Cairo/Gezira
Understand
Get in
Zamalek is best reached by taxi from Downtown or Mohandiseen, which should be no more than LE5. The station of the Cairo Metro Line 2 is on the southern tip of Gezira, adjacent to the Opera House and Gezira Sheraton, but is still a significant walk from the main areas of Zamalek.
Get around
Zamalek is small enough to navigate on foot.
See
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Akhenaten Centre of the Arts
address: Eastern end of Sharia 26th of July Cairo TowerA distinctive landmark visible from most of downtown Cairo, the Cairo Tower was completed in 1961 and reaches a height of 187 m. Great day and night views over central Cairo and to the Pyramids from the revolving café and restaurant at the top. Be wary of security guards who will give 'tours' of the area and demand large tips, and note that the café requires a minimum expenditure of LE30. Although it's not written in Arabic or English at the ticket booths, Egyptians visit for LE20. Unlike most sights in Egypt, there is no secondary student pricing.
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Gezira Centre of Arts
address: 1 al-Sheikh MarsafyDisplays an interesting collection of Islamic ceramics and galleries for temporary art exhibitions. -
Khan al-Maghraby
address: 18 Sharia Mansour Mohamed, ZamalekSmall, one-room gallery features young Egyptian artists -
address: 1 Al Marsafi StThe museum is located in the former palace of Prince Amru Ibrahim in Zamalek.
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Picasso Gallery
phone: +20 2 736-7544address: 30 Sharia Hassan Assem, ZamalekContemporary Egyptian art gallery -
phone: +20 2 735-3314address: 6 Brazil Street, ZamalekContemporary Egyptian art gallery
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address: 11 Brazil StreetFeatures modern Egyptian art.
Do
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phone: +20 2 7370603address: El Borg GeziraEgypt's most important cultural stage, home to much more than just the opera. Founded in 1869 as the Royal Opera House by Khedive Ismail,, who commissioned Verdi's Aida, the original building was destroyed in a fire in 1971, so an entirely new one was built and opened in 1988. Today, it has two halls that can house 1300 and 500 people, as well as an outdoor theatre, and there are cultural performances virtually every night.
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address: Al-Saqia, 26 July StAn outdoor concert scene with modern Egyptian groups playing both Western and Middle Eastern music. The music might vary in quality, but it's a good place to meet young Egyptians. No alcohol.
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Gezira Sporting Club
phone: +20 2 2736-0434Includes four restaurants, swimming, lighted tennis, tennis pros and lessons, table tennis, squash, croquet, playing fields, walking tracks, exercise facilities, equestrian, basketball, children's play areas, saunas, bridge and board games. Gezira Golf ClubA large public golf course. Admission for non-members is LE20, tournament fees are LE40.
Gezira Table TennisLocated at the center court and headed by Capt. Ibrahim Gouda. The table tennis team includes 76 players of ages ranging between 6 and 21 years. A table tennis school is also available for young club members.
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Nile Maxim
phone: +20 2 27388888address: opposite the MarriottDinner cruise ship, operated by the Marriott, offers an à la carte menu, along with belly dancing, music, and other entertainment.
Buy
Bookstores
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American University in Cairo Bookstore
phone: +20 2 2739-7045address: 16, Mohammad ThakebSmaller version of the main campus bookstore downtown. Featuring AUC Press publications. among others. -
phone: +20 2 2736-5180address: 2 Taha Hussein StreetProvides a variety of book genres with personalized service in a cozy atmosphere for browsing and selecting books, plus reading area.
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phone: +20 2 2736-2582address: 159, 26th July St.Possibly Cairo's best English-language bookstore, also carries Egyptian and western music, videos and DVDs. A small cafe serves coffee and pastries.
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Zamalek Bookstore
phone: +20 2 2736-9197address: 19 Shagaret El-Dorr St.Small bookstore, with a large selection of English children's books and stationery products.
Clothing
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address: 21 El Maahad El Sewisry St.Has high quality men's dress shirts that rivals anything in London, Paris, or Milan, and does free custom tailoring for trousers and suits. Ties are over priced, but otherwise, the prices are extremely reasonable given the quality.
