dating back to the 2nd century AD, these catacombs are three subterranean levels made out of rock (the deepest level is now totally submerged in water). It was discovered in 1900 when a donkey accidentally fell through the access shaft at ground level (a great discovery, but poor donkey). The second level of the catacombs is described as “eerily alive” due to all the sculptures there. It’s believed that it was originally intended as a tomb for a single family, but bones of other individuals and horses were also found there. 4. Pompey’s Pillar and Serapeum First off: the name is kind of a lie. The ancient column, built in ~300 AD, actually had nothing to do with Pompey, who was a Roman general and Julius Caesar’s rival. It was built in honor of the Roman emperor Diocletian, who provided food for the starving city when Alexandria was under siege. The Serapeum, which today is just ruins except for the pillar, used to be Alexandria’s acropolis dedicated to Serapis, Alexandria’s patron god. Legend has it that when Christianity gained strength in Alexandria, they destroyed the Serapeum and other symbols of paganism, around 400 AD. There are also the remains of underground storerooms where they used to keep extra texts and manuscripts from the Great Library of Alexandria. 5. Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi Mosque Or as the locals call it, Mursi Abu Al Abbas. This mosque was built over the tomb of the Andalusian Islamic scholar and sheikh, Abu El Abbas Al Mursi. He left his home country of Spain in 1242 for Tunisia, before moving to Alexandria, where he spent 43 years up until his death. In 1307, the then-ruler El Sheikh Zein El Deen built a mausoleum, dome and a small mosque over the tomb. It became a popular pilgrimage spot for Muslims passing through Alexandria on their way to and from Mecca. The present, much larger mosque that stands today was built in 1775 by Algerian sheikh Abu Hassan el Maghreby. It was renovated and ‘beautified’ multiple times since then, and remains to date Alexandria’s largest mosque. For more beautiful mosques in Egypt, head here. 6. Montazah Park Montazah Palace Complex and its royal gardens are situated on the Mediterranean Sea on the eastern side of Alexandria. The former summer palace and residence of the Egyptian monarchy, the Salamlik palace was first built as a hunting lodge in 1892 by Khedive Abbas II, then its sister palace Haramlik was added in 1932 by King Fuad. The palaces now aren’t open to the public, but you can explore the gardens, enjoy the sea views, picnic and ride bikes. Local tip: avoid public holidays! 7. Royal Jewelry Museum A diamond hairpiece that says 'Fawzia' in Arabic. Princess Fawzia was the sister of Egyptian King Farouk and later become Queen of Iran Speaking of former palaces, the Royal Jewelry Museum lives in the former palace of Princess Fatma El Zahraa in the Alex neighborhood of Zizenia, built in 1919-1923. The palace is an architectural gem in and of itself, and the royal jewelry collection houses more than 11,000 pieces, some dating back to the rule of Mohammed Ali Pasha, who became Khedive of Egypt in 1805. Besides jewelry, the museum also has on display centuries-old coins, golden clocks, watches, portraits of the royal family in golden frames, dazzling crowns and King Farouk’s walking stick in ebony and gold. 8. Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el Dikka) Discovered by coincidence in 1960 when workers were removing rubble to build a governmental building, the Roman Amphitheatre dates back to the 4th century AD and was used not only in the Roman era for performances, but the Byzantine and early Islamic eras as well, for public assemblies and summits. To the north of the amphitheatre are the ruins of Roman baths dating back to the 2nd-4th century AD, and to the east are the remains of a 2nd century AD Roman villa, known as the Villa of the Birds due to its mosaic floor depicting birds. Both the baths and the villa are worth seeing when visiting the amphitheatre. 9. Alexandria National Museum Photo credit: Xinhua News If you’re a bit fuzzy about Alexandria’s history (no shame -- it’s confusing even to us locals), the National Museum will help sort you out. The museum itself from an architectural standpoint isn’t that impressive, but don’t judge a book by its cover -- its contents definitely make up for what its facade lacks. Its exhibits are divided chronologically into eras to help you flesh things out a bit: pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Christian, Islamic and modern. There’s also a section for underwater monuments (some monuments still exist till present day in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Alex!). 10. Walk down the Corniche The heart of Alexandria is truly in its Corniche, the coastal road that hugs the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the city on the other. It’s by walking down the Corniche and seeing the fishing boats bobbing on the water that you can really imagine what the ancient city was like in its heyday over 2,000 years ago. It’s also a great place to people-watch: you’ll see street vendors peddling all kinds of random stuff, parents pushing babies in their strollers, couples walking hand-in-hand, fishermen, and teenagers doing… well whatever it is that teenagers do. 11. Explore Fouad Street While we’re on the topic of walking, make sure you take a stroll down Alexandria’s historic Fouad Street. Although you’ll find it under ‘El Horeya Road’ on Google Maps (Fouad Street’s new name after the 1952 revolution), locals still refer to it as Fouad Street, named after the former Egyptian king. Fouad Street is a dated piece of Alexandria’s belle epoque, when the city was comprised of harmonious Egyptian, Italian, Greek, French, Armenian, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities. The architecture, art, shops and even food were a unique melting pot of all the diverse communities, all of whom were Alexandrian first and foremost. 12. Try Alexandria’s famous patisseries Alexandria is known throughout the country for its cafe and patisserie culture, with some of their beloved dessert shops dating back over 100 years, like Trianon near El Raml Station. Or Délices, which is still owned by the same Greek family since 1922. For more beloved old Alexandrian patisseries, you can read 14 Egyptian Dessert Shops & Patisseries More Than 50 Years Old. 13. Ride the tram If you want to feel like a real local, hop on the Alexandrian tram, which has been in operation since 1860. It was the first collective means of transport not only in Egypt, but the whole of Africa. It’s one of the oldest tram systems in the world. Today they’re a cheap and safe (if not particularly speedy) way of seeing the city and they’re one of the few trams in the world that uses double-deck cars. Similar to the metro in Cairo, they have women-only cars for any solo women who feel more comfortable in an all-women environment. 14. Have a drink at the Windsor Palace rooftop The Windsor Palace Hotel, now Paradise Inn Windsor Palace, was established in 1906 and was in quite the enviable location back 100 years ago -- it was close to the Raml train station and Alexandria’s old port harbor, as well as the shopping district and seaside promenades. The current hotel that stands today has seen much better days, but holds on to a timeless claim to fame -- the view from their rooftop restaurant and terrace, called Blue Harbor. Local tip: if their 7th floor Sky Roof is in 'club mode' with obnoxious lighting and music, just stick to their restaurant terrace on the 6th floor -- equally good view. You can read more about Alexandria’s iconic old hotels at 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt You Can Stay At Until Today. 15. Enjoy Alexandria's fresh Mediterranean seafood. Seeing as you're in a seaside city, it only makes sense to indulge in the fresh seafood that Alexandria is known for. Whether you want to have it upscale with a drink and a harbor view like at famous Greek Club (official name is Blue & White Restaurant), or something more local and authentic like the restaurant Negro, Alexandria's seafood is not to be missed. Read more: 7 Must-Try Restaurants in Alexandria You might also like: Where To Stay In Alexandria: 7 Best Hotels In The Mediterranean City

Maadi is home to quite a few restaurants and cafes (Road 9 is just about ready to burst at the seams with them), but how many of them can you actually have a laid-back beer or a glass of wine at while having lunch or dinner? So if you’ve had a long day at work and want to eat, unwind and avoid chaotic cafes or seedy bars, these Maadi destinations are for you. 1. Estro Cuisine: Italian Also known as the ‘Sicilian Rooftop’, this restobar is found on the 9th floor of the Royal Maadi Hotel on Road 18. Opened by the same owners of Frank &Co, Maadi’s favorite tapas bar (below), Estro delivers the same quality but this time in the form of Italian favorites. Local tip: go right before sunset, the views are awesome. Reservations needed. 2. Bua Khao (now called Sala Thai) Cuisine: Thai Owned and spearheaded by a Thai family for the past 20 years, this award-winning little restaurant is hidden off of one of the many midans of Maadi. Bua Khao's menu is large but not too large, with straightforward and sensible Thai dish descriptions instead of the generic “fish soup” menu entries found in many of Cairo’s other Asian restaurants. Beer and wine are served as well. As of 2023 they changed their name to 'Sala Thai' (although everything else remained the same), but they'll always be Bua Khao to us <3 3. Frank & Co Cuisine: International As mentioned above, Frank & Co has the same owners as Estro, so it makes sense that they’re right next to each other on Road 18 (albeit Frank & Co is street level while Estro is a rooftop). Frank & Co is a much-needed international tapas bar in Maadi, and has both indoor and outdoor seating. 4. Tipsy Camel Cuisine: international This sports bar in Maadi is the perfect place to go if you want to watch a match or play some pool but also grab a post-work meal and drink. They have numerous screens, a pool table, babyfoot, an outdoor terrace and all the bar food you'd expect -- pizza, burgers, wings, tacos and more. 5. Kokio Cuisine: Korean Ah, Kokio, the king of fried chicken (sorry KFC). This little Korean restaurant is known by all those Maadi-savvy (and chicken-savvy) for having literally some of the best fried chicken in the country. They have original, spicy, soy (flavored with onion, garlic and crushed red pepper), garlic fried, onion fried, and you can order half a chicken or full chicken (or chicken tenders). You can also wash down all that fried goodness with beer. 6. Villa Belle Epoque Cuisine: International This converted villa-turned-boutique hotel is hidden down one of Maadi’s little leafy streets, making it the perfect spot for dinner and drinks away from crowds. Villa Belle Epoque’s restaurant serves its meals next to their small pool, surrounded by trees and flowers. Note: They have an extensive food menu, but don't serve alcohol. You are however allowed to bring your own liquor bottles or wine with you, which they'll then serve you. 7. Tawlet Yvonne Cuisine: Lebanese In a corner courtyard nestled away from the honks of the streets is Tawlet Yvonne, a little restaurant and cafe that celebrates home-cooked Lebanese food. They have an extensive menu of Lebanese classics, as well as shisha and local Egyptian wine, beer and arak. 8. Bistro Paris Cuisine: French/international Above Tawlet Yvonne and Caribou Coffee on the same leafy street in Maadi is Bistro Paris, a restobar with a small but to the point menu, as well as local wine, beer and cocktails. Undoubtedly Bistro Paris' claim to fame is its outdoor balcony, which is open as early as 9 am every morning if you want a shady outdoor spot to have breakfast, or somewhere ambient to have dinner & drinks at night. 9. Tenaya Cuisine: international If you're in Maadi and hankering for some dinner and drinks with a beautiful Nile view, then look no further than Tenaya. With a beautiful spot right on the river, Tenaya offers an eclectic international and Egyptian lunch/dinner menu, as well as sushi. Alcohol and shisha are also offered. 10. Gaya Cuisine: Korean Gaya is known for being one of the best Korean restaurants in Cairo as a whole, not just Maadi. They've been open for over 20 years, and have a massive menu of Korean dishes (unlike Kokio which just sticks mainly to Korean fried chicken). Gaya also has a 'grill on the table' option, where you can cook up your bulgogi (grilled beef) or other meats of your choice yourself. Beer is served. 11. The Rec Room Cuisine: Asian The Rec Room is known mainly for its late nights, upscale speakeasy vibe and music, but if you go earlier on in the evening before the crowds start coming it, you'll find a pleasant spot for dinner and drinks. Their menu is contemporary Asian and they have great signature drinks. 12. Swiss Cottage Cuisine: Swiss Swiss Cottage is a Maadi staple during winter and the Christmas season when they deck themselves out in holiday cheer. But their fondue, raclette, and 'cook your own meat' are just as good year-round. They don't serve alcohol themselves but you can bring your own bottle and pay a corkage fee. Reservations recommended because the restaurant only has a few tables and fills up during dinner. You might also like: 10 Best Breakfast, Brunch and Bakeries in Maadi

Considering that Türkiye is right across the Mediterranean Sea from Egypt, as well as having some cultural overlap due to both countries belonging to the Ottoman Empire historically, it’s no wonder that Egyptians love Turkish cuisine and vice versa. Whether you’re in the mood for their famous Turkish grilled meat and skewers, their familiar-but-with-a-spin mezzes or the massive breakfast platters, these are some of the best Turkish restaurants to visit in Cairo. Osmanly Location: Garden City Osmanly, the Turkish restaurant tucked away inside the Nile Kempinski hotel, is a great mix of a fine dining restaurant while still being warm and cozy. It also has impeccable service without any of the pretentiousness you’d find in some 5 star luxury hotels in Cairo. Open for lunch and dinner, Osmanly has a varied menu of traditional Turkish dishes, with lots of vegetarian options as well for non-meat eaters. Their signature dish is the Hünkar Beğendi, braised beef tenderloin in a rich tomato sauce served with creamy eggplant puree and Çerkez cheese. For the menu and reservations: Osmanly EV Location: New Cairo By far the most aesthetically beautiful restaurant on this list, and luckily their food matches the high score their decor and ambience gets. EV is located in the Dusit Thani hotel, with indoor and outdoor seating, a large bar and beautiful greenery surrounding. Their menu is full of elevated Turkish classics, with their signature dishes being the Kuzu Tandir (slow-cooked lamb with rosemary and herbs) as well as their Tuzda Balik (salt-baked seasonal fish). Also try their Kazandibi for dessert (burnt Turkish milk mastic pudding). Shisha is also available. For the menu and reservations: EV Izmir Saray Location: New Giza, 6 October We’re now leaving the luxury hotel Turkish restaurants and heading across town to the plateau of New Giza, overlooking the city. (Izmir Saray is also open in ENDC in New Cairo, but we much prefer the New Giza branch because of the amazing view). While Izmir Saray is obviously beautiful at night with all the twinkling lights, they’re also known as a great breakfast and brunch spot, with a huge variety of choices. For more info and reservations: Izmir Saray Nişantaşi Location: Cairo Festival City, City Stars Named after an elite district in Istanbul, Nişantaşi is a crowd favorite when it comes to Turkish restaurants in Cairo, but for those who want a more casual vibe and don’t want to spend hotel prices. Located in both the malls of Cairo Festival City and City Stars, Nişantaşi also offers home delivery to New Cairo, Heliopolis and Nasr City (read more: Cairo Festival City Restaurant & Cafe Guide). We recommend eating there though, because their signature tajins are brought out tableside, where they slice through the piping hot bread crust to reveal the mouthwatering meat inside. For more info and the menu: Nişantaşi Bosporus Location: Cairo Festival City, City Center Almaza, City Stars, Open Air Mall Madinaty Another casual dining Turkish restaurant, Bosporus can be found in all the main malls on the east side of Cairo. They’re a popular chain throughout the Middle East, with a huge menu, reasonable prices and shisha as well. Bosporus’ branch in Open Air Mall Madinaty is particularly popular because of its prime location in the middle of the ‘lake’. For more info and the menu: Bosporus CZN Burak Location: New Cairo The famous restaurant of Turkish chef and personality CZN Burak, with over 20 locations worldwide. Their first restaurant in Egypt (located next to the Triumph Hotel in New Cairo) is actually their biggest restaurant so far in the Middle East. CZN Burak is known especially for their grills and meats, and while the restaurant isn’t in a hotel, it does come with some hotel prices. Shisha available. For more info and the menu: CZN Burak Sultan Saray Location: Madinaty Found in the East Hub Mall of Madinaty is Sultan Saray, a family-friendly Turkish restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s known for its open buffet weekend breakfasts, as well as the opportunity to dress up in traditional Turkish costumes and take pictures. It’s a good choice for big families, those with kids, or those who want to indulge in some good Turkish food but for reasonable prices. For more info and the menu: Sultan Saray You may also like: 7 Best Thai Restaurants in Cairo, Egypt

