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El Ku5 Restaurant in Downtown Cairo (info below) Downtown Cairo (known by locals as wust el balad ), might be full of history, hostels, stores, congestion, interesting stories and iconic baladi dive bars, but one thing it’s not particularly known for is its restaurants. Sure, it has all the standard fast food chains, but most people don’t head into Downtown in search of a good restaurant – other neighborhoods such as Zamalek , Maadi , Heliopolis , Sheikh Zayed and New Cairo are much more established when it comes to dining destinations. That doesn’t mean however that Downtown Cairo is a lost culinary cause! Au contraire. There are tons of little hole-in-the-walls and food carts serving all kinds of good and authentic street food. But this article is focusing more on the best sit-down-and-eat spots in Downtown Cairo, and these restaurants are as eclectic as the neighborhood itself. So let's get started with some of the best restaurants in Downtown Cairo: Felfela One of the most iconic Egyptian cuisine restaurants in Downtown Cairo since 1959, 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. Koshary Abou Tarek Every Egyptian local has their favorite local koshary joint, but Abou Tarek is widely agreed on being one of the best - if not THE best. Watching the lightning-fast assembly line of layering your plastic carton with koshary is an experience in and of itself! It’s obviously not an ambient or romantic restaurant choice (all the fluorescent lighting will do that to you), but if cheap, filling and fast is what you’re after, then Abou Tarek is your guy. Read more: 7 Best Places To Try Egyptian Street Food in Cairo Eish & Malh Although the name is Arabic (translating to bread & salt), Eish & Malh is an Italian restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner – everything from baked eggs & waffles to homemade pasta and thin-crust pizza. Nab a table next to their French windows that open up onto an eclectic Downtown street and people-watch the day away. Oldish Looking to sit somewhere outdoors but still protected from Downtown’s chaotic streets? Oldish is a very cute restaurant with a beautiful brick courtyard (as well as indoor seating), and is especially nice in the morning when it’s sunny – and they’re open early from 8 am. They’re known for their Egyptian cuisine but also have international classics on their menu such as your standard pizza and pasta options. Read more: 30 Best Breakfast Spots in Cairo Fasahet Somaya This place has been a local hidden gem for over ten years now. It’s a little restaurant run by an Egyptian woman named Somaya, who serves up some of the best homemade Egyptian food you can have in Cairo (unless you’re eating at someone’s grandmother’s house). The twist about Fasahet Somaya though is that it’s only open from 5 pm - 7 pm, it’s first come first serve and there’s no menu. Every day Somaya decides what dishes she’ll make, and that’s what will be served (she posts the daily menu on her FB page in Arabic). Closed on Saturdays. CaiRoma This is the place to head to in Downtown if you’re looking for ambience and Insta vibes. As the name suggests, CaiRoma attempts to recreate the little outdoor restaurants of Rome in an alley of Downtown Cairo, and they succeed aesthetically. Their menu is made up of a wide selection of pastas, pizza, risotto and gnocchi, and while in our humble opinion the food is not totally comparable to Rome’s, the overall experience makes up for it. They’re open daily from 3 pm to midnight. El Ku5 (pronounced El Kukh) If CaiRoma is all about Italian aesthetics, then El Ku5 is a million percent about the vintage, nostalgic, kitschy Egyptian aesthetic. Every spot in this beautifully decorated restaurant is a mini homage to Egyptian folklore and tradition across the country, as well as Egyptian pop culture of yesteryear. They have various seating areas, and even a gorgeous balcony overlooking Downtown Cairo's la belle epoque architecture. Every detail is given an immense amount of thought and meaning, including the music. Their menu is immense, with all the Egyptian favorites you would expect as well as a good amount of international dishes. They also serve breakfast, and morning is the best time to visit El Ku5, with the sun streaming in from the balcony and open windows (they open at 10:30 am). A word to the wise though: this place is almost always full! Om Dahab (or Mama Dahab) If you love little hole-in-the-wall spots that only locals know about, then make sure to try Om Dahab (also known as Mama Dahab), a little food cart with a makeshift kitchen in an almost hidden passageway. The spot itself is shabby and consists of a few plastic tables and chairs in the alleyway, but what makes this place so popular is Dahab, the heart, brain (and cook!) of the whole