9 Places to Visit for a Real Taste of Cairo: A Little Extra on Music, Architecture and Food

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When you visit Cairo you may know your way to the main attractions — the Pyramids, khan el khalili, the Citadel and the Egyptian and Coptic Museums. But you may want a little bit more of this historical city — the site of a multilayered culture and intertwining faiths that gives Cairo — let’s say — a special blend:

Al-Azhar Area: the heart of Old Cairo

1.Sufi dance at Wekalet el Ghouri

Walk through Wekalet el Ghouri Arts Center in the heart of old Cairo, and travel back in time 500 years. A wekala served during the Mamluki Sultanate(1250–1517) as a market place and a residence for merchants who came from different parts of the country. Today wekalet el ghouri is a cultural centre that is most popular for its tanoura Sufi dance. Get comfortable in this enticing 16th century complex and lose yourself to the music, colors and repetitive movements of the tanoura dancers as they whirl through time and space. Magical!

2. Al-Moez Street

Right next to Wekalit el Ghouri is one of the largest collection of medieval Islamic monuments in the world. Step into Al-Moez street and walk down the centuries through a kilometer long street of magnificent architecture. The district was mostly built during the Fatimid Dynasty of Egypt (909–1171) and the street is named after its fourth Caliph, Al-Moez li Deen IIlah.

Extensive restoration works were made to many of the buildings of Al-MoezStreet in 2007; afterwards the area was declared a pedestrian-only zone, offering you a fascinating walk through one of Egypt’s most significant historical eras. Some of its most prominent sites are Bab Zuweila, its southern gate, Al-Hakim Mosque, Al-Aqmar Mosque and the Qalawum complex. Walk within the walls of Al-Moez Street and get a taste of Fatimid Cairo — as the historic past meets present — accommodating the thousands who toil daily for their living today.

How to get there? Just stop a taxi and say, ‘shara’ al-moez ya osta’ (al-moez street, driver)

3. Al kheyameya Street

When it comes to textiles, Cairo has a long trading history and prestigious reputation. The literal translation for kheyameya comes from the word tent but what it is really, is patchwork — a craft that can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt but became particularly popular in the Islamic eras.

The workshops at this historical district were responsible for producing the cover for the holy Ka’ba in Mecca until the 1960s. Today the district still hosts families that have lived for generations off this craft and are still producing the kheyameya signature designs — combination of colorful patches and geometrical shapes embroidered onto linen. Used for cushion covers, curtains, table cloths, the kheyameya designs have found their way into women’s fashion too. Visit al-khayemya workshops, have a peek at the traditional craft and bring something authentic back home.

Even better you don’t need to go far: Al Kheyameya is towards the end of Al-Moez street.

In the Pyramids Area: away from the Nile and towards the desert

4. Mena House

If you haven’t stayed in this historic-mansion-turned-hotel that overlooks the pyramids of Giza, go explore it. You can spend the day by the pool(something you can do most year round), walk in its’ beautiful gardens, discover uniquely decorated halls and exclusive presidential suites, and finally sit for an open-air dinner. Not only is the hotel historic and special in every way, Mena House offers you 40 acres of greenery in the vicinity of the pyramids of Giza. So, enjoy a nightcap at the hotel’s 139 Terrace or Lounge Bar and revel in the wondrous landscape and sight of the pyramids.

5. Andrea Mariouteya in New Giza

What can be better than an authentic Egyptian breakfast right under the Sun? Located on the breezy New Giza hills is the famous Andrea, a decades-old restaurant renowned for its grilled chicken, Egyptian mezze and fresh baladi (Egyptian) bread baked in clay ovens right in front of your eyes. One of three Andrea restaurants in Cairo, this branch of Andrea in New Giza has become extremely popular for breakfast. So go try fava beans, falafel, feta cheese with olive oil and tomatoes, all served with hot-out-of-the-oven-baladi bread.

6. A Coptic Gem: Cave Church in Mokattam

Much beauty can be carved out of hardship. In the 1940s a wave of peasants migrated to the Mokattam mountain area (Southeastern Cairo). Accustomed to their pastoral life, they continued to raise cattle but eventually settled as garbage collectors and created workshops for recycling garbage. Today this area is known ‘garbage city’ and hosts a population of 30,000, largely Coptic. The stunning Cave Church, also known as the Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner, was built in 1975 out of an existing cave in the rocky mountains of Mokattam. Today, the Cave Church has a massive seating capacity of 20,000 and is actually considered the largest church in the Middle East. This worship haven with its icons, carvings, candles and magnificent acoustics will simply give you an epiphanic experience.

Zamalek: one of Cairo’s best downtown Neighborhoods

7. Sa’yit el Sawy or El Sawy Culture Wheel

Go to El Sawy Culture Wheel cultural centre — at the very heart of this outrageously busy city — to see aspiring young performers, art exhibitions and workshops. Popular musicians like pianist/composer Omar Khairat andoud guru Nasser Shamma also hold concerts there. It is a popular destination for many young people who meet to exchange ideas, enjoy performances at reasonable prices and meet influentials artists and intellectuals. So if you are heading to Cairo check the Sa’yit el Sawy websitefor upcoming events.

8. Nūn Farmer’s Market

A traveler’s experience is not complete without a visit to a local farmer’s market. Visit the Farmer’s Market at Nūn Centre in Zamalek every Saturday from 10–2 pm to find homemade pastries and jams, natural soaps, essential oils and the best guaranteed organic produce you can find in Egypt. Check the stalls of Tabi3y, Maker, Desert Lake, Kitchen Garden for locally grown organic vegetables and fruits — the best that the Nile valleys offer.

9. Le Pacha 1901

You cannot be in downtown Cairo and not stop for a meal or at least a drink at Le Pacha Boat. Well, it’s not quite a boat — this was a ‘floating palace’ until the turn of the century, and with the addition of three signature restaurants in 1992, Le Pacha became a premier, award-winning, dining and entertainment venue.

Today, Le Pacha hosts eight exquisite restaurants. Have a seat in Carlo’s, the terrace restaurant, and enjoy Lebanese food, shisha and big screens playing your favorite games from the Premiere to the Champions Leagues. Yes, Carlo’s is an interesting blend — nothing about that mix of name, menu or entertainment choices falls in place, yet it is has a deeply charming atmosphere. No doubt Carlo’s is extremely popular among Egyptians — its’ high-end dwellers. Not in the mood for Lebanese or shisha? Go downstairs to L’Asiatique and enjoy superb Japanese food, or explore the floating palace for more food options.

Where to go and how to get there

Wekalet el Ghouri Arts Center
3 Mohamed Abdou St, Al Azhar, Cairo
0225107146, 0225110472

Al-Moez street
Stop a taxi and say, ‘shara’ al-moez ya osta’ (al-moez street, driver)

Al Kheyameya
Towards the end of Al-Moez street.

Andrea Mariouteya — 3 branches
New Giza branch — in 6th of October city (suburbs of Cairo)

Cave Church
Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt

El Sawy Culture Wheel
Gezira Island, Zamalek
11211, 26th of July Corridor

Farmer’s Market at Nun Centre in Zamalek
4 shafiq mansour St. Zamalek

Le Pacha Boat $$
Saraya El Gezirah Street, Zamalek

By Amina El Ghandour