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Sharm El Sheikh has been THE international beach destination darling of Europeans, Middle Easterners and domestic Egyptian tourists for decades now, and for very good reason. It has year-round warm weather, azure water, soft sand beaches, a plethora of hotels and resorts and some of the most spectacular diving in the world (according to international divers, we’re not being biased!). Recently other Red Sea beach towns like Hurghada , El Gouna and Marsa Alam have been giving Sharm El Sheikh (or Sharm as we locals call it) a run for their money in popularity, but Sharm remains the OG of the Red Sea beach resort scene. Read more: Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera - Where To Stay Go to Sharm if you want: affordable resort luxury. Sharm El Sheikh is very much an all-inclusive hotel package destination – this is where to go if you want to stay at affordable but still 5 star luxury beach resorts, with everything you need for a great beach vacation all within your hotel. Don’t go to Sharm if you want: a backpacker’s type of beach holiday or anything off the beaten track. Up the Sinai coast of Sharm El Sheikh is the bohemian beach town of Dahab, which is far more suited for that kind of trip. Nuweiba and Ras Shitan also are home to dozens of camps right on the beach. Concorde Al Salam Resort Sharm El Sheikh Quick Facts About Sharm El Sheikh Sharm is on the tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula where the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba meet the waters of the Gulf of Suez in the Red Sea, leading to its wildly diverse marine life Sharm El Sheikh used to be a fishing village before it was turned into a port due to its strategic naval positioning. Israel invaded and occupied the Sinai Peninsula, including Sharm, from 1967 to 1982. When Egypt reclaimed it in 1982, it was deemed the ‘City of Peace’ and development ensued to make it an international tourist destination Best Time To Go To Sharm Sharm El Sheikh is a year-round destination, but its ‘high season’ is the spring and fall, with average daily temperatures of 25-30 degrees Celsius and cloudless skies – aka, ideal beach weather. From June to August it’s significantly hotter, with temperatures reaching the mid to high 30s Celsius. If you love the sun and heat, then summer is a good time to go because you’ll find more affordable deals and less crowds than the high season. Even in the winter, Europeans and Brits still escape to Sharm to enjoy the sun and warmth. From December to February, the daytime temperature averages around the early 20s Celsius, and even if the sea might be too cold for you, lots of resorts have heated pools, so you can still enjoy swimming. How To Get There 1. Flying (recommended): Sharm El Sheikh has an international airport which receives dozens of international and domestic flights a day. Sharm is around a 4.5 hour flight from many European cities and around 5.5 hours from British cities, and there are tons of budget flights with really cheap airfare or combo airfare/hotel packages. If you want to fly domestically, most flights within Egypt going to Sharm el Sheikh will originate from Cairo, with multiple flights a day. There are also direct domestic flights from Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Luxor, but less frequent than the Cairo flights. 2. By Car: No matter where you are in Egypt, your hotel or anyone in the know can arrange to hire a private car and driver to take you to Sharm El Sheikh. The drive from Cairo is around 6 hours. 3. By Bus: Several different bus companies serve Sharm, most originating from Cairo. The most popular are Go Bus, Superjet and East Delta. They’re air-conditioned buses and the trip averages around 8 hours. Important local tip: if you’re entering Sharm (or the Sinai peninsula as a whole) via car or bus, then make sure you have proper ID on you because there are A LOT of security checks on the road. They’ll ask to look at your passport and ask where you’re going, and might search your car and bags. Make sure that any alcohol bottles you have are unopened and that you have a receipt for them (to prove they’re not bought from the Egyptian black market). In general, flying into Sharm is much easier just because you skip the hassle of the Sinai road security checks which can take a long time, adding hours to your overall journey. Once you’re actually in the city of Sharm (where the airport is), getting around is much easier. Is there a ferry between Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh? No, there’s currently no ferry available for travelers between Hurghada and Sharm, even if you find confusingly vague information online. Do You Need A Visa For Sharm El Sheikh? If you’re flying directly into Sharm El Sheikh (ie., Sharm is your entry point into Egypt), and if you're not staying in the Sinai peninsula for more than 15 days, then certain nationalities don’t need to buy an entry visa at the airport. You'll get something called a 'Sinai Stamp' for free on your passport -- emphasis on the 'free' part, don't believe anyone at the airport who says they'll get you a stamp for the "low price" of a couple of euro - this is a scam, just ignore them and go straight to the airport official at Immigration. Important note: this Sinai Stamp only covers the resort areas of Sinai, meaning Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. It doesn't include any Sinai destination outside of those. Important note #2 : this Sinai stamp is only eligible for EU, UK and US citizens. If you plan to go to Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, or any other Egyptian destination outside of the Sinai peninsula on your trip, or plan to stay longer than 15 days, you’ll need to get the visa. It’s $25 upon arrival. Where To Stay In Sharm El Sheikh Which hotel in Sharm should I choose? Sharm has really boomed as a beach destination since 1982 – there are now over 350 hotels! Choosing a hotel out of so many can feel overwhelming, but it’s really just about your personal preferences. There’s everything from adult-only hotels to hotels created specifically for families with kids; all-inclusive hotels (all meals and drinks included), to more budget stays; hotels right on the beach, and others that need a shuttle to bring you to the beach, etc. You get the idea – there’s everything lol. Movenpick Sharm El Sheikh Lots of people come to Sharm via preset flight/hotel packages provided by different travel agencies, whether in Egypt or their home country. But if you’re more of an independent traveler, then we recommend making a list of things that are important for you during your Sharm trip and then searching for hotels that match your criteria on the usual online hotel booking sites. Example: heated pools, in-house diving centers, or specific facilities/amenities. A little research goes a long way and can really make a difference – and of course, make sure to read guest reviews and the fine print! You can also find cheap flights on sites like Skyscanner and the likes, so you don’t need to depend on a travel agency. Which area in Sharm is best to stay in? For the most part, Sharm is divided into 3 main areas: Nabq, Naama Bay and Hadaba (also known as Ras Um El Sid or Old Sharm). Nabq is northeast of Sharm Airport and is the quietest, with long stretches of beachfront luxury resorts (not to be confused with the Nabq Protectorate, which is next to the neighborhood of Nabq in Sharm but protected from development). Rixos Sharm El Sheikh in Nabq Between Nabq and Naama Bay are Knights Bay, Sharks Bay, and Coral Bay, also home to lots of 5 star resorts like the Four Seasons. Between Coral Bay and Naama Bay is Soho Square, a nightlife spot run by Savoy Hotels. Naama Bay Promenade Beach Resort Naama Bay used to be known as ‘central Sharm’ because of its myriad hotels and promenade of shisha cafes, shops, restaurants and bars. While the hotels are still beautiful and act as an oasis from the hustle and bustle outside, and the beaches are very easy to wade into with minimal coral, the promenade itself has seen better days and the shopkeepers and touts can be obnoxious. Reef Oasis Beach Resort in Hadaba Hadaba (Ras Um El Sid) is what’s considered Old Sharm (the first part of the city to be developed), and is home to the Old Market and Al Sahaba Mosque. Local tip: Honestly, it doesn’t really matter which area of Sharm you stay in, considering as they all have beachfront hotels where you’ll be spending the majority of your time. Your choice of hotel is more important than your choice of area. How To Get Around Sharm Unfortunately there’s no Uber (or Careem, the Middle East version), so you’re stuck with taxis. Most of the cabs in Sharm won’t have a running meter, so it’s important you tell the driver where you’re going and negotiate a price before climbing in. They can easily ask for astronomical prices, so make sure to haggle (unless you feel comfortable paying what they’re asking for). You can also arrange with your hotel to get you a private car & driver, but that’s obviously more expensive than a cab. Is Sharm safe? And is Sharm safe for solo women travelers? Yes, it’s safe! So much so that extremely important international conferences (like COP27) are held there, with politicians, dignitaries and VIPs all staying in the city. Sharm had a rough few years after a 2015 Russian plane crash, but the good news is that Sharm is now one of the safest cities in Egypt because of all the ensuing security measures. Like we mentioned above, driving to Sharm from Cairo is a hassle because of all the security checkpoints on the roads, where they search everything from cars to bags. So while annoying, it’s a good problem to have. Sharm itself is a walled city, with heavily monitored entrance and exit points – so basically anyone who’s in Sharm has to have a reason to be! All hotels and resorts have their own security as well obviously, and all public areas are under tight surveillance by the Tourist Police (both in uniform and plainclothes). If you’re a solo woman, you’ll hopefully feel 100% safe enjoying your resort – everyone there wears normal swim and beachwear, so don’t feel like you have to cover up at your hotel. Even when you’re in public places, the attire is much more relaxed than in cities like Cairo or Alexandria. What COULD possibly be annoying to women travelers (well, to everyone really but especially women) is how pushy and annoying the shopkeepers and touts can be about selling you their wares or ushering you into their cafes/restaurants. Just say no firmly and politely and keep it moving; they’re obnoxious but harmless. Things To Do In Sharm El Sheikh We wrote a long article about the 12 best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh , so all the meaty info is there. But if you want a quick spoiler of the top things people love: scuba diving, snorkeling, boat trips and relaxing on serviced beaches. Where To Go Out In Sharm El Sheikh If you decided to take a break from your hotel and see what else is going in Sharm, then the main places you’ll probably be heading are the following: 1. Soho Square Soho Square has restaurants, bars, cafes, shisha, ice skating, kids’ arcade, bowling, culturama, tennis and squash. It’s clean and organized and run by the Savoy Hotel group, so not chaotic like Naama Bay or the Old Market. Soho Square’s restaurants: L’Entrecote (steakhouse), Zen (Chinese), Akuna Matata (international fusion), Teppanyaki (Japanese), Luxor (Egyptian), Bombay (Indian), Mai Thai, Sushi Lounge, Koutouki (Greek) and Mandarin Bistro. Soho Square’s bars: Ice Bar, Crystal Lounge, Oxygen Bar, Queen Vic British Pub, Mandarin Bar, El Kahwa and Kitano Top Bar. Local tip: some of the restaurants/bars have a dress code of no shorts and flip-flops for men. 2. Naama Bay Naama Bay has restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, shisha, fast food, shops and casinos. It’s a bit chaotic and shopkeepers can be pushy, but it can still be fun. If you’re looking for quick fast food on the go, here you’ll find McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut. Some of Naama Bay’s restaurants: Peking (Chinese), Abou El Sid (Egyptian), TGI Friday’s, Pomodoro, Tandoori, Hard Rock Cafe Some of Naama Bay’s bars: Camel Bar & Rooftop, Tavern Bar, Bus Stop, Pirates Bar, Blue Stone Pub Some of Naama Bay’s clubs: Pacha, Little Buddha, Space 3. Hadaba/Old Sharm Farsha Lounge Besides souvenir shopping (and haggling) in the Old Market, if you want to go to a beach bar for the day, then Old Sharm has El Fanar Beach (with Farsha Lounge overlooking it, which happens to be one of the most beautiful spots in Sharm and home to one of the best views in all of Egypt !). El Fanar Beach and Terrazzina Beach also have frequent beach parties. If you’re looking for some great old school restaurants, there’s Sinai Star (best seafood in Sharm), El Masrien (Egyptian classics) and Fares (also seafood). These places aren’t exactly ambient but the food is great. Read more: 12 Local Egyptian Foods You Have To Try At Least Once Tipping Egypt has a strong tipping culture, especially in the service industry. There’s no set percentage or number that works across the board, it’s really up to you and what you feel comfortable with (knowing that tips are always greatly appreciated because wages are so low in Egypt!) A couple of local tips about tips (heh heh): It’s always best to tip in the local currency of EGP If you have to tip in foreign currency, please make sure it’s dollars/euros/sterling because it’s harder to exchange lesser-used currencies If tipping in foreign currency, please give actual bills and not coins because foreign exchange bureaus won’t accept coins – so it’s like you tipped them nothing in the end Usual people to tip: servers, hotel staff (especially cleaning crew – if you don’t see them before you check out, leaving some money in your room for them is appreciated), tour guides or boat crew (anyone who took you on an excursion of sorts) Who you don’t need to tip: taxi drivers (they’re probably ripping you off to begin with), anyone who demands a tip but has provided no service (while this sounds illogical, it does happen) Leaving Basically the same way you came, lol. Your hotel can arrange an airport transfer for you or you can take a taxi (to the airport or bus terminal, whichever way you’re leaving). We hope this first-timers guide to Sharm El Sheikh was useful – and that it’ll lead to your second, third and tenth trip to Sharm! For more city guides: Hurghada City Guide El Gouna City Guide Aswan City Guide Soma Bay Travel Guide

Make sure you know what to expect when it comes to visas, customs, landing cards and more before you land in Egypt all in our one handy arrival guide. We'll mainly be discussing arriving in Cairo International Airport, considering that's where most people land (plus it's the most confusing), but we'll put add-on information when needed for the other international Egyptian airports such as Hurghada , Sharm El Sheikh  and Marsa Alam . Visas for Egypt So your flight’s booked, your room is reserved , and all that’s left on your to-do list is to count down the days. Right? Well, maybe. Depends on where you’re from. Egypt, like most other countries in the world, has a stratified visa system. Some visiting nationalities don’t need a visa at all; some buy it upon arrival; some get an e-visa issued; and some have to make a weary trip to the nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate and apply for one. So, how do you know which of the above is you? We could go into a lengthy and boring breakdown, or you can just check this map (but please also double-check with your nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate in case there’s been any sudden changes): Ok, so now you know which visa group you are. Here are our insider tips for you depending on your visa group: Those who don’t need a visa : feel free to skip this whole visa section of the article, you lucky thing you! Those who plan to apply for an e-visa: whatever you do, please make sure to buy it from the official Egyptian Ministry of Interior’s website and NOT the dozens of other Egyptian e-visa websites that are not affiliated with the government (although they might look pretty snazzy). The price on the Ministry’s website is $25 for a single entry visa (although there'll soon be a price hike to $45), and this is the same price as a visa on arrival. The other non-government pages (usually tour agencies) will charge you more for the visas – this is how they make a buck. They’re basically ripping you off, so make sure you stick to the official site. Don’t pay more than $25 for a single entry visa. Regarding multiple entry visas, you can buy them at the Ministry of Interior’s website as well. They’re not available on arrival. Visa on arrival: Buying a visa upon arriving at Cairo International Airport (or any of Egypt’s other international airports) is both straightforward and kinda not at the same time. Once you disembark the plane, you’ll find yourself approaching passport control without any direct or easily-noticed signage regarding visas, and when you see everyone lining up without a second thought, it might seem to make sense to join the line yourself. You didn’t see any place to get visas, right? Well don’t bother getting in line unless you want to be sent right back to get your visa, after you just spent 20 minutes waiting in line. We’ve witnessed this happen to many a frustrated tourist, so we’re here to help you avoid just that. Where to get your visa: you’ll find little bank kiosks on the side of the passport control area. They’re open 24/7. It’s from here you can buy the visas. They accept cash in dollars, euros and sterling. IMPORTANT: they do NOT accept credit and debit cards. Visa price: $25 Validity: 30 days Passport expiry : your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Once you buy your visa, they’ll either hand it to you or stick it to an empty page on your passport and you’re free to join the line now to pass through passport control. The whole process of buying the visa doesn’t take more than five to ten minutes, and having the exact amount of cash you’ll need (in the right currency) will make things move even faster. Getting the visa issued from the embassy: if you’re one of the unfortunate souls that has to get their visa issued from their nearest embassy or consulate, sorry ‘bout that, but c’est la vie we guess. Think of it this way -- once you get it, you can cruise right off the flight and into passport control without having to worry about buying the visa. Important note for those arriving in Sharm El Sheikh Airport (Sinai Stamp): If you’re flying directly into Sharm El Sheikh (ie., Sharm is your entry point into Egypt) and are a EU, UK or US citizen , and if you're not staying in the Sinai peninsula for more than 15 days, then you don’t need to buy an entry visa at the airport. You can ask for something called a 'Sinai Stamp' for free on your passport -- emphasis on the 'free' part, don't believe anyone at the airport who says they'll get you a stamp for the "low price" of a couple of euro - this is a scam, just ignore them and go straight to an airport official. This Sinai Stamp If you plan to go to Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, or any other Egyptian destination outside of the Sinai peninsula, or plan to stay longer than 15 days, you’ll need to get the visa. It’s $25 upon arrival. Entering Egypt through other Egyptian international airports such as Hurghada or Marsa Alam require visas on arrival. Other Useful Information Landing Cards Usually before landing in Cairo Airport or any other international Egyptian airport, flight attendants will start distributing landing cards. There’s one for Egyptians (in Arabic) and one for non-Egyptians (in English). You fill out pretty standard info -- name, birthday, passport number, address of where you’re staying in Egypt, etc. If you’re a married couple or a family, you only need to fill out one card. Hang on to the card because you’re going to need it to get through passport control, but if for whatever reason you lose or misplace it, don’t freak out -- just ask the flight attendant for a new one or airport personnel in the airport once you reach passport control. Lots of times they have a bunch at counters before the passport lines, and if they don’t, someone will get one for you. Absolutely no need to panic -- Egyptians are both laid-back and helpful. Just hand the passport official the card along with your passport and that’s it. He/she keeps it and you don’t need it to exit Egypt after your trip. Insider recommendations: While you’re at the bank getting your visa, it would be wise to exchange some money into Egyptian pounds. Certain places/services in Cairo use cash solely, so it’s best to always have some on hand (plus Egypt has a huge tip culture, which is given in cash). Bring a pen! Or actually preferably bring more than one pen, and make sure you’re not particularly attached to them because you’ll find numerous fellow travellers asking to borrow one to fill out their landing cards and God knows pens are easy to misplace or forget with someone. Baggage Claim Visa -- check. Landing card -- check. Passport control -- check and check. Last step before you’re a free bird in Egypt is getting your bags and going through customs. The baggage claim area is pretty straightforward, and the baggage trolleys are for free. They’re not set up in a specific spot so just be eagle-eyed and you’ll spot an available one sooner or later. Customs Right before you pass through the doors into sweet, sweet freedom, there’s one more roadblock. Customs. This usually consists of a few haphazard lines leading to baggage x-ray machines. Travelers are asked to place their bags in the x-ray machine. They’re basically looking for the following: goods that are subject to taxes, illegal substances or items (like drones, FYI -- for a full list of unexpected illegal things in Egypt, head here ), large amounts of cash (above the allowed amount, which is $10,000 -- anything more has to be declared) and basically anything fishy. To be on the safe side, make sure when packing you think of the following: Open any new electronics and remove them from their original packaging prior to packing them so it doesn’t look like you’re bringing them in to sell Foreigners are not allowed more than 2 liters of alcohol (basically 2 bottles) when entering the country. You're allowed 1 liter from the Duty-Free at Cairo Airport and 1 liter purchased prior to arriving in Egypt (eg. from your country of origin or from a transit airport) Your clothes shouldn’t have price tags on them -- a lot of people smuggle in clothes purchased abroad and then sell them on the black market in Egypt Any item in bulk amounts will probably have them asking you questions If your bag is as boring as ours usually are, you’ll go through the whole x-ray thing in a minute flat (once you reach the front of the queue, that is). If your bag is flagged on the machine, then expect the officials to go through it briefly, but it shouldn’t take time unless they find something that requires further inspection. Duty-Free Depending on which airport and terminal you arrive in, the Duty-Free is either next to the baggage claim, or past custom control. Alcohol is totally legal in Egypt, and if you want to indulge in hard liquor over your trip, the Duty-Free is the best place to buy it, considering imported liquor is only available at hotels and certain bars/restaurants; the alcohol available for purchase outside the airport is all local and not to everyone’s taste (stick to the local beer & wine). The Duty-Free also has a wide range of candy, perfume, cigarettes and the other mainstream items you'd expect to see, as well as a selection of Egyptian souvenirs and local products. Leaving The Airport You got your passport stamped, your bags collected and your Duty-Free purchases made. FINALLY!!! Off into the city you go! Walking out of the arrivals hall, you’ll suddenly be bombarded with a lot of hopeful touts continually asking “ Taxi? Taxi? ”, on repeat, forever. So it’s good to have your transport method already figured out before your brain cells are overwhelmed in less than a minute of being on Egyptian Arrival Hall soil. If you’re staying at one of the big 5 star hotels , you can pre-arrange with them to send you an airport pick-up for a fee. If not, here are your options for arriving at Cairo International Airport: 1. Airport shuttle services You can book online or go to their desk at the arrivals hall, but it’s preferred to book in advance so you’re guaranteed a waiting car. They have flat fees for different types of cars and different destinations, so you don’t have to worry about bargaining or negotiating. The price is per car, not per person, so it’s ideal if you’re a couple or small group. Airport shuttle prices are here . 2. London Cab Similar to the airport shuttle, you can book this roomy cab online (as the name obviously suggests, they are indeed like the taxis in London). You fill in your pick-up/drop-off info and date and they’ll show you the fare. Another good option if you’re more than one person, but pricey if you’re flying solo. London Cab prices are here . 3. Uber/Careem If you’re arriving solo, it’ll probably be cheaper to hop in an Uber or Careem (the Middle Eastern version of Uber) as opposed to a shuttle bus. Ubers/Careems are available 24/7, so you’ll rarely have to wait more than 10-15 minutes for one to arrive. The one downside of Uber/Careem is that they have to wait in the parking lot and are not allowed to drive up to the arrivals door, so it can be a little tricky to find the car sometimes. A lot of drivers won’t speak much English, so it’s best to always put your exact destination in the app so that they just follow the GPS. 4. Limousines/”taxis” As soon as you step out into the arrivals hall, several men will come up to you and ask “Taxi? Taxi?”. These taxis are not really cabs , but shabby limousines that will take you to your destination for a negotiable price. Whatever price the touts give you, feel free to bargain. You’ll also find a few kiosks for limousines, also feel free to bargain with them. 5. Car rentals Cairo Airport is home to big brand car rentals like Sixt, Avis and Europcar . Their kiosks are 24/7 and located in Terminal 3. It’s recommended that you book online and read through all the fine print so you know exactly what you’ll pay and the insurance and safety deposits that are required. Please note: if you’ve never driven in Cairo before, you might want to think twice before renting a car. The driving is extreeeeemely harrowing and Cairo drivers have vaguely impressive sangfroid when it comes to road rules. Transportation that is not available: train & metro. There are some buses but to very specific destinations. Local recommendation: the airport shuttle and London Cab are probably the most hassle-free, but if you’re on a budget, Uber/Careem is your best bet. If you arrived at Hurghada International Airport, Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, or Marsa Alam International Airport: You can prearrange with your hotel to pick you up. There are usually taxis waiting outside of the arrival gate but they're usually overpriced, so make sure you negotiate. There will be kiosks for limousines, transfers and tour operators in the arrival halls. You can pre-book a taxi service online from the different operators in each city, for example you can try London Cab, ABC Taxi or 123 Taxis in Hurghada. You can book an airport transfer from the different online travel platforms. Whether you're landing in Cairo or a beach city, in any case prepare to have an unforgettable trip - Welcome to Egypt! You may also like: Where To Go In Egypt - 10 Best Egyptian Cities & Destinations