Marassi is the biggest and most visited beach compound on Egypt’s North Coast (Sahel). We’re talking 23 residential neighborhoods, 6 beaches, multiple hotels, an international marina, a waterpark and a golf course, all spread over 6.5 million sqm. So if you were to assume that they also have a lot of restaurants and dining options, well you’d be correct, that’s for sure! Read more: North Coast, Egypt - A Complete Guide For First-Timers The Marassi Marina especially is full of restaurants and cafes, many of which have beautiful water views. But because it’s so popular, lots of the restaurants need reservations and QR codes, so it’s not as easy as just breezing in anywhere when you get hungry. So which restaurants are actually worth putting in the effort? IMPORTANT NOTE: these restaurants are only open seasonally, usually opening at some point in late May/June through to early September. Here’s our list of the best restaurants in Marassi: Sachi Sachi is known as being one of (if not the) best fine dining restaurants in Egypt, and their Marassi branch does not disappoint. Their menu is Mediterranean Asian fusion and they have great cocktails as well. Open from 5 pm. For menu and reservations: Sachi Izakaya SHL Peruvian-Japanese fusion is to be found at Izakaya SHL, adjacent to the Vida Marina Resort. Enjoy sushi and Nikkei plates on the water from 5 pm onwards. For menu and reservations: Izakaya Reif Kushiyaki Led by celebrity chef Reif Othman, Reif Kushiyaki is all about innovative Japanese cuisine, from its signature kushiyaki (grilled meat skewers), to yakisoba, sandos and maki rolls. They’re also right on the marina, to enjoy your dinner with a drink and a breeze. For menu and reservations: Reif Kushiyaki Stanley Fresh seafood, Mediterranean mezze and signature cocktails is what Stanley is all about. They’re open from breakfast onwards at the Marassi Marina. For menu and reservations: Stanley San Carlo This restaurant from the UK teamed with the Smokery Group to bring you San Carlo, a fine dining Italian restaurant. Their signature dishes are their tender slices of prime beef fillet, pan-seared sea bass in lemon caper sauce and homemade ravioli. Open from 4 pm. For menu and reservations: San Carlo Ovio This European restaurant has a hefty breakfast and brunch menu: pancakes, crepes, different egg styles by the dozen, sourdough toast and morning sandwiches; Ovio’s got it all. They also offer lunch and dinner obviously, but it’s particularly popular in the morning. For menu and reservations: Ovio The Smokery Beautiful restaurant and bar right on the water. The Smokery has branches throughout Egypt, from Cairo to El Gouna and the North Coast, and they’re known for their pastas and sushi. For menu and reservations: The Smokery Asmak Considering you’re spending time on the Mediterranean Sea, it would be almost sacrilegious to not have a seafood feast at least once before you leave. Asmak has a huge variety of seafood dishes, and you can order right off the menu or choose yourself from the fresh catch of the day and have them prepare it in your preferred style. For menu and reservations: Asmak Indira If you’re bored of the usual pizza, sandwiches and beach-style food, then head to Indira for some great Indian cuisine. Besides having all our favorite Indian classics, they also have a nice spot right on the water and serve shisha too. For menu and reservations: Indira Zaza Cuisine If it’s your first time in Egypt and you want to experience all sorts of Egyptian food without leaving Marassi (read more: 15 Egyptian Foods You Must Try), or you’re a local and just craving some of our traditional favorites, then head to Zaza. They have a massive menu from breakfast onwards with all the classics: fuul, taameya, feteer, tagens, grills, fattah, the whole nine yards. They also have pizza and international dishes as well as shisha. For menu and reservations: Zaza Cuisine Other restaurants in Marassi: Eatery Qahwa Crave Ted’s Maison Thomas Lodge Seaside Carlo’s Piccolo Mondo L’Asiatique Loris Salt EL&N Cafe Paul Sax Chili’s Lunch Room Ahwet Zeitouna Boulevard Pizza Bar IOI Vapiano Fish Market Tabali Pipa Villa Caracas Suzette’s Desoky and Soda Laduree Le Flandrin Arabica 1980 Koffee Kulture Brown Nose Marassi hotel restaurants: Bayroot (Address Beach Resort) Myra (Address Beach Resort) Nooraï (Address Golf Resort) Blé (Address Golf Resort) Melts & Mains (Address Golf Resort) Socal (Vida Marina Resort) Origins (Vida Marina Resort) B’Haar (Al Alamein Hotel) Food trucks/Dessert: Krispy Kreme BRGR Dolato Baskin Robbins Churrito Dara’s Ice Cream Copa Acai Pao Yole Semman & Co Takosan Barbar Pink Palms Chez Koukou Nathan's KB's Cake Studio Duck Donuts Panzini Hameed Taiyaki *Note: these are all besides the usual fast food suspects, like KFC, Pizza Hut, etc. Happy beaching and eating! You may also like: 10 Best Restaurants and Beach Bars on the North Coast (Sahel)

Soma Bay Fact #1: Egypt is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the east, plus two gulfs. Fact #2: we have around 360 days of sunshine a year and swimmable water temperatures year-round. When you add those two facts together, you equate for pretty ideal beaches. Call us biased, but we’ve travelled around the world and we’re convinced that some of Egypt’s beaches can easily compete -- and even win-- against other world-famous beaches. Don’t believe us? Visit them yourself! Disclaimer: we’re obviously not including all famous Egyptian beaches, we included the ones that we think offer the most when it comes to color and quality of water, soft white sand, picturesque views and overall beach experience. For the best beach vacations (hotels, restaurants, activities, etc.), read our 8 Best Egyptian Beach Holiday Destinations. North Coast Location: Egypt’s north Mediterranean coast, west of Alexandria Best time to go: June through September How to get there: Car or bus from Cairo/Alexandria, or flight from abroad Egypt’s North Coast, called Sahel el Shamali in Arabic (Sahel for short), stretches out for hundreds of kilometers on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast and has arguably some of the most pristine white sand beaches in the region. It’s currently comprised mainly of private residential beach compounds with a few sporadic hotels, so it’s mainly the summer playground of moneyed locals. Recently though more tourism development has taken root, so those who don’t own beach homes can still enjoy Egypt’s (hands down) best summer beaches. Read more: Egypt's North Coast - Complete Travel Guide For First Timers Giftun Islands Mahmya on Big Giftun Location: Red Sea off of Hurghada Best time to go: April through to November How to get there: by boat from Hurghada or El Gouna, which are reached by car/bus/plane Off the coast of Hurghada are the two Giftun Islands in the Red Sea: Giftun El Kabeer (Big Giftun) and Giftun el Sagheer (Little Giftun). While both are surrounded by equally dazzling clear azure water, Big Giftun is the one where the real action is at because it’s home to beach havens Mahmya and Orange Bay. Mahmya on Big Giftun These daytime destinations offer beach restaurants, bars and water activities as well as bathrooms and showers for those who’ve spent a long day diving or snorkeling and want to kick back and relax. For more tropical islands in Egypt, head here. Wadi El Gemal National Park Location: Red Sea coast south of Marsa Alam Best time to go: year-round, but it gets a tiny bit chilly in winter and very hot in summer How to get there: drive down from Marsa Alam, which is best reached by plane Wadi el Gemal (Valley of the Camels) is an Egyptian national park that encompasses both desert and sea. The biodiversity of its large mammals, reptiles, birds, plants and untouched marine life make it unlike anywhere else in Egypt -- and its coastal area alone is home to 450 species of coral and over 1,200 species of fish. One of the most beautiful beaches in Wadi Gemal is Sharm el Luli (also known as Ras Hankoreb). For a small entrance fee, you can spend the day on the coastal beaches of the park, with the comfort of a local guide nearby (the park is massive!). Most visitors spend the night in nearby lodges or in Marsa Alam, and then enjoy the day on the untouched beaches of the national park. Read more: 10 Best Things To Do in Marsa Alam Marsa Matrouh Agiba Beach, one of Marsa Matrouh's most famous Location: Mediterranean Sea coast, 240 km west of Alexandria Best time to go: June through September How to get there: car/bus from Cairo or Alexandria Marsa Matrouh is a small port city to the west of the North Coast we talked about above. Unlike the North Coast, Marsa Matrouh is an actual coastal city with year-round inhabitants and not just seasonal private residences. If you want to experience Egypt’s Mediterranean Sea but don’t want to deal with exclusive compounds or ridiculously high hotel prices, Marsa Matrouh offers equally beautiful beaches, albeit in a more crowded and less chi-chi atmosphere. Local tip: if you’re in Marsa Matrouh, it might be a good idea to also spend a few days in Siwa Oasis to the south. It’s about a 4.5 hour car trip, which sounds like a lot, but imagine tacking on the extra 5 hours it would take to get from Cairo to Marsa Matrouh, PLUS the 4.5 hours from there to Siwa (via Marsa Matrouh is the safest and easiest route to Siwa). Ras Um Sid Location: Sharm el Sheikh Best time to go: spring and fall (summer too if you can handle the heat) How to get there: fly to Sharm el Sheikh (or drive, but we prefer to fly) While all of Sharm el Sheikh is a resort beach-goer’s dream, the beach at Ras Um Sid takes the cake in our personal opinion. While it's home to several hotels, you can also access the beach via entrance ticket. Besides having umbrellas, sunbeds, a restaurant, bar, shisha and spectacular views, it’s also one of the best beaches in Egypt for snorkeling -- swimmers sometimes see more marine life than divers do! For the best diving destinations in Egypt, head here. Read more: 12 Best Things to Do in Sharm el Sheikh Blue Lagoon Photo credit: @bluelagoondahab Location: north of Dahab Best time to go: year-round How to get there: hiking, by camel or by boat from Dahab The Blue Lagoon is a beautiful but remote beach camp spot north of both Dahab and the Ras Abu Galum national park. It's very bare bones -- huts on the beach and no electricity, so perfect for unplugging. Daily activities range from windsurfing, snorkeling, swimming, kitesurfing, hiking, sunbathing, reading or just relaxing by the beach. At night you can watch for shooting stars by the fire and revel in the fact that there’s no one else for miles around. Because it’s so remote, you can only get there by either hiking/camel from Dahab (for the more adventurous) or by boat. Qulaan Islands Location: in the Red Sea off of Wadi El Gemal National Park Best time to go: year-round, but it gets a tiny bit chilly in winter and very hot in summer How to get there: boat from Hamata harbor Qulaan Islands are an archipelago of four islands in a protected bay in the Wadi El Gemal National Park area that we talked about above. These empty, remote islands are known for their mangrove trees and ecosystem built around the mangroves; marine life flourishes under the trees and it’s a great bird-watching spot. Photo credit: Farida Bustani (@faridabustani) You can take a boat from the Hamata marina and spend a few hours picnicking, swimming and snorkeling on the islands. Soma Bay Location: 45 km south of Hurghada Best time to go: April through to November How to get there: driving or via Hurghada Airport A peninsula jutting into the Red Sea, Soma Bay is a small resort town 45 minutes south of Hurghada. Because it’s surrounded by the sea on three sides, not only does Soma Bay have some of the clearest, most azure water in its bay, it's also famous for its water sports, especially kitesurfing and windsurfing due to the ideal wind conditions. It's also a world-famous diving and snorkeling destination, due to its house reef and nearby diving sites. Because Soma Bay is an exclusive resort town, it’s a good place to go if you want to avoid the crowds found in other popular Red Sea Riviera destinations (Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, etc). Read more: Soma Bay, Egypt - Travel Guide for First-Timers Sahl Hasheesh Photo credit: Omar Refaat (@omar__refaat) Location: About 20 km south of Hurghada Best time to go: April through to November How to get there: Drive or fly to Hurghada airport Another resort town built on a bay in the Red Sea south of Hurghada, known for its beautiful stretch of coastline and long boardwalk. It’s home to some of the most highly ranked beach resorts in the country, such as Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh and Baron Palace. Photo credit: Omar Refaat (@omar__refaat) Another claim to fame that Sahl Hasheesh has is its man-made sunken city -- a partially submerged city that acts like a reef and attracts both marine life and snorkelers galore. You might also like: 8 Best Egyptian Beach Holiday Destinations

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just need to escape the crowds and clear your mind in nature for a little bit, camping in Egypt can provide just that. From vast, timeless deserts to remote beaches hidden between mountains and the sea, Egypt’s best camping spots will show you a side to the country that you probably didn’t expect. Like, at all. 1. White Desert & Black Desert The White Desert. Photo credit: Dany Eid Location: Western desert, near the Bahariya and Farafra Oases Without a doubt, camping in Egypt’s Western Desert is a must-do at some point, whether now or later. The Western Desert is enormous (it’s two thirds of the country, after all) and the barren remoteness will make you feel like you’re at the ends of the earth. The White and Black Deserts are only about an hour and fifteen minutes apart, so you can easily camp in both on a 2 night trip (or just camp in one and visit the other). What makes the White Desert in particular so popular for campers are the massive white chalk formations, which are some of the coolest natural wonders in Egypt. They were formed over millennia of wind and sandstorms, and it’s among these alien-looking formations that you’ll set up camp. The Black Desert gets its name from a layer of black volcanic material concentrated on top of the yellow sand dunes, a remnant of ancient eruptions. The Black Desert. Photo credit: thementalyst.net Things to do: 4x4 safaris over sand dunes, stargaze, visit the Crystal Mountain and Aqabat valley, swim in natural springs at the oases How to arrange the camping: you’ll need a guide and 4x4 vehicles, so the easiest way is through a local tour company who takes care of everything: they pick you up in Cairo, drive you to the White & Black Deserts, set up the tents, provide food and water and even nighttime music at the campfire. They’ll also be your guide and source of information about the area and activities. You can find online a bunch of different tour companies who arrange camping in the White & Black Deserts, research a little for the one that appeals the most to you. How to get there: the tour company will pick you up from Cairo and drive to Bahariya Oasis (about 4.5 hours), where they’ll usually stop and switch to a different car (a 4x4). From there, it’s about half an hour to the Black Desert, or two hours to the White Desert. 2. Siwa Oasis Location: Western Desert, 50 km from the Libyan border Also located in the Western Desert but much closer to the Libyan border is Egypt's most famous (and most remote) oasis, Siwa. Thousands of Egyptians and foreigners alike visit each year to experience Siwa's unique history, heritage and culture (they even have their own language which is closer to Berber than Arabic). And culture aside, Siwa's natural charms alone are worth visiting, from the vibrant greenery at the edge of the Great Sand Sea to their crystal-clear salt lakes and wide expanses of olive and palm trees. Read more: 10 Most Unforgettable Things to Do in Siwa Oasis Siwa to a large extent is untouched by modernity and all its tech-y trappings (Siwa was isolated from the rest of Egypt up until the 1980s when a road connecting it to Marsa Matrouh was built), so it's an ideal place to camp and get away from it all. Camping under the Milky Way in the Great Sand Sea is something that you won't be forgetting any time soon! Photo credit: hakemphotography.com Things to do: visit Shali Fortress, Mountain of the Dead, Cleopatra's Bath, the Temple of the Oracle of Alexander the Great, swim in the hot springs and ride the sand dunes on a desert safari. Siwa is also known for its natural climatic therapy. How to arrange the camping: there are tons of different local tour companies or adventure companies that will easily arrange everything for you, from transportation to camp set up to food. There are also permanent camps in Siwa you can book at. How to get there: drive from Cairo to Marsa Matrouh (about five hours), then from Marsa Matrouh down to Siwa (another 4-5 hours). 3. Ras Mohammed National Park Location: tip of the Sinai Peninsula, about 45 minutes from Sharm el Sheikh Ras Mohammed is usually mentioned in the context of its awesome diving -- which obviously is true (more details at: 7 Best Diving Destinations in Egypt’s Red Sea for Divers of All Levels), so lots of people go for day trips to dive or snorkel in the national park before it closes at sunset. What a lot of people don’t know however is that there’s a designated area of the park (Marsa Bareika) which allows overnight camping on the beach (keep in mind you can’t camp just anywhere -- if you’re camping outside the permitted area, you’ll be fined, and cars aren’t allowed in or out of the park after 5 pm). In the camping area run by local Bedouins, you have the option of bringing and setting up your own tents, or staying at one of the permanent campsites in the area, where for a fixed nightly price you get a tent complete with blankets and sheets, plus meals and tea. From these more established campsites, you can also buy bottled water and soft drinks (they don’t serve alcohol but you’re allowed to bring your own). Keep in mind there are no bathrooms or electricity, so come prepared! Bedawi Eco Camp Things to do: swim, dive (for diving equipment, you need to pre-arrange with a dive center in Sharm el Sheikh to bring you rental equipment for a fee), snorkel (also bring your own equipment), explore the park. How to arrange the camping: one of the most popular camps there is Bedawi Eco Camp, You can book online from their website. How to get there: It’s about a 6 hour drive from Cairo (more if the Ahmed Hamdi tunnel is crowded or you’re stopped for long periods of time at the security checkpoints). If you don’t have a car and are coming from Sharm el Sheikh, you can get a taxi to bring you. 4. Fayoum Magic Lake Location: 2 hour drive from Cairo Fayoum has a lot of great camping spots, like on sand dunes right on the shore of Magic Lake (named for its changing water color according to time of day), or near Lake Qarun (Fayoum’s oasis, the biggest in Egypt) or close to the Wadi el Rayan waterfalls. Fayoum itself is an ancient city (read more about it at 7 Modern Egyptian Cities More Than 5,000 Years Old) and is an interesting mix of desert, water, greenery, urban and rural life and modern and ancient life. When it comes to types of camping, you can either arrange with a tour company who will pick you up, drive you to Fayoum, set up camp for you and spearhead activities and tours in the area, or you can drive to Fayoum yourself and stay at one of the permanent campgrounds and they can provide a tour guide for any activities in the area you’re interested in. Photo credit; Mohamed Hakem (@moh_hakem) Things to do: sandboard, swim, explore Tunis Village, visit the Wadi el Rayan Waterfalls, see the ancient whale bones at Wadi El Hitan (Whale Valley), which is one of Egypt’s 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, see the petrified forest, discover Fayoum’s ancient ruins. How to arrange the camping: online you’ll find both permanent campsites and tour groups that offer camping and you can book a place (or you can just show up at the campsite). How to get there: it’s about a 2 hour drive from Cairo. You can drive yourself or have a tour agency arrange a ride for you. 5. Sinai Mountains Photo credit: Jen Rose Smith Location: Sinai peninsula If you’re interested in camping in the mountains of Sinai, you luckily have several different camping options to choose from: Camping near the St. Catherine Monastery. At the foot of Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Moses or Gebel Moussa in Arabic) is the Orthodox St. Catherine Monastery, which was founded in the 6th century and is the oldest Christian monastery in the world still used for its original function. It’s believed to be built on the place where Moses encountered the Burning Bush. (Read more about the amazing monasteries Egypt has here). There are several lodges near the monastery which allow you to stay in basic rooms or pitch your own tents. Spend the night at the summit of Mount Sinai. You hike to the top (around a 2.5 - 3 hour hike, and you’re required to have a guide, but you can find one easily at St. Catherine), and at the top you can rent mattresses and blankets from the Bedouins. Go on the Sinai Trail trek. The Sinai Trail has different route options: there’s the Serabit el Khadem circuit, which is for 12 days, and covers hundreds of years of history. You’ll be hiking for hours led by Bedouin guides, and sleep under the stars and eat by campfire. There’s also the incredible 38 day Sinai Thru hike, which is divided into 3 parts (Part 1 and 2 are for 12 days, and Part 3 is for 14 days. You can sign up for any part of the hike... or even do the whole thing). Things to do: visit the St. Catherine monastery, hike to the top of Mount Sinai, trek through the Sinai mountains. How to arrange the camping: to stay at one of the camps at St. Catherine, you can book a spot at a place like Desert Fox Camp or Sheikh Mousa Bedouin Camp. To camp at the summit of Mt. Sinai, you can arrange it with a Bedouin guide at the foot of the mountain (St. Catherine area), or with a hotel/hostel or tour agency in Sharm el Sheikh or Dahab. To participate in the Sinai Trail, you can find booking info on their website. How to get there: drive from Cairo (about a 6 hour drive), or fly to Sharm el Sheikh and drive from Sharm el Sheikh (3 hours) or Dahab (2 hours). 6. Ras Abu Galum Location: near Dahab on the Gulf of Aqaba Ras Abu Galum is an Egyptian national protectorate, about 15 km from Dahab. There’s a small Bedouin settlement on the beach at the edge of the national park, and you can either camp on the beach under the stars or stay in one of the primitive beach huts -- and when we say primitive, we mean no doors or windows or anything inside the hut kind of primitive. There’s no electricity and limited running water, but the Bedouins provide fresh and local fare and water for extremely reasonable prices. Local tip: bring your own sleeping bags! Photo credit: Mohamed Badawi Things to do: dive, snorkel, swim, kitesurf, hike, sunbathe, read or just relax by the beach. At night you can watch for shooting stars by the fire and revel in the fact that there’s no one else for miles around. How to arrange the camping: you can contact any of the hotels/tour agencies/dive centers in Dahab and they’ll arrange a guide for you and a camel/boat to bring any diving equipment you may need. How to get there: From the Blue Hole in Dahab, you can reach Ras Abu Galum either by hiking by foot next to the water (it’s rocky terrain) or by boat. If you want to stay on land but the hike is too much or you have too much diving gear, you can also ride a camel. 7. Marsa Alam & the Deep South Marsa Shagra Village. Photo credit: Harimao Lee Location: Egypt’s eastern Red Sea coast If you want to camp on a beach but ‘glamping’ is more to your liking, then Marsa Alam and the Deep South of Egypt offer a few good options -- Marsa Shagra Village, Marsa Nakari Village and Wadi Lahami Village all offer different types of camping. Read more: 10 Best Things To Do in Marsa Alam, Egypt You can either stay in a basic beachfront tent (2 single beds, lighting, an electric socket, communal bathroom and daily housekeeping), a ‘royal’ tent (same as regular tent but bigger and with a fan & mini-fridge), a beach hut or a chalet (which at this point is not really camping lol). Marsa Shagra is near Abou Dabbab Bay in Marsa Alam, Marsa Nakari is about a 40 minute drive south from there, and Wadi Lahami is another hour or so south from Marsa Nakari, past Wadi el Gemal -- also known as Egypt’s Deep South. Marsa Nakari Village Things to do: dive, snorkel, water sports, sunbathe, boat trips to Red Sea islands, day trips to Wadi el Gemal national park. How to arrange the camping: you can book online on the villages’ website. They can also sort out car transfers for you. How to get there: you could drive, but it’s a reaaally long drive (around 8 hours to Marsa Alam and 9 hours to Wadi Lahami) or you can fly to Marsa Alam airport and get a car transfer from there. 8. Ras Shetan Photo credit: Ramy Ibrahim Location: between Nuweiba and Taba on the Gulf of Aqaba One of the most popular places to camp on the beach in Egypt. Nestled between mountains and the Gulf of Aqaba is a strip of coastline called Ras Shetan, between the towns of Taba and Nuweiba on the Sinai peninsula. Ras Shetan is known for its bohemian beach camps, usually run by local Bedouins. The camps are a mix of beach huts or bare-bone chalets, and you’re more than welcome to set up your own tents right on the beach. If you’re staying in a beach hut or tent, then you’ll have access to a communal bathroom. Most of the camps have simple menus and you can eat your meals in the shared main hut right on the water. At night, there’s usually a large campfire where the Bedouins and guests from all over the world talk, play instruments and sing. Moon Island camp Things to do: swim, snorkel, sunbathe, hike in the nearby Colored Canyon (check out more natural and historical sights in Egypt that most people don’t know about), visit Castle Zaman How to arrange the camping: you can research the different Ras Shetan camps online and see which one strikes your fancy, then just give them a call. How to get there: most people drive from Cairo, but it’s a long drive and the most direct way there (Nekhel Road) is only open during daylight hours. For security reasons, the government requires foreigners and Copts to take the longer Sharm el Sheikh road to Ras Shetan. Another option is flying to Sharm el Sheikh and arranging a car transfer to bring you to your beach camp (about a 2 hour drive). You might also like: 7 Extreme Adventure Experiences in Egypt for Adrenaline Junkies