operation. Dahab herself cooks each sandwich and plate, from 2 pm to 10:30 pm every day except for Friday. Her dishes are all simple, tasty, cheap, and prepared with love. She makes kofta, fried chicken and liver sandwiches, as well as larger plates: molokheya, stuffed vegetables, macaroni with liver, and grilled chicken. Pomodoro This unassuming, no-frills restaurant specializes in a dish that is quite random for Downtown Cairo, or almost anywhere really, and that’s… seafood pasta. Yup, if you’re a fan of tomato sauce pasta topped with your choice of seafood, then this is the place for you. If you’re NOT a fan, then this is… not the place for you, because there’s not much else on the menu lol. How it works is first you choose between three variations: 1) seafood pasta (crab, shrimp, clams, calamari), 2) shrimp pasta, or 3) lobster pasta. They all are served with the same base of tomato sauce linguini. You then choose the size of your plate (regular, medium, large, extra large) and any extra seafood additions you’d like to add. Et voila, that’s it! Local tip: this place gets super crowded; there’s usually a line and even if you have a reservation you’re not guaranteed to be seated on time. But that’s all a testament to how good their seafood pasta is! 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While Egypt is well-known for being the land of the pharaohs and pyramids , not many people (including locals) realize just how old some of Egypt’s fully-modern cities are. So the next time you’re in one of these places listed below, try to ignore the cars zipping past and the blaring TVs for a moment, and soak in the fact that you’re standing in the same Ancient Egyptian city that stood on that very same spot more than 5,000 years ago. 1. Fayoum (7,000+ years old) Ancient Egyptian name: Shedet Greek name: Crocodilopolis While the ancient Egyptian city of Shedet (modern-day Fayoum) is around 6,000 years old, archaeologists have found evidence of hunter and gatherer societies based in Fayoum from the Epipalaeolithic age. Shedet was called Crocodilopolis by the Greeks due to it being the main cult center of the crocodile god Sobek. Modern-day Fayoum is also home to a few lesser-known pyramids than those found at the Giza plateau . 2. El Qoseir (~5,000 years old) Greek name: Leucus Limen The small modern Red Sea city of El Qoseir has been populated for about 5,000 years, and the ancient Greeks called it “Leucus Limen”, which translates to ‘white port’ or ‘white harbor’. El Qoseir was used as a starting point for many ancient expeditions into foreign lands, the most famous one being Hatshepsut’s expedition to Punt (believed to be modern-day Ethiopia) in 1493 AD to buy ebony, ivory, exotic animals and frankincense and myrrh. This expedition was recorded in her mortuary temple at Deir el Bahari , that still stands in modern-day Luxor. 3. Rashid/Rosetta (~5,000 years old) Ancient Egyptian name: Khito Greek name: Bolbitine This modern-day Mediterranean port city is known for being where the world-famous Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799, allowing Egyptologists to decipher the then-impenetrable hieroglyphics for the first time. Rashid/Rosetta was inhabited throughout all of Ancient Egyptian history, and named ‘Khito’, which meant ‘populace’, during Menas’ (Mena in Arabic) rule. During Ptolemaic times, Khito was renamed to Bolbitine, which was one of the seven mouths of the Nile according to Herodotus. 4. Ain Shams (~5,000 - 6,000 years old) Ancient Egyptian name: Iunu Greek name: Heliopolis While technically Ain Shams is now part of modern-day Cairo, the original city Iunu is one of Ancient Egypt’s oldest cities, occupied since the Predynastic times (Menas or Mena is considered the first pharaoh and marks the beginning of the Early Dynastic Period around 5,000 years ago). Iunu/Heliopolis was known to be a cult center for the sun god Atum, who was then identified as Ra and then Horus. It also became famous for being a learning center during the Greek times, before it was eclipsed by Alexandria around 2,000 years ago. The name Heliopolis lives on as Cairo’s eastern suburb , near the original city of Ain Shams/Iunu. 5. Elephantine in Aswan (more than 5,000 years old) Ancient Egyptian name: Abu Greek name: Elephantine This island in modern-day Aswan used to be the Ancient Egyptian city of Abu, which translated to ‘elephant’. The first temple built on the island was around 3,200 BC (around 5,200 years ago), and it was a temple for Satet, a goddess personified as the Nile inundation. Elephantine was also known in the Ancient Egyptian religion as being the home of Khnum, the ram god who watched over and controlled the Nile waters. Around 3,500 years ago Elephantine became a fort that marked the southern border of Egypt. Read: 12 Most Interesting Things To See & Do in Aswan, Egypt 