If we’re going to be honest, Luxor as a city needs no introduction. Formerly the Ancient Egyptian capital Thebes, modern-day Luxor is now one of the oldest (if not THE oldest) inhabited cities in the world. Home to a lion’s share of still-standing Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs, you haven’t really gotten a taste of Ancient Egypt until you’ve visited Luxor. Read : 7 Modern Egyptian Cities More Than 5,000 Years Old A lot of people when visiting Luxor tend to do and see things the traditional way - via tour groups and cruise guides, with set agendas where you don’t really have to think or decide on what you want to see. And while that’s one way of doing it, some people like to explore and follow their own personal, flexible itineraries. So if you’re someone who’s visiting Luxor and want to discover this ancient city on your own, here are ten things you should most definitely see and do while there. Local tip: Because we pride ourselves on our honesty, we want to prepare you for a lot of annoying money-demanding by different personnel at the tourist hotspots. They’ll offer to take your picture, give you special access, or other little ‘favors’ and then demand a tip afterwards. The best way to handle it is just to give a firm but polite ‘no, thank you’ to anyone who offers you anything, no matter how small. Local tip #2: Cash is king around here, so make sure you have Egyptian pounds on you throughout – most sites don’t accept credit cards or cash in other currencies. Local tip #3: It almost goes without saying that Luxor during any time of year besides winter is hoooooot, so make sure you take that into consideration – because almost everything there you’ll be doing is outside. So grab a hat and some sunscreen and happy exploring! 1. Karnak Temple The temple complex of Karnak is the largest religious building ever built, and was constructed over a span of 2,000 years (it’s around 4,000 years old in total!). Construction started in the Old Kingdom and was continuously added to until the Ptolemaic era, with approximately 30 different pharaohs contributing. It’s the second most visited site in Egypt after the Pyramids of Giza . Keep in mind that Karnak is massive. Some people enjoy having a guide there to explain backstories, but others prefer to explore at their own pace - there’s no way a guide could explain everything in Karnak in a few hours. The temple complex is also home to the Open Air Karnak Museum (for more important museums in Egypt, head here .) If you’re heading to the Luxor Temple (below) after Karnak, make sure to walk down the Avenue of the Sphinxes which has connected the two temples for thousands of years. This 3 km pedestrian path is newly opened to the public, and some of the 1350 original human-headed sphinxes still line the avenue until today. Local tip: Karnak closes at sunset, but they’re open super early. Worth considering if you’re visiting during one of the hotter months. At night they have a Sound & Light Show there, and it looks beautiful lit up, but if you want our honest opinion, we’re not huge fans of our local Sound & Light Shows. They’re kind of stuck in the ‘80s and just a tad bit cringe :D 2. Valley of the Kings Where did they bury pharaohs after they stopped burying them in pyramids? That would be in the famous Valley of the Kings. For a period of 500 years in the New Kingdom (1550 BC - 1069 BC), pharaohs were buried in rock-cut tombs in the Theban Hills, hidden from plain view. 62 tombs have been excavated to present day, with King Tut’s tomb being the most famous (but ironically, not the most impressive). Local tip: not all the tombs are open to the public, and some are on rotation. The general ticket allows you into three tombs, but you don’t get to choose which ones. You can also buy an extra ticket for the “special tombs”. By far the most impressive is Seti I’s tomb, but it’s also by far the most expensive. King Tut might be the most famous in name, but his tomb is slightly underwhelming in our humble opinion. Local tip #2: Guides aren’t allowed with you into the tombs, so try to read up a little before you visit to make it even more fascinating. 3. Luxor Temple Constructed around 1400 BC (more than 3,400 years ago), Luxor Temple differs from most other ancient Egyptian temples due to the fact that it wasn’t built for worship of a particular god or pharaoh. It was mainly used as a place where pharaohs were coronated and crowned, sometimes even conceptually (for example, Alexander the Great claimed he was crowned there but no evidence suggests he was ever there). During medieval times, the Muslim community built on the Luxor Temple site, and until now a functional mosque remains part of the temple complex (you can read more about Egypt’s most beautiful mosques here ). Local tip: Luxor Temple is open until 10 pm, so a great time to go is before sunset so you can see everything clearly, and then experience the temple all lit up at night when it gets dark. Keep in mind however that this shrewd tip is not a secret one, and sunset and nighttime is sometimes when the temple is at its most crowded. Hey, you win some, you lose some. 4. Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahri Known primarily for the mortuary temple of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut of the New Kingdom, Deir el Bahri was originally chosen as the location for the mortuary temple of the pharaoh who founded the Middle Kingdom, Mentuhotep II. Hatshepsut’s temple though is the star of the show, even after a lot of it was defaced by her salty stepson in an attempt to erase her from history. He obviously, you know, failed. The massive terraced monument is surrounded by a steep cliff, and it was in this cliff that archaeologists found a cache of royal mummies, moved in antiquity from the Valley of the Kings. Many of these recovered mummies are now at rest in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo , where you can go see them in the Royal Mummy Gallery. Local tip: there’s a little electric tram at the entrance that will take you up to the temple if you don’t feel like walking in the sun - once at the temple itself, there’s not much shade. 5. Hot Air Balloon over Luxor Talk about a bucket list item! Riding a hot air balloon anywhere in the world is exciting in and of itself, but riding one in Luxor is even more spectacular for the following reasons: a) you’ll see the temples, monuments and of course the Nile from above - talk about a bird’s eye view of Ancient Egypt! And b) riding a hot air balloon in Luxor is significantly cheaper than elsewhere, with prices as low as around $50! A quick Google search will pull up dozens of hot air balloon trip providers in Luxor and you can see which ones you like the best in terms of reviews and prices. Honestly though, the trips are pretty much the same no matter which provider you go with - you’ll be picked up from your accommodation very early in the morning when it’s still dark out; hot air balloons depart right before sunrise, so you see the sun coming up over the ancient city. Each trip is about 45 minutes to an hour and a half, averaging an hour, depending on weather conditions. If the weather is not cleared for flight, then your trip will be refunded. Pretty straightforward! 6. Valley of the Queens Nearby to the Valley of the Kings is the Valley of the Queens, where the wives of the pharaohs were buried during the same period. The main valley has 91 tombs discovered to date, and they’re generally smaller than the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Honestly, if you’ve already been to the Valley of the Kings (as you should), then the main reason to visit Valley of the Queens is to see the tomb of Nefertari, the Great Royal Wife of Ramses II. Her tomb is debated to be the most spectacular not only in Valley of the Queens, but Valley of the Kings as well! Unfortunately whoever sets the ticket prices agrees with us that Nefertari’s tomb is the most superior, hence the high ticket price (on top of the standard Valley of the Queens entrance ticket, which allows you access to three other tombs). Another small annoyance is that you only get to spend 10 minutes in this tomb, so try to make the most of it. Local tip: the ticket office only accepts cash and in Egyptian pounds, and there’s no ATM nearby. So if you’re planning to visit Nefertari’s tomb, make sure you have enough on you! 7. Medinet Habu While the Temple of Ramses III at Medinet Habu doesn’t get as much airtime as Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, it’s most definitely worth seeing. While smaller, this temple has some of the most vividly colored art and deeply-engraved hieroglyphics of all the temples - and another upside, it’s usually much less crowded than the more famous temples! Ramses III is widely considered the last truly powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom, and his mortuary temple dominates the archaeological site of Medinet Habu. The temple is especially known for the depictions of Ramses III defeating the ‘Sea Peoples’, invaders of Ancient Egypt whose origins are unknown. Local tip: because of the doable size of the temple and all the interesting painting and hieroglyphics, this is a good temple to have a guide with you to explain the backstories. Like most sites in Luxor, you’ll find several guides there offering their services for an agreed-upon fee. 8. Deir el Medina (Valley of the Artisans) This lesser-known (and thus less crowded!) necropolis is often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, but you’d be doing yourself a huge disservice by not visiting Deir el Medina while in Luxor. Also known as the Valley of the Artisans, it’s home to the tombs of the artists, builders and craftsmen who worked on the tombs in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. It’s a good look into the daily lives of regular Egyptians who lived thousands of years ago – they weren’t all pharaohs after all! Some of the tombs in Deir el Medina (like Sennedjem and Pashedu) are some of the most best-preserved and colorful tombs in all of Luxor. 9. Felucca on the Nile The Nile is just as important a part of Ancient Thebes (and modern Luxor) as any temple or tomb – it was their lifeline thousands of years ago, and remains Egypt’s lifeline now. And not to get too existential on you, but there probably wouldn’t even be an Ancient Egyptian civilization if not for the Nile, so hop aboard a felucca (small Nile sailboat) and sail the same calm waters that countless others sailed down for millennia. A felucca ride is always pleasant, whether in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan, and all distinctly different in regards to what you’ll see, but all a great way to experience the city you’re in away from the crowds and chaos. 10. Luxor Museum Had enough sun, sand and massive temples where you’re not quite sure what you’re looking at? Well, take a break and head for the Luxor Museum, which will be sure to delight due to both its a) clear signage and explanations of the displays, and b) air conditioning! While the museum isn’t as structurally big nor has as extensive a collection as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo (aka the Cairo Museum), the pieces on display in the Luxor Museum are of great quality. Plus the museum is open until 10 pm every night, so it’s something to do in the quiet Luxor evenings to make the most of your limited time. Local tip: to be fair though, if you’ve been to both the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the National Museum of Civilization (also in Cairo) where the Royal Mummies are, then you can probably skip the Luxor Museum. Unless you just want to be where that AC is :D You may also like: 7 Best Restaurants in Luxor, Egypt

Nile cruises are hands down one of the most popular things to do in Egypt, and for good reason – the serenity of sailing down the world’s longest river AND getting to see some of the most mind-blowing Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs while you’re at it? Yes, please!  And keep in mind this isn’t a ‘tourist trap’ kind of thing – lots of local Egyptians book Nile cruises as a way to treat themselves and explore Luxor and Aswan too, especially during the winter months and over New Year’s.  But because Nile cruises are so popular with locals and visitors alike, there are tons to choose from and it’s easy to get confused or overwhelmed. Plus let’s be honest – Nile cruises aren’t cheap, so doing your due diligence before booking is always a good idea. Here’s our ultimate guide on everything you need to know to choose which cruise is best for you. Quick facts to know before choosing a Nile cruise: There are 200+ active Nile cruise ships operating regularly in Egypt When articles, booking engines or travel agencies refer to Nile cruises in Egypt, 90% of the time they mean a cruise between Luxor and Aswan (or vice versa) Besides the Luxor-Aswan cruises, there are Lake Nasser cruises and Cairo-Aswan cruises, but those are far fewer in number All cruises will include sightseeing of some sort with a guide, with the main emphasis being on the Ancient Egyptian sites in Luxor and Aswan. Each cruise will have a detailed itinerary online that you can go over before you book Your days will mainly be spent off the ship. You’ll have breakfast onboard, then spend a day sightseeing on land, then return to the cruise ship before sunset to relax and spend the night onboard Nile cruises in Egypt are most popular during the winter months when the weather in Luxor and Aswan is at its best (November-March), which means that’s when cruises are at peak price and become fully-booked quickly Cruise ships are essentially hotels on the river; they vary from ultra luxury to more basic There are several different types of cruise ship, which we’ll go over in more detail below A little history of the Nile cruise Now obviously Egyptians using the Nile as a lifeline and trade ‘highway’ goes back thousands upon thousands of years; even before the Ancient Egyptian civilization started to document it. But it was back in the 1800s that the concept of sailing for leisure and adventure really took hold, first on the traditional dahabiya sailboats chartered by the Egyptian elite in Cairo, then later with steamships. Thomas Cook ad for steamship and dahabiya cruises Steamship cruises were introduced in the latter half of the 1800s by the British Thomas Cook & Son (who later went on to build the world-famous Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan in 1899, now known as the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract ). Cook hired a steamship from Khedive Ismail and embarked on his first guided steamship cruise down the Nile to Aswan. Within ten years, he owned his own steamship cruise fleet and it was then that Nile cruises really started to boom as a touristic activity. They were much faster than the dahabiyas, cutting cruises from 2 months down to 3 weeks. They could hold way more people, plus offer amenities the smaller, more modest dahabiyas couldn’t.  The SS Sudan at the foot of the Abu Simple temple, before the monument was relocated to protect it from being submerged in water once the Aswan Dam was built In the mid-1900s, motor-powered cruise ships began to sail the Nile, and slowly replaced the steamships. Fast forward over 70 years later to the present day, and only two token steamships still cruise the Nile today (more about these historic ships below).   Types of Nile cruise ships and their pros & cons Motorized Cruise Ships The majority of Nile cruises will be on big motorized ships, which as we said above, are essentially floating hotels. These can take over a hundred guests per cruise, so expect lots of rooms, multiple restaurants, and different amenities like a gym, spa or an on-deck swimming pool, depending on which cruise ship you pick.  Pros:  Different room options (standard, deluxe, suite, etc.) The amenities (who doesn’t want to be in a pool while floating down a river, or have a designated play area for kids?) Onboard restaurant and bar options Nightly entertainment onboard There are cruise ships available in an array of different price ranges and budgets, from the more affordable to high luxury Cons:  Because of the number of people onboard, it’s less private and the service is less personalized than a dahabiya Some people find the sounds & vibrations of the boats to be a nuisance In the high season there are so many cruises, it can seem almost like you’re moving in a convoy with all the other boats, which obviously can take away from the peacefulness of the Nile The big cruise boats tend to dock and go on sightseeing excursions at the same time, so unfortunately there’s usually a crowd wherever you go Dahabiya The truly authentic way to cruise the Nile. Dahabiyas are traditional Egyptian sailboats, used for millennia as a means for Egyptians to travel on the river. These days, the Nile cruise dahabiyas provide slow luxury for those who want a more private, personalized trip.  Speaking of personalized – some dahabiyas (such as the Zein Nile Chateau ) can even be booked completely for your own private charter, and an itinerary can be created specifically for you and your group’s interests.  Pros:  Dahabiyas can only take a fraction of the number of people that the standard cruise ships can take, so it’s the equivalent of staying in a tiny boutique hotel as opposed to a sprawling resort They travel by sail and are pulled by tugboats when there’s not enough wind, so there’s no motor noise Because of their smaller size, dahabiyas can dock at sites on the Nile where larger cruise ships can’t. This allows for more sightseeing at different spots off the beaten track, away from the crowds Cons: The price. Because dahabiyas take fewer people but essentially offer the same itinerary as the larger cruises, they tend to be pretty expensive, even more so than the big luxury cruises They don’t offer all the bells and whistles that the cruise ships offer, eg. pool and spa and multiple restaurants/bars Steamships SS Sudan Currently, the only two restored and functioning steamships cruising the Nile are the SS Sudan and the SS Misr, both imbued with over a century of history. The SS Sudan  dates back to 1921, and the SS Misr (now run by Movenpick) dates back even farther to 1918.  Both of these ships carry far fewer people than the modern cruise ships (the SS Sudan has 18 cabins and 6 suites and the SS Misr has 16 cabins and 8 suites). The SS Misr has a swimming pool as well. Pros: These iconic steamships provide far more history, nostalgia and romance than your standard cruise ship. Agatha Christie was inspired to write Death on the Nile  while on a cruise on the SS Sudan in 1933 – there’s now a suite named after her, and filming for the movie actually took place on the SS Sudan It’s quieter and less crowded than the standard cruise ships Cons: They tend to be pretty expensive What are the best Nile cruises to choose? MS Oberoi Zahra Like we said above, there are over 200 Nile cruises operating at any given time. So which ones are the best? It’s important to note that when you book a cruise through a travel agency or online package, lots of times you don’t actually get to choose which ship you’re on. You’re essentially assigned to whatever ship fits the dates and price you picked. So if you chose a cheaper package, you’ll probably be on one of the more basic ships. If you chose something higher-end, you’ll get one of the luxury cruise ships. Alternatively, if you decide to skip buying an online travel package and want to book a specific cruise and specific type of room directly, here are some of the highest-rated ones per price bracket: Standard cruises: MS Princess Sarah MS Steigenberger Legacy MS Royal Esadora Luxury Cruises: MS Oberoi Zahra MS Oberoi Philae MS Historia Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise Dahabiyas: Nour El Nil fleet Merit Dahabiya Princess Farida Dahabiya Important note: we've only listed a handful of high-rated cruises just to give you an example, but there are many! Duration of Nile cruises MS Sun Sanctuary IV One of the first things you’ll have to decide on before choosing your Nile cruise in Egypt is how long you want the duration to be. Like we said above, 90% of Nile cruises are between Luxor and Aswan (and vice versa).  Local tip:  we get asked a lot which cruises are better, the ones that originate in Luxor or the ones that originate in Aswan. Our answer is, they’re both pretty much the same but the ones starting in Aswan usually run a day shorter, if you’re pressed for time. Luxor/Aswan Cruises MS Historia Boutique Hotel Cruise On average, the shortest cruises take 4 nights from Luxor to Aswan and 3 nights from Aswan to Luxor (this route is faster because you’re moving with the river current). So why are so many cruises longer than 3-4 nights? Basically it all comes down to sightseeing. The longer your cruise is, the more sights you’ll be able to fit in your itinerary – and trust us, Luxor and Aswan and all the places in between have a LOT of fascinating Ancient Egyptian spots to explore!  Read more: 20 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Sites Since time/budget/interests are a personal choice of each traveler, we recommend going through the itineraries of the 3/4/5/7 night cruises and comparing, to see which ones speak to you the most. Some of the longer cruises tack on trips to Abu Simbel south of Aswan (very worth it), while others add more fluff experiences to their itineraries. So go through the fine print of the itineraries, read the reviews and make the choice that suits you personally the best.  Long Nile Cruises (Cairo to Aswan or Aswan to Cairo) Movenpick MS Darakum Besides the standard Luxor-Aswan cruises, which tend not to be over 7 nights at most, there’s something called the Long Nile Cruise. This much rarer cruise travels from Aswan to Cairo (and vice versa) over a duration of two weeks . The Movenpick’s MS Da rakum  is currently one of the few ships offering that route. Lake Nasser Cruises MS Movenpick Prince Abbas A third type of cruise is the Lake Nasser cruise. Lake Nasser is to the south of Aswan and the High Dam, where you’ll find the great temples of Abu Simbel, as well as other Ancient Egyptian sites dotting the shores of the lake. These cruises tend to have a duration of 3-4 nights.  Nile cruise itineraries & sightseeing Most people who decide to go on a Nile river cruise are interested in seeing the famous Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs of Luxor and Aswan, and interesting spots on the Nile in between. Spoiler alert: if you’re not into that kind of sightseeing, a Nile cruise in Egypt probably isn’t for you.  Read more: 12 Most Impressive Ancient Egyptian Temples Still Standing Today Read more: 8 Best Ancient Egyptian Tomb Sites in Modern Day Egypt But assuming that’s indeed what you’re interested in, then these are the main stops on your average Nile cruise itinerary, plus the possible sightseeing you’ll be doing at each destination.  Keep in mind that the shorter cruises will only cover SOME of these sightseeing spots, while the longer cruises will include more (but not necessarily all listed below). Important note: not all cruise itineraries are exactly the same, so we ask once again that you read the itinerary of each cruise online closely before you pick.  Main Nile cruise itinerary destinations (in no specific order): -Luxor Valley of the Kings Deir el Bahri (Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut) Colossi of Memon Karnak Temple Luxor Temple Madinet Habu Temple Luxor Museum Valley of the Nobles Deir el Medina (Valley of the Artisans) -Edfu Temple of Horus at Edfu -Kom Ombo Double Temple of Kom Ombo -Aswan Philae Temple High Dam Unfinished Obelisk Botanical Gardens Nubian Museum Abu Simbel (usually as an add-on or part of the Lake Nasser cruise, considering it’s beyond the High Dam) -Qena (sometimes part of the cruise near Luxor, but during the low water level season is only reachable by land, about 1-1.5 hrs drive from Luxor) Temple of Dendera -Sohag (also sometimes part of the cruise near Luxor, reachable by land) Abydos -Esna Temple of Khnum Esna lock -Lake Nasser Abu Simbel Temple of Kalabsha Temple of Wadi El Seboua Qasr Ibrim -Sites reachable only by dahabiya or land (there are also other spots depending on which dahabiya you choose): Gebel El Silsila How much does a Nile cruise cost and what’s included in the price? There’s obviously so many variables that it’s impossible to give an average number. It depends on the season, duration, group size, type of boat, type of room, if the cruise belongs to an international hotel chain, what activities are included, so on and so forth.  Long story short, a cruise can range from $500 per person to $10,000 per person in some cases, and that’s not an exaggeration. But just to give you an idea, if you’re looking at the standard 4 night, 3 day Nile cruise on one of the basic Nile cruise ships (not a luxury one), for the month of February for example, it’ll probably cost around $600-$700 per person. The nicer cruise ships and dahabiyas are for much more (averaging $1500 - $2500 per person). Local tip:  the two weeks that cover Christmas and New Year’s are always THE highest priced throughout the year, even more than regular winter high season prices. What’s usually included in the cruise price? Local tip: we must state again  that this differs from cruise to cruise, so please read all the fine print and don’t blame us if some of these features weren’t included!  Usually when you book a Nile cruise (especially the higher end ones), it will include the following: Comfortable accommodation & private ensuite bathroom onboard for the length of time you chose, with daily housekeeping Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) – usually open buffet style, but sometimes a la carte on the nicer boats or dahabiyas An experienced tour guide speaking the language of your choice (make sure to find out the languages your cruise offers) Entrance fees to all sites Transportation from the cruise ship to all sites and back Taxes and fees They will also *sometimes* include: Onboard entertainment like belly-dancing or cooking classes Different themed nights on board with special menus and activities Wifi Laundry Meet & greet at the airport or your hotel Extra activities or excursions, eg. hot air balloon in Luxor Transportation to/from the airport or your hotel Usually NOT included in the price: Soft drinks (not included for the more standard cruises, but usually included for the luxury cruises) Alcoholic drinks (but available onboard for an extra fee) Tips (for the boat staff, usually given at the end of the trip, and separate tips for your tour guide and driver) Domestic flights Is a Nile cruise worth it? Or should I just visit Luxor and Aswan normally? We get asked this question a lot. Lots of people are interested in visiting Luxor and/or Aswan, but not sure if they should go down the cruise route, or just book a regular hotel on land and explore the cities themselves. Obviously, there’s no cookie-cutter answer for this because everyone’s preferences differ. What we can  do however is list the pros and cons of both scenarios, so you can make a more educated choice for yourself. Pros of booking a Nile cruise: The experience of sailing down the Nile and sleeping/waking up on the water (although keep in mind that sometimes you'll be moored overnight next to other boats) Everything, especially sightseeing, is totally sorted out for you – you don’t have to worry about any logistics at all You don’t have to worry about being overcharged for things like transportation or tour guides There’s not much by way of nightlife in Luxor or Aswan – being on a cruise is a nice way to socialize and meet people over dinner and drinks on the boat You don’t have to research and try to locate decent restaurants to have your meals at Cons of booking a Nile cruise: There’s hardly any flexibility in the itinerary; you have to wake up, eat and disembark at set times to make it to each site on time The cruise ships tend to run by the same timetable, so the sightseeing will usually be crowded The inability to spend as much time as you want at each site or ask the tour guide in-depth questions because you’ll be in a large tour group Pros for staying at a regular hotel in Luxor/Aswan and arranging your own tours: You can set your own schedule so that you’re at some of the sites before/after the big crowds You can explore at your own pace You can visit places or do activities that aren’t included in the cruise itinerary You can either go to the different sites by yourself, or you can arrange for a private tour guide or small tour group Cons of staying at a regular hotel in Luxor/Aswan and arranging your own tours: You’ll have to research all the different accommodation options there You’ll have to figure out the logistics of all transportation  You’ll probably have hit and miss restaurant experiences A lot of the nicer hotels in Luxor and Aswan are pretty expensive, so between that + meals + sightseeing tickets + transportation + guide, you might end up spending even more than you would on the cruise For more information in general about Luxor and Aswan: Read more: 10 Best Things To Do in Luxor - As Told By Locals Read more: 7 Best Restaurants in Luxor, Egypt Read more: Aswan, Egypt - A Local’s City Guide Read more: 7 Best Places to Stay in Aswan, Egypt Best way to book a Nile cruise Ok, so you’ve done your research, decided that you do indeed want to book a Nile cruise (good for you!) and read through all our tips about how to choose the type of cruise best suited for you. Now how do you go about actually booking it? You have several options: Book directly through the cruise ship’s website.  Many of the cruise ships, especially if they’re part of a hotel chain or are high luxury, will have their own website that you can book through (and you can also directly email them any questions you may have). This also goes for booking dahabiyas.  Book through a foreign or Egyptian tour agency. Foreign tour companies like AMA Waterways, Abercrombie & Kent or TUI offer all sorts of Nile cruise package deals, where you select the cruise package that sounds the best for you. There are also dozens of Egyptian tour agencies that offer similar packages. These agencies can arrange either just your cruise for you, or your whole Egypt trip from A-Z.  Book through an online travel experience aggregator.  Websites like Viator or GetYourGuide are another easy way to book a Nile cruise. Just make sure to read reviews, itineraries and what’s included/excluded before booking anything! So that wraps up our ultimate guide to choosing and booking the perfect Nile cruise just for you! Sail and enjoy 🙂 You might also like: Where to Go in Egypt: 10 Best Cities & Destinations