Al Alamein Hotel If you’ve heard of Egypt’s North Coast before (known as Sahel el Shamali in Arabic or just Sahel for short), then it’s safe to say you’ve heard about its insanely beautiful beaches, some of the very best in the Mediterranean region (if not the world). But because tourism hasn’t fully taken off there yet, you might not be sure which are the best hotels or places to stay to truly partake in some spectacular sun and sea. Read more: North Coast, Egypt - A Complete Travel Guide for First-Timers So we’ve put together for you a list of some tried and true North Coast favorites; these 5 star hotels will deliver the best of what hotel hospitality on the Egyptian Mediterranean has to offer. But we also have a few local tips/caveats. Local tip #1: These hotels are all 5 star and in high demand during the summer season - so they’re pretty expensive. It’s best to book far in advance if you’re planning on going in the summer months, and keep an eye out for any deals/discounts they might be offering so as to snag the best price. Local tip #2: Try to book weekdays and not weekends. First of all, with some of these hotels the nightly price on a weekend is more than double the nightly price of a weekday. Secondly, summer weekends usually are fully booked in these hotels, so aside from the price, try to book in advance before summer starts to make sure you can nab the room of your choice. Also peppered along the North Coast are various three star and four star hotels; those will be cheaper obviously, but they can also be hit and miss, so we wanted to just focus on the very best North Coast hotels. So with no further ado, here they are in no particular order: Rixos Premium Alamein Location: New Alamein City This soaring hotel is reminiscent architecturally of the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore, and its height makes it different from all the other hotels on this list. Guests are able to get incredible sea views from above in their rooms from a variety of angles. All-inclusive packages are available. New Alamein City is still a work in progress, with the goal of it being a year-round touristic city by 2030. While there’s currently not much around the hotel, the hotel itself has a handful of restaurants, bars, pools and other amenities. For more information and reviews: Rixos Premium Alamein Rixos Alamein Location: Ghazala Bay Another Rixos on the North Coast, but this one is the original in Ghazala Bay, about a 40 minute drive from the Rixos Premium Alamein in New Alamein City. Rixos Alamein, besides its spectacular beach, has five swimming pools and a spa. They also have six restaurants and several bars, and an all-inclusive option, so it’s a great place to stay if you want luxury and not to leave your hotel. For more information and reviews: Rixos Alamein Address Marassi Beach Resort OR Address Marassi Golf Resort Address Marassi Beach Resort Location: Marassi This entry is a two-for-one depending on your preferences. The Address hotel chain has several different sister hotels in Marassi, and two of the best are the Address Marassi Beach Resort and the Address Marassi Golf Resort. The main difference between the two is that the Beach Resort is right on the beach, while the Golf Resort is on an 18 hole signature golf course, with beach access at the nearby Al Alamein Hotel (transportation between the hotel and the beach is via golf cart). Read more: 10 Best Restaurants in Marassi, Egypt Address Marassi Golf Resort So if you’re a golfer, then it’s an easy choice. But if you’re more into sea views and direct beachfront, then Address Marassi Beach Resort is a better fit. For more information and reviews: Address Marassi Beach Resort and Address Marassi Golf Resort Jaz Almaza Beach Hotel Location: Almaza Bay The Jaz hotel group actually operates 5 different hotels in Almaza Bay, with four of them called Jaz so-and-so – so it can be a bit confusing. The four Jaz hotels (Jaz Almaza Beach, Jaz Oriental, Jaz Crystal and Jaz Tamerina) are all 5 star, while their fifth sister hotel Almazino is 4 star. There’s not a huge difference between all the Jaz hotels, but we selected Jaz Almaza Beach simply because it’s the biggest and with the most amenities. For more information and reviews: Jaz Almaza Beach Resort Al Alamein Hotel Location: Marassi This hotel is one of the highest ranked by guests, with rave reviews on all platforms. Al Alamein Hotel also regularly features in travel influencer content, with their memorable beach sculptures set against a stunning stretch of sea. Al Alamein is in Marassi, and it’s a good option if you don’t want to just stick to your hotel. The Marassi compound is extensive and it’s easy to get to the Marassi Marina with its restaurants and bars, the Marassi mall and even the waterpark. For more information and reviews: Al Alamein Hotel Casa Cook North Coast Location: Hacienda White If you’re looking for an adults only hotel, away from kids shrieking and splashing in the pool and sea, then Casa Cook is for you. It’s a beautifully designed boutique hotel, with focus on natural materials and elegant simplicity. Casa Cook doesn’t have all the amenities or bells and whistles that the bigger hotels on this list have, but because it’s in Hacienda White, it’s in walking distance of two of the North Coast’s most popular beach bars and party destinations: The Lemon Tree & Co and Kiki’s Beach. For more information and reviews: Casa Cook North Coast Caesar Bay Resort Location: right before the Caesar compound If you’re looking for a kid-friendly resort for you and your family, and don’t care about not leaving your hotel, then Caesar Bay Resort is a good option. They offer big family rooms that can take up to four people, whether all adults or adults and kids. They also have a kids club where professionals lead kids in a series of activities throughout the day, so if you’re looking to keep your kids occupied while you relax. For more information and reviews: Caesar Bay Resort You may also like: 10 Best Restaurants & Beach Bars on Egypt's North Coast

Mayrig If you’ve ever decided to go eat or grab a coffee at Arkan Plaza in Sheikh Zayed, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This commercial center on the west side of Cairo is full to the brim with dozens of restaurants, cafes, restobars, shops and booths – and what seems to be something new opening every day. You might also like: 5 Best Restaurants in Park St., Sheikh Zayed So if you find yourself in Arkan Plaza and are unsure of what’s a hit and what you can miss, here are ten of the best restaurants and cafes there (in no particular order). We also listed at the end of the article other restaurants and cafes that you'll find there that didn't make the list, for discovery's sake! 1. Mayrig This Armenian restaurant (yes, Armenian - the first Armenian restaurant in Egypt!) is on the rooftop of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the Arkan extension. If you’re not familiar with Armenian food, you should probably give it a try if you’re a fan of Lebanese or Turkish food – it has a lot of overlap with the two other cuisines, but with its own flair. Mayrig has indoor and outdoor dining, with heaters available in the winter. Alcohol and shisha are also served, and they’re open daily from noon until midnight. Mayrig’s menu. 2. Willow's First and foremost, Willow’s is known for being one of the best breakfast places in town (read more: 30 Best Breakfast Spots in Cairo). Second of all, their decor is all that is comfy and cozy. Thirdly, their all-day menu is massive, so there’s something for everyone – a great family spot. For more info, pictures and menu: Willow’s IG 3. Carlo’s Carlo’s is always a great option when you’re a group of people and everyone wants something different. Instead of standing in the middle of Arkan and arguing over eating sushi or eating hawawshi, just head to Carlo’s where their extensive menu includes Egyptian and international classics from all over the globe – and they’ve consistently done it all well for decades now, back since Carlo’s flagship restaurant in Zamalek led the charge as one of the best restaurants in Cairo. They also serve shisha and alcohol, and have plenty of screens for football matches. Be warned though – on match nights, it’s both crowded and noisy and reservations are needed. Carlo’s menu. 4. Gigi Right across from Carlo’s is Gigi, the place to go if you’re craving burgers, pizza, tons of appetizers and other good comfort food. They have indoor and outdoor seating, a big bar, and lots of cold beer on tap. Gigi is a nice weekend day spot as well as a ‘drink and burger after work’ kind of place, but it gets crowded quickly so reservations are recommended. 5. Granita Granita is a "concept cafeteria" that's a nod to the 'grand cafes' of Egypt back in the 1930s and 1940s - think Groppi and other vintage cosmopolitan cafes. They have both an indoor and outdoor area perfect for sunny brunches, work meetings and or just enjoying a coffee and pastry solo. They offer breakfast, sandwiches, salads, pienirli (Greek pizzas), appetizers, main plates and homemade desserts. Granita’s menu. 6. Casa Talia In the mood for something tasty but not quite sure what it is exactly you want? Casa Talia’s large and eclectic menu will sort you out. Aside from their breakfast and brunch menu, they have your usual pastas, burgers, pizzas etc., plus unexpected menu items like bao buns, Turkish pide, sandos and robata-grilled appetizers. Massive dessert menu as well! Casa Talia’s menu. 7. Crimson Arkan If you’re looking for a rooftop date vibe even though you’re in the middle of a commercial center, then Crimson is the place for you. Set above and away from all the hordes of other restaurants and cafes in Arkan, it’s easy to forget you’re essentially in a mall and not on a chic urban rooftop away from the hustle and bustle. Crimson of course is known for its Zamalek branch with sweeping Nile views, but they share the same ambient atmosphere, elevated international menu, and large cocktail list. 8. Koffee Kulture One of the breakfast and coffee stars of Arkan Plaza. Koffee Kulture's menu features all sorts of omelettes, eggs Benedict, tortilla egg wraps, sandwiches, bagels, open-faced sourdough loaves, a bakery, and a ton of coffee options. Even if you stop by later in the day, they have an all-day menu for all your favorite brunch items. Koffee Kulture’s menu. Read more: 30 Best Breakfast Spots in Cairo 9. Al Beiruti This Lebanese resto-cafe has already made its mark in Beirut and Dubai, so it makes sense that Cairenes love it as well. It’s a mix of indoor and outdoor as well as a full-fledged restaurant but with a casual Lebanese cafe feel – think tawla, shisha and Lebanese mezzeh. Al Beiruti’s menu. 10. Bittersweet Looking to elevate your morning coffee? Look no further than pairing an espresso with Bittersweet's insane O'Smores. If that shot of caffeine and sugar won't wake you up, probably nothing much will! (They also have other 'normal' breakfast selections for those who don't want to be wired for the rest of the day). Bittersweet doesn’t just do coffee breakfast though – they’re also known for their pizzas and pastas. Other restaurants in Arkan Plaza: Odoriko Caracas Lucida Crave Charwood's JJ's Texas Longhorn BBQ Chicken & Ribs Butcher's Burger Tres Bon Coco Le Relais de l'Entrecôte Ralph's German Bakery Maison de Paris Tiger's Diner Mistiqa Darjeela Lee Loo in the City Clams and Claws Baladina Garnell Gracias Latin Kitchen Tabali Qahwa Hareer La Scala Maze Restobar Mista Other cafes in Arkan Plaza: Aubaine Blooms and Beans Moishi Ladurée Lychee Specialty Būn NAF Coffee Berry Starbucks Seven Fortunes Chouchou Twenty Grams You might also like: 12 Best Bars, Pubs and Resto-bars in Sheikh Zayed and 6 October

Listen, we all love Haagen-Dazs and Baskin-Robbins and the likes, but if you’re in the mood for some ice cream with some local Egyptian flavor, then look no further than these frosty favorites of ours. Here's some of our favorite Egyptian ice cream shops and brands, in no particular order: Dara’s Ice Cream The most buzzed-about ice cream shop that took Cairo (and the rest of Egypt) by storm is Dara’s Ice Cream. This uber-popular, Instagrammable spot is known for not only their made-from-scratch ice cream and ice cream cakes, but cookies straight from the oven too. You can also find their packaged ice cream at different grocery stores like Gourmet. Our favorite flavor: honeycomb For more info: their website Stavolta Gelato Artisanal, homemade gelato the Italian way. One of our favorite things about Stavolta is that you’ll always find something new and fun on their menu -- their gelato always features different fruit flavors based on what’s fresh and in season (teen shoki/prickly pear in summer for example), and during Ramadan and other holidays they get creative (othmanleya gelato, anyone?). They also offer vegan ‘seyami’ flavors. Our favorite flavor: lemon sorbet For more info: Stavolta Mandarine Koueider This beloved dessert shop has been open in Cairo since 1928, and while its main claim to fame is its oriental desserts (especially during Ramadan), locals know that Mandarine Koueider also has some great ice cream year-round. Our favorite flavor: tangerine For more info: Mandarine Koueider Dolato Dolato has all the regular flavors and cones and cakes you would expect from a local ice cream shop, but our personal favorite offering of theirs is the ice cream minis on sticks. Perfect for when you're craving ice cream but don't want to commit to just one flavor. They also have sugar-free ice cream, vegan and gluten-free varieties. Our favorite flavor: their ice cream mini variations For more info: Dolato's IG Rigoletto Ah, the ice cream of our childhood. Rigoletto opened its first shop in 1987 under the name Dolce Vita, and officially became Rigoletto two years later. They pride themselves on being Cairo’s “first ice cream parlor” and a place where you could actually hang out, not like the grab-and-go ice cream of today. Our favorite flavor: vanilla croquant For more info: their website Gelato Mio Similar to Stavolta, Gelato Mio serves up homemade gelato and sorbet the Italian way. Their flavors range from the traditional like Belgian chocolate and Oreo to the quirky like karkade (hibiscus), ricotta and figs, cinnamon and dates, and carrot orange. Our favorite flavor: it changes each time! For more info: Gelato Mio Sultana Another old-is-gold entry in our ice cream list. Sultana has been open for more than 30 years, first opening its doors in 1989. Since then, they’ve absolutely exploded, with around 15 branches in Cairo and ten in Alexandria, plus their ice cream is now even packaged and distributed in big supermarket chains like Metro. They’ve come a long way since our childhood, that’s for sure. Our favorite flavor: mixed berry yoghurt For more info: Sultana You may also like: 14 Egyptian Dessert Shops and Patisseries More Than 50 Years Old