6. Luxor (~ 5,200 years old) Ancient Egyptian name: Waset Greek name: Thebes Probably the most famous ancient city in the world, Luxor’s Ancient Egyptian name, Waset, meant ‘city of the scepter of the pharaohs’. Waset was first inhabited around 3,200 BC and was a small trading post while the Ancient Egyptian capital and royal residence at the time was Memphis. Its proximity to Nubia and the Eastern desert made Waset/Thebes a growingly-important trading center, and became the official capital of Ancient Egypt during the Middle and New Kingdoms. Waset/Thebes was built on both banks of the Nile, and until this day is known for its necropolises . Read: 10 Best Things To Do in Luxor, Egypt - As Told By Locals 7. Assyut (more than ~5,100 years old) Ancient Egyptian name: Zawty Greek name: Lykopolis Ancient Assyut was the capital of the 13th Nome of Upper Egypt (a nome was a territorial division in Ancient Egypt) around 5,100 years ago. Its importance declined after a conflict with the more southern nomes, ending with Thebes as the victor. While there are no awe-inspiring ruins left in Assyut like there are in Luxor, there remains a necropolis with tombs and their accompanying treasures, and mummies of wolves were also found. You might also like: 12 Most Impressive Ancient Egyptian Temples Still Standing Today

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 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. BRISK Haute Cookout Their tagline is that they serve "American delicacies with a French twist." We're still not sure what that French twist is, but in any case they have great smashburgers as well as brisket in all sorts of ways -- smoked brisket platter, brisket taco, brisket sandwich and brisket toast. They also have a breakfast menu, with items like a smoked roast beef bagel or an egg & brisket English muffin. For more info, pictures and menu: BRISK'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 Pattini Lokali The Wheelhouse Don Eatery Butcher’s Burger Chicken & Ribs Jimmy's Pizzeria Between The Buns Tabali Cafes: 30 North 1980 Coffee CAF Cafe Dipndip Dancing Goat Goffee Breadfast Coffee Antakha Le Flandrin Ni Caffe Nude Bakery Beano’s Valu Cafe You may also like: 12 Chill Places to Have Dinner & Drinks in Maadi

New millennial and Gen Z dessert shops seem to be opening and competing with each other on a daily basis these days in Egypt. And while there’s something to be said for newfangled desserts like red velvet konafa and all the other 'out-of-the-box' desserts we see pop up regularly, that doesn’t mean we should let the old Egyptian patisseries of yonder years take the backseat. It turns out we have a bunch of old-school dessert shops that not only have stood the test of time in Egypt, but come with fascinating stories and history. While some might now be run down and a shadow of their former selves (while some others are booming), it’s important to support these sugar-laden relics of our history, food and culture. For 21 classic Cairo restaurants from the 90s that are still open until now, head here . 1. Groppi Founded: 1891 in Cairo The oldest and probably most famous on this list, Maison Groppi opened in 1891 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. The modern Groppi (still on Talaat Harb Square) has been closed and undergoing renovation for the past few years now. 2. Simonds Founded: 1898 in Cairo This classic oriental-meets-western bakery and cafe has been open for more than 100 years, and is still active in several different branches in Zamalek, Downtown and Dokki. 3. Trianon Founded: 1905 in Alexandria Trianon was originally a Greek-owned patisserie and chocolatier next to Raml Station in Alexandria, known back in the day for its fantastic desserts and Italian-painted interiors. 4. Tseppas Founded: 1912 in Cairo Another beloved Downtown Cairo patisserie back at the turn of the 20th century, Tseppas now has over 10 branches. 5. El Malky Founded: 1917 in Cairo Known for its dairy desserts and especially rice pudding, the very first El Malky opened over 100 years ago in the El Hussein area in Old Cairo. 6. Délices Founded: 1922 in Alexandria This Alexandrian patisserie and bakery is still owned by the same original Greek family who opened it. Besides the desserts and baked goods, Délices is now also home to a bistro and adjacent restaurant. 7. Mandarine Koueider Founded: 1928 in Cairo The Koueider family moved to Egypt from Damascus, Syria in 1926, and two years later opened their very first shop dedicated to oriental desserts. 8. Fluckiger Founded: 1930 in Alexandria Opened by a Swiss pastry chef almost 100 years ago, Fluckiger used to be especially known for their ‘clo-clo’ cone-shaped ice cream back in the day, which would have people lining up in front of the patisserie for hours. They now have almost 20 branches spread out over Alexandria and the North Coast. 