When people think of restaurants in East Cairo , they mainly think of places like Garden 8 or 5A By The Waterway in New Cairo. But there’s a dining and entertainment center that’s slowly making a name for itself, and that’s none other than District 5 by Marakez.  Read more: 7 Best Restaurants & Cafes in 5A By The Waterway, New Cairo Read more: 7 Best Restaurants in Garden 8, New Cairo Read more: 7 Best Restaurants in U Venues, New Cairo Read more: Cairo Festival City Restaurant & Cafe Guide District 5 is on the Cairo-Ain El Sokhna Road, in an area of East Cairo called New Katameya. Besides their restaurants and cafes, they also have retail stores, a cinema and an arcade – so there’s more to do than just eat (although that will always remain our favorite thing to do). But like we always like to say, not all restaurants are created equal. We’ve listed below our local recommendations for the best restaurants in District 5, and below that is a list of the other restaurants and cafes there if you’re curious. Enjoy and happy eating! Best restaurants in District 5: 1. Kokomo This restaurant and bar is known for its smoking and grilling over a wood-fired flame; everything from slow-cooked cuts of meat and brisket to grilled seafood and artisanal pizza (some of the best pizza we’ve had recently, we might add).  They have a branch in Soma Bay  during spring and fall, and one in Sidi Heneish in the summer. Their District 5 venue is their first in Cairo, and it has beautiful interior design and a great spot for dinner.  They open at 1:30 pm and on weekends it’s best to reserve: 01200007333 For more info and pictures: Kokomo’s IG 2. Mo Bistro Mo Bistro has been beloved since back in the day in 2002 when it was known as Cafe Mo in Mohandiseen. Fast forward more than 20 years later and Mo Bistro is still going strong, with multiple branches in District 5, Garden 8 and Capital Promenade in Sheikh Zayed. Mo Bistro has an eclectic menu of dishes both classic and creative, and they never skimp on flavor or quality ingredients. They’re especially known for their flank steak and bone marrow. For more info, pictures and menu:   Mo Bistro’s IG 3. 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, we dare you to enter their District 5 branch and not fall in love with the decor. 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 4. Mista Another great option if you’re a big group or a family with picky eaters, because Mista’s menu is huge with tons of options, and even shareable dishes for two like the lamb shank and beef chateaubriand. They also have an extensive bakery with freshly-baked breads, croissants and sweet and savory pastries. For more info, pictures and menu: Mista’s IG 5. Lokali Lokali is a concept restaurant that focuses around fresh, clean ingredients from local Egyptian farms, with an eclectic indoor dining area as well as outdoor space (and we give them extra points for being pet-friendly!). Their breakfast items all come with a twist -- for example, they have a brioche pastrami scramble, a unique rendition of the classic eggs and basterma. For more info, pictures and menu: Lokali's IG So while the above were our current top favorite restaurants in District 5 (and who knows, they might change in the future), they’re by no means the only restaurants and cafes there.  Other restaurants in District 5: Carlo’s Ovio Pattini The Wheelhouse Don Eatery Asian Corner Butcher’s Burger Chicken & Ribs Jimmy's Pizzeria Between The Buns (BTB) Gracias Tabali Salon Caracas Hara Hachi Bu Garnell Sushi and Poke Howlin' Birds Dawgs n Shakes Kansas Buffalo Burger Sandwich Room McDonald's Hunger Station BRGR Kufta Cafes/Dessert: 30 North 1980 Coffee CAF Cafe Dipndip Dancing Goat Coffee Breadfast Coffee Koffee Kulture Vasko Antakha Le Flandrin Ni Caffe Nude Bakery Beano’s Valu Cafe Lazy Lads Pao Sno Fati's Moko Fou Espresso Lab Minimelts Coldstone Amorino Mandarine Koueidar Dark Solution Eden Bakery Eight Ounce Specialty Coffee You may also like: 12 Chill Places to Have Dinner & Drinks in Maadi

Since New Cairo, the eastern suburb of central Cairo, has been booming recently with restaurants, cafes, bars and malls, we started a series of restaurant guides for the different commercial centers because there are so many! Our other New Cairo restaurant guides: 7 Best Restaurants & Cafes in 5A By The Waterway 7 Best Restaurants in Garden 8 Cairo Festival City: Restaurant & Cafe Guide 7 Best Restaurants in District 5 These restaurant guides were such a hit and we were flooded with requests for more, so here’s the latest installment: the best restaurants in U Venues. U Venues is a comfortable and modern mixed-use commercial complex in the Choueifat district of New Cairo. It’s a mix of dining, retail and wellness, and even has the first adult arcade in Cairo – Brass Monkey! More restaurants and cafes will be opening in U Venues, but these are our current favorites: Zia Amelia Cuisine: Italian One of the oldest and best restaurants in the Red Sea town of El Gouna, Egypt , opened its first Cairo branch in none other than U Venues. Zia Amelia’s owner hails from Napoli and their menu is bursting at the seams with Italian classics and freshly-made pastas. They’re also known for their excellent pizza. Alcohol served. For the menu and more info: Zia Amelia Merbey Cuisine: Lebanese Another popular restaurant import from El Gouna (and spoiler alert, a third famous El Gouna restaurant makes an appearance on the list below!). Merbey has a vast menu that covers all the usual Lebanese dishes we know and love, plus they take particular pride in their varieties of hummus as well as their grilled platters. They're open for breakfast and also serve shisha. For the menu and more info: Merbey Evermore Cuisine: Lebanese-Latin Not your usual Lebanese restaurant – some of their best dishes are their shrimp tacos, beef brisket Manchego pasta, truffle hummus and BBQ ribs. Another huge crowd pleaser is their truffle burger; a halved burger served on a bed of truffle cream sauce. They also have really good smoothies and mocktails. For the menu and more info: Evermore Talkback Cuisine: American If you’re like us and are a sucker for lots of crispy fried appetizers, cheesy Tex-Mex, creamy pasta, and burgers and pizza that will leave you full for hours, then Talkback is for you. You know what we’re talking about. Think fried chicken and pancakes, Detroit-style pizza and even an ‘Abnormal Sushi Bun’ - fried rice, cream cheese, salmon, shrimp, and avocado. Open for breakfast as well. For the menu and more: Talkback Villa Lucca Cuisine: International If you're a big group and want a restaurant that has something for everyone, then look no further than Villa Lucca. They have everything from octopus carpaccio to short ribs to tomahawk steak, and that's besides their dozens of pasta and pizza options as well. They're also a great breakfast and brunch spot -- their breakfast menu is almost bigger than their lunch & dinner one! Shisha available. For the menu and more info: Villa Lucca Tama Cuisine: Asian Fusion The first thing that most people comment on when it comes to Tama is its kitschy anime vibes – so basically you’re having fun from the decor alone as soon as you sit down, even before your food arrives. Speaking of the food, their menu ranges from breakfast (Japanese curry shakshuka, anyone?) to ramen, robata, bao, dimsum and sushi. Some of their best dishes are the spicy miso ramen, the donburi and their poke bowls.  For the menu and more info: Tama Le Garage Cuisine: American Remember when we said above that there was a third famous El Gouna restaurant in U Venues? Well that is none other than Le Garage, home to some great gourmet burgers. Besides the signature burgers that they’re famous for, Le Garage also has their special burgers for the more adventurous, like the Black Pearl – served on a black bun with edible silver leaf. They also have vegetarian burgers, as well as other main courses for those who don’t feel like a burger – schnitzel, fish & chips and more. They’re open from breakfast onwards and serve alcohol.  For the menu and more info: Le Garage New Cairo Now while these are our current favorite restaurants in U Venues, it doesn’t mean they’re the only ones. Here are some more restaurants, cafes and dessert spots in U Venues: Brass Monkey Mo Bistro Huqqabaz Il Forno Moko Dara’s Ice Cream %Arabica Beanos Twenty Grams Zenzoo Amaretti Nutcracker Leaven Bakery Koffee Kulture Lychee Kippis Dancing Goat Coffee You might also like: 10 Best Restaurants For Dinner & Drinks In New Cairo

For years now there’s been a huge buzz about the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo – a museum several decades in the making, which is the largest archaeological museum in the world, as well as the largest museum dedicated to a single civilization. It’s the permanent home for over 100,000 Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the complete King Tut treasure collection, for the first time ever. And we're here to tell you that we're NOT being biased when we say it's one of the most spectacular museums in the world. But we're not trying to sell it on you -- read about it yourself, see the pictures, and better yet, visit if you get the opportunity. It's 100% a bucket list item for anyone interested in Ancient Egypt. Is the Grand Egyptian Museum open yet? Yes, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM for short) is officially open as of November 1, 2025! It’s predicted that the Grand Egyptian Museum will receive 15,000 visits daily - 5 million a year, which is triple what the current Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (Cairo Museum in Tahrir Square) receives annually. GEM Admission Tickets & Guided Tours 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). The guides are incredibly well-versed in not only the history of the museum, but the history of Egypt as a whole. Not only will they explain clearly to you everything you’re looking at, but also will be able to answer any questions you may have. Here’s the most important information about the tickets and tours: You can book and pay for the admission tickets and tours from the Grand Egyptian Museum’s booking site: www.visit-gem.com (don’t be weirded out if the website looks a little dated; it is in fact legit and safe to use) Tickets are available to be purchased at the museum itself, but because tickets and tour slots are limited, it's always safest to book online in advance If you're buying your ticket at the museum itself, please note that they only accept payment by credit cards, cash is not accepted GEM's operating hours are from 8:30 am to 7 pm (with the galleries open from 9 am to 6 pm), except for Wednesdays and Saturdays when the closing times are extended to 10 pm (and 9 pm for the galleries) Last available time to buy a ticket on-site is 5 pm (for Wednesday and Saturday: 8 pm) There are seven daily Grand Egyptian Museum guided tour slots a day: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there are extra guided tour slots until 7 pm Each tour lasts about 90 minutes The guided tours are either in English or Arabic, and you select which language you prefer upon buying your ticket. If you would like a different language besides English or Arabic and you’re a big enough group, please contact: legacy.booking@hassanallam.com There's on-site parking for a fee There’s free museum entry for children under 4 years old There’s a Children Museum Tour for kids ages 6-12, with its own programs and tickets (more info about this below) You’re not allowed to bring in food or drinks into the museum (you can purchase from the Grand Egyptian Museum’s restaurants and cafes, we listed the different restaurants they have below) You can only take pictures with your phone or small handheld camera, professional cameras, tripods, etc. are not allowed (and there are certain areas where you’re not allowed to take pictures at all, but a museum attendant will inform you of those places) So what WILL you see in the Grand Egyptian Museum? This is a summary of what you’ll see in the Grand Egyptian Museum: The Grand Egyptian Museum’s outer gardens , where you can take in the beautiful architecture of the museum and its surrounding courtyard – including a hanging obelisk The museum’s inner Grand Hall , where you will see a 3,200 year old statue of Ramses II towering at 11 meters high The Grand Staircase with over 60 ancient statues and artefacts flanking both sides. There's also a moving walkway that will take you to the top of the stairs, so that you can still see the giant statues without having to actually climb the 6 storey stairs if you don't want to Stunning view of the Great Pyramids at the top of the Grand Staircase King Tut Gallery (which is honestly mind-blowing) Khufu's Solar Boat Museum 12 Main Galleries : these galleries (with over 15,000 pieces!) each feature a different era in Ancient Egyptian history, from prehistoric times up to the Greco-Roman era. The exhibitions of each era showcase the daily practices, architecture, industry, spirituality, royalty and personal lives of these extraordinary Ancient Egyptians The galleries are in chronological order, and further divided into Society, Kingship and Beliefs for each era. -Galleries 1-3: Prehistoric Period, Predynastic Period, Early Dynastic Period, Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period -Galleries 4-6: Middle Kingdom, Second Intermediate Period -Galleries 7-9: New Kingdom -Galleries 10-12: Third Intermediate Period, Late Period, Greco-Roman Period Children's Museum : more info below You can get something to eat or drink at the Grand Museum’s food court/dining establishments You can browse the gift shop and curated Egyptian goods stores, and buy everything from Egyptian cookbooks to souvenirs to locally made clothes and bags. *Note if you're part of a guided tour: You’ll meet your tour guide in the museum’s outer courtyard past the ticket gates. He or she will introduce themselves, and distribute headphones (free of charge) so that you can hear them clearly throughout the tour. The Grand Staircase Grand Egyptian Children's Museum GEM offers different tours and programs made especially for kids, ages 6 to 12. These aren’t daily however, so make sure to check their website to see what children tours or programs are coming up. These programs are usually themed and based on the age of the kids, so for example there’s a program about learning about Pyramid engineering (where kids learn the principles of how the Pyramids were built, and then get to build their own with blocks), and this is for the younger kids, ages 6-9. For the older kids (ages 9-12), there’s a program about discovering archaeological sites via robots, and the kids learn how to actually use functional robots. There's also been other children's programs themed around chariot making and gaming in Ancient Egypt. All programs include a guided tour of the museum dedicated just for kids (and their guardians). Please note though that the kids’ programs change so make sure to check GEM’s website for their current running programs. GEM Admission Ticket & Guided Tour Prices Ticket prices for non-Egyptians: GEM admission (adult): 1,450 EGP GEM admission (child, age 4 - 12 years old): 730 EGP GEM admission (student, age 13 - 21 years old): 730 EGP Guided tour including admission ticket (adult): 1,950 EGP Guided tour including admission ticket (child): 980 EGP Guided tour including admission ticket (student): 980 EGP Children Museum Tour (age 6 - 12 years old): 750 EGP Ticket Prices for Egyptians: GEM admission (adult): 200 EGP GEM admission (child, age 4 - 12 years old): 100 EGP GEM admission (student, age 13 - 21 years old): 100 EGP Guided tour including admission ticket (adult): 350 EGP Guided tour including admission ticket (child): 175 EGP Guided tour including admission ticket (student): 175 EGP Children Museum Tour (age 6 - 12 years old): 150 EGP Please note that ID and student ID will be required on site. Restaurants & Cafes in the Grand Egyptian Museum Your purchased tour ticket allows you access to GEM’s commercial area, which includes a selection of small restaurants, cafes and shops to relax, have something to eat or drink, and shop for souvenirs. Here’s a list of the restaurants that have opened or are opening soon in GEM: Zooba (upscale Egyptian street food ) 30 North (cafe) Beano’s (cafe) Starbucks (no explanation needed) Dolato (ice cream) Bittersweet (restaurant & cafe) Ladurée (world-famous pâtisserie) Read also: 7 Best Restaurants with Pyramids of Giza Views Should You Stay in the Area & Neighborhood Around the Grand Egyptian Museum? So now that we filled you guys in on what exactly GEM is and what to expect when you’re actually there, let’s talk a little bit about the area where GEM is and whether or not you should pick your hotel or accommodations there. Like we said above, GEM is right next to the Great Pyramids of Giza (for our full guide to the Pyramids, head here ). The area is called Haram (translating to ‘Pyramids’), or Nazlet El Samman. Honestly it’s not a great neighborhood currently, but there’s huge development plans for the area over the next few years. Staying near the Pyramids or GEM makes sense if you want to dedicate more than one day to the Pyramids of Giza, or if you want to also go visit nearby sites like the Step Pyramid at Saqqara or the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid at Dahshur . However if you’re only going to see the Pyramids of Giza and just do the 90 minute GEM guided tour, then it’s not necessary to actually stay in the area; all the good restaurants, bars and other spots of sightseeing interest are more towards central Cairo, so it makes more sense to stay there. Hotels Nearby to the Grand Egyptian Museum If you do choose to stay near the Pyramids and GEM, there are a couple 5 star hotels there. Our personal favorite is the Marriott Mena House (which is on our list of 7 best hotels in Cairo as well as our list of 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt You Can Still Stay In Today ). There’s also the Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel close by with great views, but it can in no way compete with the Mena House. A new fad that we’ve witnessed thanks to Instagram and Tiktok, is people getting great Pyramid view content from little hole-in-the-wall ‘hotels’ in that area. These are definitely a case of something looking better on social media than they do in real life; while these motels DO have great views, some are actually shabby as hell and the area around is not great. A lot aren’t even registered as official hotels or motels with the government, so do your research before you book anywhere that seems a bit iffy. Other Museums To Check Out in Cairo If your guided tour of GEM got you all excited and wanting more, then you’re in luck! There are other museums in Cairo that you can peruse to your heart’s desire; the main ones being the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (Cairo Museum) in Tahrir Square in Downtown Cairo, where the King Tut Room is; and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization where the Royal Gallery of Mummies is. Here’s a full list of 9 Cairo museums you should visit at least once . We hope this extensive guide to the Grand Egyptian Museum was helpful, and we’ll be sure to update it as soon as we have new information about the opening – and when of course, we can actually visit it in its entirety, because it truly looks like it’ll be spectacular. You might also like: 8 Important Egyptian Museums To Really Understand Egypt’s History

