Had some friends visiting us from Singapore. While they've done the Nile Cruise and Abu Simbal, and of course, the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum, they asked me a very pertinent question? Other than the antiquities, what are the top 10 things to do in Cairo? Not Egypt but in and around Cairo?
For a moment I was fazed! First thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions Cairo is the pyramids and the museum...that set me thinking....I am writing down what I would def like to do in and around Cairo, in random order...and these are things that I would like to do...
1/ Coffee and Sheesha at El Fishawy
2/ Tannoura at Al Ghouri
3/ Felucca ride
4/ Dinner at the revolving restaurant
5/ A day trip to Fayoum
6/ A trip into the White Dessert
7/ A night out at Darts (Heliopolis) After Eight or Budha Bar
8/ The 11 pm to 4 am show with Dina at Semiramis
9/
10/
Cannot think of the balance two which does not include the antiquities... needs some thought!
Anybody who is reading this and has suggestions, would love to hear your top 10 things to do...I have this nagging feeling that there is something very obvious that I am missing out!
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Lurker coming out of the shadows momentarily to answer your question . . . it's not a trip to Cairo without a trip to the Khan al Khalili. I'm also a huge fan of the cave churches at Mokkatum . . . ooh, lurker is scared of the light! Back to the shadows for me :-)
Deborah, thanks! Wonder how I missed that one!
I've enjoyed dinner cruises. The Marriott cruise, with a nice dinner, belly dancing, singing (ok, singing, not the highlight!), and Tanoura dancing.
Also, walking around and talking to people. Sit out on a sidewalk cafe, have tea, and see who wanders by. Sounds simple, but it is a lovely thing to do.
While I was only able to partake in a few items on your list (but now wish I could have done more!), I would also personally recommend:
-the Souk at Coptic Cairo (cleaner, calmer, and classier than the traditional Khan)
-the Citadel
-Mokattum Hills
Conne, Lauren, thanks...shall add
I am also a fan of just sitting at Grand Cafe or Fusion by the Nile for dinner after the sunset felucca ride.
Recently, also, I was taken to the rooftop bar at the Odeon - very inexpensive drinks, sheesha, and kitsch to the hilt!
Why not a day trip to Alex?
Today I explored some new places, a neat one was the Wissa Wassef Art Center, just south of Giza. A great stop for after the pyramids. They make hand-woven tapestries, batik and pottery there - they begin training when women (and a few men) are children and work their way up. The pieces are expensive, but it's set up almost museum style and I understand you can also go there to watch them make the art!
Covering Cairo - its a lovey place isn't it? I love the tapestry and the pottery but more than all of that I love the concept behind the place...I have done a small piece on this somewheer in the blog....I bought a beautiful kilm from there!
Covering Cairo - its a lovey place isn't it? I love the tapestry and the pottery but more than all of that I love the concept behind the place...I have done a small piece on this somewheer in the blog....I bought a beautiful kilm from there!
Well yes you said all the areas to enjoy but I know from my various freinds that they love yo come to Cairo for Gambling too.How can a traveller miss the opportunity to visit atleast one casino during the stay to try out the luck.
Al Azhar Park . . . have a meal at night and look out over Cairo; go for a coffee during the day . . . look at the Citadel or out over the city . . . great photo ops and a relaxing spot in the middle of all the chaos.
What about shopping for really beautiful handicrafts and fine contemporary jewelry???? I always make a point to go to Dokki and visit Al Ain Gallery. Then there is the one shop near the Cairo Marriott (which they have a store in) that has a great selection of Bedouin silver and textiles....I can not recall the name, I just know where it is and always buy things to bring back to the states. Further, MANY of my friends ask me to bring them home a gold cartouche which I visit Egypt and usually (out of convenience since it takes a week for them to be made) I buy them from the hotel jewelry stores and they all seem to get them from the same place....
Ciao!
Hi !
I happen to see your blog while web browsing about Cairo/Egypt.
I have a job offer of Cairo. Is it possible for me to email you (or any of your friend)few questions about Cairo/Efypt?
Pl reply me at findvirendra-info@yahoo.com
I am from Pune/India
Thanks
i would like to suggest a zamalik walk, lunch at thomas or mutzaluna and accessories shopping from sami amin (interesting nice pcs all handmade) and if its not cold day, marriot summer garden in zamalik also..
dinner or lunch abu il seed egyptian cuisine.. zamalik also
egyptian breakfast taamiyah :)
oops its all food ... :)
Regards
Diana
i would like to suggest a zamalik walk, lunch at thomas or mutzaluna and accessories shopping from sami amin (interesting nice pcs all handmade) and if its not cold day, marriot summer garden in zamalik also..
dinner or lunch abu il seed egyptian cuisine.. zamalik also
egyptian breakfast taamiyah :)
oops its all food ... :)
Regards
Diana
i would like to suggest a zamalik walk, lunch at thomas or mutzaluna and accessories shopping from sami amin (interesting nice pcs all handmade) and if its not cold day, marriot summer garden in zamalik also..
dinner or lunch abu il seed egyptian cuisine.. zamalik also
egyptian breakfast taamiyah :)
oops its all food ... :)
Regards
Diana
quite interesting post. I would love to follow you on twitter. By the way, did you guys hear that some chinese hacker had busted twitter yesterday again.
Thanks... Whil i do have an account on Twitter have not really used it...
As for hackers, I am begining to beleive that nothing is safe from them!
Hi Manisha
I started reading your blogs recently when I realised that I too will be moving to Cairo soon. Would need some help in terms of info required from you. Need to know is it easy to get house maids there easily & are they working full time or part time. Also need info on nannies for a baby.
Need to know if there are good expat run day care centres & pre-nurseries......esp American expat run day care centres. Kindly advise.
Also pl adv if you are available on any chats like skype etc + need your mail id (if possible to give).
Parul
Hi! Feelfree to write to me at duttmanisha@gmail.com...i have relocated from Cairo so my info may be a little dated.......but will try and respond as best as I can...
Will respond to yr queries here tom..
cheers
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