9. Gianola Founded: 1939 in Port Said Gianola is Port Said's oldest patisserie and bakery, dating back 80+ years to when the original owner, Swiss native Francois Gianola, opened his European pastry shop. Gianola remains until now a popular restaurant and patisserie in Port Said. 10. A L’Americaine Founded: 1943 in Cairo An offshoot of Maison Groppi, A L’Americaine was a coffee and pastry shop created by the same owners, but for people couldn’t quite afford Groppi at the time. Two of the branches still exist Downtown until today. 11. ElDomiaty Founded: 1950 in Damietta In the little Mediterranean city of Damietta (El Domyat), the El Husseiny family opened their first first pastry house. Over the decades, the number of ElDomiaty Patisseries grew and spread to Cairo, with their traditional recipes being passed down from generation to generation. 12. Patisserie Alexandra Hamos Founded: 1957 in Alexandria Alexandra Hamos was the wife of the Greek owner of the famous Alexandrian patisserie. It first opened in the Ramleh area, which had been the center of the Greek community in Alexandria, before opening other branches around Alex. 13. Saber Founded: 1960 in Alexandria What started as a food truck for rice pudding, belila, meshmesheya and ashoora back in 1960 soon turned into several small shops in Alexandria. They also claim to be the first dessert shop to offer ice cream during the winter in Alex. 14. Manna Founded: 1969 in Alexandria Manna is the nickname of the beloved woman who founded this patisserie 50 years ago, Amina El Deeb, and is still owned and run by her children and grandchildren until now. This dessert shop was once the favorite of the Alexandrian elite, and served Egyptian icons like Abdel Halim Hafez and Mohamed Abdel Wahab. You might also like: 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt that You Can Still Stay At Today

Cairo is a sprawling city, with its fair share of traffic (to put it politely). So it makes all the sense in the world to try to stick to the neighborhood you live in/work in when it comes to kicking back with a drink after a long day - after all, you’re trying to de-stress, not add to it by being stuck in traffic for an hour and a half. The western suburb of Sheikh Zayed and (6th of October City as a whole) is about half an hour from central Cairo (Downtown & Zamalek), and has recently started to have a hood amount of both casual pubs and upscale restobars. Below we list some of our personal favorites, in no particular order. Read also: 12 Chill Places in Maadi to Get Dinner & Drinks Read also: 9 Best Restaurant & Bars for Dinner & Drinks in New Cairo Read also: Nightlife in Heliopolis, Cairo: 10 Best Restaurants, Bars and Pubs Cairo Jazz Club 610 The sister venue of Cairo’s longest-lasting and most beloved bar/club, Cairo Jazz Club in Agouza. ‘610’ is how we locals usually refer to the 6 October venue, and what’s great about it is that not only do they have an indoor section for live music, DJs and a happening bar, but a large outdoor terrace where you can enjoy a boozy brunch or dinner as well. Location: El Guezira Plaza, Sheikh Zayed Call to reserve: 01008111330 Sachi Park St. The original Sachi in Heliopolis has been a staple of Cairo fine dining and nightlife for over a decade now (for more Heliopolis night spots, head here ). So it was only a matter of time before they brought their famous Mediterranean fusion, sushi menu and cocktail list to the west of the Cairo - which they did with Sachi Park St. Both indoor and outdoor dining available. Location:  Park Street, El Bostan, Sheikh Zayed Call:   01278666185 Clstr 11 Touted as Cairo's first "bar-hopping experience", Clstr 11 is a big courtyard in Guezira Plaza that has multiple adjacent bars and restobars all sharing the same communal courtyard space. Two of Cairo's most renowned nightlife spots, L'Aubergine and Pub 28, opened branches there, as well as other venues like Zouni, Ouzeri, Sotto, Casa de Farida and Chestnut. The pros are that there are a lot of different choices of where to get a drink and a nice communal feeling, but the con is that the places all start to feel sort of the same. Nice and calm during the day, pretty crowded on weekend nights. Pier 88 Pyramid Hills In the mood for Italian food and wine? Pier 88 rarely lets us down, whether it’s the original El Gouna branch, the Nile-side Zamalek branch or Pier 88 Pyramids Hills in 6 October. Cheap this lounge and restobar is not, but we’re still fans. They offer brunch on weekends from 1 pm (and have a great outdoor section if you want some sun) and dinner and drinks on weekdays and weekends from 7 pm onwards. Location: Pyramid Hills compound Call to reserve : 01208111130 Izakaya Cairo’s first Nikkei restaurant. What’s Nikkei, you ask? It’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion, born