One of the best things about Egypt is that beach weather doesn’t end in August like the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. If anything, fall is one of the best seasons to vacation in Egypt because it’s warm enough to go to the beach or spend time in the desert, but cool enough that you won’t have to worry about sunstroke or soaring temperatures. Read more: 8 Best Beach Holiday Destinations in Egypt So whether you’re a non-Egyptian who isn’t quite ready to say goodbye to summer yet, or a local who wants to make the most of the best weather of the year, these 12 travel destinations in Egypt have something for everyone. Local tip: beach weather on the Red Sea is great up until mid-December give or take, when it gets a bit chilly. Fayoum Fayoum, about an hour and a half from Cairo, has always been known as a great nature retreat and break from the city. 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. Things to do in Fayoum in the fall: sandboard, 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. Hurghada Hurghada, having spent the first hundred years of its life as a sleepy little fishing village, is now one of the most popular beach destinations in the world, ranking annually on Trip Advisor. Fall has the best weather in Hurghada -- bright sunny days and warm water without the intensity of the summer heat. Hurghada is an eclectic mix of 5 star resorts and super budget hotels,   Red Sea islands  and desert excursions, touristy promenades and dingier local areas… there’s something to see and do no matter your age or interests. Here’s our full,   detailed local’s guide for Hurghada . Things to do in Hurghada in the fall:   25 Fun Things to Do in Hurghada and El Gouna Soma Bay A peninsula jutting into the Red Sea, Soma Bay is a luxury beach resort town south of Hurghada and technically part of the Safaga area, although it's an easy 45 minute drive from Hurghada International Airport -- so expect the same amazing weather as Hurghada. Because it’s surrounded by the sea on three sides, Soma Bay is famous for its spectacular beaches and water sports. On one side of Soma Bay you have the open Red Sea for scuba diving and boat trips, and on the other side you have a crystal-clear bay of warm, shallow water, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Read more: Soma Bay, Egypt - Travel Guide For First-Timers   Soma Bay is home to a handful of 5 star beach resorts, but not nearly as many as Hurghada and Sharm, so it’s a good place to go if you want to avoid the crowds found in other popular Red Sea Riviera destinations . Things to do in Soma Bay in the fall:  sunbathe and swim, scuba dive, snorkel, kitesurf, glass bottom boat, go-karting, golf, paintball, horseback riding Sharm el Sheikh Sharm el Sheikh has been a top trending travel destination forever now, and 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.” So it’s safe to say that Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most famous Egyptian Red Sea Riviera destinations internationally, and even if you don't dive, their beach resorts are reason enough to visit. It’s also a good base for trips to the Sinai Mountains, St. Catherine’s Monastery and Ras Mohammed National Park. Things to do in Sharm in the fall: swim, sunbathe, dive, snorkel, go on a boat trip, go on day trips to interesting neighboring spots in Sinai Read more: 12 Best Things To Do in Sharm El Sheikh Dahab This little bohemian town is smaller, quieter and less commercial than its Red Sea Riviera neighbor Sharm el Sheikh, but the diving is just as good. Home to world-renowned dive sites like the Blue Hole, Dahab pulls in its own fair share of tourists, but those who want to experience a more laid-back vacation. The main area of town is its seaside promenade, full of local and quirkily-named restaurants and shops. There are also hostels and budget hotels galore. You can also hike to and camp in nearby Ras Abu Galoum and Blue Lagoon. Similar to Sharm, Dahab is also a popular base for treks into the Sinai Mountains and St. Catherine’s Monastery. Things to do in Dahab in the fall: dive, snorkel, swim, try the seaside restaurants, bars and cafes on the promenade, visit Ras Abu Galoum, go mountain trekking or bouldering, visit neighboring spots in Sinai Siwa Oasis 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: 10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Siwa Oasis Read: 7 Best Places to Stay in Siwa Oasis For All Budgets 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! Things to do in Siwa in the fall: 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 . Ras Shetan/Nuweiba Nestled between mountains and the Red Sea’s Gulf of Aqaba is a strip of coastline called Ras Shetan, between the towns of Nuweiba and Taba on the Sinai peninsula. Both Nuweiba (a little beach town) and Ras Shetan are known for their get-away-from-it-all 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. At night, there’s usually a large campfire where the Bedouins and guests from all over the world talk, play instruments and sing. Nuweiba and Ras Shetan are also a good place to stay if you want to explore the Colored Canyon and Wadi Wishwashi in the nearby Nuweiba mountains. Things to do in Ras Shetan and Nuweiba in the fall: camp on a beach, disconnect, swim, stargaze, enjoy a fire at night, read, play cards, visit Castle Zaman, explore the Nuweiba mountains Luxor If you're interested in Ancient Egypt, then Luxor is the first place to go once summer ends and the heat starts letting up. Modern Luxor stands where the Ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes once was, and is still home to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings and Queens, among dozens of other Ancient Egyptian sites. Read: 10 Best Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt - As Told By Locals Read: 7 Best Restaurants in Luxor, Egypt Things to do in Luxor in the fall: visit the incredible temples and tombs of Ancient Egyptian, take a Nile cruise down to Aswan Read: Choosing a Nile Cruise in Egypt - Your Ultimate Guide Aswan Aswan in southern Egypt is a unique mix of Ancient Egypt, rural village, urban city, Nubian heritage, river, desert and modern history. The ancient land of Nubia was directly to the south of Aswan, extending from modern-day southern Egypt into northern Sudan. Nubia became part of Egypt during the New Kingdom, and Nubian heritage and culture is extremely important in Aswan until today. The Nile looks just as clear, blue and wild as it probably did 3,000 years ago; Aswan is hands down where the Nile is at its most stunning in Egypt. Because Aswan isn’t super developed, don’t expect a vast array of accommodation, restaurants and nightlife - go there to sightsee at a relaxed pace and enjoy the Nile and warm fall weather. You can read more in our city guide to Aswan .   Things to do in Aswan in the fall : visit Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, explore the Nubian Village, take a Nile felucca Marsa Alam If you're looking for some fantastic diving or just a resort holiday that's more secluded than Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh, then you should definitely visit Marsa Alam (about 4 hours south of Hurghada on a pristine stretch of Red Sea coast). The best time of the year to visit Marsa Alam is the fall (or spring), because it gets blistering hot in the summer and the water is just a tad cold in the winter (Europeans though love Marsa Alam during the winter due to its 365 days of sun, and it's warmer than Hurghada or Sharm). Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Marsa Alam Accommodation is across the board, from 5 star hotels to sparse beach camps. There’s very little in terms of restaurants and nightlife, so if you’re someone who likes to be on the beach early and call it a night early too, this might be for you. Things to do in Marsa Alam in the fall: dive, snorkel, swim, kitesurf El Gouna El Gouna’s a modern resort town spanning over 10 km of pristine Red Sea coast, with lagoons throughout, and their architecture is inspired by traditional Egyptian homes in the countryside and Upper Egypt. It’s a town equally as popular with Egyptians as it is with tourists. 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. While smaller than Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, El Gouna has a plethora of hotels, restaurants, bars and activities for both adults and families. Here’s our full, detailed local’s guide for El Gouna . Things to do in El Gouna in the fall: we break it down here - 25 Fun Things to Do in Hurghada and El Gouna Ras Sudr Ras Sudr (pronounced Ras Sedr) is a small stretch of coast on the Gulf of Suez inlet of the Red Sea, and only recently began to rise in popularity due to its ideal kitesurfing conditions and being only a few hours’ drive from Cairo.   It’s still pretty underdeveloped, but you’ll find a handful of beach hotels to stay at, the most notable being Matarma Bay , Fade Hotel  at the La Hacienda compound and Bayside . Most people spend their days at the various kite centers (like Soul in La Hacienda and Fly in Green Sudr Resort) which also double up as restaurants/beach bars.   Things to do in Ras Sudr in the fall:  kitesurf, swim, enjoy a Sinai beach without having to drive too far from Cairo Read: 7 Best Kitesurfing Spots in Egypt   You might also like: Where To Go In Egypt - 10 Best Egyptian Cities, Towns & Destinations

We all know that people flock from the world over to Egypt to see the Pyramids , explore ancient temples and tombs and even swim in some of the best beaches in the world . But did you know that thousands of people come yearly for what’s known as therapeutic tourism? Yup, found in Egypt’s remote deserts and thriving coasts are a host of natural treatments and therapy for a huge range of ailments, whether physical or psychological. The climate alone in various places in Egypt can help certain conditions more than modern medicine can, to the extent that people have been moving to Egypt for this purpose alone for more than a century. If you have something ailing you and want to try your hand at natural healing, Egypt shines when it comes to the following kinds of natural therapy. 1. Black Sand Treatment in Safaga Treats: acute and chronic arthritis, skin inflammation and psoriasis, joint edema and joint effusion Safaga, a small coastal town on Egypt’s mainland Red Sea Riviera , is quickly skyrocketing in popularity when it comes to natural and climatic therapy. Their black sand beaches were found to have three non-toxic, low-dose radioactive elements that were proven effective in rheumatoid and joint therapy; uranium, thorium, and potassium. The sand is also rich in other healing salts and minerals, including gold salt. 2. Hot Mineral Springs in Siwa and Sinai Treats: chronic digestive diseases, gout, diabetes, rheumatism, high blood pressure, skin conditions and arthritis Egypt is home to over 1,300 natural springs, but the ones making a name for themselves when it comes to natural therapy are Siwa’s hot mineral springs in the Western Desert and Ayoun Moussa, Hammam Moussa and Hammam Pharaon in Sinai. Balneology (treatment of diseases by bathing in water full of minerals) isn’t a proven science but studies have found it to lead to measurable improvements in a host of different ailments. 3. Mud Baths in Wadi Assal Photo credit: Mohamed Awad Treats: arthritis, joint pain, inflammatory skin conditions, muscular pain Found in Ras Sudr on the Sinai peninsula, Wadi Assal is a natural hot spring known for its mineral-rich mud. Locals cover themselves in the mud from the spring (known for its anti-inflammatory properties), then soak in the hot spring for at least 20 to 30 minutes afterwards, with the water’s temperature reaching above 50 degrees celsius. 4. Red Sea Thalassotherapy Treats: back and muscular pain, arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, hypertension, asthma, bronchitis and some people even say weight loss and cellulite Thalassotherapy is the use of seawater for treatment of medical issues; and not just the seawater itself, but also sea mud, seaweed, sand and any other natural, pure material that comes from the sea. It’s extremely popular in the Dead Sea and has started to rise in popularity on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, with luxury hotels like Cascades in Soma Bay offering a wide range of thalasso-spa treatments. 5. Hot Sand Baths in Aswan and Siwa Photo credit: Reuters Treats: rheumatism, arthritis, joint pain, infertility and impotence What may sound like torture to some people is actually treatment of choice for others. During summer, with soaring temperatures, people in search of all sorts of pain relief (and even infertility) do 3 to 5 days of hot sand baths and therapy led by experienced health workers in Siwa and Aswan . Patients are buried neck-deep in hot sand for 10 to 15 minutes, followed by warm drinks and rest in a tent. No cold showers, cold drinks or AC are allowed throughout the 3-5 days. 6. Kemetic Yoga in Luxor Photo credit: CNN Treats: stress, low energy levels, sluggish circulation and increases strength, mobility, flexibility and clarity of mind While technically kemetic yoga can be done anywhere, regular practitioners of kemetic yoga swear by the elevated spiritual experience of practicing it near the Ancient Egyptian temples and ancient holy grounds of Luxor (formerly Thebes), and its positive effects on both the body and the mind. Kemetic yoga is the Ancient Egyptian system of movement, breathing and meditation as depicted by the ancient art that’s still found today on the walls of Egypt’s most famous tombs and temples. Kemet is the Ancient Egyptian word for ‘Egypt’, which translates to ‘the Black Land’. 7. Climatic and Herbal Treatments in Aswan Treats: respiratory diseases, rheumatism, digestive issues, kidney problems, renal problems Aswan, and Nubia in general in southern Egypt, is known for the healing properties of its weather -- the dry climate, year-round sunshine and clean air have been pulling in patients with respiratory problems and rheumatism from damper climates for over a century now. Add to that the herbal treatments that have been passed down generation to generation in Nubian families, and you have the perfect spot for those looking for natural cures. Different local herbs used and prepared by Nubians include halfa burr , which is a natural medication for the common cold and flu, hargal for stomach and digestive problems, and dammsesa for kidney issues. You may also like: 5 Best Egyptian Natural Skincare, Haircare and Beauty Brands

Before booking a hotel, hostel or apartment, make sure you have an idea of the area first. Cairo is a sprawling city, and like you probably noticed in other big cities, not all neighborhoods were created equal. Obviously it’s beyond important to stay in an area that you a) feel comfortable in, and b) isn’t five million miles away from points of interest. A lot of tourists love to walk around a new city, and while Cairo does have some awesome spots to take a stroll, that’s not the case for all neighborhoods, so it’s important to have a general gist of where you want to book your hotel or apartment. Below we listed the areas/neighborhoods in order of most recommended: 1. Zamalek An island in the middle of the Nile river, Zamalek is home to some of the most beautiful views in Cairo. It’s also host to most of the city’s embassies, and thus has plenty of security on the street, which makes it great for walking around and feeling super secure. Zamalek is also known for being a walkable nightlife hub , with plenty of bars, restaurants and shisha joints. It’s our local favorite neighborhood mainly because it’s pretty hard to go wrong with Zamalek -- it's in central Cairo, which means any site/destination, whether the airport in east Cairo or the Pyramids of Giza in west Cairo, isn't too far. Recommended for: solo travelers (including solo women), couples and families Stay in Zamalek if you want: nightlife and lots of places to eat/hang out, and a safe neighborhood to walk around in Read: 7 Hidden Gem Restaurants in Zamalek Read: 7 Best Bars, Pubs & Restobars in Zamalek Read: 8 Best Cafes in Zamalek for Coffee, Work or Just to Chill 2. Garden City Four Seasons Nile Plaza in Garden City Perched on the east bank of the Nile, Garden City used to be home to Egypt’s elite, and some of the beautiful architecture still stands today, albeit slightly worse for wear. Garden City also hosts some of Cairo’s nicest hotels, and while it’s not home itself to many restaurants or bars outside of the hotels, Garden City is in walking distance of Zamalek. It's central Cairo, so not too far from any point of interest in the city. Recommended for: solo travelers (including solo women), couples, families and business trips Stay in Garden City if: you want to stay in a nice hotel with spectacular Nile views Read: 7 Best Luxury Hotels in Cairo, Egypt 3. Maadi Maadi is known as the green oasis in Cairo (greenery is a scarcity in Cairo, and you’ll find locals speaking of trees, grass and parks in hushed, adoring tones), a favored neighborhood by expats. Old Maadi, Maadi Sarayat and Degla are all known for their leafy streets and refuge from the chaotic Cairo traffic. While not as much of a nightlife spot as Zamalek, Maadi’s Road 9 is full to the brim with restaurants, shops, cafes and a bar or two, and Degla has a lot of little good hole-in-the-wall type restaurants. However it's not very central, and most sightseeing will be a 30-45 minute drive away. Recommended for:  Airbnb, solo travelers (including solo women), couples and families Stay in Maadi if you want:  greenery and to be slightly away from the hustle & bustle of central Cairo, a good walking neighborhood as well Read: 12 Chill Places to Have Dinner & Drinks in Maadi Read: 10 Best Breakfast, Brunch and Bakeries in Maadi 4. Heliopolis Heliopolis is a good area to stay in if you need to be close to the airport. There’s a quaint little area called Korba which is nice to walk around in, and Heliopolis has its fair share of restaurants and bars. Great hotels in the neighborhood and close to the airport are the Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Cairo Heliopolis. The one con is that with the usual Cairo traffic, it will take a while to get to the city center and even longer to get to the Pyramids. Recommended for: solo travelers (including solo women), couples, families and business trips Stay in Heliopolis if: you want to be close to the airport Read: Nightlife in Heliopolis, Cairo: 10 Best Restaurants, Bars & Pubs 5. New Cairo (also known as Tagamo'a el Khames) Cairo Festival City This Eastern suburb in Cairo is kinda far from the usual sightseeing spots, but it’s calmer and less chaotic than central Cairo and closer to the airport. New Cairo is mainly a residential and commercial area -- you’ll find here Cairo Festival City (a huge mall), plus dozens of other commercial centers (like 5A By Waterway, Garden 8, Point 90, U Venues and more) hosting a slew of restaurants, bars and cafes. Also home to the American University in Cairo. New Cairo is all recently built, so it's definitely not where you should stay if you want to experience Egyptian heritage, culture or history. Also cars/cabs needed to get around -- New Cairo is massive. Recommended for: couples and families. It might be a bit far for solo travelers from where the culture/action is Stay in New Cairo if: you want space and to be away from Central Cairo; if you want to be close to the airport; or if you want to shop and make the most of all the commercial spaces Read: 9 Best Restobars for Dinner & Drinks in New Cairo Read: 7 Best Restaurants & Cafes in 5A By Waterway, New Cairo Read: 7 Best Restaurants in Garden 8, New Cairo Read: 7 Best Restaurants in U Venues, New Cairo Read: Cairo Festival City Restaurant & Cafe Guide 6. 6th of October City/Sheikh Zayed The Western equivalent of New Cairo. This Cairo suburb is home to Mall of Egypt, Mall of Arabia, and other commercial centers (like Arkan Plaza) full of restaurants and stores. 6th of October City/Sheikh Zayed might be the most sensible area to stay in should the main focus of your Cairo trip be the Great Pyramids of Giza and/or the Saqqara pyramids or the Grand Egyptian Museum ; it’s considerably closer traffic-wise than our other recommended Cairo neighborhoods. It is however the furthest Cairo neighborhood from the airport. Cars/cabs needed; this is another place that will be hard to get around on foot unless you’re masochistic. Recommended for: couples and families Stay in 6th of October City/Sheikh Zayed if: you’re going to dedicate most of your time to the Giza , Saqqara , Dahshur or Memphis sites, or the Grand Egyptian Museum Read: 12 Best Bars, Pubs and Restobars in Sheikh Zayed and 6th October City Read: 10 Best Restaurants & Cafes in Arkan Plaza, Sheikh Zayed Read: 5 Best Restaurants in Park St., Sheikh Zayed 7. Downtown Cairo Downtown is a bit (and by a bit we mean a lot) chaotic, so we recommend it for those who are adventurous and looking for a real slice of Cairo life. Shop after shop after shop line the old streets of Downtown, and at night sidewalk shisha cafes dominate the landscape alongside the bright fluorescent lights of the countless window displays. It’s crowded and not always the best walking location for solo female travelers, but has a quirky charm. Most of Cairo’s notable hostels are in Downtown, and you'll also find refurbished and renovated old apartments to rent, if you're looking for something more charming than a standard hotel room. It’s also the closest neighborhood to the Cairo Museum , Khan el Khalili and Islamic and Coptic Cairo . Recommended for: budget or experiential travelers Stay in Downtown if: you want to stay in a cheap hostel and experience “real” Cairo Read: 10 Best Restaurants in Downtown, Cairo Read: Best Bars & Nightlife in Downtown Cairo *Not* recommended neighborhoods: · Haram (Pyramids area) While in theory it might seem like a smart idea to stay near the Pyramids, unless you plan to stay in a nearby 5 star hotel (like the Mena House or Steigenberger) and not leave it except to go to the Pyramids, then don’t stay here. The area isn’t the safest and it’s a long drive to get to the action and activities of Central Cairo. · Mohandiseen Think super crowded, super hectic, and just not worth it. Dokki is a slightly better area of Mohandiseen. · Manial While it does have Nile views, Manial doesn’t offer much else and isn’t the most pleasant for tourists, especially solo women. · Nasr City Another crowded, congested area in Cairo that’s not worth staying in. Local recommendation: if you’re staying in a hotel, then aim for a Zamalek or Garden City one; if you’re looking for a hostel, hit up Downtown, and if you’re Airbnbing it, Zamalek and Maadi have some good options. You can also check out our full recommended luxury hotel list right here . You may also like: Top 10 Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt

So you’re planning to visit the Pyramids of Giza? Lucky you! Whether it’s your first time or 10th time, the Pyramids will literally leave you awestruck *every* time. We local Cairenes drive past them on a daily basis and we still stare at them as if we hadn’t grown up with these ancient giants in our backyard. You’d think we’d get used to it after a decade or two or three, but nope! For most people, seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx is just a far-off dream. But if you get the chance to actually do it, then you want to do it right and make the most of it, so this is why we put together this jam-packed guide of everything you need to know to enjoy the hell out of your Pyramids trip. Because like most things in Egypt, things can get a tad confusing if you’re not a local, so we’re going to sort you out. But first, a smidgen of history It’s not hyperbole or exaggeration to say that the Pyramids of Giza have been on travelers’ bucket lists for thousands of years -- we’re talking about LITERAL thousands of years! More than 2,000 years to be exact, although the Great Pyramid itself is over 4,500 years old. But around 2,000 years ago was when the Greeks through their conquests introduced the world to amazing feats of architecture in ancient Egyptian, Babylonian and Persian civilizations. This was when the first written references to the ‘7 Wonders of the World’ was born (which to be fair, are very Greek-centric but understandable considering the time). The original ‘7 Wonders of the World’ (now called the ‘7 Ancient Wonders of the World’) weren’t formalized as a list until the Renaissance era over 500 years ago, but you get the idea of how long people have been hearing about and wanting to visit the Pyramids. And yep, even though the Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest entry on the list, it’s the only one still standing! That’s some ancient Egyptian engineering for you (and also a mystery). The history of the Pyramids themselves… but like, super briefly Because we don’t want this guide to be roughly a million words long, and because there are so many detailed academic sources online about the history of the Pyramids of Giza, we’ll keep ours short and cute and focus on the information that *isn’t* so readily available online - like what to expect when you visit and local tips and tricks. But in a nutshell, the Pyramids of Giza were built as tombs for three different Egyptian pharaohs, Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, in the 4th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom, between 2600 and 2500 BC (so more than 4,500 years ago!). Khufu’s is the Great Pyramid, the oldest and the largest. They, alongside the Great Sphinx and smaller subsidiary pyramids, are all on the same plateau in Giza, now part of modern-day Cairo. How exactly these pyramids were built still have modern historians, engineers and architects scratching their heads to this day, although theories are abundant (including being built by aliens, but the less we say about that, the better). One theory was that it was slaves who built the Pyramids, but the discovery of the Workers’ Village and tombs on the same plateau as the Pyramids provided evidence that it was actually around 10,000 paid and skilled laborers working in three-month shifts (over 30 years for a single pyramid!) who built them. The exact ‘how’ they built them though still remains a mystery. You may also like: 8 Best Ancient Egyptian Tomb Sites in Modern Day Egypt So where are the Pyramids exactly? This sometimes throws people for a loop, because they’re called the Pyramids of Giza but are actually in Cairo. Giza is a governorate on the west side of the Nile while the Cairo governorate is across on the east, but Cairo the city has grown so immensely over the past century that it's spilled over into Giza and is now called ‘Greater Cairo’. So the Pyramids, while technically still in the Giza governorate, are now a part of Greater Cairo. They're about a 45 minute drive from Downtown Cairo with traffic, which is pretty standard for most places in Cairo. What also a lot of people don’t expect is just how close to the city the Pyramids really are. In pictures they seem to be off in a remote desert somewhere, but nope they’re right there smack next to modern buildings and Pizza Huts, no joke. The neighborhood around the Pyramids is called Haram and it’s not the nicest, but the Grand Egyptian Museum (you can find out all about it at Grand Egyptian Museum: A Local's Guide To Everything You Need To Know ) is right next door and the perfect addition to your Pyramids visit, so hopefully things in that area will take a turn for the nicer in the coming months and years. You may also like: The Best (and Worst!) Cairo Neighborhoods to Stay In How to get to there Assuming you’re not going by an arranged tour bus, then the only way to get there is by car, whether a cab, Uber, hired car, etc. Don’t even bother with any articles that say take the metro or take a microbus, just no and no. These people don’t know what they’re talking about. The metro doesn’t go anywhere near the Pyramids so you’d need to take a cab in any case, and like we said, the area isn’t the nicest so don’t go stressing yourself out before you even get there! And microbuses for tourists who don’t speak Arabic is just a terrible idea, so save yourself the hassle and hop in a car that will take you from your starting location straight to the entrance door of the Pyramids. Getting Around the Pyramids Your tour bus or car will drop you off at the parking lot in front of the Great Gate entrance, where you then enter the visitors' center to buy your tickets. Once you buy your ticket and enter the Pyramids plateau, you'll find free hop-on hop-off buses (with AC!) that will take you to all the different stations, each at a separate point of interest. You can spend as much time as you want, then just head back to the station to wait for the next bus to take you to the next stop. Alternatively you can explore on foot, if you don’t mind long stretches of sand and sun. Pyramids of Giza Service Stations If you're looking for a place to sit in the shade, go to the restroom, peruse gift and souvenir shops or get something to eat or drink, then head to one of the plateau's serviced stations. Each main place of interest in the Pyramids complex has its own station, so you'll find: King Khufu Station King Khafre Station King Menkaure Station Panorama Station Sphinx Station There's also the King Khufu Center, where you'll find the world-renowned Khufu's restaurant (more about that below). Pyramids of Giza Opening Hours Opening hours: 8 am - 5 pm (ticket office closes at 4 pm) * Ramadan hours differ and usually close before 3 pm. Local tip: if you want to go inside the Great Pyramid (Khufu), please note that it’s closed daily from noon to 1 pm. Local tip #2: while technically you can can explore the inside of all three of the Pyramids, sometimes they’re closed for one reason or another and you won’t find out until you get there (for example, last time we were there, the Pyramid of Menkaure was closed - the smallest of the three). The good news is that the real awe-inspiring views are from the outside, and that’s never randomly closed! Local tip #3: if you want to avoid the tour buses, they usually start showing up around 10 am, so aim for early morning or later in the afternoon. Also avoid weekends (Friday & Saturday) and public holidays if you want the complex to be as crowd-free as possible. Ticket Prices for General Entrance, Khufu Pyramid, Khafre Pyramid & Menkaure Pyramid General entrance (mandatory): 540 EGP for non-Egyptians (this includes outside access to all the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the funerary temples, the cemeteries, the Queens’ pyramids and the panoramic viewpoint). 270 EGP for students. General entrance for Egyptians: 60 EGP. Students: 30 EGP. Extras: Ticket to go inside The Great Pyramid (Khufu): 1500 EGP (student: 750 EGP) Ticket to go inside Khafre Pyramid: 220 EGP (student: 110 EGP) Ticket to go inside Menkaure Pyramid: 220 EGP (student: 110 EGP) Ticket for Meresankh III Tomb: 120 EGP (student: 60 EGP) Local tip: you have to decide which pyramids you want to go inside of from the beginning when you purchase your general entrance ticket, because there’s no place to buy tickets from once you enter the Pyramid Complex and you can’t return to the ticket booth. Local tip #2: make sure to hold on to your general entrance ticket once you enter the plateau because they’ll check it again when you go to see the Sphinx. What will I be able to see in the Giza Pyramid Complex? With your general entrance ticket, you’ll be able to drive/walk around and see the following in the complex: Pyramid of Khufu (The Great Pyramid) (internal access via separate ticket) Pyramid of Khafre (internal access via separate ticket) Pyramid of Menkaure (internal access via separate ticket) The Great Sphinx Pyramids of the Queens and other subsidiary pyramids Tomb of Meresankh III (internal access via separate ticket) Valley Temple of Khafre en route to the Sphinx Panoramic viewpoint (a designated spot complete with parking where you have the iconic view of all 3 Pyramids lined up) The cemeteries although there’s not much to see There also used to be the solar boat museum, where there was the ancient boat believed to belong to Khufu, but that has recently been moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum Do I need a tour guide for the Pyramids? We’re asked a lot if a tour guide is needed to visit the Pyramids, and the honest answer is: it depends. On what? On what kind of experience you want to have, so let us go into more detail: First of all, we’re against large organized tour groups. For the reason that there’s very little flexibility, you’re horded around in a small crowd and thus it’s less personalized, with less time to see things at your own pace, ask questions and take those embarrassingly cheesy pictures you know you want. So if you’re going to go down the tour guide route, we suggest hiring one for just you and your travel companions so that you really benefit from their expertise and they also give you room to absorb everything at your own pace. Pros of having a tour guide with you: There’s no detailed explanation or plaques with the history of what you’re looking at once you’re inside the Giza Plateau, so a tour guide helps provide information and context and really bring the experience to life You can ask follow-up questions about anything that catches your fancy They help keep the touts and vendors at bay They know the quickest, most streamlined route throughout the Giza Pyramid Complex You can ask them for tips or advice for other Egypt-related things that you plan to see on your trip They can take pictures for you so you don’t have to bother other visitors or be forced to ask touts Cons of having a tour guide: The extra cost The extra hassle of contacting, arranging and meeting up with them Some of the guides aren’t necessarily the best and will just give you a bare minimum tour because you don’t know better They sometimes (not all of them!) have deals with different shops and restaurants and will try to sell you the idea of buying something/eating there because they later get a cut Tips for getting a tour guide: Ideally research online and choose someone who has multiple good reviews from travelers similar to yourself, then you can contact them directly There will usually be a few random ‘guides’ milling about at the entrance to the Pyramids complex, so if you decide last-minute you MUST have a guide, you can go with one of them but make sure you negotiate a fee you feel comfortable with and look out for the points mentioned below. But for the most part we recommend going with a pre-chosen and researched guide you found online with good reviews. Agree on their personal fee beforehand and ask if there will be any extra fees needed (besides your own tickets) - sometimes they ‘surprise’ you with ‘added services’ like a car and driver, which isn’t always a bad thing but just make sure you know about it first. Also if you would like a car & driver, just ask the guide in advance and they can easily sort it out for you. If you ended up with a last-minute guide you met in front of the ticket entrance, politely decline if they offer camel, carriage or horse rides (unless you want them) - they’re usually in cahoots with the camel & horse people and get a cut. If during or at the end of the tour, they offer to take you to any shops or restaurants, just politely decline (unless you want to). They’ll make these shops/restaurants/cafes seem very appealing but they’re usually tourist traps where you feel pressured into buying/ordering something because everyone is being so friendly and helpful. That’s how they get you, because they’re so nice that you feel bad not buying anything, lol. So save yourself the trouble and just politely decline from the beginning and part ways with the guide at the exit of the Pyramids Complex. Is it worth it to go inside the Pyramids? Similar to the tour guide question, this is something that differs from person to person so there’s no definitive answer we can give. But here’s all the info you need to make an educated choice: There’s actually not much to see inside the Pyramids. All those gorgeous tomb pictures you see with the art and hieroglyphics are mainly in the New Kingdom tombs of the Valley of the Kings and Queens in Luxor . Inside the Pyramids, you’ll climb up extremely narrow passageways until you reach the burial chamber, which is empty except for a granite sarcophagus in the Pyramid of Khufu and Khafre. The real appeal of going inside the Pyramid(s) is just that - you’re inside the Pyramids! It’s definitely about the experience, and not about what you’ll actually see. There’s no need to go inside all three; if you’ve been in one pyramid, you’ve kind of been in all. Local tip: if you’re claustrophobic, or have back and/or knee issues, then we would recommend not going inside. The passageways are both very narrow and not high enough to stand up straight - so you’ll be climbing/descending while hunched over, with people climbing down while you’re climbing up, etc. Plus it gets hot! Local tip #2: if you plan on going inside, wear comfortable shoes and nothing too short! We know you want to look cute for your pictures, but like we said above, you’ll be bent and hunched over with people in front and in back of you, so you don’t want to worry about having to pull your skirt/dress down the whole time. Local tip #3: if you want to go inside a pyramid but are hesitant about the passageways, stick to the Pyramid of Khafre (the 2nd biggest one). The climb is easier than Khufu’s. Local tip #4: you’re not allowed to bring cameras inside, but you can take pictures with your phone with no flash. Seeing the Great Sphinx You'll access the Sphinx through the Valley Temple of Khafre, which leads to the causeway of the Khafre Pyramid, with the Sphinx on your righthand side. Unfortunately you can't access the Sphinx from its front, only from its side (ironically enough, one of the best full-on front view of the Sphinx is from the Pizza Hut rooftop, outside the compound and across the street). Although the exact history of the Sphinx is uncertain, many Egyptologists believe it to be built by Khafre over 4,500 years ago, with the body of a lion and the head of the pharaoh. For centuries it was buried under the sand, with only its head visible. Riding Camels and Horses at the Pyramids We’re going to be honest with you – we’re against riding camels, horses and horse-drawn carriages at the Pyramids. This is purely due to our love for animals and our stance that they shouldn’t be exploited for tourism. The treatment of some of these animals is circumspect, and we can’t in good conscience give tips or advice on the best ways to ride these animals. We understand that getting that camel picture at the Pyramids is practically a bucket list picture - and if you need to do it, then you do you. But we urge you to think twice :D Dealing with vendors and touts at the Pyramids A common complaint that both visitors and even locals have when they visit the Pyramids (or any tourist hotspot really), is the constant hassling from vendors and touts to buy whatever it is they’re peddling - souvenirs, camel rides, ‘100% original handcrafts’ (they’re usually not), and so on and so forth. It can get really annoying, honestly. They’ll also try to finagle money out of you by any creative means possible: offer to take your picture and then ask for money, offer to take you to see the ‘secret panoramic view’ and ask for money after (it’s not a secret and you don’t need to pay anyone to see it), tell you they’ll let you climb the Pyramids (this is not allowed by the way, so please don’t pay someone to let you do this), etc. Local tips for dealing with touts: Be polite but firm in your decline of whatever it is they’re trying to sell you. You’ll find yourself playing a constant record of ‘no, thank you’ but unfortunately that’s a small price to pay to see the last remaining Ancient Wonder of the World. They all speak English, so you don’t necessarily have to tell them “la shokran” (no, thank you in Arabic) Don’t accept any offers for them to take your picture, ask another tourist to do it Don’t accept any free ‘gifts’ even if they try to wrap a bracelet around your wrist or a scarf around your neck, claiming it’s ‘free’ Don’t accept any offers for them to take you to ‘secret or special’ viewpoints Don’t accept any offers to climb the Pyramids Don’t accept any offers to take a picture with their camel ‘for free’ …all this will cost you money. Just keep saying no thank you and keep it moving. Where to eat and drink at the Pyramids Khufu's There are limited places to sit and have a proper meal in the Pyramid Complex once you enter past the gates except for these restaurants: 9 Pyramids Lounge, Khufu's, Khufu's Bistro and Ladurée, but usually they need a reservation in advance unless you’re very lucky. Alternatively you can grab a coffee or soft drink (and view!) at one of the coffeeshops at the different stations. Restaurants & Cafes at the Pyramids of the Giza: 9 Pyramids Lounge: a casual breakfast and lunch spot, serving up standard Egyptian and international fare. Alcohol is not served there. They take walk-ins if there's availability, but it's safer to reserve (reservations details are here on their FB page ). Khufu's: a more fine dining experience, with set menus of elevated Egyptian classics, and alcohol is served there. You can reserve through their website . Khufu's Bistro: on the top floor of Khufu's, their bistro has a small but carefully curated a la carte menu of re-envisioned Egyptian and Mediterranean cuisine. You can reserve through their website . Ladurée: the famous international patisserie, where you can get macrons and pastries. They also have a small breakfast, brunch and lunch menu. Coffeeshops: Mulliri Coffee Island CAF Abdel Rahim Koueidar (desserts) Dolato (ice cream) Mazmazza (Egyptian eatery & cafe) Semiramis Pastries Moko (chocolate) Important note: these restaurants and coffeeshops have insanely awesome pyramid views, but close by 5 pm (except for Khufu's Bistro which closes at 11 pm), due to the Giza Pyramid Complex closing by sunset. Besides the restaurants and coffeeshops, dotted around the plateau you’ll find vendors selling overpriced drinks and snacks, so bring your own, especially if you’re going to be drinking a lot of water. Local tip: Speaking of drinking a lot of water, because there are limited restaurants and restrooms inside the plateau, the last surefire place for you to go to the bathroom is at the visitors' center where the ticket booths are, so make sure you empty your bladder before you enter - or else you might find yourself having to pee in the middle of the desert (with a one-of-a-kind view though, to be fair!). There are restrooms at the different stations, but can be a hassle to get to if you're already a trek away. Keep in mind though that there are a lot of places where you can eat or have a drink with spectacular Pyramid views that aren’t in the actual complex. For example, right outside the complex is the Marriott Mena House Hotel, which not only is a historical Egyptian hotel but one of our personal local favorites. It’s literally RIGHT next to the complex (where the security gates are), and our favorite place to relax with a beer and some food right next to the Pyramids. If you’re looking for something quicker/cheaper, ironically enough there’s a Pizza Hut and KFC with stunning Sphinx and Pyramid views right outside the complex. Ah, globalization. Leaving the Pyramids If you don’t have a car with you, then leaving the Pyramids Complex is as easy as ordering an Uber. Once you leave the complex gates, people will continuously offer you “Taxi? Taxi?” but an Uber is always easier just because you don’t have to worry about negotiating the fare or explaining to the driver where exactly you’re going. Some parting local tips: Bring water with you so that you don’t have to buy overpriced bottles inside Even in the winter, the sun is extremely strong, so make sure you have sunscreen or some kind of hat if you’re sensitive to the sun Wear comfortable shoes! But most of all, just take your time and let it all soak in… we promise you, you will never see something similar anywhere else in the world! You might also like: Dahshur Pyramids - A Local's Guide to Visiting the Bent Pyramid, Red Pyramid & Black Pyramid of Egypt Saqqara, Egypt - A Local's Guide to Visiting the Step Pyramid of Djoser & the Saqqara Tombs

Zamalek is by far one of the most popular Cairo neighborhoods when it comes to eating, drinking and being merry; locals, expats and tourists alike are regularly found kicking back in the Nile island’s numerous restaurants and bars. That being said, there are some great restaurants flying under the radar in Zamalek; hidden gems of sorts frequented usually only by the people who live nearby and who are in the know. We were of two minds actually before writing this --why expose our hidden gems, they’re great hidden!-- but then we realized that’d be selfish of us, plus in covid-19 times, our favorite spots need all the support they can get. So let’s hop right into it before we change our minds: O’s Pasta This tiny little pasta place is very easy to miss unless you’re specifically looking for it. Located across from Abou el Sid off of 26th July Street (super convenient if you’re staying at the Cairo Marriott in Zamalek ), this little place offers up around 20 different pasta dishes, ranging from southeast Asian inspired to local Red Sea seafood pasta, as well as a few soups, salads and antipasti. The pasta is all fresh and homemade, and the sauces are made right in front you. Alcohol is not served. O's Pasta variations Local tip: try their lemon bar for dessert Makino Tucked away into the side of the Hilton Zamalek, hidden from sight unless you’re looking for it, is Makino. Makino is very well-known with Japanese expats living in Cairo, but remains a hidden gem  to Egyptian locals and tourists. Their kitchen is staffed by Japanese chefs who not only serve up authentic sushi, sashimi, makimono and daily bento, but also udon, ramen and curry katsu. Alcohol is served. Read more: 7 Best Sushi & Japanese Restaurants in Cairo Local tip:  They’re open daily from noon to 11 pm, but close for an hour every day from 4-5 pm. For the menu and more info:   Makino Sapori di Carlo Translating to ‘Carlo’s flavors’ in Italian, the Carlo in question would be Chef Carlo Adib, who had his own Michelin-recognized Italian restaurant in Paris. Sapori di Carlo is a hidden gem due to its small size (it can take only up to 20 people), so most people cruise right past it on Mohammed Mazhar without even seeing it. They mainly focus on Neapolitan pizza, with their pizza oven being the star and focal point of the restaurant, but also have a handful of pasta and bruschetta dishes. Alcohol isn’t served. Sapori di Carlo’s menu . Local tip: if you’re in the mood for Neapolitan pizza but too lazy to actually leave your house to procure it, Sapori di Carlo delivers. La Trattoria This restaurant is a Zamalek classic and it always puzzles us that so many locals don’t know about it. To be fair, their guests are so loyal that they don’t really need to advertise or market themselves but here we are doing it for them anyway! La Trattoria is upscale but without being pretentious or stuffy ('casual fine dining' is how they describe themselves), and has built its intensely loyal fanbase on its warm ambience, consistently good quality Italian fare, wine and attentive service. La Trattoria's salmon fillet with beurre blanc and hazelnut Local tip: the restaurant is almost invisible from the street with no obvious signage; it’s right next to the Mit Rihan gallery on Maraashly Street and has a large wooden door. Al Ku5 (pronounced Al Kukh) Feeling nostalgic for the good ol' days of Egyptian cinema and art, aesthetics and expression? Then no look further than Al Ku5, hidden away on a rooftop of a building off of 26 July Street. Similar to their sister restaurant in Downtown Cairo (read more: 10 Best Restaurants in Downtown Cairo ), they have a massive menu of Egyptian classics, and are especially known for their breakfast. Local tip: since it's on a rooftop, Al Ku5 is hidden from plain sight, but you'll find it if you search on Google Maps. Sabai Sabai Another long-term Zamalek heavy hitter, Sabai Sabai is a Thai restaurant hidden in the same shabby building as Metro Market in Zamalek, near Flamenco Hotel. It’s a real shame that most Cairenes and foreigners haven’t heard about Sabai Sabai -- you’re missing out (except on the horrible parking, that is). Staffed by Egyptians but headed by a Thai chef, almost all of Sabai Sabai’s rave reviews mention the authenticity of the food, and their menu even has a few nods to Chinese cuisine (their dim sum is awesome) and Vietnamese. Alcohol is served. You might also like: Thai in Cairo: 7 Best Thai Restaurants in the City Granita 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. You might also like: 7 Best Bars & Pubs in Zamalek