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address: 8 Ahemed Sabry StSells high-quality Egyptian cotton clothing, most of which is made in Egypt and exported. Prices are higher than other stores in Egypt, but the quality is comparable to stores in the US and Europe.
Organics
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Sekem
address: Ahmad Sabri St.Cairo's only organic food/health product store.
Eat
Zamalek offers some of the best eating in Cairo. There's a large variety of quality restaurants serving everything from Egyptian molokhia to Thailand Red Curry. But also, the green and atmospheric atmosphere on the Nile-Island makes for a perfect dinner setting. Zamalek is also the place to visit if you want to escape Ramadan: many places stay open during day-time and alcohol is served (to foreigners only) at most of the water-holes.
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phone: +20 2 27350470address: 13 Maraashli StreetExcellent Italian food. Owned, and run, by the son of the famous actor Omar Sharif.
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Nile City
address: ZamalekStationary boat on the Nile includes several international franchises coupled an Egyptian grill and a seafood restaurant. Chilis, Johny Carinos, Fish Market & Studio Misr.
Budget
26 July has a range of stalls serving the usual selection of Arab and western fast food. In addition there is a cluster of fish and seafood cafeterias in the same street between Shagrat-al-Dor and kamal Mohammed.-
Didos Al Dente
phone: +20 2 2735 9117address: 26 Baghat Ali streetThis place serves pasta, and dishes are amazingly cheap, ranging from LE6-20. Small, intimate setting, making it an excellent spot for dates (despite its small setting, the waiters will let you linger/flirt at the table). Generally full from 5PM-close, waiting on the street outside is common, but it is worth the wait. They serve up some of the best pasta in all of Cairo. You pick your sauce, you pick the kind of pasta you want, and the cooks do the rest. The kitchen is directly in view so you can watch them serve up your food. Try the bolognese, the crab sauce, or the frutti de mare with white sauce.
Mid-range
Beano'sIt has a West European style and serves food all day during Ramadan.
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Deal's
address: al-Sayyid al-Bakri StPurportedly the best burgers in Cairo. Doubles as a pub. Open during Ramadan. -
Euro-Deli
address: close to President Hotel and the Chinese embassyThis place specialises in continental food and has several healthy salads and bagels in addition to very good coffee. Free Wi-Fi available and the place is popular with foreign students. -
Maison Thomas
address: near Cilantro and Diwan on the north side of 26 July St.Legendary establishment (Om Kolsoum once ate here) serving pastries, light food, and pizza. Owned by Coptic Christians. Beer available for take-away except during Ramadan. SequoiaGood Lebanese food, a selection of more than 50 kinds of waterpipe tobacco, good drinks and an excellent Nile location makes this one of the most comfortable places to enjoy a Cairo evening. see more details in bar section
Splurge
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address: around the corner from DiwanOwned by the conglomerate also responsible for Tabouleh (a rockin' awesome Lebanese restaurant in Garden City), and L'Aubergine, Abou al-Sid features high-end Egyptian cuisine and superb fresh juices. Very atmospheric. Make reservations in advance and dress up to get in.
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L'Aubergine
phone: +20 2 2738-0080address: 5 El-Sayed Al-Bakry St2nd floor turns nightclub at night. Closed during Ramadan. -
La Bodega
address: located in Baehler's Mansions, on 26th of July StreetThis upscale restaurant has a great menu of French classics like onion soup and canard a l'orange, excellent service, and good drinks, which can be difficult to find in Cairo. -
phone: +20 102223999address: 4 Sarayat El Gizera St.Overlooking Nile. Shisha, wi-fi, parking, taxi service. Reservations required.
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Sabai Sabai
phone: +20 2 2735-3471, +20 10 3921736 (Mob)address: 21 El Maahad El SwiesriServes traditional Thai food in stylish settings and good service. This is a welcome addition to the Cairo Thai scene. Specify if you want the food spicy.
Drink
Liquor Stores
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Drinkie's
phone: +20 19330address: 155 26th of July St.A liquor store with a wide variety of spirits. One of the few places to find alcohol in this largely Islamic city.