from the migrant Japanese community living in Peru and over decades adding their touch to traditional Peruvian dishes. It’s become so beloved and recognized that not only does this fusion have its own name -Nikkei- but it’s actually spread half a world away, all the way to Egypt, thanks to Izakaya. It’s also a beautiful place to chill and have a cocktail. Location: Palm Hills compound, Sheikh Zayed Call to reserve: 0 1271116223 Gigi This place is far more casual than its two predecessors on this list, in terms of both food and setting. Gigi is a place to kick back with a burger, beer and friends, whether in their inside section or outdoor patio. Location: Arkan Plaza, Sheikh Zayed Call to reserve: 02 37966344 Read more: 10 Best Restaurants & Cafes in Arkan Plaza Carlo’s What started as a favorite restaurant on Zamalek’s famous Le Pacha 1901 boat, home to several of Cairo’s very best restaurants , became its own breakaway star (the Justin Timberlake of Le Pacha restaurants if you will). The Carlo's in Arkan is a great place for a drink, some good mezze, a shisha, and to watch a football match. Location: Arkan Plaza, Sheikh Zayed Call to reserve: 01122208881 The Tap West Cairo's favorite modern pub. The Tap is known and loved for its live music nights, wings, pub food and laid-back setting. Check out their social media for a heads up on their all-you-can-eat-wings days and happy hours. Location: Galleria 40, Sheikh Zayed Call to reserve: 0 1060000867 Crimson This famous Zamalek restobar opened a second branch in Arkan Plaza, on a rooftop of sorts, with both indoor and outdoor dining, as well as a seated bar. They have the same menu upscale international dishes and an array of cocktails. Location: Arkan Plaza Call to reserve: 01222174270 Esca Cueva Perched atop the New Giza plateau, this design award-winning restaurant and bar serves upscale international food and drinks from 4 pm until 2 am. If you're just going to enjoy the view and food, then try to book a dining slot before 10 pm, when a resident DJ takes over and the restaurant turns into more of a nightspot. Reservations needed (local tip: they're notoriously annoying about answering their reservation line, fingers crossed they get it sorted out soon). For more info: Esca Cueva IG The Smokery Palm Hills Overlooking the golf course in Palm Hills, The Smokery offers an international menu as well as sushi. This indoor/outdoor space offers both high tables for a more cocktail bar feel for night, and lower tables for those in the mood to eat and drink overlooking the view. Location: Palm Hills compound Call to reserve: 01211270078 Mayrig On the joint rooftop of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the commercial Arkan Plaza, is Egypt's first Armenian restaurant (with lots of Lebanese flair). Mayrig, which means 'little mother' in Armenian, first opened its doors in Beirut, Lebanon and went on to be a smash hit with other Mayrigs opening in Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Maldives and most recently, Egypt. You can order a drink from their bar and enjoy their extensive menu, all with a refreshing breeze that comes from being on a rooftop in Cairo. They're also open for lunch from 1 pm. Location: Crowne Plaza, Sheikh Zayed You might also like: 7 Best Bars, Pubs, Clubs and Other Nightlife Spots in Cairo

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 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 Perched on the right 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 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. 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) This Eastern suburb in Cairo is a kinda far from the usual sightseeing spots, but it’s calmer and less chaotic than central Cairo and closer to the airport. You’ll find here Cairo Festival City, a huge mall full of stores, restaurants, shisha cafes and cinemas, as well as a bunch of other commercial centers (like 5A By Waterway and Garden 8) 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 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 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 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. It’s also the closest neighborhood to the Cairo Museum , Khan el Khalili and Islamic and Coptic Cairo . Recommended for: backpackers 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 check out our full recommended hotel list right here . You may also like: Top 10 Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt

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

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 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. 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 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 Marzipan BRGR CAF Pickl Nola Dolato Le Flandrin You might also like: 12 Best Bars, Pubs and Restobars in Sheikh Zayed & 6 October City, Cairo