Listen, Egypt is a country with a 7,000 year old civilization, 5,000+ year old modern cities, 1,000+ year old mosques, and some of the oldest functional monasteries in the world. And while our hotels might not be quite that old, they bear witness to many decades of modern Egyptian history -- and are still around to tell the tale. Here are some of Egypt's most historic and fascinating hotels: 1. Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino Location: Zamalek, Cairo Established: 1869 Original name: Palace Al Gezirah This modern-day Zamalek favorite was built by Khedive Ismail over 150 years ago to be a guest palace for foreign royalty and other VIPs visiting during the Suez Canal’s inauguration celebrations. Khedive Ismail decided to design the palace in the neoclassical style which was popular in Europe at the time. He signed on Austrian architect Julius Franz (later known as Franz Bey) and French architect De Curel Del Rosso, who had also designed the Abdeen Palace (for more awesome Cairo museums you need to check out, read our article here). The interiors were done by German architect Carl von Diebitsch. Interesting story: the building’s own architect, Franz Bey, a man apparently not known for his modesty, said the Palace Al Gezirah was “the most beautiful building of modern Arabic style in its category”. Its first royal guests, the Prince and Princess of Wales, called the palace “uselessly extravagant” (lol). The palace operated as the exclusive Gezirah Palace Hotel until it was seized by the government in 1879 for unpaid debt and acquired by the Egyptian Hotels Company. It was later nationalized in 1969 during the time of Gamal Abdel Nasser, and became the Omar Khayyam hotel, later to be taken over by Marriott International in the 1970s. They were the ones who undertook the project of adding two large Nile-facing towers to the palace. The Cairo Marriott today The Cairo Marriott that stands today is still the same palace that housed Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, and hosted the wedding of Khedive Ismail’s son which lasted for 40 days; many of the original artwork and furniture can be found in the hotel’s reception rooms and lounges. Cairo Marriott's website. 2. Marriott Mena House From a Mena House advertising booklet, circa 1900. Photo credit: grandhotelsegypt.com Location: Giza Plateau, Greater Cairo Established: 1869 Original name: Mena House Family Hotel 1869 must have been a busy year for Khedive Ismail, because not only did he build the Gezirah Palace we spoke about above, but he also created the hunting lodge at the foot of the Pyramids which would later become the famous Mena House hotel. A drawing room, from a Mena House advertising booklet, circa 1900. Photo credit: grandhotelsegypt.com When Empress Eugenie came to Cairo for the Suez Canal inauguration, it wasn’t enough that Khedive Ismail built a whole guest palace for her and other royalty to stay at; he also built a road that led from Cairo to the Great Pyramids of Giza, and built a royal hunting lodge for her to rest and have lunch at during her Pyramids trip. The dining hall, from a Mena House advertising booklet, circa 1900. Photo credit: grandhotelsegypt.com The hunting lodge was then bought by a wealthy English couple on their honeymoon, Frederick and Jessie Head, because Frederick thought the air there to be beneficial (one living in modern-day Cairo can only laugh and/or cry at the irony). The couple enlarged the lodge into an estate and named it Mena House, after the first pharaoh of Egypt. Egypt's first swimming pool, from a Mena House advertising booklet, circa 1900. Photo credit: grandhotelsegypt.com After Frederick died, the house was bought by another English couple and turned into a hotel in 1887 --- the “Mena House Family Hotel”. A swimming pool was added a few years later, becoming the first swimming pool in Egypt. The hotel changed hands several times throughout the years before its management was acquired by the Marriott. Mariott Mena House today Interesting story: tons of famous politicians, celebrities and royalty stayed at the Mena House over the years, including Frank Sinatra, who performed at a charity event at the Pyramids in 1979 and sang “Strangers on the Nile”. Marriott Mena House's website. 3. Sofitel Winter Palace Winter Palace, circa 1910. Photo credit: hotelphotoarchive.com Location: Luxor Established: 1886/1907 Original name: Winter Palace Hotel Interesting story: so, the official hotel website for the Sofitel Winter Palace states that the hotel opened in 1886, and they went so far as to literally name one of their restaurants ‘1886’ -- talk about doubling down. But apparently, according to historians, that’s false -- the hotel actually opened its doors in 1907, according to, among other things, the announcement of its opening in the Egyptian Gazette newspaper in 1907. Today’s modern management might have gotten its founding date confused with the Luxor Hotel, another historic hotel that used to be right next to the Winter Palace. Oops. An S-23 Empire class flying boat delivering mail to the Winter Palace. Photo credit: grandhotelsegypt.com / Gaddis Collection The Winter Palace Hotel was created by Cairo hoteliers in collaboration with Thomas Cook and Sons, and its construction was done by an Italian company. In January 1907, they celebrated its inauguration by a picnic at the Valley of the Kings. Lord Carnarvon with local dignitaries on the terrace of the Winter Palace. Photo credit: grandhotelsegypt.com What really put the Winter Palace on the map was Howard Carter’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Reporters, foreign press and interested visitors from all over the world poured into Luxor and the Winter Palace was used as Carter’s newsroom to keep everyone up to speed on the discovery. Sofitel Winter Palace today Sofitel Winter Palace's website. 4. Windsor Hotel Location: Downtown Cairo Established: 1893 Original name: Hotel Windsor-Maison Suisse **Editor's note: Sad news -- the Windsor has recently permanently closed. We'll keep this listing though for those who are interested in its history. RIP Windsor. The Windsor in Downtown Cairo was built back in 1893 as part of a baths complex for the royal family, and its architecture is very reminiscent of the interior courtyards of the caravanserai Wekalet el Ghouri in Old Cairo, next to Khan el Khalili. People call it ‘colonial-era neo-Mamluk architecture’ which is a mouthful, but there you go. Windsor Hotel, today. Photo credit: Jacobs Cindi Windsor was mainly known for being a British Officers Club during the First World War, and little had changed decor-wise since those days, albeit much older and more faded. Until recently, their vintage ‘Barrel Lounge’ was popular with Downtown bar-hoppers -- it got its name due to the seats being made of old wooden barrels. The Barrel Lounge After its stint as the British Officers Club, Windsor was bought by a Swiss hotelier with plans to make it an annex of the world-famous Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo (RIP). It was named the Hotel Windsor-Maison Suisse until it was taken over in 1962 by the Doss family. Interesting story: the Windsor’s manually-operated wooden elevator (which was still in use until it's closing) was the oldest elevator in Egypt and one of the oldest operating elevators of its type in the world. Windsor Hotel's website. 5. Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel Photo credit: grandhotelsegypt.com Location: Aswan Established: 1899 Original name: Cataract Hotel This world-famous hotel was built in 1899 by Thomas Cook and Sons, after the Cairo-Aswan railway was built in 1898 and there was a sudden influx of visitors and and not enough hotels. They bought nine feddans from the government and hired architect Henri Favarger, the same architect who designed the Mena House. Photo credit: grandhotelsegypt.com It was an instant hit and quickly garnered a lot of famous guests over the years, including Tsar Nicholas II, Winston Churchill and Princess Diana. It became literally the stuff of ‘legends’ as its current name suggests, when Agatha Christie used it as the backdrop for her famous novel, Death on the Nile. The 1978 movie they made out of the book was shot there too (so was the famous Egyptian series ‘Grand Hotel’). Interesting story: when the construction workers were leveling the ground to build the hotel, they came across 200 mummies buried there. The sad part is that they destroyed them with their shovels. The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract today Sofitel Legend Old Cataract's website. A full city guide to Aswan is here. 6. Paradise Inn Le Metropole Le Metropole facing the square, 1937 Location: Alexandria Established: 1902 Original name: Le Metropole Even though the hotel Le Metropole was built in the early 20th century by Greek and Italian architects, the history regarding the piece of land where the hotel was built is *much* older. Like, around 2,000 years older! Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt who probably needs no introduction, built the Caesareum of Alexandria, a temple to honor her lover Julius Caesar. After her suicide, Roman emperor Augustus turned the Caesareum into his own cult temple, and brought over two obelisks from Heliopolis to adorn the exterior. Even though it was Augustus who had brought them over, they became known as ‘Cleopatra’s Needles’. The temple later became a church in the 4th century AD, and was destroyed in 912 AD. Cleopatra’s Needles were given away in an economic and political move by Khedive Mohammed Ali in 1879 -- one obelisk now stands in Central Park, NYC, and the other on the Thames embankment in London. The hotel that was built where the obelisks once stood is none other than Le Metropole, and instead of the Caesareum, there’s now a statue of Saad Zaghloul, a nationalist leader. The hotel today is dated but still carries a lot of its original turn of the 20th century charm, as well as original paintings and antiques. Paradise Inn Le Metropole today Interesting story: the Greek-Alexandrian poet Constantine Cavafy, who was one of the most prominent poets of the 1920s and 1930s, spent the last 25 years of his life in Le Metropole, writing poems. A suite in his name remains there until today. Paradise Inn Le Metropole's website. 7. Paradise Inn Windsor Palace Location: Alexandria Established: 1906 Original name: Windsor Palace This classic Alexandrian hotel is not at all related to the Windsor Hotel of Downtown Cairo -- apparently we just really like the name around here. When it was built in 1906, it was named after John Windsor, one of the ten partners in the new hotel. They thought 'Windsor Palace’ sounded aristocratic, which is the vibe they were aiming for. The Windsor Palace, 1934 The Windsor Palace was in quite the enviable location back 100 years ago -- it was close to the Ramleh train station and Alexandria’s old port harbor, as well as the shopping district and seaside promenades. Since it was right on the Mediterranean Sea, it was definitely more of a ‘resort hotel’ back in the day than it is now. Paradise Inn Windsor Palace today Like Le Metropole and The Windsor in Cairo, the current hotel that stands today has seen much better days, but holds on to its original paintings, antiques and choice furnishings, to give modern guests a feel of what the hotel was like back in its golden days. Paradise Inn Windsor Palace's website. 8. Semiramis Intercontinental Semiramis in 1940 Location: Garden City, Cairo Established: 1907 Original name: Semiramis If you want to get technical, the Semiramis Intercontinental that stands today isn’t the same Semiramis that was built in 1907 -- that one got demolished in 1976 to make way for the current, modern hotel. But it’s the same location and bears the same name, so we’re going to consider it historical just the same. Photo credit: grandhotelsegypt.com The Semiramis was built by Swiss hoteliers and named for an ancient queen of Babylon, and was actually the very first hotel built on the Nile in Cairo -- most others were built in the Ezbakiya area or Downtown Cairo. It was four floors and had views of the pyramids, the Citadel, the Moqattam Hills, and obviously the Nile (this was before there was even a Nile Corniche!). The Semiramis was nicknamed ‘the queen of the Nile’. Semiramis and the Shepheard Hotel, half a mile from the original world-famous Shepheard's Hotel that burned down in 1952 Interesting story: T.E. Lawrence (you know, Lawrence of Arabia) stayed there in 1921 and wrote to his mother that the Semiramis was “very expensive and luxurious: horrible place: makes me Bolshevik.” Rupyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book, also stayed at the Semiramis several times, and wrote “The Swiss are the only people who have taken the trouble to master the art of hotel-keeping. Consequently, in the things that really matter – beds, baths, and victuals –they control Egypt”. Semiramis Intercontinental today Semiramis Intercontinental's website. 9. Steigenberger Cecil Hotel Location: Alexandria Established: 1929 Original name: Cecil Hotel The Cecil Hotel was originally a ‘romantic’ colonial-style hotel opened by a Jewish French-Egyptian family, the Metzgers, on the same square near the sea where Cleopatra’s Needles were (yes, the Cecil and Le Metropole are neighbors). Ramleh Station and Cecil Hotel, 1930s It was extremely popular in its heyday and hosted everyone from Umm Kalthoum to Josephine Baker and Al Capone. During World War II, it was used as headquarters for British Intelligence (not so romantic anymore, we guess). The Metzger family were expelled from the country in 1957, and 50 years later in 2007 won a court case over ownership of the Cecil Hotel, which they then sold to the Egyptian government. Interesting story: the Cecil Hotel is written about in Naguib Mahfouz’s famous novel Miramar, as well as Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet. Steigenberger Cecil Hotel today Steigenberger Cecil Hotel's website. 10. Helnan Auberge Auberge in 1945 Location: Fayoum Established: 1937 Original name: Auberge du Lac Fayoum, about an hour and a half from Cairo, has always been known as a great nature retreat and break from the city. And that was probably what King Farouk had in mind when he built a hunting and fishing lodge in Fayoum in 1937. The lodge, which was built on the shores of Lake Qarun, was used as a base for his hunting expeditions and parties, and King Farouk built an old port there as well. The lodge later became the Auberge du Lac Hotel, and the old port still stands. And while the hotel was always popular with hunting and fishing aficionados, it also was the setting for important political meetings, such as King Abdel Aziz Ibn Saud and Winston Churchill in 1945. Winston Churchill and King Abdel Aziz Ibn Saud in Auberge Du Lac, 1945 Interesting story: the Auberge was also the darling of the Egyptian film industry back in the day, and many Egyptian black-and-white (and regular) movies were shot there, like هذا هو الحب (That’s Love) in 1958, شمس لا تغيب (A Sun That Never Sets) in 1959, سر امرأة (A Woman’s Secret) in 1960, ست البنات (The Girl of All Girls) in 1961, and الكل عاوز يحب (Everyone Wants Love) in 1975, among many others. Movie filmed at Auberge Helnan, a Scandinavian hotel group, took over Auberge du Lac in the 1980s and renamed it Helnan Auberge. Helnan Auberge today Helnan Auberge's website. 11. Helnan Palestine Hotel Location: Alexandria Established: 1964 Original name: Palestine Hotel This hotel located in the former royal palace of El Montaza in Alexandria was built in 6 months in 1964 under orders from President Gamal Abdel Nasser. He wanted to build a hotel specifically to house all the Arab royalty, heads of state and dignitaries who were flying to Alexandria to attend the second ever Arab League Summit, and needless to say, he wanted to provide the very best in luxury, comfort and views; he handpicked the location of the hotel himself. Anwar Sadat at the Palestine Hotel It was at this summit that they formally approved the establishment of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (hence the name of the hotel). El Montaza is 350 acres of gardens on the Mediterranean Sea, and was the summer palace of King Farouk; its ownership was transferred to the government in 1952. Helnan took over the Palestine Hotel’s management in 1987. Interesting story: for the 2002 opening of the new Library of Alexandria, or Bibliotheca Alexandrina, presidents, royalty and celebrities flew in to attend and stayed at the Helnan Palestine, including Jacques Chirac, Sofia the Queen of Spain, and Rania the Queen of Jordan. Helnan Palestine's website. Interested in more modern historical spots in Egypt? Check out these 14 Egyptian dessert shops and patisseries more than 50 years old.

While Cairo itself isn’t a coastal city, it’s close enough to both the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea for us to be able to readily access a wide variety of fresh and tasty seafood. Egyptians in general really enjoy our local seafood, but because it tends to be expensive, we save it usually for special occasions or big family lunches at a restaurant every now and then. Cairo has a handful of seafood restaurants, and like anything else, some are hits and some are misses. Here are what we consider the best seafood restaurants in Cairo, in no particular order: Bahary Locations: New Cairo & Nasr City Serving up seafood to the east side of Cairo since 1995. Some of Bahary’s specialties: fried butterfly shrimp, dynamite shrimp, signature seafood soup, crunchy fried calamari, shrimp pesto pasta, grilled sea bream with zesty lemon oil, and lots of great seafood casseroles. For the menu and more info: Bahary Catchy Location: Zamalek Catchy is a hidden gem on the Nile Maxim Boat in Zamalek (across from the Marriott). You wouldn’t know it’s there unless you go looking for it, and you’ll be glad you did. Besides their great seafood and service, they also have beautiful Nile views because they’re right on the water. Alcohol and shisha is also served there. For the menu and more info: Catchy Seagull Locations: Dokki, New Cairo, Madinaty, Sheikh Zayed Seagull has been a family favorite seafood restaurant since 1985! Their Dokki branch is our personal favorite, considering it’s also on a docked boat right on the Nile, across from the Cairo Tower. Their Madinaty and Sheikh Zayed branches are more ‘upscale’ however when it comes to decor. Same solid seafood throughout though. For the menu and more info: Seagull El Rayes Ibn Hamido Locations: Heliopolis, Nasr City, Mokattam, Sayeda Zeinab Another seafood player that’s been in the game for over 30 years. El Rayes Ibn Hamido is known more commonly by its original name, Ibn Hamido, but they officially changed it once unaffiliated restaurants started popping up in Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh with the same name. El Rayes Ibn Hamido originally started as just a small takeaway spot, then grew enough to be able to provide home delivery, and now they have multiple dine-in branches. For the menu and more info: El Rayes Ibn Hamido Fish & Chips Location: Downtown This is another hidden gem seafood restaurant as opposed to the other big chain names. Fish & Chips is a small taverna-style restaurant in Downtown Cairo. The restaurant might be small, but it’s really cute and kitschy on the inside and very Instagram-able. Try their shrimp molokheya! For the menu and more info: Fish & Chips Asmak Locations: New Cairo, Sheikh Zayed, Mohandiseen, Giza One of the most popular seafood restaurant chains in Cairo, with a wide variety of seafood that you can choose yourself from the fresh catch on ice and have cooked in whichever way you prefer. They’re so beloved that they opened two different branches on Egypt’s Mediterranean North Coast as well (read more: 10 Best Restaurants in Marassi, Egypt). For the menu and more info: Asmak Flying Fish Location: Agouza Ah, the oldest Cairo seafood restaurant on this list. Flying Fish originally opened its doors in 1979 – so we’re talking almost 50 years at this point. Any restaurant that’s been open and thriving for almost 50 years deserves a spot on any ‘best’ list, and Flying Fish is no different. They’re still known for their high quality seafood, service and iconic stained glass windows. For the menu and more info: Flying Fish You may also like: 7 Best Sushi and Japanese Restaurants in Cairo