Cafés
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Cilantro
phone: +20 2 2736-1115address: 157, 26th July StAnother branch in the Om Kolsoum Hotel on Abu el-Feda just north of the 26th July St Bridge crossing to Agouza. Part of a local coffee shop chain (think Starbucks) with pastries, light sandwiches, sodas, and free wi-fi. -
Simonds
phone: +20 2 2735 9436address: 112 Sharia 26th of JulyA small, long-established and highly popular café frequented by expats and students. Rather intimate, space is at a premium with just a few stools available or stand at the bar. Very good cappuccino. A great selection of sweets, pastries and juices is also on offer. -
Café Tabasco
phone: +20 2 2735 8465address: 18b, el Marashly StGood coffee, a variety of Western and Arabic dishes including "American breakfast" and pancakes. Popular hangout for foreign students. Wireless internet available. -
Costas Coffee
address: el Marashly StAnother Cairo coffee chain, delicious coffee, small selection of pastries, sandwiches, and cold drinks. Best for take out coffee. Nile view -
Euro Deli
phone: +20 2 2736 61 12address: 22a Dr. Taha Hussein StHealthy food, homemade fries and salads. Good milkshakes. Wireless internet available. -
Café de Paris
phone: +20 2 2735 3739address: 10 Mohamed Thakeb Pacha StThis place has drinks, sheesha and beer in nice garden surroundings with flat-TV running constant Arabic pop. Popular with nearby students from the AUC student quarters. Light food is also served.
Bars
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phone: +20 2 2735 0014address: 53 Abou El FedaAn absolutely gorgeous open-air Lounge Bar/Restaurant at the northern tip of Zamalek, directly on the Nile. One of the most popular places for the young elite and resident foreigners. Sequoia does not only offer a variety of good mezzes, grills and other main courses but is also one of the best (if not the best) places in town to smoke shisha. Sequoia has a shisha menu with 15-20 flavours of tobacco, which you can smell before making your choice. The interior is modern and all white, the atmosphere is relaxed and informal. Reservation may be needed on Wednesday nights and weekends when people come here to see and be seen. Expensive, but worth a visit.
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Pub 28
phone: +20 2 27350972address: 28 Shagaret El Dorr StNoon-2AM. Typical British pub frequented by expats and locals alike. International brands of liquor. Food served. Very popular, book table if you are not content sitting in the bar. Open during Ramdan. Stella LE15, main dishes from LE25-60. -
Deals
phone: +20 2 27359002address: 2 El Sayed El Bakry StAnother popular pub haunt. Cable TV, DJ and house music. Pub menu. Open during Ramadan. Stella LE15, main dishes from LE25-60. -
Harry's Pub
phone: +20 2 2735 8888address: Sarya El Gezira StKaraoke-pub turns disco when the crowds are big enough. Local beer LE20.
Sleep
Budget
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phone: +20 2 2735 7315address: Level 2-3, 9 Aziz Osman Street, ZamalekAn upper budget location - the people are nice, rooms clean, prices reasonable, and atmosphere peaceful. Free wi-fi, according to the website of the hotel.
Mid-range
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phone: +20 2 2735 0815address: 2 El Gezira El Wosta St.This hotel is more notable for its location than its service - rooms can be small, but comfortable. The service is good, and most room rates include breakfast - ask for a Nile view when booking. Free-of-charge wireless internet service is available.
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Horus House Hotel
phone: +20 2 27353634address: 21 Ismail Mohamed StreetIn the same building as the Hotel Longchamps with a equally friendly staff. Clean, serviceable rooms and a buffet breakfast. -
phone: +20 2 2735 2311address: 21, Ismail Mohamed StreetA spotless 3-star hotel situated on the top two floors of an apartment building on a beautiful tree-lined street. Garden terrace upstairs. Room rates include a buffet breakfast. Laundry service available. Airport pickup and delivery for LE95 flat fee.
Splurge
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phone: +20-2-27283000address: 16,Gezira StHoused in a former royal palace that was built to host Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie for the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The old palace is still there, but the guest rooms (all 1069 of them) are housed in a modern tower block next to it. Still, the six-acre Omar Khayyam gardens are beautiful and it's a great place to have a drink or puff on a shisha. If you can afford the price tag, a stay at the Marriott is a wonderful way to begin to acclimatize to Cairo.
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phone: +20 2 27373737address: 3 El Thawra Council St