Bars, pubs, clubs, oh my! 99% of Cairo’s nightlife used to be found on the island of Zamalek , and while it’s still the city’s night spot epicenter, bars and clubs are popping up like daisies all around the capital now. We’re going to walk you through some of our favorite local nightlife spots in Cairo, no sketchy hotel bars for us, thanks! For a breakdown of best bars per neighborhood, you can check out: 7 Best Bars, Pubs & Restobars in Zamalek 12 Chill Places in Maadi to Get Dinner & Drinks 9 Best Restaurant & Bars for Dinner & Drinks in New Cairo Nightlife in Heliopolis, Cairo: 10 Best Restaurants, Bars and Pubs 12 Best Bars, Pubs & Restobars in Sheikh Zayed & 6th October City Best Bars & Nightlife in Downtown Cairo - Baladi Bars, Historic Bars & Rooftop Bars Cairo Jazz Club Locations : Agouza Type of venue: club Dress code: smart casual Reservations needed: yes Cairo Jazz Club has been a Cairo nightlife staple for 15+ years. While the name might lead you to believe it’s all about jazz, that’s not exactly true. CJC has different music on a nightly basis, ranging from live music to hip-hop, DJs, jazz, Egyptian folkloric music and way more. The great thing about CJC is that they have a monthly schedule, so you can figure out in advance if the music that night is up your alley or not. The music usually starts around 10-10:30 pm, so if you’re hungry or want to have a conversation with someone when you can actually hear each other, go a little before then. It's about a five minute car ride from Zamalek. You can find their music schedule here . CJC 610 Locations: Sheikh Zayed Type of venue: club Dress code: smart casual Reservations needed: yes Cairo Jazz Club's bigger, more expansive branch on the west side of Cairo, in Sheikh Zayed. Whereas the original Cairo Jazz Club is on the smallish and crowded side, 610 has a large open-air terrace and bar connected to the inner club, to either kick back in or escape to when you need a breath of fresh air. Indoors they have two large bars, a stage for DJs and live performers, and tables dotted around the dance floor. They too have their own weekly schedules of music, and it's pretty much the top place in Cairo to dance. You can find their music schedule here . L’Aubergine Locations: Zamalek, Heliopolis Type of venue: pub/bar Dress code: casual Reservations needed: no L’Aubergine is another long-time heavy hitter in the Cairo bar scene. What’s awesome about them is they also serve great food, so it’s a good option if you want to kick back with a beer but also want some food in your system -- and they have a big vegetarian menu too, if that's your thing. Another thing we love about L’Aubergine is the casual-ness of it -- you don’t need to worry about suffering the night away in heels or dressing to impress. The Tap Locations: New Cairo & 6th of October Type of venue: pub Dress code: casual Reservations needed: it’s always better to be on the safe side This light-hearted, indoor/outdoor pub comes complete with foosball tables and a jovial vibe. They play live music on some nights so it’s always worth it to hit up their IG/FB page and see what’s cooking. Speaking of cooking, they also have an extensive menu of pub food -- they’re famous for their wings, so no need to indulge in a heavy dinner (or any dinner) before you head over there. For more info: Tap East's FB page . Tab West's FB page . Crimson Location: Zamalek Type of venue: restaurant/bar Dress code: smart casual Reservations needed: yes Crimson is an open-air rooftop restaurant and bar in Zamalek and has some of the best Nile views in the city. It's a great spot to go get dinner and drinks, or just a beer or cocktail at the bar. Their cocktail list is impressive, but warning - they're expensive! Their food is good as well, landing them also on our list of best Cairo restaurants for locals and tourists alike . For more info, you can check their FB page . Sachi Location: Heliopolis, Sheikh Zayed Type of venue: restaurant/bar Dress code: smart casual Reservations needed: yes Sachi is an upscale Mediterranean fusion and sushi restaurant and bar by Baky Hospitality, the restaurateurs who brought you Lexie’s, one of our favorite places for dinner and drinks in New Cairo . When Sachi first opened its doors, it was one of the only restobars of its kind in terms of impeccable aesthetics and service - and has continued to stay a powerhouse since, with Sachi By The Sea operating in the North Coast during summer months, and Sachi Park St. in Sheikh Zayed . Sachi Park St. in Sheikh Zayed also has a beautiful rooftop terrace for when the weather is nice. For more info, check out their FB page . Pier 88 Location: Zamalek Type of venue: bar/lounge Dress code: smart casual Reservations needed: yes Pier 88, like Crimson, graces both our ‘best bars’ and ‘best restaurants’ list (look at you, Pier 88!). Pier 88 is a great dining destination during the day and most weekday nights, then on weekend nights and Tuesday nights it segues into a sexier lounge/bar feel, with people standing and socializing by the bar or their table, and the owner occasionally dancing on the bar himself. Pier 88 overlooks the Nile in Zamalek and has a small outdoor area if you want to catch the river breeze. Pier 88's FB page . You might also like: 9 Best Rooftop Bars in 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, when finished, will be the largest archaeological museum in the world . 