Looking for a place to sip a coffee and work, but far, far away from your desk? Or maybe you want to read a book and decompress by yourself - even better. Zamalek in general is an ideal neighborhood for just that; most of its cafes are small and cozy and away from the hustle and bustle of the usual crowds. Below we put together a list of our favorite Zamalek cafes: some shine because of their aesthetics, others because of their food and/or coffee, and some because they allow you to be outdoors and still relax, which is no easy feat in Cairo. Note: Zamalek is home to other big coffee shop chains like Beano’s, Starbucks and Costa Coffee, but for our list we stuck to our favorite less-franchisey cafes. So next time you’re on the island with your laptop or your book and not sure where to go, head to one of these chill cafes. Granita Opening hours: 7 am - 10 pm Nestled next to the All Saints Cathedral in Zamalek is Granita, a "concept cafeteria" that's a nod to the 'grand cafes' of Egypt back in the 1930s and 1940s - think Groppi and other vintage cosmopolitan cafes. They have both an indoor and outdoor area perfect for sunny brunches, work meetings and or just enjoying a coffee and pastry solo. They offer breakfast, sandwiches, salads, pienirli (Greek pizzas), appetizers, main plates and homemade desserts. For more info: Granita Cake Cafe Opening hours: 8 am - 11 pm Cake Cafe has now become a Cairo phenomenon, with multiple branches in Sheikh Zayed, 6 October, New Cairo and even Hacienda on the North Coast. But it all started in Zamalek in 2013 when a tiny cafe with a few sidewalk tables opened next to Gezira Club - the start of Cake Cafe. Fast forward over 10 years later and it’s still a Zamalek favorite for those looking for a spot to have coffee, dessert, work, or even bring their dog (more dog-friendly spots, please!). Besides the cakes and desserts they’re named for, they also have breakfast, sandwiches, flatbread and pizzas & pasta. For more info: Cake Cafe Holm Cafe Opening hours: 8 am - 11 pm Close by to Cake Cafe but even smaller, is Holm, which touts itself as your “neighborhood potluck cafe” (we’re not particularly sure what that means). Holm has one little outdoor table, and inside there’s comfy couches and chairs to work or sip your coffee as well. Their menu has baked goods, desserts, sandwiches, salads and of course coffee and juices galore. Its second floor is particularly pleasant, with windows overlooking trees and flowers (and the occasional passing car, this is still Cairo after all). For more info: Holm Cafe L’Aroma Opening hours: 9 am - 1 am Ah, the OG of Zamalek cafes to work in. We don’t remember exactly how long L’Aroma has been around for exactly, but it’s definitely the oldest on this list. For years L’Aroma has served up coffee and a workspace for all the companies and media agencies in its vicinity. It’s comfortable and spaced out enough that you can have a meeting or be on a call without feeling like you’re announcing everything on a megaphone to the coffee shop at large. L’Aroma has also gained in popularity since its inception, with a citywide presence now outside of Zamalek. For more info: L’Aroma Antique Khana Opening hours: 9 am - 1 am Tucked away from sight on the second floor of a residential building, Antique Khana is a hidden gem in Zamalek unless you’re one of the wise ones in the know (and if you are, come work with us lol). It’s a beautifully decorated cafe/restaurant with a nod to all that is nostalgic and vintage. It’s run by a family that loves music, books, antiques and the good ol’ days, and it reflects in Antique Khana. Besides their coffee and drink menu, they have a wide range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options - everything from pasta to salmon teriyaki. For more info: Antique Khana 30 North Opening hours: 8 am - midnight This is a good option for all those who are looking to sit outdoors without having to battle it out for the limited outdoor seating at places like Cake Cafe or Holm. 30 North is in the Iconia courtyard (the building that used to be the AUC dorms), and ¾ of it is open air (with a small indoor section as well). In the winter they provide heaters for the outside area. Besides 30 North’s own menu (which excels especially in coffee and breakfast), adjacent in the courtyard is Chicken & Ribs and Butcher’s Burger, alongside Stavolta gelato. Local tip: not all the outdoor tables have electric outlet access, so make sure your laptop is charged or try to nab a table next to an outlet. For more info: 30 North Amor Perfecto Opening hours: 7:30 am - 11:30 am This one is for all the coffee aficionados out there. Amor Perfecto is a branch of a Colombian specialty coffee shop based in Bogota that has been winning awards since 1997, and they’ve started to spread globally. They especially pride themselves on their baristas who will help you pick your cup of specialty joe based on your personal coffee preferences. The specialty coffee there is definitely the star of the show, and you can buy the coffee beans as well. Don’t go if you’re hungry though; they have a few desserts to go alongside the coffee but not much beyond that. For more info: Amor Perfecto Sip Opening hours: 8 am - 11 pm This cafe hails all the way from Lebanon, and is known for their specialty coffee. Sip’s Zamalek branch is close to the Marriott (that area seems to be good real estate for cafes), and has not only outdoor seating but also great indoor aesthetics. Besides your standard coffee menu, Sip has a range of house blends and they also sell coffee by the 200gm bag (with beans from Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Ethiopia). You can also buy a bag of their house blend. Their food menu has the expected cafe fare of breakfast, sandwiches, salads and desserts. For more info: Sip You might also like: 7 Best Nile View Restaurants in Cairo

Egypt’s Red Sea has had the international diving community buzzing recently due to its continual high ranking as one of the best diving destinations in the world. It also doesn’t matter if you never dived before a day in your life -- Egypt is chock-full of PADI-certified, professional diving centers, instructors and liveaboards that will propel you from snorkeler to advanced diver in no time. Here’s a list of some of the very best diving destinations (and specific dive spots!) we have here in the Egyptian Red Sea. 1. Marsa Alam Best dive spots: Elphinstone Reef, Daedalus Reef, Abu Dabbab, Dolphin House Reef Marsa Alam might not be as well known or frequently visited as Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada when it comes to diving, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less impressive (it might be even more so!). This coastal town is more off the beaten track for both Egyptians and foreigners alike, so it’s an excellent place if you want to relax and focus on diving and other sea activities. Marsa Alam's dugongs Beginner divers: the shallow bay of Abu Dabbab is perfect for newbies -- there’s no current and the water is around 18 m deep. It’s also there where you can sometimes see Egypt’s very rare dugongs, cousins of the manatee. Advanced divers: Famous dive sites like Elphinstone and Daedalus are must-sees for more advanced divers -- you can see anything from hammerhead sharks to manta rays in these open sea sites. They’re accessible by either day trips from Marsa Alam or liveaboards. Local tips: Around April and May, water visibility is reduced slightly because of plankton, but that’s what attracts whale sharks and manta rays Whale sharks can be spotted in May & June, and hammerheads from May to August It’s possible to dive year-round, with the coldest water being 24°C in January and warmest being 30°C in the summer (which some find to be too warm, especially when the air temperature regularly hits 40+°C). How to get there: you can either fly into Marsa Alam airport or drive from Cairo (around an 8-10 hour drive) Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Marsa Alam 2. Sharm El Sheikh/Ras Mohammed Best dive spots: SS Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Kingston, Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef According to Dive Magazine, “Sharm El Sheikh has been, for many years, the favourite Egyptian destination for scuba divers, and has probably contributed more to the European dive business than any other resort in the world.” It’s also the starting point for most dive expeditions into Ras Mohammed, an Egyptian national park at the southernmost tip of Sinai, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez and the mixing of water leads to brightly-colored, healthy coral reefs. Bike on the SS Thistlegorm wreck. Photo credit: Terry Steeley Beginner divers: Dive sites like Ras Um el Sid are ideal for beginners; easy reef diving in a shallow bay with no currents. Advanced divers: Sharm has some amazing wreck diving, like the SS Thistlegorm, a British ship that was sunk by Germans in WWII. Other great wreck dives are Dunraven and Kingston. Local tip: There’s no specific diving season in Sharm, but if you want to avoid the crowds both on shore and off, try to avoid the high tourist season (September-November and March-May), and go either during summer (if you can stand the soaring temperatures), or winter. How to get there: fly to Sharm El Sheikh airport or drive from Cairo (6-7 hour drive). Read more: 12 Best Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh 3. Hurghada/El Gouna Best dive spots: Giftun Islands, Abu Nuhas reef and wrecks, Rosalie Moller The coastal towns of Hurghada and El Gouna might be around 25 km apart, but they share many of the same diving sites. Hurghada, which used to be a small fishing village only a few decades ago, is now the biggest Red Sea resort town on the Egyptian mainland. Beginner divers: Hurghada and El Gouna are actually ideal for beginner divers because most of their reefs are shallow and easily accessible but still crammed full of marine life, like the Giftun Islands (home of the famous Mahmya beach restaurant/bar on the shore). Advanced divers: the deep wreck of the Rosalie Moller is closer situated to Hurghada than to Sharm El Sheikh, where its sister ship, the SS Thistlegorm is. Rosalie Moller was a coal ship so it’s not as impressive as Thistlegorm with all its relics, but still an awesome wreck dive. Local tip: Same as Sharm. There’s no specific diving season in Hurghada, but if you want to avoid the crowds both on shore and off, try to avoid the high tourist season (September-November and March-May), and go either summer or winter. How to get there: fly into Hurghada airport and take a cab/car hire from there if you’re going to El Gouna. Or you can drive from Cairo (around a 5 hour drive). 4. Dahab Eel Garden Best dive site: Blue Hole, The Canyon, Eel Garden The Blue Hole in Dahab is probably the most famous dive site in all of Egypt, known even by non-divers, but it’s definitely not the only diving spot Dahab has to offer. Beginner divers: most of Dahab’s coral reefs are right off the shore and easy for beginner divers to reach and explore, including The Blue Hole’s reef (but not the arch!). Advanced divers: the deep arch of the Blue Hole is a 70m archway and passageway in the reef, and is popular with advanced divers and freedivers, but is also extremely dangerous -- dozens of people have passed away there (the onshore tribute to the fallen divers is both moving and somber). The Canyon is also another favorite spot for advanced divers. Local tips: It’s rare to see sharks in Dahab It’s not a destination for wreck diving It’s awesome for snorkeling if you have non-diver friends with you Diving is year-long, and most people go between July-December, so try to avoid those months if you don’t want to the reefs to be crowded with divers How to get there: fly into Sharm el Sheikh then make the drive to Dahab (around an hour away), or drive from Cairo (7-8 hours). 5. El Qoseir Best dive sites: El Ikhwa Islands (Brothers’ Islands) Most would be surprised to see El Qoseir on the list, but it’s true -- if you’re looking for great diving away from it all and untouched coral, then look no further. This 5,000 year old town is home to several resorts, ecolodges and diving camps on the cliffs overlooking a pristine stretch of sea between Hurghada and Marsa Alam, and there are lots of diving centers to choose from. Beginner divers: most of the diving is close to the shore, easily accessible to the diving camps and shallow. Advanced divers: El Ikhwa Islands/Brother Islands is one of the undisputed best diving spots in the whole of the Red Sea, and a good place to see sharks and other big fish, since it’s 70 km off shore from El Qoseir. Local tip: Qoseir as a town has almost nothing going on when it comes to restaurants or nightlife, so you’ll be spending most of your time in a hotel or Nuweiba-style beach camp, which is ideal for those who want peace and quiet How to get there: you have three options: 1) fly into Hurghada and drive south, 2) fly into Marsa Alam and drive north, 3) drive from Cairo (6 hours). 6. Soma Bay Tobia Reefs Best dive sites: Ras Abo Soma, Abu Kafan, Tobia Reefs (aka Seven Pillars/Seven Pinnacles) and Panorama Reef South of Hurghada is the nearby resort town of Soma Bay, on the same coastline between Hurghada and Marsa Alam. Whereas El Qoseir is the destination to go if you want primitive camps and a more back-to-basics feel, Soma Bay offers 5-star resorts and all-inclusive luxury hotels. Ras Abo Soma Beginner divers: the reef of Ras Abo Soma and its adjacent areas are great for beginner divers, and you even have the chance of happening upon reef sharks. Advanced divers: there’s awesome wall and drift diving, and the Tobias Reefs are well-loved. You can also visit the Salem Express wreck, a controversial dive spot because of the sad story attached. The Salem Express was a passenger ferry between Egypt and Saudi Arabia that sank in 1991, killing over 400 passengers. Some divers choose not to visit the wreck, but other divers do and pay their respects to the remains of the ship and the lives lost. Local tips: This stretch of the Red Sea is ideal if you want to have a luxury vacation aside from just diving The area is close to Hurghada, but is not as crowded with diving boats How to get there: either fly into Hurghada airport and drive south, or drive from Cairo (5 hours). Read more: Soma Bay, Egypt - Travel Guide for First-Timers 7. Hamata, Wadi Lahami and the Deep South Best dive spots: St. John’s, Fury Shoals and Rocky Island Ever wondered about the stretch of the Red Sea between Marsa Alam and Sudan? It’s known as the Deep South, where the tiny coastal towns/villages of Hamata and Wadi Lahami are, right before you reach the Shalateen and Halayeb protected areas. This pristine stretch of Red Sea is completely untouched and unspoiled. Beginner divers: because of the strong wind conditions, it’s not always the best place for beginner divers, but St. John’s has a few easier dives. Advanced divers: the strong current leads to amazing drift diving, with an increased chance of seeing hammerhead sharks, pods of dolphins and manta rays. Local tips: There’s not many places to stay in Hamata and Wadi Lahami, just a few sparse diving villages. If that’s not your thing, then you can take a liveaboard from Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam (about 3 hours away by car). The best time to dive is from May to October, when the wind is less strong, but it’s also during the hottest months. Winter months have more agreeable weather in general but the wind and current can sometimes postpone dives. How to get there: fly to Marsa Alam and either take a liveaboard from Port Ghalib, or drive down to Hamata/Wadi Lahami. You might also like: 9 Best Beaches in Egypt

The Royal Savoy Hotel in Sharm. Photo credit: Diana De Lorenzi Aside from Cairo and maybe Luxor, Sharm el Sheikh is one of the most famous destinations in Egypt, and has been for decades – and it has nothing to do with the Pyramids or Ancient Egypt, but is all about that idyllic beach life. Sharm el Sheikh on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula (or just Sharm as we locals call it) is mainly known for its year-round warm Red Sea beaches and spectacular diving and snorkeling. While in years past it was known to be a nightlife hub, it’s now more of a resort destination – we’re talking dozens upon dozens of all-inclusive, fully-serviced beach resorts and hotels where you can kick back and enjoy that Egyptian sun and sea, even when it’s freezing back in your hometown. (Local tip: if you’re looking for a Red Sea destination that has a bit more action outside the resorts than Sharm, then check out Hurghada or El Gouna). But don’t think Sharm being a resort destination means you’re just going to be sitting by some pool the whole time, no sir! Sharm el Sheikh is packed full of things to do, and here are some of the best things to do in Sharm: 1. Experience some of the best scuba diving in the world. And that’s not us being biased. PADI, the world-renowned scuba diving experts, released their annual 10 best dive sites in the world and Sharm el Sheikh and its adjacent Ras Mohamed National Park constantly rank high on the list. Sharm’s Red Sea diving offers everything from wreck dives to shark dives to an insane abundance of vibrant marine life. Read more: 7 Best Diving Spots in Egypt’s Red Sea For Divers of All Levels 2. Snorkel year-round in Sharm’s warm waters. If diving is too time intensive or maybe the concept makes you wary, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on seeing Sharm’s gorgeous aquatic offerings. Boats can easily take you to the best snorkeling spots, where you end up seeing almost as much as divers do (you might even be able to see and swim with a dolphin or turtle if lucky). There are also a ton of easily-accessible shore reefs, and lots of resorts have jetties from the beach that you can walk along until you reach the deeper waters where an abundance of fish are. Even when the water in the winter is a tad too cold for bathing suits, just rent a wetsuit from your resort’s activities hub and you’ll be good to go. 3. Boat trip to White Island. Around 10 km from Sharm el Sheikh, in the protected Ras Mohamed marine park we mentioned above, is a white sandbar island called (for obvious reasons) White Island. This plateau is where the waters from the Gulf of Suez meet the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, and sitting on the island you can see Africa to your left and Asia to your right. It's a great spot for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing and you can easily reach it by boat from Sharm or Ras Mohamed. Read more: 7 Red Sea Islands in Egypt Perfect For a Boat Day Trip 4. Relax at serviced beaches. Sometimes a beach holiday is just that - a holiday, meant for not moving from your sun lounger with the exception of getting up to cool off every now and then in the sea or pool. Sharm is chock-full of resorts that have fully serviced beaches, meaning everything from umbrellas, towels, food, drinks and entertainment is brought right to you while you recline on the beach. Read more: 9 Best Egyptian Beach Holiday Destinations 5. Enjoy your resort’s activities and amenities. Besides just relaxing by the beach or pool, the great thing about Sharm El Sheikh’s resorts and hotels is that they usually have a plethora of different activities and facilities for you to try; everything from water parks to spas to various sports to daytime excursions. There’s also a lot of great activities for kids and animation teams to keep the vibe lively. 6. Day trip or camping in Ras Mohamed National Park. Like we mentioned above, Ras Mohamed National Park is adjacent to Sharm el Sheikh and is a natural protectorate with spectacular diving and snorkeling. You can either spend the day there or stay at a camp on the beach in the park’s designated camping area. Read more: Camping in Egypt - 8 Beautiful and Remote Places to Camp 7. Al Sahaba Mosque If you’re interested in seeing a different side of Sharm el Sheikh besides the beach and resort life, then check out Al Sahaba Mosque at the Old Market. This mosque looks like something straight out of One Thousand and One Nights, both inside and out. It’s open to visitors but women have to be relatively covered to enter (no beachwear or skimpy outfits). If you’re not interested in going inside, it’s also beautiful at night when it’s lit up from the exterior. Read more: 10 Most Beautiful Mosques in Egypt 8. Heavenly Cathedral If Al Sahaba is Sharm’s most beautiful mosque, then the Heavenly Cathedral is Sharm’s most stunning church. While it’s not as impressive from the outside as the Sahaba Mosque, its interior is a different story. Its frescoes, murals and artwork led it to be considered one of the most beautiful churches in the world upon its completion in 2010. Read more: 9 Egyptian Churches, Cathedrals & Monasteries You Need to Visit At Least Once 9. Go on a desert safari If you’re itching for some desert adventure, then a desert safari is the best way to do it. You have the option for going dirt biking in the desert, driving a quad/ATV or even camel riding if you want to go old school. Your hotel can arrange it for you, but if you find their prices too steep, there are a ton of travel companies in Sharm that offer all sorts of different desert safaris. 10. Day trip to St. Catherine’s Monastery About 2.5 hours from Sharm el Sheikh is St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai, or as called in Egyptian Arabic, “Gebel Moussa” (Moses’ Mountain). It’s here that the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), believe that Moses encountered the Burning Bush and received the 10 Commandments. St. Catherine’s Monastery was founded in the 6th century and is the oldest Christian monastery in the world still used for its original function. It’s open to visitors 5 days a week. And if you’re feeling adventurous, St. Catherine’s is also the starting point of a 4 km hike you can do up to the summit of Mt. Moses (guides needed). Read more: 7 Most Beautiful Coptic Orthodox Monasteries in Egypt 11. Evening activities & nightlife at Soho Square Bored of your resort at night? Then head over to Soho Square, where you’ll find a plethora of restaurants, bars, cafes and activities like bowling, ice skating (yep, in Sharm of all places lol), a kids arcade and a dancing fountain. Local tip: The promenade in Naama Bay (about 15 minutes from Soho Square) used to be a really popular nightlife spot in Sharm el Sheikh (and to be fair, is still home to myriad restaurants, shisha cafes and bars), but has become more shady as of late, with shop hawkers and restaurant touts hassling people to sit at their venue or buy from their store. It's worth checking out at least once if you're interested, but overall Naama Bay isn't as pleasant as Soho Square (where everyone leaves you alone lol). 12. Have a drink at Farsha You know how some places are simply screaming for an Instagram moment? Well Farsha Mountain Lodge (also known as Farsha Cafe) is one of those places. This restaurant/bar/cafe sits on a cliff overlooking the Faraana Reef Beach in the Ras Um Sid area of Sharm, and the aesthetics plus the view are simply spectacular and not like anything else you’d see elsewhere in the world. Read more: 12 Places to Go for the Most Beautiful Views in Egypt You may also like: Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt - A Travel Guide For First-Timers