A few years ago New Cairo was a neighborhood known for its malls, not its pubs or alcohol-serving restaurants. Residents who wanted dinner and a drink would usually have to seek them out in greener pastures in Zamalek and Maadi - but rejoice eastern Cairenes! Things have been picking up recently when it comes to New Cairo; there’s now more than a handful of really good restaurants that also serve alcohol, so gone are the days when you'd be stuck with either a mall restaurant or a bar with dubious food. Read more:   7 Best Restaurants & Cafes in 5A By The Waterway, New Cairo Read more:   7 Best Restaurants in Garden 8, New Cairo Read more: 7 Best Restaurants in U Venues, New Cairo Read more:  Best Restaurants in District 5, Cairo Our local favorite places in New Cairo to get dinner and a drink are the following, in no particular order: Lemon Tree & Co If you’re looking for really gorgeous aesthetics, then head to the Lemon Tree in One Ninety in New Cairo (local tip: this is different from the Lemon Tree Bistro in Katameya Heights, which is also a great restaurant and bar but not the same one we’re talking about now -- more about TLT Bistro below). Lemon Tree serves upscale international fusion in a massive venue, and they have DJs and music on weekends and certain nights. They're open from 5 pm if you want to have a sunset meal with a breeze. Good for: nights out with friends Location: One Ninety, New Cairo For the menu and reservations: Lemon Tree & Co Cucina This long-loved Italian restaurant at the JW Marriott hotel in New Cairo has been a crowd favorite for decades now. Split into two storeys around an open rotunda with a ceiling that’s painted to look like you’re outdoors, it’s a bit kitsch but we can’t be too mad at it when Cucina has been delivering great service and great food forever. Good for: dates, family lunches, business dinners Location: JW Marriott Hotel For the menu and reservations: Cucina The Smokery Overlooking the green expanse of the golf course in Katameya Heights, The Smokery is hard to beat when it comes to dinner and drinks with a view in New Cairo. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and serve a variety of upscale international dishes, with everything from sliders to seabass quinoa to sushi. The Smokery became so popular that it opened other branches in 6 October, Heliopolis, El Gouna and Marassi. Good for: family lunches, business lunches, dinner dates Location: Katameya Heights For the menu and reservations: The Smokery Kazoku Kazoku, a contemporary Japanese restaurant, is a firm favorite when it comes to sushi in Cairo. Their menu doesn’t start and end with sushi though - their menu features everything from sea scallop nori tacos to salmon steak in a wasabi beurre blanc to slow-cooked glazed short ribs in teriyaki sauce. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Kazoku works as a fine-dining lunch spot during the day (they open at 2 pm) and a dinner & drinks venue at night (they have a full bar). Reservations recommended. Good for: family lunches, dinner with friends Location: Swan Lake Compound For the menu and reservations: Kazoku TLT Bistro TLT Bistro is an upscale restaurant and bar by The Lemon Tree Concepts is known for its inimitable interior design, cocktails and overall vibe. It's a smaller, cozier version of The Lemon Tree and Co. Good for: lunch and dinner dates, dinner with friends Location: Katameya Heights For the menu and reservations: TLT Bistro The Tap East This light-hearted restobar, complete with foosball tables and a jovial vibe, is the ideal place in New Cairo to grab a casual beer and some food. They play live music on some nights so it’s always worth it to hit up their FB page and see what’s cooking. Speaking of cooking, they have an extensive menu of pub food -- they’re famous for their wings, but also have great burgers and a wide variety of other dishes. There's both indoor and outdoor dining. Good for: laidback nights out with friends Location: Stella Compound, New Cairo Book online to reserve: The Tap East Tao In the Dusit Thani LakeView Hotel you'll find Tao, a multi-Asian restaurant and bar. They serve Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Indian cuisine and pride themselves on their native chefs in the kitchen as well as their expert sommeliers. They also have a live teppanyaki station, and who can resist that! They're open from 1 pm to 1 am daily, and on Thursdays and Fridays they're open to 3 am (but 1 am to 3 am is bar service only). Good for: an upscale lunch or dinner when you're in the mood for Asian classics Location: Dusit Thani LakeView Hotel For the menu and reservations: Tao Osteria This 'modern European bistro' is tucked into a corner of the Square One commercial center, so it's hard to spot unless you're looking for it. It has indoor and outdoor seating, a bar, and most importantly - great food. They have a different menu for all times of day: a 'brunch and lighter bites' menu, a 'snacks' menu and a main course menu for dinner. Good for: family weekend lunches, dinner with friends Location: Square One, New Cairo For the menu and reservations: Osteria Esca Terrenal Esca Terrenal is a fine dining restaurant and bar that serves an eclectic Mediterranean menu as well as sushi. They have indoor and outdoor seating and a great industrial aesthetic unlike anywhere else in Cairo.   Good for:  early dinner or music with drinks later on. O n weekends there’s a DJ in the later evening and the music gets significantly louder.   Location:  5A by the Waterway, New Cairo   For the menu and reservations: Esca Terrenal Babel There’s no other restaurant in Cairo with the same striking interior design that Babel has – from its dramatic pendant lighting and soaring ceilings to the grand piano, Babel’s ambience immediately elevates your lunch or dinner experience. It’s a Lebanese restaurant with a handful of locations around the Middle East, and its 5A branch in Cairo has been impressing diners since its opening.  Good for: upscale Lebanese lunch or dinner in a spot that also serves wine and shisha Location: 5A by the Waterway For the menu and reservations: Babel You might also like: 7 Best Restaurants & Cafes in 5A By The Waterway, New Cairo

Cairo Festival City (CFC) is a massive mall in East Cairo, and whether you’re there to shop, go to the cinema, take the kids to the Magic Planet arcade or just wander around, chances are you’re going to want to take a break and get something to eat. And because Cairo Festival City is so big, you’re probably not going to want to walk back and forth, up and down, to see what all your different restaurant and cafe options are – trust us, there’s a lot! Read more:  Best Restaurants in District 5, Cairo Read more:   7 Best Restaurants & Cafes in 5A By The Waterway, New Cairo Read more:   7 Best Restaurants in Garden 8, New Cairo Read more: 7 Best Restaurants in U Venues, New Cairo So we did the work for you in compiling this handy guide of the different restaurants, cafes, dessert shops and food court options to make it an easier decision for you. Enjoy the dining mammoth that is CFC! Restaurants in Cairo Festival City: Nişantaşi Opening hours: 10 am - midnight (1 am on weekends) Touted as one of the best Turkish restaurants in Cairo, Nişantaşi in CFC serves up all your favorite Turkish classics in an ambient atmosphere with indoor and outdoor dining as well as shisha. Breakfast is served until 1 pm. For more info and the menu: Nişantaşi’s IG Sizzler Opening hours: noon - midnight Egypt’s favorite mainstream steakhouse. If you’re looking for big portions of fried appetizers, burgers, pastas and –obviously– steak for reasonable prices (compared to high-end steakhouses), then Sizzler is for you. For more info and the menu: Sizzler’s IG Eatery Opening hours: 10 am - 11 pm Eatery has a large international menu that undoubtedly will have something for everyone, from feteer to waffles for breakfast, to sushi, pizza and filet mignon for dinner. For more info and the menu: Eatery’s IG Casper & Gambini’s Opening hours: 9 am - 11:30 pm Casper & Gambini’s was a big hit in Egypt back in the day, but then it closed all its branches for reasons unknown. Slowly but surely they’ve been reopening them, but their CFC branch has been receiving hit and miss reviews. You can try it out yourself for old time’s sake. For more info and the menu: Casper & Gambini’s IG Bosporus Opening hours: 10 am - midnight Another popular Turkish restaurant to compete with Nişantaşi. Overlooking the fountain, Bosporus has indoor/outdoor eating, shisha and a huge menu. For more info and the menu: Bosporus’ IG Stove Opening hours: noon - midnight Tucked on the second floor of The Village in CFC overlooking the fountain, Stove is a good choice for those who enjoy the type of international menu that Crave has. Lots of starters, salads, burgers, pastas & risottos and a wide variety of meat, chicken and seafood main courses. Indoor + open air dining. For more info and the menu: Stove’s IG Tamara Opening hours: 10 am - midnight Tamara, one of Egypt’s most long-standing Lebanese restaurant chains, is one of CFC’s flagship restaurants, with one of the nicest outdoor areas to dine in at the mall.  For more info and the menu: Tamara’s IG Paul Opening hours: 8 am - midnight Ah, the famous French bistro. Whether you’re in the mood for their classic baked goods or their all-day brunch and lunch menu, Paul has plenty to offer (we will always love their traditional onion soup in a bread bowl!) For more info and the menu: Paul’s IG Desoky & Soda Opening hours: 8 am - midnight A “modern Egyptian kitchen”, with everything from feteer to tawagen to molokheya – all our local favorites. For more info and the menu: Desoky & Soda’s IG Crave Opening hours: 9 am - midnight Who isn’t familiar with Crave? A family favorite for decades now, Crave has now introduced a breakfast menu as well as new items to the lunch and dinner menu (but we still remain loyal to their shrimp Cajun pasta and taco salad). For more info and the menu: Crave’s IG Enab Beirut Opening hours: 9 am - midnight A popular Lebanese restaurant chain with cute indoor and outdoor seating as well as shisha. Their view is also one of the better ones in CFC. For more info and the menu: Enab Beirut’s IG Country Hills Opening hours: 10 am - midnight (1 am on weekends) An American restaurant with your standard diner food: lots of appetizers, burgers, fried chicken sandwiches and steak. But what’s different about their menu is that they offer all types of mac n’ cheese bowls with different toppings, as well as Chicago deep dish pizza. For more info and the menu:  Country Hills’ IG Zaatar w Zeit Opening hours: 10 am - 11 pm They call themselves a “quick casual Lebanese urban eatery in Egypt” and we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. For more info and the menu: Zaatar w Zeit’s IG Leila Opening hours: 10 am - midnight Another Lebanese restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a great view and shisha, Leila (also known as Leila Men Lebnan) has been going strong in CFC for over a decade now. For more info and the menu: Leila’s IG Hameed A fast food restaurant that serves up American-style burgers, chicken sandwiches and hot dogs, although you wouldn’t be able to tell from the name! For more info and the menu: Hameed’s IG Garnell Sushi & Poke Opening hours: noon - midnight Garnell serves up all types of sushi (we’re talking like 20+ menu pages’ worth), sushi ‘burritos’, poke bowls, noodles, Japanese main dishes, soups and salads and more. For more info and the menu: Garnell’s IG Butcher’s Burger Opening hours: 9 am - midnight The nifty thing about Butcher’s Burger in CFC is that it’s adjacent to its sister restaurant Chicken & Ribs – meaning, you can order from menus! Butcher’s Burger is known obviously for its burgers, but they also have brisket, hot dogs, vegan ‘beyond’ burgers and all sorts of appetizers and sides. For more info and the menu: Butcher’s Burger IG Chicken & Ribs Opening hours: 9 am - midnight Like we said above, Chicken & Ribs is attached to Butcher’s Burger in CFC, and their menu is full of all sorts of fast-foodish American Southern food favorites, like fried chicken and waffles, wings, mac n’ cheese and an array of chicken and beef main courses. For more info and the menu: Chicken & Ribs’ IG Mori Sushi Opening hours: noon - midnight Of course CFC has a branch of Egypt’s most well-known sushi restaurant! This Mori is two floors and has indoor/outdoor seating.  For more info and the menu: Mori Sushi’s IG Chili’s Opening hours: 10 am - 10 pm Who amongst us hasn't practically memorized Chili's menu? So much nostalgia, whether it's the chicken crispers, loaded Texas fries, skillet queso or country fried chicken... and the desserts of course! For more info and the menu: Chili’s’ IG Julia’s Kitchen Opening hours: 9 am - 1 am This cute international restaurant has outdoor seating overlooking the dancing fountain, and some of the best shisha in CFC.  For more info and the menu: Julia’s Kitchen IG Sonic Opening hours: 10 am - 10 pm This diner-style restaurant has a similar menu to Sizzler, with lots of appetizers, pastas, pizzas and of course meat dishes. For more info and the menu: Sonic’s IG Al Hallab Opening hours: 10 am - midnight A Lebanese restaurant established back in 1971 (although not in CFC obviously lol), they have indoor/outdoor seating, shisha and also an international menu if someone with you isn’t in the mood for Lebanese.  For more info and the menu: Al Hallab’s IG Coco Opening hours: 10 am - midnight A family friendly restaurant with a ton of international dishes to pick from – just reading the menu will keep you there for awhile! For more info and the menu: Coco’s IG IHOP Opening hours : 8:30 am - 11 pm The famous American breakfast and pancake house has its own Egyptian home in CFC. Besides the pancakes, French toast and waffles that IHOP is known for, they also have an array of other breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes. For more info and the menu: IHOP’s IG Maharaja Opening hours: noon - midnight Cairo Festival’s City only Indian restaurant (until now), Maharaja is a nice break from all the ubiquitous international, Lebanese and fast food restaurants in the mall. For more info and the menu: Maharaja’s IG Mince Opening hours: 11 am - midnight A burger joint with all the expected burger selections (both regular and smashed), hot dogs (including a ‘build your own’ option), chicken sandwiches and fun appetizers like honey mustard crunch fries and corn dogs. For more info and the menu: Mince’s IG TGI Friday’s Opening hours: noon - 10 pm Another ‘old is gold’ classic like Chili’s. Who can resist Friday’s sizzling fajitas, potato twisters or Cajun shrimp and chicken pasta? For more info and the menu: Friday’s IG IKEA Restaurant Opening hours: 9 am - 11:30 pm Hitting up IKEA and getting hungry? They have their own restaurant and bistro in the store, from breakfast (served only until 11:30 am) until closing time at night. It’s a hybrid between buffet and a la carte, and make sure you try their Swedish meatballs! For more info and the menu: IKEA’s website Spaghi Spaghi touts itself as an "approachable Italian trattoria", with lots of pasta dishes, pizza of course, and all sorts of comfort food Italian dishes. For more info and the menu: Spaghi's IG Cafes in Cairo Festival City: Illy Costa Coffee Starbucks Dunkin Donuts Second Cup Attibassi Dipndip Shuga Espresso Lab Cafe Barbera PappaRoti Bake My Day Dessert Shops/Patisseries in Cairo Festival City: MOISHI Cinnabon Cold Stone Nola Amorino Duck Donuts Movenpick Ice Cream Patchi Pinkberry House of Cocoa Food Court in Cairo Festival City: McDonald’s Burger King Pizza Hut KFC Hardee’s Cook Door Kilo Kabab Manchow Wok Pizza Station Panda Express Sbarro Shawarmer  Salad Fiesta Pie Station You may also like: 30 Best Breakfast Spots in Cairo

It seems like everywhere you turn in New Cairo, there’s a new commercial center with a slew of different restaurants, cafes and bars opening up. And considering how many people now live and work in New Cairo, that’s a good thing in our opinion! Read also: 7 Best Restaurants in Garden 8, New Cairo Read also: 5 Best Restaurants in District 5, Cairo Read more: 7 Best Restaurants in U Venues, New Cairo Read more: Cairo Festival City Restaurant & Cafe Guide 5A by The Waterway is one of the biggest and most well-known commercial centers, so it begs the question – which of its many restaurants and cafes should we go to? In no particular order, here are our local favorites at 5A: Babel There’s no other restaurant in Cairo with the same striking interior design that Babel has – from its dramatic pendant lighting and soaring ceilings to the grand piano, Babel’s ambience immediately elevates your lunch or dinner experience. It’s a Lebanese restaurant with a handful of locations around the Middle East, and its 5A branch in Cairo has been impressing diners since its opening.  They also serve shisha and alcohol, keeping in theme with the Lebanese experience. Keep in mind though that Babel is expensive and needs reservations more often than not – so not the place for a casual lunch or dinner. Esca Terrenal Speaking of interior design, Esca Terrenal is another beautifully and uniquely designed indoor/outdoor restaurant in 5A, with their swooping industrial arches and distinctive metallic bar. This fine dining restaurant serves an eclectic Mediterranean menu as well as sushi and an extensive drinks menu, same as its flagship restaurant in Heliopolis. Read more: Nightlife in Heliopolis - Best Restaurants, Bars & Pubs Keep in mind that on weekends there’s a DJ in the later evening and the music gets significantly louder, so that’s the ideal time for some drinks and fun, but those who want a quiet meal should aim to go earlier. Reservations usually needed. Reif Kushiyaki Reif Kushiyaki is a restaurant famous for its "unconventional Japanese street food" in Dubai, and it opened its first Egyptian branch in 5A. Named after Reif Othman (owner and chef of the Dubai branch) and kushiyaki , which is grilled meat on skewers. They have indoor and outdoor seating and their menu is a mix of sushi, skewers, ramen and other Japanese street food faves. Alcohol served. Ahwet Zeitouna If you’re looking for great Lebanese food with shisha or wine for lunch or dinner and want a more casual place than Babel, then Ahwet Zeitouna is your 5A destination. They’re going for the vibe and feel of a Lebanese neighborhood cafe, which is a hard ask in a New Cairo commercial center, but they pull it off pretty well with their sunny outdoor dining area. Brown Nose What about those who are in 5A looking for a good cup of coffee, breakfast or just a cafe to work or chill in? 5A has a few of those, but one of our favorites is Brown Nose. While we’re not sure if we’re sold on the name, the venue itself is a cozy little coffee shop with outdoor seating and a few seats indoors. They have a a large hot and cold coffee menu, as well as sandwiches, toasties, pastries and their signature ‘croffles’ – croissant waffles! Opens at 8 am.  Carlo’s It seems like on almost every list we write of best restaurants here and there around Cairo, Carlo’s always features – and for good reason. It has a huge menu with something for everyone, and they’re consistently good. (Local tip: try their Egyptian baked rice). They also serve shisha and alcohol, and is always a safe choice for anything from a family lunch to a business dinner to a birthday outing with friends.  CAF Looking for an early morning coffee in a peaceful sunny spot in New Cairo? CAF in 5A is open at 7 am, and they’re known for their strong and extensive coffee menu. It’s a great place to work during the day (or even at night!). They have sandwiches, salads and a bakery but are mainly known for their hot and cold brew.  You may also like: 10 Best Restaurants & Bars in New Cairo for Dinner & Drinks

https://www.localguidetoegypt.com/post/7-best-restaurants-in-u-venues-new-cairo We’re always asked for our recommendations when it comes to places to eat or get a drink, especially in Garden 8 in New Cairo – one of Cairo’s many commercial centers where the dining options are abundant. Ain’t nobody got time to waste money or appetite at a bad restaurant! Read more: 7 Best Restaurants in 5A By The Waterway, New Cairo Read more: 5 Best Restaurants in District 5, Cairo Read more: 7 Best Restaurants in U Venues, New Cairo Read more: Cairo Festival City Restaurant & Cafe Guide So if you’re heading to Garden 8 in New Cairo any time soon and want to know what restaurant serves what and whether they’re worth it, here’s our personal picks: Mo Bistro Mo Bistro first opened its doors back in 2002 as Cafe Mo in Mohandiseen, and in the two decades since then has evolved into the beloved Mo Bistro, with branches in Garden 8, Sheikh Zayed and District 5 . Mo Bistro has a massive menu of international dishes both classic and creative, and they never skimp on flavor or quality ingredients like some of the other restaurant chains in Cairo. They’re especially known for their flank steak and bone marrow. For more info, pictures and menu: Mo Bistro’s IG Ozel There aren’t a ton of Turkish restaurants in Cairo, but Ozel is one of the best. They have pages of Turkish cold meze, hot meze, pide, main courses, grilled dishes and premium steaks to choose from – but do not, and we mean, DO NOT sleep on their desserts! Ozel’s desserts deserve an article on their own. For more info, pictures and menu: Ozel’s IG Binge If you’re in the mood for a drink and some comfort finger food, then look no further than Binge. This gastropub has a large outdoor terrace so you don’t have to worry about being stuck inside and coming out smelling like beer, smoke and fried food like many other gastropubs in Cairo. Binge’s menu is full of fun favorites like sushi, tacos, all kinds of appetizers, pizza, burgers and even a ‘build your own pasta’ option. They open daily at 2 pm but kids aren’t allowed after 7 pm. For more info, pictures and menu: Binge’s IG Salt of Earth Think European bistro meets Egyptian farm to table. A great place to head to in New Cairo for breakfast, considering they’re one of the few real restaurants open at the early hour (for Egypt, at least) of 8 am. Their breakfast menu includes crowd-pleasers like layered souffle pancakes and cured salmon avo toast. But even if you go miss breakfast, Salt of Earth’s lunch and dinner menu won’t let you down either. Recommended dish: their tarragon chicken For more info, pictures and menu: Salt of Earth’s IG Umami Brought to you by certified master chef Tarek Ibrahim, Umami has a creative international menu, with a wide array of breakfast items that include a bakery, all sorts of eggs, breakfast skillets and a handful of Egyptian favorites such as feteer meshaltet. For lunch and dinner, you can choose between a large selection of ‘small plates’ (tapas style) or large plates, as well as classics such as pizza, pasta, burgers, etc. For more info, pictures and menu: Umami’s IG Nüwa If you’re in Garden 8 and in the mood for something Asian, then look no further than Nüwa . Whether you’re craving Chinese, Thai, Indian or Japanese, Nüwa  is an Asian fusion restaurant with a massive menu that allows you to pick and mix from your favorite cuisines. Love noodles, curry and sushi and not sure what to pick? Order them all! For more info, pictures and menu: Nüwa ’s IG Syne Another pleasant indoor/outdoor restaurant in Garden 8 that serves breakfast (from 9 am), lunch and dinner. Their menu covers everything from asparagus seafood risotto to chimichurri flank steak to pizza and burgers.  For more info, pictures and menu: Syne’s IG **Local tip:  if you’re more in the mood for an alcoholic beverage than actually eating a full-on meal in Garden 8, we recommend both Origins  and Buoy by Kiki’s . Both places have a beautiful venue and ambience, but we weren’t blown away by the food, hence why they didn’t make the list of top restaurants. But if you’re just in the mood for a drink and a small plate or two, then make sure to check them out.  You may also like: 10 Best Restaurants & Bars for Dinner and Drinks in New Cairo

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? 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 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)