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. 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 open. It's pretty much finished, but it's still in its soft opening phase, meaning there's still a few galleries and exhibitions not opened yet. However, what you CAN see there will easily take up the better part of a whole day, so it's hard to imagine how much time you would need there once it's reached full completion. You can currently see the Grand Hall, the massive Grand Staircase, the 12 main galleries, the commercial area and outside gardens, but the long-awaited King Tut Galleries are still closed to the public. It’s predicted that once fully open, 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 6 pm (with the galleries open from 9 am to 5 pm) Last available time to buy a ticket on-site is 4 pm There are seven daily Grand Egyptian Museum guided tour slots a day: 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 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 (reminder that the King Tut Galleries are still closed: 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 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. 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): 1,200 EGP GEM admission (child, age 4 - 12 years old): 600 EGP GEM admission (student, age 13 - 21 years old): 600 EGP Guided tour including admission ticket (adult): 1,700 EGP Guided tour including admission ticket (child): 850 EGP Guided tour including admission ticket (student): 850 EGP Children Museum Tour (age 6 - 12 years old): 500 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

We have two relatively safe assumptions to make: a) most of the world knows about the Great Pyramids of Giza and b) most of the world has very little idea about the 100+ other pyramids that Egypt is home to. Yup, when they started calling Egypt the Land of the Pyramids, they really weren’t kidding (not very sure who ‘they’ are but that’s besides the point). All of these pyramids are thousands of years old, and are tombs to different pharaohs and their consorts. ( Read: 8 Best Ancient Egyptian Tomb Sites in Modern Egypt ) And while no one is trying to compete with the Giza Pyramids’ majesty, there are a few lesser-known pyramids that are most definitely worth a visit. 1. The Step Pyramid Pharaoh: Djoser Built: ~2670 BC (almost 4,700 years old) Necropolis: Saqqara Starting off with the next most-recognizable pyramid after the ones at the Giza plateau. This beauty is the oldest Egyptian pyramid to date -- ‘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. While there are other pyramids at the Saqqara necropolis, Djoser is by far the jewel in Saqqara’s crown. Read more: Saqqara, Egypt - A Local's Guide to Visiting the Step Pyramid of Djoser & the Saqqara Tombs 2. The Red Pyramid Pharaoh: Sneferu Built: ~2585 BC (around 4,600 years ago) Necropolis: Dahshur Not very far from the Giza and Saqqara pyramids you’ll find the necropolis of Dahshur, home to three different pyramids on this list. Read more: Dahshur Pyramids - A Local's Guide The Red Pyramid received its moniker due to its reddish hue, although it wasn’t always red. The entire pyramid used to be encased in white limestone, which you can still see at the base. The white limestone was actually stripped from the pyramid in the Middle Ages (can you believe it?) to construct buildings in Cairo. The layer underneath was red limestone, which you can see until today. The Red Pyramid is believed to be the first successful attempt at creating a smooth-sided pyramid, and was Pharaoh Sneferu’s third pyramid. 3. The Bent Pyramid Pharaoh: Sneferu Built: ~2600 BC (around 4,600 years ago) Necropolis: Dahshur Another of Sneferu’s Dahshur pyramids, 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. Another theory is that they anticipated Sneferu’s death approaching, so they wanted to finish his pyramid as soon as possible. A third theory is that they were trying to avoid the same colossal disaster that occured with Sneferu’s first pyramid, the Meidum pyramid (below), which collapsed mid-construction. 