We’ve said over and over how underrated Egypt’s spectacular beaches are, and even then we were talking about our coastal beaches. One of Egypt’s best-kept secrets is actually its Red Sea islands, and we’re almost hesitant to talk about them, that’s how pristine and under the radar they are! Egypt actually has 500+ islands off the Red Sea coast, of varying size and location. Most are uninhabited and just specks on the map, but we’re here to shed light on the perfect islands to visit for a day trip of sun, fun, swimming, snorkeling and other beach activities. These islands are usually just an hour or so off the coast, and boat trips are readily available. The boats usually leave the marina in the morning and return before sunset, and it’s a great way to spend the day if you’re in the Red Sea area. You might also like: 8 Best Egyptian Beach Holiday Destinations Giftun Islands Location: Hurghada These two islands are Giftun El Kabeer (Big Giftun) and Giftun el Sagheer (Little Giftun), but Big Giftun is the one where the real action is at because it’s home to beach havens Mahmya and Orange Bay. These daytime destinations offer beach restaurants, bars and water activities as well as bathrooms and showers for those who’ve spent a long day diving or snorkeling and want to kick back and relax. You might also like: Hurghada, Egypt: A Local's Guide For First-Timers Tawila Location: El Gouna Located 24 km off the coast of El Gouna, Tawila Island is an island popular with kitesurfers and those looking to spend the day on a pristine white sand beach. They've also recently opened a hotel there, but if you're going for a day trip via boat, you'll need to bring your own food, drinks and equipment (but please make sure to leave the beaches as pristine as you found them!). White Island Location: Ras Mohamed National Park Around 10 km from Sharm el Sheikh, in the protected Ras Mohamed marine park, is a white sandbar island called (for obvious reasons) White Island. This plateau is where the waters from the Gulf of Suez meet the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, and sitting on the island you can see Africa to your left and Asia to your right. It's a great spot for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing and you can easily reach it by boat from Sharm or Ras Mohamed. Read more: 12 Best Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh Bayoud Photo credit: Omar Refaat Location: El Gouna Bayoud is a sandbank about 2 km from the shores of El Gouna, so while it’s not technically an island in the literal sense, it serves the exact same purpose when it comes to Red Sea day trips. Because it's so close to the Gouna shore, any small motor boat or catamaran or mini yacht can anchor in Bayoud; it's common to see people boat hopping and socializing between the anchored boats. Others who are looking to get away from it all can sit and sunbathe in the warm shallow water around the sandbank and swim in the crystal clear water. People usually bring their music, food and drinks and spend a day on and off the boat. Read more: El Gouna - A Local's Guide Qulaan Islands Location: Wadi El Gemal National Park Qulaan Islands are an archipelago of four islands in a protected bay in the Wadi El Gemal National Park in Egypt’s Deep South, less than an hour away from Marsa Alam. These empty, remote islands are known for their mangrove trees and ecosystem built around the mangroves; marine life flourishes under the trees and it’s a great bird-watching spot. You can take a boat from the Hamata marina and spend a few hours picnicking, swimming and snorkeling on the islands. Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Marsa Alam Gubal Island Location: El Gouna Close to Tawila Island is Gubal Island, a popular snorkeling and diving spot due to the Straits of Gubal. The Straits of Gubal is where the water from the Gulf of Suez meets the Red Sea, leading to lots of nutrient-rich currents over shallow areas, which attracts tons of marine life. Besides the underwater action, Gubal also has pristine white beaches where you can set up BBQs and beach activities for the day. Utopia Island Location: Soma Bay/Safaga A short 15 minute boat ride from either Soma Bay or the Safaga Marina is Utopia Island, a small white sand island that's only 1.5 km squared. They have serviced beach chairs and umbrellas as well as a restaurant and bar. The snorkeling over there is also stunning! They have two daily pick-up times from Soma Bay and Safaga, and you can get in touch with them directly if you'd like a private transfer. Read more: Soma Bay - A Travel Guide for First-Timers You might also like: Red Sea Riviera - Where To Stay

Cairo is full to the brim with restaurants, cafes, ahwas, malls and cinemas, which is where we locals spend 95% of our going out leisure time. But there’s actually a lot more to Cairo than just food, coffee and blockbuster movies -- you just need to know the right places to look. So if you’re in the mood to go down a more cultural route for your next night out, these nine venues might have just what you’re looking for. 1. Zawya Arthouse Cinema Location: Downtown Go for: independent films and other movies not aired in Egypt’s mainstream cinemas Zawya opened its doors in 2014 in Cairo’s historic Cinema Odeon and is touted as Egypt’s first ‘arthouse cinema’. Different than the rest of Egypt’s cinemas which are heavy on Hollywood and Sobky movies, Zawya prides itself on airing independent films, both Egyptian and international, alongside documentaries, short films and experimental work, most of which never see the light of day in Egypt’s mainstream cinemas. Besides regular screenings, Zawya also helps promote local and Arab filmmakers through events, discussions and masterclasses. Make sure you also check out their film festivals and ‘spotlight’ artist events (for example, they recently had a night dedicated to Youssef Chahine’s short films). 2. Room Art Space & Cafe Location: Garden City & New Cairo Go for: live music (jazz, tribute bands, folkloric music), karaoke, open mic nights This cafe and performance art venue “offers professionals and aspiring artists -as well as lovers of the arts- a space to create, collaborate, perform and share ideas over freshly brewed coffee.” Room have almost daily live events, varying from stand-up comedy to live music to film screenings in both English and Arabic. 3. Darb 1718 Location: Old Cairo (behind the Hanging Church and Amr Ibn Aas mosque) Go for: artisanal workshops and live events Founded in 2008, this non-profit organization is a contemporary art and culture center in the heart of Old Cairo. Darb 1718 offers art exhibition spaces, theater, dance and concert stages, an outdoor cinema, gardens and rooftops and even an artist residency to accommodate international artists. Artisanal workshops offered: pottery, leather wallet making, Arabic calligraphy, vintage photo album making, sketching, mosaics, film editing, soap making and much more. 4. Cairo Opera House Location: Zamalek Go for: live performances Undoubtedly the most famous on the list, the Cairo Opera House has been the bastion of cultural events in the capital for decades now. It has several different halls and theatres for all sorts of performances, and in any given month you’ll find a packed schedule: choir, ballet, opera, flamenco, ensemble groups, folkloric music, orchestra, Egyptian modern dance, instrumental soloists, poetry and much more. Check their website for their full schedule. 5. Townhouse Gallery Location: Downtown Go for: art exhibitions and Rawabet Theatre Probably the most popular gallery and visual art space in Cairo, Townhouse is a non-profit organization that strives (and succeeds) to be more than just a standard gallery. Besides hosting visual art, they also have Townhouse Library and Rawabet Theatre, a space for independent performing artists of all disciplines, as well as international residencies for artists, writers and filmmakers. Most recently Townhouse also opened SAWA Shop, where you can buy Egyptian handicrafts and old books, magazines and art publications. 6. El Sawy Culture Wheel (El Sakia) Location: Zamalek Go for: live performances & puppet theatre A Zamalek staple for over 15 years, this performing arts space right on the Nile has been the launching pad for some of Egypt’s favorite contemporary bands when they were first starting out. Their monthly calendar is almost always full with musical performances, poetry, theatre, seminars and their famous puppet theatre. 7. Makan (Egyptian Center for Culture & Arts) Location: Garden City Go for: Traditional and folkloric Egyptian music Makan’s main mission is to preserve the traditional Egyptian folk music that has been marginalized over the years due to the predominance of commercialized international music and its influence on contemporary Egyptian artists. Makan is now one of the few spaces in Egypt where you can attend a ‘Zar’; a folkloric performance with rhythmic dance and drumming, which is in essence a complex healing ritual led by women, but which has been shunned by mainstream Egyptian culture for supposedly being an exorcism ritual. It’s at the risk of dying out completely, which is what makes having a place like Makan so important. They also have Sufi music, ‘mawawil’ (rural songs from the Nile Delta), Nubian and Sudanese heritage music and a medley of other talented Egyptian performers. 8. Wekalet el Ghouri Arts Center Location: Old Cairo Go for: the tanoura show Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Wekalet el Ghouri Art Centre is host to the famous whirling dervish show -- also known as the tanoura show, or the Sufi dancing show. A great option for tourists (and locals!) to really get immersed in the Old Cairo feel (Wekalet el Ghouri is in the Khan el Khalili and Moez street area). The show is about two hours long, and high energy from start to finish. The show starts at 7 pm, and tickets are first come, first served (starting 6 pm). There’s usually a crowd so make sure you get there early. 9. MASQ - Maq'ad of Sultan Qaitbay Location: City of the Dead Go for: art exhibitions, concerts, bazaars, walking tours exploring City of the Dead MASQ is a cultural hub based in a renovated 15th century Mamluk monument, the maq'ad of Sultan Qaitbay, in Cairo's City of the Dead. The City of the Dead is a medieval Muslim necropolis in Old Cairo, also known as the Desert of the Mamluks, and what makes this necropolis so interesting is that besides the centuries-old architecture and tombs, a modern-day community lives and works among the dead. Read more: Cairo's City of the Dead - a Local's Guide MASQ holds regular events to promote the heritage of this little-understood area as well benefit and develop the struggling neighborhood community. You might also like: Vintage Cairo - 17 of the Oldest Restaurants, Cafes & Bars in the City

Belly-dancing show at the Nile Maxim Sometimes the only thing better than dinner is dinner AND a show, and Cairo is not only famous for our Nile dinner cruises, but our cultural and folkloric shows as well – from belly-dancing to whirling dervishes (tanoura) to takht ensembles.  And not only that, but Cairo’s heritage of dining and entertainment isn’t just limited to what tourists like to clap at. Well-heeled Cairenes have enjoyed dinner, drinks and some unforgettable performances for over a century now, in historical spots peppered throughout Downtown Cairo. And while unfortunately most of those spots aren’t still open today, a new crop of dinner theatres have been leading the charge in bringing that old Cairo charm back to life. You might also like: Vintage Cairo - 15 of the Oldest Restaurants, Bars and Cafes in the City So whether you’re looking for the best Nile dinner cruise, a meal with a traditional Egyptian performance or something with a nod to the future, these are the best dinner shows in Cairo. Nile Maxim Location: Zamalek Nile dinner cruises are a dime a dozen in Cairo, and for good reason. Cruising down one of the most famous rivers in the world, watching the lights of the city flicker on the water, all while enjoying a meal and a show? Twist our arm!  But in all seriousness, the one downside of the dinner cruise experience is that because most of the clientele are tourists, some of the dinner cruise ships are more concerned with getting people to book rather than the quality of the food and experience. However there ARE some very good quality Nile dinner cruises, and Nile Maxim is the best of them. This 3 hour cruise includes a la carte dining, belly-dancing, tanoura, and a live band. For more info and to book: Nile Maxim Bab El Sharq Location: Nile Ritz-Carlton, Downtown Cairo If you’re in the mood for a lively but upscale spot with excellent Lebanese and Middle Eastern food, great shisha, open air dining AND live entertainment, then Bab el Sharq is the place for you. The bonus as well? It’s found in the 5 star Nile Ritz-Carlton hotel, overlooking the famous Tahrir Square as well as the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir.  As for the show, expect a belly-dancer, tanoura and a live singer and band. The restaurant opens from 5 pm. For more info and to book: Bab El Sharq at the Nile Ritz-Carlton  The Grand Theatre Location: New Cairo While the two above dinner shows are focused more on traditional Egyptian entertainment, The Grand Theatre is more diverse in its show – on different nights they have cabaret, romantic serenades, pop shows, burlesque, live bands, jazz nights and belly-dancers – something for everyone, so make sure you book the night that suits you best. The venue itself gives Moulin Rouge in Cairo vibes, with a diverse international menu and signature cocktails. For more info and to book: The Grand Theatre Le Petit Chef Location: First Nile Boat Four Seasons, Giza This dinner show is very different from the others on this list – it’s the only digitally immersive dinner show in Cairo! Le Petit Chef has been an international success in several countries around the world, and their Cairo rendition (on the Four Seasons’ First Nile Boat) is no different. Le Petit Chef is “sophisticated 3D cinema” on your plate, with little shows that focus on gastronomy from around the world, presented by “the world’s smallest chefs”. The show starts before your meal until the end, but luckily also gives you enough space and room for you to enjoy the great food. They offer a premium, classic or vegetarian menu, and a kids’ menu as well (the show is family-friendly!). For more info and to book: Le Petit Chef Studio Samara Location: Downtown Cairo Studio Samara, found at the historic Cinema Radio in Downtown, is a nod to the dinner shows of Cairo’s belle epoque – their tagline is “Downtown’s curtain rises again”. Their shows focus on Egyptian culture, heritage and folklore, but not without modern twists. Table reservations include a set menu of mezze, and drinks are available. For more info and to book: Studio Samara Bonus: La Palmeraie La Palmerie is a Moroccan restaurant at the Sofitel Gezirah, and it’s one of our favorite Nile view restaurants. On weekend nights they have a belly-dancer performance, as well as a live singer and band. You may also like: 9 Cultural Venues in Cairo for Music, Art, Folklore and Cinema

If we're going to be honest, if you have limited time in Cairo, then run don't walk straight to the Grand Egyptian Museum at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza. That's the must-see. However if you have more time on your hands in Cairo, or are a local or expat looking to indulge in Egypt's vast and fascinating history, then you're in luck because Cairo has a plethora of eclectic museums for all interests. 1. Grand Egyptian Museum Type of museum: Ancient Egyptian history Location: Giza, next to the Great Pyramids The largest archaeological museum in the world, need we say more? It’ll be the permanent home for over 100,000 Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the complete King Tut treasure collection, for the first time ever. It's truly spectacular in both its sheer size as well overall experience. You can see the Grand Hall, the massive 6 story Grand Staircase with 60+ statues, the stunning 12 main galleries, the King Tut Galleries and the solar boat gallery, as well as the commercial area and outside gardens. Visitors to the GEM have two options: they can either purchase an admission ticket to explore the open galleries themselves, or they can book a 90 minute guided tour (which includes the admission ticket price). Read more: Grand Egyptian Museum - A Local's Guide To Everything You Need To Know 2. National Museum of Egyptian Civilization Type of museum: historical Location: Fustat, Old Cairo This large museum hosts over 50,000 artefacts from all eras of Egyptian civilization, from prehistoric times, through the pharaonic era up until now - and good news, because it's been recently renovated, all displays have clearly stated information, so no guide needed! The museum is divided into two sections: chronological and thematic. The chronological runs through Archaic, Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, Medieval, Islamic, modern and contemporary Egyptian eras, and the thematic covers Dawn of Civilization, The Nile, Writing, State and Society, Material Culture, Beliefs and Thinking and the Gallery of Royal Mummies. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is also touted as the first museum of civilization in the Arab world. The gallery of the Royal Mummies is definitely one of the highlights of this museum - in this quiet, tomb-like space, you can see 20 royal mummies that are thousands of years old, including some of the most famous pharaohs of all time like Ramses II. For more info, here's their website. 3. Egyptian Museum Cairo Type of museum: Egyptian history Location: Tahrir Square, Downtown Once the most well-known museum in Egypt and the Middle East for the past century: the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, built in 1902. Home to over 170,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts, the Egyptian Museum has relocated many of its never-before-seen collections to the newer Grand Egyptian Museum and National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, but still remains impressive and worth a visit. Local tip: it’s worth going with a guide (there are also relatively knowledgeable touts there who will offer to work as a guide for a negotiable fee), because many of the exhibits don’t have descriptions. 4. Museum of Islamic Art Type of museum: Islamic art heritage Location: Old Cairo This art museum holds over 100,000 pieces of Islamic heritage from not only Egypt but also Arab and non-Arab countries alike. Many of the pieces were gathered from the first Islamic capitals of Egypt (Fustat and Askar), prior to the rise of Cairo. Pieces were also selected from the Delta, Fayoum, Luxor and Aswan. As for displays from outside of Egypt, the Museum of Islamic art is known for its Persian and Turkish pottery as well as some amazing Arabian carpets. Other collections of note: their wooden collection, which has some of the most beautiful and intricate woodwork from the days of early Islam, as well as beautiful ceramics and lamps. 5. Coptic Museum Type of museum: Coptic Christian heritage Location: Coptic Cairo Known as the best place to learn about Coptic history in Egypt, this museum hosts over 1,600 pieces, dating back to the early days of Coptic Christianity in the 3rd and 4th century AD. This museum is known for its bibles written in the 11th and 13th centuries in both Arabic and the Coptic language on deerskin, as well as Christian writings on papyrus dating back to the 6th century. Photo credit: Egyptian Tourism Authority Other collections of note: its icon display, as well as pottery, glass, metal, wooden and textile collections. Local tip: the museum is located in an area of Old Cairo called Coptic Cairo, walking distance from some very worth-seeing churches such as the Hanging Church and Mar Girgis church. Read: Coptic Cairo - A Detailed Local's Guide 6. Gayer-Anderson Museum Type of museum: art and Islamic architecture Location: Old Cairo The Gayer-Anderson Museum is found in a beautiful historical house in Old Cairo, built in 1631. It’s a great remnant of Islamic architecture at the time. The house belonged to several different wealthy families over the years, but gained its name during its stint as home of British officer Gayer Anderson in 1935. He amassed a stunning collection of art, furniture, carpets and Egyptian handicrafts that remain in the house until present day. After he left Egypt due to illness, the house became a museum for visitors to appreciate the beauty of the Islamic architecture and the house’s treasures, as well as added collections. It’s also known for its original ‘sabil’, an Islamic water feature with the purpose of providing fresh drinking water to the public. This is rare in a private residential home, more commonly found in mosques. 7. Abdeen Palace Type of museum: historical Location: Old Cairo This palace turned museum was first built by Khedive Ismail in 1863, with the function of being governmental headquarters as well as the designated venue for official events and ceremonies. It was later a royal residence until the monarchy was abolished in 1952. The museum today is divided into the upper floors, which used to be the living quarters of the royal family, and are now only open for visiting foreign dignitaries. Photo credit: Egypt Today The lower floors hold the main sections of the museum: the Silver Museum, the Arms Museum, the Royal Family Museum, the Presidential Gifts Museum and the Historical Documents Museum. 8. Manial Palace & Museum Type of museum: art and history Location: Manial This palace was built by Prince Mohamed Ali Tawfik, the first cousin of King Farouk, in 1875 and completed in 1929. The Islamic architectural style is a mix of Ottoman, Persian and Moorish, while the inner design is a marriage between European Nouveau and Rococo. The palace is home to the prince’s extensive collection of art, furniture, clothing, silver and Medieval manuscripts from the Middle Ages. The ceramic tilework in the mosque and entrance was done by an Armenian ceramist. Today the palace and its historical gardens as well as King Farouk’s hunting lodge are all part of a public museum. 9. Oum Kalthoum Museum Type of museum: biographical Location: Manial If you’re a fan of Oum Kalthoum (if you’re not familiar with the singer, look her up -- she’s probably the most famous and beloved Egyptian and Arab artist of all time), then this little museum is for you. Found on the outskirts of Manasterly Palace in Manial, this museum holds not only relics of the Arab icon’s life and body of work, but also airs a short documentary of her life to really bring the experience full circle. Photo credit: Yahya Shatila Because the museum is so small, it’ll only take about 30-45 minutes to check out all the displays and watch the documentary. Local tip: close by is the Nilometer, which is also worth checking out. You might also like: Grand Egyptian Museum: A Local's Guide To Everything You Need To Know