Cairo as a city has a pretty long and complex history -- it’s over 1,000 years old, after all. And while most of the metropolitan restaurants, bars and cafes in the city don’t have much of a shelf life (a ‘success story’ in Cairo is a place that’s been open for more than 10 years), there are a few places that have stood the test of time -- from 60 years to over 200 years old! Yep, that’s older than quite a few countries. So whether you’re a visitor looking to get a drink, meal and feel for an older Cairo, or a local who wants to take a nostalgic walk down Cairo’s memory lane, these vintage spots will provide just that. You might also like: 14 Egyptian Dessert Shops and Patisseries More Than 50 Years Old 1. Beit Zeinab Khatoon Founded: 1486 Beit Zeinab Khatoon (which translates to ‘Zeinab Khatoon’s house’) is an old Mamluk house in the Darb Ahmar area of Old Cairo, close to Moez Street (for a full local’s guide to Moez Street, head here ). It was originally built in 1486 with later additions in the Ottoman era. It’s named after its last owner, Zeinab Khatoon, the wife of prince Al-Sharif Hamza Al-Kharboutly. She’s an important figure in her own right though -- she took the risk of opening her home to wounded fighters in the Egyptian resistance against Napoleon’s French occupation in 1798. Today Beit Zeinab Khatoon is a protected heritage site, and it has a cafe called Tekiyt Khan Khatoon in its open courtyard where you can have shisha and coffee or order from their menu while enjoying the historical architecture. 2. El Fishawy Founded: 1773 Found in the world-famous Khan el Khalili bazaar (read our full guide to the market here) you’ll find Egypt’s most iconic ahwa (a small outdoor Egyptian cafe serving shisha), El Fishawy. Over 240 years ago a man named El Fishawy started offering coffee to his friends after evening prayers in a small alley in Khan el Khalili. The tradition was continued by his descendants, adding shisha and other hot and cold drinks to their repertoire. It grew in popularity over the years, and is known for being a personal favorite of Nobel Laureate novelist Naguib Mahfouz, who is said to have written his Nobel-winning Cairo Trilogy in El Fishawy’s back room. Today El Fishawy lives on much as it did in the past, pulling in large numbers of locals and tourists alike looking for a tea, shisha and the opportunity to people-watch. It’s open 24/7 and is particularly popular in Ramadan . 3. Groppi Founded: 1891 Founded over 100 years ago, Maison Groppi was a chocolatier, patisserie and tearoom established in Downtown Cairo by Swiss native Giacomo Groppi. It quickly became the most celebrated tearoom in the Middle East, to the extent that they would give Groppi chocolate as gifts to foreign royalty and other VIPs. Groppi was also the first chocolatier in Egypt to employ women. There were originally two branches in Downtown Cairo, one in Heliopolis and one in Alexandria, all extremely popular with the Egyptian elite, celebrities, British officers and wealthy expats. The Groppi on Talaat Harb Square (previously Soliman Pacha Square) has been undergoing renovation for the past few years now. 4. Greek Club Founded: 1906 Located above Groppi on Talaat Harb Square in Downtown Cairo, the Greek Club when it first opened was just that: a Greeks-only club where members could gather for dinner, drinks and live music. It opened to the public in the 1950s, when Egyptians and visitors of all nationalities could enjoy its terrace, vaulted ceilings and Greek specialties. Today it’s still popular as a Downtown bar, but sadly has lost its authentic Greek feel and menu. 5. Cafe Riche Founded: 1908 Probably the most famous restaurant and bar in Downtown Cairo, Cafe Riche has quite a history. It’s known for being a beloved meeting place of historical revolutionaries, intellectuals and prominent figures in modern Egyptian history. A few examples: it was here where members of the Egyptian resistance planned the 1919 revolution against the British; where an assassin lay in wait to attempt (and fail) to kill the last Coptic Prime Minister, Youssef Wahba Pacha; where King Farouk first saw his second wife, Nariman Sadek; where beloved singer Umm Kalthoum performed in 1923; and where Gamal Abdel Nasser planned the 1952 revolution. Like El Fishawy, Naguib Mahfouz was a regular patron as well -- his novel Karnak Cafe is based on Cafe Riche, its customers and their stories. Relics of these people and times in history still adorn Cafe Riche’s walls until now. 6. L’Amphitryon Founded: 1922 One of the few vintage gems still left in the neighborhood of Korba in Heliopolis (Korba was envisioned and built by the Belgian Baron Empain), L’Amphitryon used to be a restaurant and bar popular with Heliopolis’ elite and wealthy expats. While the story behind its name and origins isn’t clear, it’s assumed it was founded by Greeks (although Germans in the area frequented it regularly and referred to it as a beer garden). Today it’s a much shabbier version of its former self, but still has a nice street-facing outdoor section and an open terrace in the back where people go for a shisha and a beer and to partake in Egyptian mezzes and shawerma. 7. Maison Thomas Founded: 1922 Maison Thomas is such a popular modern pizza place that most locals have no idea that it’s actually so old. Known for their thin-crust pizzas, Maison Thomas has four different branches throughout Cairo, with their Zamalek branch on 26th of July Street being their most iconic (and open 24/7!). 8. Cheristo Founded: 1930 One wouldn't expect Cairo's oldest seafood restaurant to necessarily be at the foot of the Pyramids, but there you are. Cheristo, located across from the Marriott Mena House , has spectacular pyramid views to enjoy from their second story outdoor terrace (in colder months, try to nab a table by the window instead). A firm family favorite for Friday lunch, Cheristo has officially made it for almost 100 years, and have recently opened another branch in Sheikh Zayed, in Cairo's western suburb of 6th October City . 9. El Horreya Photo credit: Scott D. Haddow Founded: 1936 Built over the remains of Ahmed Orabi, an Egyptian officer who led a mutiny in 1879 against the Anglo-French loyalist Khedive Tewfik, El Horreya is one of the most famous cafes and bars in Downtown Cairo. It has a distinct ‘cafeteria’-ish look, with bright lights, high ceilings and scattered tables. It’s open from the afternoon until 2 am, and was popular throughout the years with artists, poets, intellectuals, foreigners and expats and students from the nearby American University (their new campus is now in New Cairo). People go there for an affordable beer, to play chess or backgammon or just to chat. 10. Le Grillon Founded: 1941 Originally a restaurant and beer garden, Le Grillon was famous for being the spot where Cairo’s well-heeled would gather for drinks and a meal before and after Umm Kalthoum’s performances in the nearby Qasr el Nil Theatre (and even during the intermission). In the 50s, Le Grillon was popular with all the biggest names in Egyptian cinema: Roshdy Abaza, Sabah, Amina Rizk, Samia Gamal, Nadia Lotfy and more. This vintage restaurant has even witnessed some unforgettable scenes that had nothing to do with the movies, like when Fareed el Atrash had a heart attack there and the waitstaff had to rush him to the hospital, or how Abdelwahab was so specific about how his fruit was washed that he had the waiters bring him a pitcher of water to the table so he could wash the fruit himself. Today it’s more shabby than chic, and we wouldn’t recommend eating there. But it’s still a good spot to go for a drink and a shisha in their closed terrace, and is a popular spot for those baladi bar hopping in Downtown Cairo . 11. Abou Shakra Founded: 1947 Abou Shakra, the Egyptian cuisine restaurant known especially for their grills, first opened on the banks of the Nile in Downtown Cairo over 70 years ago. Equally popular with both Egyptians and foreigners, Abou Shakra started to implement the idea of tent celebrations and ‘Oriental Nights’ for foreigners both on the Nile and at the Pyramids way before the concept was as widespread and popular as it is now.. They also claim to be the first restaurant in Cairo to offer home delivery via motorbike. They opened their second branch in 1989, and since then have snowballing in size -- Abou Shakra is now a huge national and regional chain of restaurants. 12. Andrea Mariouteya Founded: 1958 Founded over 60 years ago, Andrea Mariouteya has been in the same family since its very beginning. This Egyptian restaurant was historically on the Mariouyeta canal, a Nile offshoot near the Pyramids. Besides the grills and Egyptian cuisine, Andrea Mariouteya was also a place you could enjoy a beer and shisha with your meal. While it maintains the Mariouteya in its name, Andrea has a new home on the hill of New Giza, with great city views. 13. Felfela Founded: 1959 One of the most iconic Egyptian cuisine restaurants in Downtown Cairo, Felfela was known for years as a place to get fuul, taameya and other Egyptian classics while having a beer. It became a regular lunch spot with families on weekends and opened several other branches throughout the city. It’s now a popular spot for tourists and nostalgic locals, and this dimly-lit and eclectically-decorated restaurant provides a window into the past through stories enthusiastically told by the waiters. 14. Estoril Founded: 1959 Built by a Greek couple in a passageway between two buildings in Downtown Cairo, this restaurant and bar was named after the town of Estoril in Portugal, where the couple had their honeymoon. Similar to other vintage resto-bars in Downtown, Estoril was a popular meeting place for political activists, writers, artists and intellectuals. One wall is dedicated to local art while the other is full of memorabilia and clippings of articles and other old press about Estoril in its heyday. Estoril’s menu now is not much to write home about, but it remains a popular spot to have a beer and chat with the bartender about years past. 15. Abou Haidar Founded: 1968 Over 50 years ago a Syrian man named Mohamed Rabah Sherif (nicknamed Abou Haidar) opened a small street stall in Roxy serving Syrian shawerma. Its popularity in the neighborhood is legendary, and when he passed away, his four children took over and did their best to keep the food stall true to their father's vision. Unlike most 'restaurants' (and almost unheard of in Egypt), Abou Haidar refused and continues to refuse to offer home delivery. For the past 50+ years, the only way to get Abou Haidar shawerma sandwiches is to go pick them up yourself (although some unaffiliated food delivery apps offer the option of their delivery fleet picking it up for you). Abou Haidar also refuses to open another branch besides their original one - gotta admire them sticking to their guns! You might also like: 21 Classic 90s Restaurants in Cairo Still Open Today

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 currently see the Grand Hall, the massive 6 story Grand Staircase with 60+ statues, the stunning 12 main galleries, the commercial area and outside gardens, but the long-awaited King Tut Galleries are still closed to the public. 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. It’s currently here where you can see the infamous King Tutankhamun collection before they move it permanently to the Grand Egyptian Museum, complete with his sarcophagus and gold burial mask. Photo credit: Khaled Desouki - AFP/Getty Images 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

There are literally hundreds of incredible Ancient Egyptian sites dating back thousands and thousands of years peppered all over modern day Egypt, and it’s almost impossible to see them all in one trip. But which are the most important and the most impressive? Well, we created a bucket list of just that: the twenty most jaw-dropping Ancient Egyptian sites that exist today. So whether you’re a traveller trying to see as much as you can in one trip, or a local who’s slowly but surely seeing ticking off site by site, this list will help lead you in the right direction. 1. The Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx Well, this is a no-brainer. Also known as the Giza necropolis, this desert plateau on the outskirts of Cairo is home to the three Pyramids of Giza (Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure), their associated pyramid complexes, the Great Sphinx, a workers’ village and several cemeteries. The Pyramids of Giza were built in the 4th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, and the pyramids of Khufu (the Great Pyramid) and Khafre are the two largest pyramids in Egypt (Khufu’s pyramid is also the last remaining ancient wonder of the world!). Read more: Visiting the Pyramids of Giza - A Local's Guide to Everything You Need to Know 2. Karnak Temple The temple complex of Karnak is the largest religious building ever built, and was constructed over a span of 2,000 years. Construction started in the Old Kingdom and was continuously added to up until the Ptolemaic era, with approximately 30 different pharaohs contributing. It’s the second most visited site in Egypt after the Pyramids of Giza. It’s also home to the Open Air Karnak Museum -- for more important museums in Egypt, head here. 3. Step Pyramid of Saqqara & Saqqara Necropolis The necropolis at Saqqara is home to the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in Egypt. It’s also where you’ll find the mastaba tombs of government officials and palace workers, as well as the pyramids of Unas and Teti, the only two pyramids in Egypt with Pyramid Texts inscribedin their inner walls. The Step Pyramid is thought of as the initial prototype for the later smooth-sided pyramids; the architect was Djoser’s vizier Imhotep, thought of now as the founding father of Egyptian pyramids, and the design is six mastabas of decreasing size atop one another. Mastabas were how pharaohs and other Egyptian royalty and VIPs were buried before the invention of the pyramids -- mastabas were rectangular, flat-roofed tombs. Read more: Saqqara, Egypt - A Local's Guide to Visiting the Step Pyramid of Djoser & the Saqqara Tombs 4. Valley of the Kings In the former ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes (now modern-day Luxor in Upper Egypt), is the infamous Valley of the Kings. For a period of 500 years in the New Kingdom (1550 BC - 1069 BC), pharaohs were buried in rock-cut tombs in the Theban Hills, hidden from plain view. 62 tombs have been excavated to present day, with King Tut’s tomb being the most famous (but ironically, not the most impressive). Note: not all the tombs are open to the public, and some are on rotation. Read more: 8 Best Ancient Egyptian Tomb Sites in Modern Egypt 5. Valley of the Queens Nearby to the Valley of the Kings is the Valley of the Queens, where the wives of the pharaohs were buried during the same period. The main valley has 91 tombs discovered to date, and they’re generally smaller than the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. 6. Abu Simbel Abu Simbel is comprised of two massive rock temples, about 3 hours from Aswan. The twin temples were constructed in the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom as an everlasting monument to Ramses II and his Great Royal Wife Nefertari. The massive temples were relocated from their original spot in an international effort to save the ancient monuments from Nile flooding, and are one of Egypt’s 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 7. Deir el Bahri (Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut) Known primarily for the mortuary temple of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut of the New Kingdom, Deir el Bahri was originally chosen as the location for the temple of the pharaoh who founded the Middle Kingdom, Mentuhotep II. Hatshepsut’s temple though is the star of the show, and the massive terraced monument is surrounded by a steep cliff. It was in this cliff that archaeologists found a cache of royal mummies, moved in antiquity from the Valley of the Kings. Read more: 12 Most Impressive Ancient Egyptian Temples Still Standing Today 8. Luxor Temple Constructed around 1400 BC (more than 3,400 years ago), Luxor Temple differs from most other ancient Egyptian temples due to the fact that it wasn’t built for worship of a particular god or pharaoh. It was mainly used as a place where pharaohs were coronated and crowned, sometimes even conceptually (for example, Alexander the Great claimed he was crowned there but no evidence suggests he was ever there). During medieval times, the Muslim community built on the Luxor Temple site, and until now a functional mosque remains part of the temple complex (you can read more about Egypt’s most beautiful mosques here ). 9. Philae Temple The temple complex at Philae in Aswan was primarily built during Ptolemaic times, and finished during the Roman conquest. It’s known for being the last place where hieroglyphs were written, and the last place where the Ancient Egyptian religion was practiced. Christianity became present in Philae starting the 4th century, where it first was practiced alongside the Ancient Egyptian religion and then solely. Today you can see both the original Ancient Egyptian temples and the temples that were converted into churches. Read more: 12 Most Interesting Things To See And Do In Aswan 10. Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid Bent Pyramid Not very far from the Giza and Saqqara pyramids you’ll find the necropolis of Dahshur, home to the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid, both built by the pharaoh Sneferu. 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 Bent Pyramid was built right before the Red Pyramid. 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. Read more: Dahshur Pyramids - A Local's Guide to Visiting the Bent Pyramid, Red Pyramid & Black Pyramid of Egypt 11. Deir el Medina This necropolis is often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, but you’d be doing yourself a huge disservice by not visiting Deir el Medina while in Luxor. Also known as the Valley of the Artisans, it’s home to the tombs of the artists, builders and craftsmen who worked on the tombs in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. 12. Temple of Hathor at Dendera Known for its still-startling blue more than 2,000 years later, the Temple of Hathor is the most impressive site at the temple complex at Dendera. Built in the Ptolemaic era, it shows Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman influences and has several shrines to different gods. It’s also known for the clear depictions of Cleopatra and her son Caeserion, fathered by Julius Caesar. 13. Medinet Habu Ramses III is widely considered the last truly powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom, and his mortuary temple dominates the archaeological site of Medinet Habu in Luxor. The temple is especially known for the depictions of Ramses III defeating the ‘Sea Peoples’, invaders of Ancient Egypt whose origins are unknown. 14. Edfu Temple Built during the Ptolemaic times, the Temple of Horus at Edfu (or Edfu Temple) is one of the best preserved temples in all of Egypt. It’s also the largest temple dedicated to Horus. The wall inscriptions provided archeologists with important information about Ancient Egyptian religion and language during the Hellenistic/Ptolemaic era. 15. Memphis Memphis was the first capital of Egypt and was established by Mena (Menes), the first pharaoh and uniter of Upper and Lower Egypt. Memphis, besides being the capital, was known for being a holy center of worship for the god Ptah. The city started to decline during the New Kingdom and the rise of Thebes in the south. Today what remains of Memphis is mainly ruins, but the great colossus of Ramses II is definitely worth seeing, as is the rest of the open-air museum. 16. Unfinished Obelisk The Unfinished Obelisk is the largest obelisk built in Ancient Egypt, and if it had been completed it would’ve reached 42 meters (around 137 feet), which is one third larger than any other existing obelisk. Commissioned by the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, it was carved out of bedrock in a stone quarry, but cracks appeared in the granite during its construction, leading to its abandonment. You can still see it in its original quarry, giving interesting insight into the stone-working techniques of the Ancient Egyptians. 17. Colossi of Memnon These are the remains of two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that date back to the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom. They were originally guarding the gate of Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple, which at the time was the largest and most awe-inspiring temple in Egypt — the Ramesseum (below) and Medinet Habu paled in comparison, and even Karnak Temple was smaller. Sadly years of flooding and earthquakes completely destroyed the temple, and later earthquakes also damaged the Colossi of Memnon, leaving them faceless. 18. Ramesseum The Ramessum is the mortuary temple of Ramses II (the same pharaoh who built Abu Simbel, and Seti I’s son). It was built with the intention of being a place of worship after Ramses II died, so his memory would be kept alive; this was of the utmost importance in the Ancient Egyptian religion. 19. Kom Ombo Kom Ombo, about an hour’s drive from central Aswan, is an unusual double temple dating back to the Ptolemaic era. A ‘double’ temple means it has two sets of halls, sanctuaries and rooms dedicated to two different gods; in the case of Kom Ombo, the two gods were Sobek (the crocodile god) and Horus (the falcon god). Over 300 crocodile mummies were found at the site, and they’re now in the adjacent Crocodile Museum. Kom Ombo also has engravings of what it is believed to be the first representation of medical tools and surgical instruments in the world. 20. Temple of Khnum at Esna Khnum was the Ancient Egyptian ram-headed god who created the world on his potter’s wheel, and this temple to him was built during Ptolemaic times but added to by the Romans. Because it was such a deeply religious site, inscriptions on the temple walls instruct visitors that to enter they must have trimmed fingernails and toenails, wear linen, remove body hair, wash their hands with natron (a type of salt) and not have had sex for several days (makes modern-day places of worship seem like a walk in the park). You might also like: Visiting the Pyramids of Giza - A Local's Guide to Everything You Need to Know

First off, let’s just discuss briefly what exactly is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , because I personally always had a vague idea (it was something old and cool?) without knowing the exact definition. So, to quote the United Nations themselves: “UNESCO seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.” To be a World Heritage site, it has fit one of these ten criteria , and Egypt’s the proud home of 7 of these sites. So let’s go through the list together and we’ll give you our local recommendation about which of the sites you *must* see if you only have a certain amount of time in Egypt. 1. Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur Djoser Pyramid in Saqqara, part of Memphis' necropolises and pyramid fields Founded in 3000 BC, Memphis was the first capital of Ancient Egypt, and its necropolis is close to modern-day Cairo . Besides being the home of the pharaohs, and the center of the country’s administration, Memphis was considered a site sacred to the Ancient Egyptian gods. Colossal statue of Ramses the Great in Memphis Today many temples and monuments are left standing in Memphis, as well as evidence of the development of the royal tombs from their original shapes as "mastabas" until the final pyramid shape. There are more than 38 pyramids in Memphis’ Pyramids Field: including of course the Great Pyramids of Giza as well as the pyramids of Abusir, Saqqara and Dahshur. How to get there: you can easily pre-arrange a short day trip to the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis from either your Cairo hotel or any of the tour groups you can book online. Is it a must-see : YES Read more: Visiting the Pyramids of Giza: A Local's Guide to Everything You Need to Know Saqqara, Egypt: A Local's Guide to the Step Pyramid of Djoser & the Saqqara Tombs Dahshur Pyramids: A Local's Guide to the Bent Pyramid, Red Pyramid & Black Pyramid 2. Historic Cairo Cairo was originally founded in the 10th century, quickly becoming the new centre of the Islamic world and reaching its golden age in the 14th century. Modern Cairo has built up and around Historic Cairo, or as we locals call it, “Old Cairo”. The most famous street in Old Cairo is Moez street, called by the UN "the greatest concentration of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world”. Here's our detailed local's guide to Moez Street . In Moez street and other places in Islamic Old Cairo, you'll find breathtaking mosques , and in Coptic Cairo , Christianity’s early stronghold in the country, you'll find centuries-old cathedrals and churches . There’s also the world-famous bazaar Khan el Khalili adjacent to Moez Street, which grew out of an original caravanserai. How to get there: it’s an easy cab ride from anywhere in Cairo. Is it a must-see: yes 3. Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis A mix of the ancient and the modern in Luxor Thebes, now modern-day Luxor , was the second capital of Ancient Egypt, after Memphis, during the Middle and New Kingdoms. Queen Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple in Ancient Thebes, now modern-day Luxor Still-standing remnants of this Nile-side capital in Upper Egypt are world-renowned temples such as Luxor Temple (the world’s largest open air museum), Karnak, Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple and the necropolises of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens . How to get there: you can fly into Luxor Airport, or take a (very long) train from Cairo, or a cruise from Aswan. Is it a must-see: yes 4. Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae Abu Simbel This mind-blowing archaeological site was actually saved by UNESCO in an international effort to relocate the immense Ancient Egyptian monuments away from the flooding of the Nile river from 1960 to 1980. Philae Temple in Aswan Now safe, the temples of Ramses the Great at Abu Simbel are still as spectacular as they were when they were built around 3200 years ago, and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae Temple serenely overlooks the Nile from Aswan. How to get there: you can fly into Aswan Airport, take a (very very long) train from Cairo, or a cruise from Luxor. Is it a must-see : yes Read more: 12 Most Impressive Ancient Egyptian Temples Still Standing Today 5. Wadi el-Hitan (Whale Valley) Wadi el Hitan (Whale Valley) in Fayoum , Egypt, is home to something very strange and very cool -- whale fossils, but not your average whale; these whales had hind legs. According to UNESCO: “These fossils represent one of the major stories of evolution: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal. This is the most important site in the world for the demonstration of this stage of evolution.” How to get there: drive from Cairo to Fayoum Is it a must-see: not really, unless you’re an archaeology buff or have enough time to explore Egypt at leisure. It’s obviously very cool, but if you’re tight on time, you can pass. 6. Saint Catherine Area Mount Sinai -- also known as "Gebel Moussa" In Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula is 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 Tablets of Law. At the foot of Mount Sinai is the Orthodox Saint Catherine Monastery , which was founded in the 6th century and is the oldest Christian monastery in the world still used for its original function. According to UNESCO: “Its walls and buildings are of great significance to studies of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery houses outstanding collections of early Christian manuscripts and icons. The rugged mountainous landscape, containing numerous archaeological and religious sites and monuments, forms a perfect backdrop to the Monastery.” How to get there: fly into Sharm El Sheikh airport and arrange a tour from there or Dahab. It’s about a 3 hour drive from Sharm. Is it a must-see: not unless you’re already nearby (meaning already in the Sinai area), or unless you’re very interested in its religious significance (or interested in hiking, because thousands of people annually make the trek up to the mountain summit, either on foot or by camel). 7. Abu Mena Abu Mena is the remnants of an early Christian holy city, built over the tomb of the martyr Menas of Alexandria, around 50 km south of modern-day Alexandria . It’s believed that Menas died in either the late 3rd or early 4th century. Not much remains standing in the ancient Christian city today besides the foundation of some of its great buildings, such as the basilica. Abu Mena was put on UNESCO’s “World Heritage in Danger” list due to a rise in the water table, which made the foundations of the remaining structures unstable or collapse. How to get there: drive from Alexandria Is it a must-see: not really. Unfortunately not much remains of Abu Mena, but if you’re in Alexandria and have some spare time, it’s always good to see a World Heritage Site -- especially since it’s in danger of disappearing forever. You might also like: 10 Natural and Historical Sites in Egypt That Most People Have Never Heard Of

For a long time, Egypt’s North Coast on the Mediterranean Sea and its pristine white sand beaches were Egypt’s best kept secret from the rest of the world. And why is that, you may ask? Let us explain. The North Coast (called Sahel el Shamali  in Arabic, or Sahel for short) wasn’t getting as much international recognition as Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera , which is best known for its resort cities Sharm El Sheikh  and Hurghada . This was mainly because the Red Sea area was developed with year-round tourism in mind, while the Mediterranean North Coast started off as mainly summer beach homes for Egyptians.  Egypt has a ton of beaches , but what made the North Coast such a desired place to buy a pricey seaside home is that the beaches there are nothing less than SPECTACULAR. No seriously, just look at the pictures. A common statement you’ll hear from Egyptians at world-famous beaches across the globe is: “This is nice, but not as nice as our beaches in Sahel ”. And while we may be biased, we invite you to visit the North Coast yourself and see if we’re wrong! And the good news is, the North Coast has slowly begun developing over the years to allow for more tourism, more hotels, more restaurants and just easier and better beach access for visitors to Egypt to really experience it for themselves!  A Few Quick Facts Credit: Mada Masr. These are some of the biggest compounds/villages on the North Coast but not all of them When we refer to the North Coast, we’re specifically talking about a stretch of coastline on the Mediterranean Sea in the north of Egypt, stretching from the city of Alexandria westwards to the town of Marsa Matrouh, about 230 km Well-off locals flocking from Cairo and Alexandria have been ‘summering’ at the North Coast for decades, but the real development boom for summer homes happened in the 1990s and 2000s, continuing on to present day Private gated residential compounds or ‘villages’ were built directly on the coastline, making beach access for non-owners difficult until recently These days, hotels and beachfront restaurants in different compounds have been built with the express purpose to boost tourism for both visitors and locals who don’t own property there New Alamein City, smack in the middle of the stretch of the North Coast, will be a year-round, open-to-the-public seaside city by 2030. It’s not fully finished or operational yet, but one of the North Coast’s best hotels, the Rixos Premium Alamein, is already up and running there, as well as a few malls and entertainment venues where summer concerts are held Best Time To Go The North Coast is a summer beach destination, with ideal beach weather from late June through to September. The water is warm and it’s sunny all summer long, but not scorching like in Cairo or other Egyptian destinations due to the temperate Mediterranean breeze.  Summer is also when the restaurants, shops and general services will be open. From October through to May (especially during the winter months), 90% of what’s open during the summer months will be closed, and some of the hotels might close certain amenities. Transportation between different spots on the coast will be difficult during the winter unless you have a car with you, because most taxi and car services run during the summer months only. Don’t get us wrong – you can still go to the North Coast outside of the summer months, but in that case just make sure you’re staying at a hotel (and know that the water will probably be cold!). Getting There By car:  Driving to the North Coast from Cairo or Alexandria is pretty easy and direct via main highways. Depending on where exactly you’re staying at the North Coast, it’s anything from a 2.5 hour to 5 hour drive from Cairo.  By bus:  there are several different bus companies (eg. Go Bus, Superjet and West & Middle Delta) that run bus routes daily between Cairo and the North Coast. They don’t stop at each village on the coast though, so you might have to take a taxi from the closest North Coast bus stop to your final destination.  By limousine service/car service/ride hailing app:  there are several different services/apps that can take you from Cairo to the North Coast, such as Uber, Careem, InDrive or London Cab, but you need to book in advance. You can also hire a limousine or car service through a limo company or travel agency; just do a Google search for “limousine service to the North Coast” and a bunch will pop up. By plane:  if you’re not already in Egypt, the closest international airport to the North Coast is the Borg El Arab Airport in Alexandria. You’ll then drive westwards along the Mediterranean to your final destination. New Alamein City for example is about an hour’s drive from the Borg El Arab Airport, while the far ends of the North Coast are about two and a half hours away by car. There's also El Alamein Airport, which is even closer than Borg El Arab Airport, but finding a flight to and from there is much harder. During the high season, there's a twice weekly domestic flight between Cairo Airport and El Alamein Airport, but there are no Cairo flights in the off season. El Alamein also receives a few limited international flights. North Coast Accommodation Tips First, let us be clear when we say that choosing carefully where to stay is very important, because getting around the North Coast without your own car is a huge hassle – you don’t want to have to be jumping around different compounds/villages and waiting forever and a day for an Uber to show up. You should aim to spend most of your time in the same compound that your hotel or rental is in. Like we explained briefly above, the North Coast consists of a series of gated residential compounds/villages. Because they’re gated, you can only enter via QR code or gate entrance permission sent by the hotel or rental owner.  Each compound/village has its own beach that you’ll have access to if you’re staying there, and usually a handful of shops or places to get food (the bigger/more popular compounds obviously have more restaurants and shops than the smaller, quieter compounds).  For example, Marassi is the biggest compound and has over 50 restaurants and cafes, as well as malls, arcades and lots of other entertainment venues. Smaller compounds might only have one or two. Read more: 10 Best Restaurants in Marassi, Egypt Local tip #1: our personal recommendation is that if you’re a non-Egyptian visiting the North Coast for the first time, your best bet is staying at a hotel instead of a rental. At a hotel, you’ll have everything you need and won’t have to worry about tracking down the nearest restaurant, and they can arrange any kind of transportation you need. After all, you’re there to enjoy the incredible beach, not worry about logistics! Local tip #2: If you do decide to go down the rental route, make sure to read reviews and ask the owner or property manager a lot of questions about what restaurants and services you’ll have easy access to. Also ask how far a walk it is to the beach if you don’t have a car with you. Best Hotels at the North Coast Rixos Alamein There aren’t a ton of hotels in the North Coast (yet), but we recommend going for one that’s established and has a high rating and good reviews, because you’ll be spending most of your time at your hotel’s beach, pool and facilities. If you don’t like it or it’s not up to snuff, then there won’t be much else to distract you! We wrote a whole article separate article on the best hotels in the North Coast: Read more: 7 Best Hotels on the North Coast of Egypt How To Get Around We touched on this above, but we’ll summarize it all here as well: The easiest way is obviously if you have a private car with you or access to one During the summer months, there will be Uber, Careem and InDrive (all riding hailing apps) to go between compounds, but keep in mind the distance isn’t short so you might have to wait for a while for the driver to arrive. You can book in advance to be on the safer side Your hotel can arrange transportation for you There are car and limousine services you can book to and from your accommodation to the Borg El Arab Airport in Alexandria, or to Cairo Best Activities and Things to Do at the North Coast Enjoy the beach, obviously! The North Coast is 100% a relax-at-the-beach kind of destination. It’s not an adventure spot, or a cultural spot, or an Ancient Egyptian historical spot  – Egypt has plenty of those. The North Coast is all about spending several stress-free, guilt-free days on an unbelievable beach, without feeling like you should be getting off your beach lounger or FOMO over not seeing this or that landmark.  So our recommendation is to wake up early, have some breakfast, and nab the best spot on the beach – and just spend the day swimming, tanning, reading, relaxing, eating and just enjoying one of the best beaches in the world! 2. Water activities If you’re the type that gets antsy if you sit still for too long, then never fear: there’s still things you can do to get your body moving. The North Coast isn’t much of a diving destination, but there are other more low-key water activities you can partake in.  (Read more: 7 Best Diving Destinations in Egypt’s Red Sea ) Many of the hotel beaches will have a water sports center, where you can rent kayaks, boogie boards, banana boats and more.  3. Spend a day at a water park If you have kids with you (or even if you don’t, honestly) waterparks are always fun for all ages. Marassi Water World (in the Marassi compound/village) has 12 massive slides and water chutes, rafts, a surfing pool, a kids’ complex, a lazy river and more. For more info and to buy your tickets: https://marassiwaterworld.com/ 4. Visit the Alamein War Memorials and Military Museum El Alamein, an area on Egypt’s North Coast, was the battleground in 1942 for two of the most important fights in World War II between the Allies and Axis forces. Thousands of lives were lost, and today stands several vast cemeteries and memorials, such as the Commonwealth War Memorial and the Italian War Memorial, for the fallen soldiers both named and unnamed. There is also a military museum nearby for those interested in learning about the El Alamein Battles. 5. Day trip to Alexandria If you’re spending an extended stay in the North Coast and find yourself with a free day on your hands, then a day trip to Alexandria is a nice way to inject some Egyptian history and heritage into your otherwise pure beach vacation. Alexandria is only an hour or two away by car, and worth a visit if you’re interested in the ancient city’s illustrious history. Read more: Sightseeing in Alexandria, Egypt - 15 Best Things to See and Do Restaurants and Nightlife on the North Coast Lemon Tree & Co Most compounds will have their own commercial/dining area of sorts, where you'll find fast food chains, coffee shops, and a few restaurants, depending on how big your compound is. Like we mentioned above, Marassi for example is its own mini-city with dozens upon dozens of restaurants. But besides Marassi (which is a hassle to get in and out of if you're not staying there), there are some beautiful restaurants and beach bars peppered along the North Coast in different compounds/villages. They’re only open during summer months, so that means that they’re in high demand and prior reservations are usually needed.  We listed the ten best here: 10 Best Restaurants & Beach Clubs on Egypt's North Coast Also there are usually various musical concerts and beach parties by both international and Egyptian singers, bands and DJs held throughout the summer in different locations across the coast, so keep a look out online for those! Seacode , a beach club and musical venue in New Alamein City, has held concerts by Jennifer Lopez as well as parties for world-famous DJs recently. Parting Local Tips In summary, Egypt’s North Coast is a place that’s dearly loved by locals, and slowly but surely opening up to visitors. What it looks like now is very different than what it’ll look like in a few years – but with one thing in common: its ridiculously beautiful beaches. Here are a few of our last local tips: Try to go to the North Coast on weekdays as opposed to weekends; it’ll be less crowded Book your hotel in advance as much as you can, because during the summer things get fully booked quickly Bring a book, cards or games with you to entertain yourself at night if you're the type who doesn't want the hassle of going out Speaking of nights, mosquito spray is always a good idea But mostly, just sit back, relax and enjoy the sun and Mediterranean Sea from Egypt’s own little stretch of paradise. You may also like: 9 Best Egyptian Beach Holiday Destinations

If you’re looking for a place to have a meal and a good time in the Sheikh Zayed/6 October area but don’t feel like being overwhelmed by the big commercial centers like Arkan Plaza, then Park St. is a good choice. This dining and shopping hub is on a much smaller scale than Arkan, thus less crowded, but equally as pleasant with their indoor/outdoor restaurants and quirky interior design (anyone who’s seen those little statues scattered about will know what we’re talking about!). Read also: 10 Best Restaurants & Cafes in Arkan Plaza But as always, there’s the forever question of: which restaurant do I choose? Here are some of our personal Park St. West favorites (ps: at the bottom of the article, we list the other restaurants & cafes in Park St. in case anything catches your fancy). Best restaurants in Park St. West: Sachi Park St. Hidden away on the rooftop of Park St., Sachi is an award-winning fine dining restaurant and bar (regularly ranked amongst the top 50 restaurants in MENA). This Asian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant has both ambient indoor seating as well as a large outdoor terrace, always a favorite on warm nights or breezy afternoons. Pricey, but you get what you pay for. Impeccable service and great cocktails as well. For reservations, menu and more info: Sachi’s website Bebabel Looking for a casual Lebanese dining vibe, complete with shisha and beer/wine, but still delivering actually good food? Then look no further than Bebabel. Located on the ground floor of Park St. next to Brunch & Cake, this restaurant is a great spot for breakfast, sunny weekend lunches or dinner and drinks with friends. For the menu and more info: Bebabel’s IG Em Sherif Cafe One of the most famous restaurants in Beirut has found a home in Park St. West. Until recently, Em Sherif was a must-go for Egyptians visiting Beirut, to get a taste of traditional, homestyle Lebanese food. But now we don’t have to go any further than Cairo’s suburbs (Em Sherif is currently in White by Waterway in New Cairo as well as Park St.) They’re open from noon until midnight, and also serve shisha. For the menu and more info: Em Sherif Cafe’s IG Sushimi By K If you’re tired of overpriced, mediocre sushi places (and who isn’t), then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Sushimi by K. What started as a small sushi catering business quickly grew in popularity to an actual brick and mortar restaurant in New Cairo, with its second branch in Park St. Read more: 7 Best Sushi & Japanese Restaurants in Cairo Sushimi by K prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients, including non-frozen salmon and bluefin tuna. Their sushi menu is massive, alongside a few Japanese main courses for anyone in your group who isn’t on the sushi train. For the menu and more info: Sushimi by K’s IG Norma If you're in the mood for some good Italian food, specifically Sicilian with Moorish influences to be exact -- then head to Norma, named after a famous Sicilian opera. Their menu focuses on slow-cooked, seasonal items incorporated into their homemade pasta, gnocchi, risotto, pizza and other main courses (with a huge variety of antipasti too). Some of their signature Sicilian dishes are: Panella di Sicilia (crispy chickpea fritters served with a fresh, zesty lemon and salsa verde dip), La Pizzetta Palermo Sfincione (thick fluffy pizza crust topped with slow-cooked tomato sauce, caramelized onions, anchovies and breadcrumbs) and Casarecce al Trapanese (Sicilian pesto pasta). Norma has indoor seating complete with comfy couches and chairs. They also have an outdoor dining area and are open from breakfast (9 am) onwards. For the menu and more info: Norma Marzipan So far we've covered everything from Lebanese to sushi to Sicilian restaurants in Park St. West -- but if you want to bring it back to basics with just some really good, traditional Egyptian food , then Marzipan is for you. We're talking molokheya, koshary, fattah, feteer, the works. They have indoor/outdoor dining, nostalgic Egyptian music crooning in the background, and are open for breakfast as well (9 am). For the menu and more info: Marzipan Brunch & Cake If you’re one of those people who eats with their eyes first, then Brunch & Cake will leave you thrilled. This very Instagrammable restaurant will leave you impressed with not only their food presentation but their interior decor aesthetics as well. They have a really creative menu of breakfast and brunch options, but never fear, this restaurant doesn’t go poof when the sun goes down – they also do dinner as well.  For the menu and more info: Brunch & Cake’s IG Other restaurants & cafes also in Park St. West: Bocca Qahwa Ni Cafe BRGR CAF Pickl Nola Dolato Le Flandrin You might also like: 12 Best Bars, Pubs and Restobars in Sheikh Zayed & 6 October City, Cairo

Whether you’re a local Cairene strapped for cash at the end of the month, or a visitor to Cairo on a backpacker’s budget, never fear -- there’s a lot of fun, interesting things you can do in Cairo without paying a bomb. Here's ten ways to enjoy some of the best sights in the city, for cheap. 1. Have a world-class view of the Pyramids over lunch or dinner at… Pizza Hut Strange, but true. If you want to have an open-air, world-class view of the Pyramids over lunch/dinner but want to avoid the exorbitant prices at hotel restaurants, then look no further than the nearest Pizza Hut to the Pyramids. You may also like: Visiting the Pyramids of Giza - A Local's Guide To Everything You Need To Know This famous chain is on the 2nd floor (above KFC) and has an outdoor balcony with one of the best views in the city. During the day, you can see the ancient giants in all their glory , and at night you can witness them lit up during the Sound & Light Show. You may also like: 7 Best Restaurants with Pyramid Views 2. Explore Khan El Khalili and Moez Street Both Khan el Khalili and Moez Street are open pedestrian areas, where you can wander around, explore and take pictures for free. Khan El Khalili may be a world-famous bazaar, but nothing is stopping you from just window shopping if you're on a budget (they actually have extremely affordable stuff there if you’re a good bargainer though). Read more: Khan El Khalili - A Detailed Local's Guide Adjacent to Khan el Khalili is Moez Street, where you can see the highest concentration of medieval Islamic architecture in the world. Walking Moez Street, going into the mosques and seeing the beautiful buildings (whether during the day or lit up at night) also won’t cost you a thing, but if you want to go inside some of the more elaborate buildings like Beit El Seheimy or the Qalawun Complex, you can buy an affordable ticket. For more details, here's our detailed guide to Moez Street . 3. Visit the sites in Coptic Cairo for free A great Cairo destination when you're on a budget is Coptic Cairo. Coptic Cairo is known as the stronghold of Christianity in Old Cairo, home to places of worship that date back to the time when the pharaonic religions of Ancient Egypt had died out and Islam had not yet arrived. Some of Egypt’s earliest churches remain standing in Coptic Egypt to this day - some dating back to the 4th century AD. It’s also believed that the Holy Family lived here for a short period during their flight into Egypt to escape Herod. Entrance to Coptic Cairo is free, as is entrance to its famous churches, such as Mar Girgis (St. George's) and the Hanging Church. The only site in Coptic Church that requires a ticket is the Coptic Museum. Read more: Coptic Cairo - Everything You Need to Know 4. Downtown Cairo food-hopping Starving but don’t want to spend a fortune on food? Downtown has *all* the answers. Having a diverse, several course meal is extremely affordable in Downtown Cairo. You can either hit up just one establishment for nourishment (in that case we recommend Abou Tarek for koshary , it’ll fill you up for seemingly a year for around $1), or you can hop from street vendor to street vendor , most of them unnamed but all of them feeding dozens of happy customers at any given moment. Types of food carts, food vendors and little hole-in-the-wall ‘restaurants’ to be found in Downtown: kebda & sogoq (liver & sausages), hawawshi, feteer, fuul & taameya, kabab… and way more. There are also places like 'Fasahat Somaya’ that’s open for only a couple of hours a day and you eat whatever it is that Somaya has cooked up for you that evening, in huge portions. Read more: 10 Best Restaurants in Downtown Cairo Then you can move on to the dessert portion of the evening, and wind down with a cheap shisha and cup of tea in any of Downtown’s ubiquitous cheap sidewalk ahwas. You may also like: 7 Best Places to Try Egyptian Street Food in Cairo 5. Join a walking tour through City of the Dead Cairo's City of the Dead tends to be off the beaten touristic path, but that makes it even better! The City of the Dead ( El Qarafa or El Arafa  in Arabic) is a 6.4 km (4 mile) stretch of necropolises and cemeteries in the original core of the city, in an area known as Historic Cairo. Read more: Cairo's City of the Dead - A Detailed Local's Guide What makes it so interesting is that peppered throughout the City of the Dead are some truly beautiful historic mosques, mausoleums and other medieval Islamic architecture. There are remnants dating back to the Arab conquest of Egypt back in the 7th century, and whole buildings still in their entirety dating back to the 12th-15th centuries! You can explore it via guided walking tours for very affordable prices (check our article mentioned above for all the walking tour information). 6. Shisha, tea and a view on the Moqattam hills Instead of going to another overpriced cafe, next time you’re in the mood for a hot drink and a shisha, try heading up the hills of Moqattam. At the top on the Moqattam Corniche, you’ll find not only one of the best views of the city, but several makeshift ahwas scattered around -- basically plastic tables and chairs set up on the cliff and someone who will gladly bring you a shisha or make you tea or coffee for cheap. For the best views in Egypt, check out these 12 places . 7. Disconnect on a felucca. This is a good option if you’re a group, because it makes it more affordable. You can book a felucca sailboat for as short as half an hour, or as long as you'd like. Prices vary greatly due to your negotiation skills (they tend to charge tourists more as well), but divided over a group it's a cheap and peaceful way to enjoy the city. You can bring your own snacks and just kick back and relax, away from the usual crowds in the usual places. 8. Discover all the hidden little shops, art spaces and random beautiful spots in Zamalek. Zamalek is one of the very few Cairo neighborhoods that’s ideal to explore by foot. Besides the fact that the parking is a nightmare, Zamalek has a lot of little blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shops and interesting spots that we usually zoom right past in a car. Exploring the whole island of Zamalek by foot could take the better part of a whole day if you take your time and explore at your own pace. Make sure you stop in the vintage stores, antique shops and art galleries as well as peep at the beautiful villas that house the various embassies and ambassadors’ homes (what you can see behind those massive gates and road blocks, that is). 9. Wadi Degla Protectorate This is a great one for those who want to escape the city while still technically being in the city. The Wadi Degla Protectorate is a 30 km stretch of untouched desert and rocky little cliffs and is open to the public during the day for a small entrance fee (25 EGP per person and 10 EGP per car). It's the perfect place if you want to hang out somewhere different with your friends/dog/alone, whether for a picnic, barbecue, hiking, biking or just sitting in the sun. You can bring all the food, games and sports stuff you want or need for the day, but bear in mind there’s no bathrooms or places to buy water, etc from beyond the entrance gates. It's open daily from 7 am to sunset. 10. Azhar Park Another option for a picnic & chill kind of day, but this one is in an actual *green* park and not the desert. It also has an awesome panoramic view over the city, so try to go around sunset. Also try to avoid weekends, because it tends to be overcrowded when the weather is nice (also avoid public holidays, obviously). If you don’t feel like bringing your own food, they have several restaurants/cafes in the park that can hook you up. You may also like: Top 10 Things To Do in Cairo, Egypt