Anyone who’s had a meal overlooking the Nile in Cairo will tell you it’s something you have to do, and as often as possible. Leaving the crowded streets far behind and just looking out at the serene Nile water with its feluccas, windsurfers and twinkling lights at night -- well, it's practically therapy for your eyes as well as your mood. It’s as highly recommended as having the Pyramids of Giza as your dining view. As in - REALLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Read more: 7 Best Restaurants with Pyramids Views So if you’re looking to have lunch, dinner or just a drink while overlooking the Nile, the world’s longest river, then this is the list for you. Local note: we chose the best restaurants in terms of not only view, but food and ambience as well. Lots of places have great view but subpar food and/or atmosphere, and we always want to be 100% honest with our readers when it comes to our recommendations. So here are our personal local Nile view restaurant favorites: Zoe Cuisine: Greek Location: First Nile Boat, Giza The First Nile Boat in Giza is run by the Four Seasons First Residence (right across the street) and is home to five different restaurants, each serving up a different cuisine and spectacular Nile views. Zoe is a Greek taverna on the upper deck of the boat, with a retractable roof to let in the sunlight and river breezes when the weather is nice. Breakfast is available on weekends from 10:00 am. Zoe’s menu. Bar Promenade Cuisine: International Location: Sofitel Gezirah, Zamalek The Sofitel Gezirah is one of our favorite hotels in Cairo mainly for its inimitable location: smack on the tip of the Nile island of Zamalek. Most of their restaurants have an outdoor area right on the water, and a great place to enjoy it is their Bar Promenade. The water is so close you can touch it, and you can order drinks and shisha. If you’re hungry, you can order off nearby La Madeleine’s menu (the hotel’s international cafe which has all your basic staples: salads, appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, main dishes, etc). Alternatively, if you want more of a proper sit-down dinner, you can sit at Kebabgy, the grills restaurant (which also made our list of our favorite open air restaurants) or La Palmeraie, Sofitel’s Moroccan restaurant. Both have fantastic Nile views as well. Crimson Cuisine: International Location: Zamalek Crimson is an open-air rooftop restaurant and bar in Zamalek and has some of the best Nile views in the city. It's a great spot to go get dinner and drinks, or just a beer or cocktail at the bar. Their cocktail list is impressive as well, but expensive! Although to be fair, almost all of the entries on this list are on the pricey side - we woke up one day and Cairo was expensive, but that’s a story for a different day lol. Crimson’s food is good as well, landing them also on our list of best Cairo restaurants for locals and tourists alike. La Zisa Cuisine: Italian Location: St. Regis, Nile Corniche The St. Regis is one of Cairo’s newer hotels and it’s right on the Nile Corniche, allowing great views for most of its restaurants. Our personal favorite there is La Zisa, an airy and light Italian restaurant which has ‘Mamma Mia Brunch’ every Friday, and a la carte dining the rest of the time. Their menu has all the Italian classics you’d expect, and they offer something called ‘Tavolozze’, which is where you can order smaller dishes to be shared family style, instead of being just stuck with one main course. La Zisa’s menu. Cafe Frais Cuisine: Egyptian & International Location: Novotel Cairo El Borg, Zamalek On top of the Novotel right next to the Cairo Tower in Zamalek is their rooftop restaurant Cafe Frais. You can also see clear across the Nile and Qasr el Nil Bridge to the Cairo Museum and Tahrir Square. The restaurant serves a wide selection of Egyptian dishes as well as your usual international fare. Local tip: Novotel is a dry hotel though, so Cafe Frais doesn’t serve alcohol. Cafe Frais’ menu. Pane Vino Cuisine: Italian Location: Semiramis Intercontinental, Garden City This Italian restaurant in the Semiramis actually has a little-known outdoor terrace that overlooks the Nile, complete with shisha, on the 2nd floor of the hotel so you’re above the cacophony of the Corniche but still close to the water. The menu is full of Italian classics by their resident Italian chef, and they have an extensive wine list from all over the world. They also have TV screens for matches and offer shisha. The indoor section of the restaurant is a bit more upscale-looking, but without shisha. Pane Vino’s menu. Gingko Cuisine: Asian and intercontinental Location: Fairmont Nile City, Nile Corniche The Fairmont's resident terrace restaurant and bar is Gingko, for those days when you want to enjoy a breeze, a drink and a sunset dinner overlooking the Nile. On weekends they also offer champagne breakfasts, to start your day off right with a breakfast of champions alongside a little bubbly. Gingko's menu. You might also like: 9 Best Rooftop Bars in Cairo

Mojsoap Clean, natural and organically-made cosmetics, skincare and haircare are the best beauty products you can buy for both yourself and the environment as a whole, and Egypt is an ideal place to find just that. Why? Because we’ve been the experts in it for millennia! And today, the best Egyptian natural skincare and beauty brands all imbibe the expertise and the same incredible organic ingredients unique to Egypt that have been used for thousands of years. Cosmetics, perfume and skincare in Ancient Egypt The Ancient Egyptians were some of the very first people to develop, use and appreciate makeup, perfume and skincare on a daily basis – and we’re talking well over 5,000 years ago! And by the way, it wasn’t just women; while these days we’re seeing a rise in men using things like nail polish or ‘guyliner’, cosmetics were in fact used back in Ancient Egypt by both men and women, and across all socio-economic classes.  It goes without saying that obviously all their makeup and skincare were made from natural materials, and it wasn’t just for vanity purposes. The Ancient Egyptians used a myriad of different natural products on their faces and skin for protection from the elements, as well as in religious rituals and even daily practical uses.  Read more: Ancient Egypt Bucket List: 20 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Sites So all this to say that the concept of natural makeup and skincare is deeply enmeshed in Egyptian culture, waaaay before the big beauty brands (and chemicals galore) made the industry the multi-billion dollar one it is today.  So if you’re looking for some great, natural Egyptian products, using many of the same ingredients they did back in Ancient Egypt, these are some of the local Egyptian skincare and beauty brands to check out. Nefertari One of the most popular 100% natural beauty and body care brands in Egypt with dozens of stores peppered over the country, Nefertari started with a small line of natural soaps. It has since blossomed into an array of different products like: creams and lotions, exfoliating scrubs, bath salts, oils, hair care, masks and wraps, foot care, aromatic water, lip and eye products, perfumes and even untreated cotton towels and bed linen. They also have a range called “Pharaonic Line”, with embroidered pharaonic symbols on towels and some of the same beauty products the pharaohs used, like natural kohl. They also have really cute gift baskets for friends who aren’t Egyptian. You can find their whole product line plus where to find them (or online order) at Nefertari’s website . Areej Aromatherapy Areej, meaning beautiful fragrance, began in 2008 as the first natural aromatherapy line in Egypt and the Middle East. Deeply inspired by the natural botanicals grown in the healing Nile soil, Areej Aromatherapy wanted to provide the best therapeutic essential oils to those looking to enhance their physical and emotional wellbeing. Essential oils have been used over millennia to treat not only skin and hair conditions but to help anxiety, depression and even pain. Areej Aromatherapy’s oils were so popular that they expanded into other therapeutic products, as well as beauty and skincare. All of their products use natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients that aren’t tested on animals nor harm the environment. You can find their list of stores in Cairo as well as shop their products online on Areej Aromatherapy’s website .   Hathor Hathor started a few years back when its founder was looking for high quality, cold-pressed oils for her baby daughter’s skin. Cold-pressing oil is a form of naturally extracting the oil from a seed or fruit using no external heat, which retains the oil’s purity as well as its natural antioxidants, aromas and flavor. Cold-pressed oils are an excellent way to nourish and hydrate skin and hair without any added chemicals. Hathor launched its own cold-pressed oil line for skincare and haircare, then added candles, incense, soaps and hand lotions.  You can find Hathor products online on their website  or at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square or the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat. Black Lotus Black Lotus has a large collection of natural products for everything ranging from soaps, liquid face washes, shower gels, facial oils, moisturizers, toners, eye cream, eyelash serum, beard oil for men, shampoo, conditioner, hair cream, body lotion, natural sunscreen, footcare cream, scrubs, bath salts, natural deodorants, sprays, and of course a wide range of essential oils. They even have a natural shampoo for your dog! You can order online from their Instagram  or you can visit their stores at Arkan in Sheikh Zayed, Golf Central Palm Hills or Point 90 Mall in New Cairo. Mojsoap In the market for absolutely beautiful, 100% natural Egyptian soap? Look no further than Mojsoap. Besides just how fantastic they look and smell, Mojsoaps are suitable for both face and body, and for all skin types. The soaps are milk-based for added vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and creaminess, and they use essential oils for the scent.  Their soap line looks like art, with items such as Anti-Ageing Turmeric Bar, Tea Tree Mango Butter Bar and Rose Clay Himalayan Salt Bar. They’re also known for their donkey milk bars, which have tightening, toning and anti-ageing properties. Mojsoap also has gift sets and special lines for the holidays. You can shop Mojsoap products online from their website , or you can find them at the new Grand Egyptian Museum .  You may also like: Natural Therapy in Egypt - 7 Types of Healing and Climatic Therapy You Can't Find Elsewhere

Malaika Linens It’s one of those ironic things in life: Egypt is known the world over for its top quality, luxury bed linens and famous extra-long staple cotton, so you would think the best place to splurge a little and buy them would be… Egypt, right? Well, yes, but it’s not as easy as you would think! The truth of the matter is most of Egypt’s high-quality cotton is exported overseas, so the cotton used in regular everyday life here is usually the same cheap Chinese polyblend everyone else wears around the world. Despair not however, because it *is* possible to find the quality linens and cotton you’re looking for (and way more affordable than buying its exported equivalent), you just need to do a little hunting. LOCAL TIP: if you’re in the market for good quality Egyptian linens or cotton, you WON’T find them in Khan el Khalili or other touristic souqs and markets. The vendors might tell you they are, but that is *very* debatable. So where can you actually find great Egyptian linen and cotton products in Cairo? We got you: Malaika Linens Founded over 15 years ago by two Ecuadorians living in Egypt, Malaika Linens saw the lack of high-quality Egyptian bedding and home linens in the local market. They paired that with their background in design and embroidery to create some of the best locally-made linen and cotton beddings and homeware in Egypt. They established their own factory in 2009 to have total control over quality and craftsmanship, and recently opened an embroidery school to help underprivileged Egyptian women develop their skills and improve their economic standing. Where you can find Malaika Linens: they have their own flagship shop in El Gouna, but also sell in different shops around Cairo and Alexandria. You can find a full list of where to buy them here . For more info: Malaika Linens website Nillens Looking for top-quality Egyptian bedding, towels, loungewear, beachwear or even super-soft items for your baby? Then Nillens is the way to go. They have an extensive product list, all of which use the highest 100% Egyptian materials and fabrics, including their famous cotton bedding. Their sheets range from 300 thread count percale to 800 thread count sateen, so you can choose depending on your taste. Some people prefer the lower TC (thread count) due to its being lighter and airier; others prefer the silkiness and density of higher thread counts. In either case, all bedding is made in Nillens with 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton. Where you can find Nillens: District 5, Mall of Egypt, Degla (Maadi), City Stars, Zamalek and Marassi and Diplo 3 (North Coast) For more info: Nillens website Nile Home Nile Home touts itself as "luxury linens handcrafted to give you a hotel experience", and proudly made in Egypt since 1996. They've since then branched out beyond just bed linens to sleepwear, towels, tableware, accessories and home scents. Where you can find Nile Home: they have branches all over Egypt, and you can find them listed here . You can also order by phone. For more info: Nile Home Lilly Home Launched in 2012, Lilly Home started off as a range of premium bedding, using famous Egyptian flax linen - duvets, bed sheets, quilts and more. They were such a hit that the brand started incorporating other collections, such as bathroom (towels etc), dining, and ‘Lillywear’ (loungewear, beachwear and nightwear). All collections focus on artisan-woven Egyptian cotton textiles. Where you can find Lilly Home: City Stars, Downtown Katameya, Mivida and Arkan For more info: Lilly Linen website Mobaco Cottons If you're looking for Egyptian cotton clothes and not necessarily bed linens, the oldest player in the game (or at least on this list) is Mobaco Cottons. They've been in business since 1974, selling quality but affordable Egyptian cotton, linen, wool and other natural material clothes. Their t-shirts, polos and jeans are all comfortable and durable, and their stores have opened in almost every neighborhood in Cairo, plus other Egyptian cities (and they also have two stores in Paris!). They have a wide range of clothing and a juniors section as well. Where to find Mobaco Cottons: you’ll find a list of their stores here . For more info: Mobaco Cottons website Heba Linens One of the leading luxury Egyptian home linens manufacturers since 1995, Heba Linens focuses on quality, embroidery and craftsmanship, and uses 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton. Their products range from bedding to towels, bath mats, dining linens, toiletry bags, robes and even custom pieces. Where to find Heba Linens: City Stars, Zamalek, Intercontinental Semiramis Hotel, Four Seasons First Residence, Arkan, Downtown Katameya. You can also buy directly from their website . For more info: Heba Linens Facebook page Bed&More If you want great quality Egyptian cotton bedding or bathroom linen delivered straight to your door (whether you're in Egypt or abroad), then Bed&More is a good choice. They're based in Cairo but they sell online their premium Egyptian and organic cotton and linens, with a focus on eco-friendly production and packaging and sustainability. Domestic deliveries in Egypt take 3-5 business days, and international deliveries take 7-14 business days. Where to find Bed&More: you can order from them online For more info: Bed&More website You may also like: 5 Best Egyptian Natural Skincare, Haircare and Beauty Brands

Photo credit: El Gouna Directory While it’s true that Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera is home to some amazing coastal cities, towns and beaches, we have to confess: El Gouna is one of our personal favorites. Sharm El Sheikh and El Gouna’s neighbor Hurghada might be way more famous and popular with tourists (and for good reason), but El Gouna has a special place in our hearts (we are totally aware that other people will fight us to the death over which Red Sea Riviera destination is best, but at the end of the day, they’re all amazing so no point arguing over apples and oranges). You might like: 8 Best Egyptian Beach Holiday Destinations Some quick facts about El Gouna It’s a resort town spanning over 10 km of pristine Red Sea coast, with lagoons throughout It’s 25 km from the city of Hurghada (for our full Hurghada guide, head here ). It’s a 4 hour flight from most European cities and around a 4 hour drive from Cairo The architecture throughout is inspired by traditional Egyptian homes in the countryside and Upper Egypt It was the first destination in the Middle East and Africa to receive the Global Green Award, which is given by the UN to cities making substantial efforts, progress and improvements in the field of environmental sustainability Best Time To Go El Gouna is technically a year-round destination, but it really depends on your personal preferences. Spring and fall are El Gouna’s ‘high season’ -- it’s when the weather is at its most ideal (beach weather without soaring temperatures), so that’s when you’ll find Gouna at its busiest. Considering it’s a coastal resort town, summer is a great time to go too obviously, but only if you can handle daily temperatures in the mid-to-high thirties (Celsius) or the nineties (Fahrenheit) and super-strong sun. The great thing about El Gouna is that it never gets too crowded -- with the exception of public holidays and certain annual events like the Gouna Film Festival or the Sandbox music festival. How To Get There If you’re coming from abroad (or even planning to fly domestically), then just fly into Hurghada International Airport, which is about a half an hour car ride from Gouna. Once you land, it’s easy to either grab a taxi from outside the arrivals hall or call a car service to pick you up (like London Cab, Budget or ABC Taxi, more info about both below). If you’re staying at a hotel, you can also easily arrange pre-arrival for your hotel to send a car to pick you up. If you’re coming from Cairo , then you have one of three options: a) drive, b) take a bus, or c) fly. Driving from Cairo is now a super-smooth trip thanks to the new Galala Road which allows you to bypass the scary two-way twisty mountain roads of Ain el Sokhna. It takes about 3.5 hours from the Cairo toll station to the Hurghada toll station (which is right before El Gouna), and about 4 hours from central Cairo. If you’re coming by bus , then GoBus offers over 15 buses daily between Cairo and El Gouna (they drop you off at their bus stop in Downtown El Gouna). They offer different types of buses according to what kind of ticket you buy (for example, the Elite Plus bus has individual LCD screens for each seat). You can find more info on: https://go-bus.com/en As for flying, the trip from Cairo to Hurghada takes about 45 minutes. Where To Stay Abu Tig Marina The two main areas in El Gouna are Abu Tig Marina and Downtown -- that’s where most of the restaurants, nightlife, shops and beach bars/pool clubs are. You’ll find a handful of hotels in both areas, but the bigger resorts have their own real estate and beachfront in El Gouna. The rest of the town is mainly residential, divided into different neighborhoods on lagoons. Ok, cool. But still, where should you stay? This totally depends on personal preference. Here are your options: A big resort hotel like Movenpick , Sheraton or Steigenberger (pros: they have lots of activities for both adults and kids, and have pools, beachfront and restaurants, meaning you don’t have to leave your resort unless you want to). A hotel on Abu Tig Marina (pros: being in walking distance of the marina’s restaurants and nightlife. The hotels range from 3 star to 5 star, and the ones that don’t have a pool or beachfront are given access to Moods and Marina Beach on the marina). A hotel in Downtown (pros: you’re close to the restaurants and cafes of Downtown, and yet are simultaneously on a lagoon). An exclusive, private (but pricey) boutique hotel like La Maison Bleue or Casa Cook An apartment/villa rental , either through a broker or Airbnb (pros: it’s your own place and some have private pools). Apartments Each option has its advantages, but it depends on your personal circumstances. And we can say with confidence, that there’s no *bad* place to stay in Gouna. To book a hotel , you can go to: www.hotels.elgouna.com For a rental , we recommend Airbnb. Getting Around/Transportation in El Gouna The thing we love about Gouna is that there’s enough space to never feel crowded, but at the same time it’s contained so that things are never too far from anything else. If you don’t have a car in Gouna, that won’t pose a problem whatsoever. You can either get around by tuktuk, a car service or shuttle bus (or bike if you’re the athletic type, good for you!). Tuktuks Tuktuks take up to 3 people, and you can either order one by phone from the Gouna hotline (16550) or you can ask your hotel reception to do this for you, and they arrive at wherever you are in about 10 minutes or less. There are also tuktuk stands in Downtown and at the Marina where you can hop in the first available one. Car service If you’re more than three people or just prefer cars to tuktuks, then you can call Budget, Gouna’s limousine service. You can either request a car ASAP or book one for a later time. Budget limo service: +20122 734 0166 Transportation to/from Hurghada If you’re heading to/from Hurghada airport or anywhere else in Hurghada, there’s easy ways back and forth. One is London Cab, a roomy and comfortable way of getting from the airport to your accommodation or vice versa. You can book them through their website or their app. If London Cab seems too pricey, then ABC Taxi is a personal favorite of ours. They’re metered taxis based in Hurghada but you can order them from El Gouna. You can request one right away or book one for later, and they’re cheaper than Budget car service for going between El Gouna and Hurghada. There are also other similar private taxi services that serve Gouna from Hurghada, but ABC Taxi is the one we use the most personally. ABC Taxi: +20100 222 8294 You can also take the GoBus from Downtown Gouna to their stop in Hurghada (doesn’t go to the airport). Things To Do There’s tons of fun activities in both El Gouna and nearby Hurghada, and as is the recurrent theme here, it really depends on your preferences. Beaches/pools where you can spend the day: Moods Beach Zouni Beach Mangroovy The Clubhouse Club 88 Smokery Beach Makani Beach Club Zeytouna Beach Island Marina Beach DuPort Pool Club La Playa Villa Coconut Water sports: Diving Snorkeling Kitesurfing Windsurfing Sliders the cable park Water-skiing/waterboarding Sailing Boat trips: Day excursion island boat trip, eg. Giftun Islands (Mahmya/Orange Bay) or Tawila Island (more details at: Red Sea Islands Perfect for a Boat Trip ) Catamaran Glass bottom boat Sailing Fishing Diving/snorkeling Daytime party boat (returns to the marina at sunset) Chartered mini-yachts for weekends or specified amount of days Regular sports: Tennis Squash Horseback riding Golf Go-karting Mini-golf Biking For more details , read 25 Fun Things To Do In Hurghada and El Gouna . Where To Eat El Gouna has a ton of great restaurants serving all different kinds of cuisines. One of our personal favorite things about this coastal town is that all the restaurants are small local affairs owned by Gouna residents of all nationalities -- you won’t find Mcdonald’s or Pizza Hut here (they do have a Nathan’s though for some reason). You’ll find the majority of the restaurants in either Downtown or the Marina, with the exceptions being hotel restaurants. Best places for breakfast: Malu’s Deli Seventh Star The Bagel Tree For our favorite breakfast spots, read this: 8 Best Breakfast Places in El Gouna Best places for lunch/dinner: Saigon Zia Amelia Pier 88 Restaurants with an open sea view: Smokery El Bahr Morgan’s Beach Bistro El Sayadin Read here: our full list of the 7 Best Restaurants in El Gouna . Nightlife Ok, so you swam, tanned, ate… now time to party a little. The most popular night spots in Gouna are: The Tap South (live music and DJs in a casual pub atmosphere on the marina) Pier 88 on weekends after 10 pm Villa Coconut (early in the evening it's ambient music for dinner and drinks, but then a DJ starts around 10/11 pm until 2 am) Aurora (the main club in Gouna) Barten (a cocktail bar on Abu Tig Marina) Duport on select nights Rush Sports Bar The Smugglers Peanuts Bar Megumi Nweri In Downtown they also have shisha cafes that serve alcohol open until 3 am. Leaving It’s just as straightforward as arriving. If you came by GoBus, then you board your return bus at the same stop in Downtown where they dropped you off. If you came by plane and need to go to Hurghada Airport, either Budget limousine or ABC Taxis can take you. Looking for more local guides? Check out: Hurghada, Egypt: A Local Guide For First-Timers Soma Bay, Egypt - A Travel Guide For First Timers Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt: A Detailed Guide For First-Timers Khan El Khalili: An Egyptian Local’s Guide Egypt's Red Sea Riviera: Where To Stay North Coast, Egypt - A Complete Travel Guide For First-Timers Aswan, Egypt: A Local's City Guide

If you’re visiting Cairo, then chances are you have plans to visit the Pyramids of Giza (as you should!). The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last standing Ancient Wonder of the World and definitely is a highlight of any trip to Egypt – it is absolutely not overhyped or overrated, as so many travel destinations now are in our Instagram-obsessed world. Read more: Visiting the Pyramids of Giza – A Local’s Guide To Everything You Need To Know But you know what is UNDERhyped and UNDERrated? The pyramids at Dahshur! To the extent that most visitors coming to Egypt have never even heard of them, which is a crying shame because the Bent Pyramid especially is one of the coolest-looking pyramids in the world. But before we get ourselves all hot and bothered, let’s quickly break down what exactly IS Dahshur, why exactly you should visit, and everything else you need to know about this hidden gem in Egypt. So what is Dahshur? Dahshur is an Ancient Egyptian royal necropolis in the desert on the outskirts of greater Cairo, and home to several pyramids, two of which (the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid) are even older than the Pyramids of Giza. Is it worth visiting Dahshur if I’ve already seen the Pyramids of Giza? If you’re not super tight on time in Cairo, then the answer is definitely yes! Visiting Dahshur will actually give you more insight into how exactly the Pyramids of Giza were made and the transition from the step pyramid shape (like Djoser’s pyramid at Saqqara ) to the smooth-sided shape of the Giza Pyramids. Pharaoh Sneferu (the father of Khufu, the pharaoh of the Great Pyramid) first attempted a smooth-sided pyramid at Dahshur but failed, resulting in the Bent Pyramid (more info below). He then got it right with the Red Pyramid, leading his son to use his engineering know-how to later build the greatest pyramid the world has ever seen, in Giza. Also because Dahshur is off the beaten path, the necropolis is much less crowded than the Giza pyramids, and there are no touts (just a couple of security guys who will offer to take your picture). Plus the entrance ticket is a quarter of the price of the Giza Pyramids! What can I see in Dahshur? The Bent Pyramid Built 2613–2589 BC (so over 4,600 years ago!) by Sneferu, archaeologists believe that the Bent Pyramid represents a transitional form between the step pyramid and smooth-sided pyramid. The ‘bent’ appearance is due to its base having a 54 degree inclination, but the top section having a narrower 43 degree angle. There are different theories as to why it was built this way: one was that as the builders reached the top, the top section started to show instability, so they narrowed the angle. Another theory is that they anticipated Sneferu’s death approaching, so they wanted to finish his pyramid as soon as possible. A third theory is that they were trying to avoid the same colossal disaster that occured with Sneferu’s first pyramid, the Meidum pyramid in Beni Suef, which collapsed mid-construction. The Red Pyramid The Red Pyramid is believed to be the first successful attempt at creating a smooth-sided pyramid in Egypt, and was Pharaoh Sneferu’s third pyramid (after the Bent Pyramid & Meidum Pyramid). It’s also the third biggest pyramid in Egypt, after the Khufu and Khafre pyramids at the Giza Plateau. The Red Pyramid received its moniker due to its reddish hue, although it wasn’t always red. The entire pyramid used to be encased in white limestone, which you can still see at the base. The white limestone was actually stripped from the pyramid in the Middle Ages (can you believe it?) to construct buildings in Cairo. The layer underneath was red limestone, which you can see until today. The Black Pyramid This pyramid, while technically ruined, is still definitely worth seeing when you head to Dahshur, just because it looks so different and vaguely creepy. The Black Pyramid is believed to be the first pyramid in Egypt that was intended to house both the pharaoh and his queens. It was built by Pharaoh Amenemhat III in the Middle Kingdom, so around 3,800 years ago. It’s called the Black Pyramid due to is “dark, decaying appearance”. It collapsed partially due to it being made out of mudbrick instead of traditional stone (although it was encased in limestone), and partially due to its low elevation allowing Nile water to seep into the walls, ending with the structure cracking and sinking into the clay ground. Can you enter the Dahshur pyramids? Inside the Bent Pyramid. Photo credit: earthtrekkers.com Yep, you can enter the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid, for no extra price (unlike the Giza Pyramids, where you have to buy an extra ticket to go in them). To be fair though, there’s not much to see in them and it’s not recommended if a) you’re claustrophobic, b) not in the best shape or get winded easily, c) have back or knee problems, or d) you’re afraid of bats :D To enter either pyramid, you climb up long (and sometimes steep) stairs to get to the entrance. Then it’s a series of very low tunnels (as in, you’re completely hunched over) to get to the lower pyramid chamber. There are also high wooden staircases to take you to upper chambers. All in all, it’s a workout and not easy on the back or legs by any means. The adventure element is fun, but don’t expect to see treasures at the end of it – the pyramid chambers are all just empty rooms (save a few bats, lol). How to get to Dahshur While Dahshur isn’t far from Downtown Cairo (maybe an hour’s drive), getting there isn’t very straightforward so here’s where our local experience on the ground will come in handy. Because like we said before, Dahshur is off the beaten track and not known to most visitors – the main people there were part of tour groups who came via tour bus, which obviously is the most straightforward way of going about it. If you’re interested in going solo though and not part of a tour group, then here’s some important things to keep in mind: If you’re going with an Uber or using GPS to get there, it gets really tricky because the GPS will want to take you there via the quickest route (Fayoum Road), but it doesn’t realize that that route will cut through the Dahshur military base (which you obviously can’t go through). So then it’ll force you to take a really long circuitous route through questionable neighborhoods and roads. So basically what we’re saying is that it’s best if you hire a car & driver for a day who actually knows how to get there and doesn’t need to depend on GPS (the best way there is through the Saqqara Road). Or hire a tour guide who will be able to give directions to the driver. Basically just someone who knows where they’re going lol. Once you arrive at Dahshur, it’s best to have some kind of vehicle with you because it’s a trek through the desert from the entrance to the Red Pyramid, then to the Bent Pyramid after that, and so on and so forth. With a car or tour bus, you just drive from spot to spot and then can walk around and take pictures as much as you like. If you do end up going with an Uber driver, make sure you hold on to him there because it’s extreeeeemely difficult to get another Uber or even a regular taxi on the way back. Dahshur is desert surrounded by agricultural land, so it’s not like the Pyramids of Giza which are right on a bustling Cairo road. Dahshur Opening Hours: 8 am to 5 pm (they close earlier in Ramadan, so make sure to double check – it’ll probably close by 3 pm then but Egyptian opening hours can change with the wind) Dahshur ticket prices: Non Egyptian ticket: 200 EGP (100 EGP for students) Egyptian ticket: 10 EGP (5 EGP for students) Car ticket: 10 EGP And now a few parting local tips about Dahshur: If you’re not going with a guide, there’s no signage there with explanations of the pyramids, so it’s best to read up before you go to really get a feel for how interesting Dahshur is There aren’t any restaurants or cafes inside the necropolis, so make sure to bring your own water and/or snacks There are very few shaded areas (unless you’re inside the pyramid, that is) so make sure you’re equipped with sunblock and a hat if you’re sensitive to the sun There aren’t any bathrooms, so emptying your bladder before heading to Dahshur is always a good idea If anyone offers to take your picture or to show you different spots in the necropolis, they’re looking for a tip. Feel free to just say no thanks and keep it moving, they’re not pushy like the touts at the Giza Pyramids It’s a good idea to also visit the Saqqara necropolis (where the Step Pyramid of Djoser and other cool tombs are) because it’s close by and along with Memphis (the remnants of the Ancient Egyptian capital), make a really fun day trip. Read more: Saqqara, Egypt - A Local's Guide to Visiting the Step Pyramid of Djoser & the Saqqara Tombs You may also like: Top 10 Things To Do in Cairo, Egypt

Summer is no joke in Cairo; the city seems to almost bake in the heat and we all daydream about throwing ourselves in the nearest cool body of water. Some locals flee the city for the North Coast’s bluer pastures (Egypt’s Mediterranean beaches are some of the best in the world - read more about our world-class beaches here ), but what about those who don’t have the option of heading to the beach? Well, that’s where pools come in. If you’re lucky enough to live or be staying in a compound with a great pool, then what are you reading this for? Go swimming! But if you don’t have access to a pool, or want one in a higher-end setting where someone will bring you a cocktail while you tan, well we have you covered. But first, a few important notes: Note #1: Our favorite day-use hotel of all time, the Marriott Mena House, has cancelled their day-use option :( So if you want to swim in this historical hotel by the Pyramids , you’ll have to stay overnight (I guess there are worse things in the world). Note #2: Obviously most hotels in Cairo have pools, but we only included the ones we personally liked best. For example, we love the Cairo Marriott in Zamalek as a hotel but are not fond of their pool. Now with no further ado, let’s go swimming. Sofitel Gezirah Location: Zamalek Their indoor/outdoor pool isn’t large, but has beautiful views over the Nile. Be sure to check if they have a day use offer currently ongoing, which includes a discount on the spa as well as dining and drinks. Day-use includes: double room, pool access, gym access Day-use hours: 10 am to 6 pm For more info: 02 2737 3737 The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa Location: New Cairo Large pool overlooking the serene greenery of the golf course. They also serve shisha pool-side. Day-use includes: double room & pool access Day-use hours: 10 am to 6 pm For more info: 02 2322 8000 Semiramis Intercontinental Location: Garden City Nile views from the pool, anyone? Day-use includes: double room & pool access Day-use hours: 10 am to 7 pm For more info: 02 2798 8000 JW Marriott Location: New Cairo A good spot to bring your kids, because they have their own man-made ‘beach’ and waterpark (plus a normal pool). Local tip: avoid going on weekends and public holidays because it gets CROWDED. Day-use includes: either a double room or poolside cabana, plus access to all of their pools Day-use hours: 11 am to 7 pm For more info: 02 2411 5588 Steigenberger Pyramids Location: Alexandria Desert Road What better view from a pool than the Pyramids? The Steigenberger is just minutes away from the Pyramids of Giza as well as the Grand Egyptian Museum . Day-use includes: room and pool access For more info: 02 33772555 Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Location: New Cairo Big pool and part of the Marriott Bonvoy group, so they have the same set-up as JW Marriott in the sense that you can either get a room or a poolside cabana. A much less crowded version of the JW Marriott though (no man-made beach or waterpark). Day-use includes: either a double room or poolside cabana Day-use hours: 11 am to 7 pm For more info: 02 2406 3333 Mövenpick Media City Location: 6th of October City A good choice for those who live in the western part of Cairo. It’s also a good spot for kids - they have four pools and water slides. Day-use includes: room and access to all pools Day-use hours: 11 am to 7 pm For more info: 02 3855 5001 You might also like: 7 Best Luxury Hotels in Cairo, Egypt