4. The Black Pyramid Pharaoh: Amenemhat III Built: ~1860 AD (around 3,800 years ago) Necropolis: Dahshur This pyramid, while technically ruined, is still definitely worth seeing when you head to Dahshur to see the Red and Bent pyramids, just because it looks so different and vaguely creepy. The Black Pyramid is believed to be the first pyramid in Egypt that was intended to house both the pharaoh and his queens. It’s called the Black Pyramid due to is “dark, decaying appearance”. It collapsed partially due to it being made out of mudbrick instead of traditional stone (although it was encased in limestone), and partially due to its low elevation allowing Nile water to seep into the walls, ending with the structure cracking and sinking into the clay ground. 5. Meidum Pyramid Pharaoh: Sneferu Built: ~2600 BC (around 4,600 years ago) Necropolis: Meidum Meidum is believed to be the second oldest pyramid, after the step pyramid of Djoser. It was Sneferu’s first attempt at building a pyramid and unfortunately not a successful one -- the top collapsed pre-completion. Archaeologists have a theory that the pyramid’s architect was trying to implement Imhotep’s step pyramid design (as seen in the step pyramid of Djoser), but tried to modify the original design halfway through. 6. Fayoum Pyramids Pyramids: Hawara and El Lahun Pharaohs: Amenemhat III (Hawara pyramid) and Senusret II (Lahun pyramid) Built: ~1860 AB (Hawara) and ~1897 BC (El Lahun) This entry is a two-for-one. Not many people, including Egyptian locals, know that not only is Fayoum Egypt’s oldest city (and one of the world’s oldest) , but is also home to several pyramids (the nearby Meidum pyramid, while in Beni Suef, is usually part of the Fayoum pyramid tour as well). While Hawara and El Lahun were built at two different times for two different pharaohs, they were both made of mudbrick with limestone casing, and the casing was stripped off of both pyramids, leading to their final deterioration. 7. Abusir Pyramids Pharaohs: Niuserre, Neferirkare Kakai & Sahure Built: 5th Dynasty (around 4,500 years ago) If the above listing was a two-for-one, then this is your lucky day, because Abusir is a three-for-one. Technically, Abusir is home to fourteen pyramids, but only three of them are considered the “major” pyramids of Abusir. They were styled after the Great Pyramids of Giza, but due to their lower-quality local limestone casing, they haven’t stood the test of time as well as their predecessors. Theories around why the construction of these pyramids was inferior to those of the Giza plateau vary from a declining economy to the decrease of the absolute power of Pharaoh. Interesting local tip: there are two pyramids in North Sudan, built when a Kushite (Nubian) pharaoh ruled Egypt. While these pyramids are geographically in Sudan, they are historically considered Egyptian. You might also like: Ancient Egypt Bucket List - 20 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Sites

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 Cairo Museum 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

So you want to enjoy a meal with one of the best views the entire world can offer you: the Pyramids of Giza. Who can blame you? (Pst: here's our full guide to the Pyramids ). One small issue though: the tourist trap restaurants in that area can be a nightmare; underwhelming at best and inedible at worst. So we’re here with our local guide of which restaurants are worth both your money and your appetite, without having to give up on that once-in-a-lifetime view. You might also like: Grand Egyptian Museum - A Local's Guide To Everything You Need To Know 139 Pavilion Cuisine: International Serves: 24/7 Serves alcohol: yes This open-air restaurant in the iconic Marriott Mena House hotel is a breath of fresh air from the crowds and bustle of Giza. Have breakfast, lunch or dinner fountain-side, surrounded by flowers and greenery and, you know, THE PYRAMIDS. What a view! There’s an a la carte menu, but also the option of an all-you-can-eat buffet. At night you lose some of the Pyramids view because they’re not always lit up, but there’s something peaceful and serene in the darkness. Khufu's Cuisine: Egyptian Serves: breakfast, brunch & lunch Serves alcohol: yes Brought to you by the culinary minds of one of our favorite restaurants , Pier 88, Khufu's is at the King Center on the Giza Plateau, meaning this is about as close and personal as you're going to get to the Pyramids while enjoying a meal and a drink. There's also an adjacent Khufu's Bistro on the top floor. Khufu's serves 'upscale Egyptian' cuisine, ie. more gourmet versions of Egyptian classics (you choose between two set menus). The view is obviously spectacular, but keep in mind that it's not cheap and closes at 5 pm, so only breakfast, brunch and lunch are available. Reservations needed. For more info: Khufu's IG 9 Pyramids Lounge Cuisine: Egyptian Serves: breakfast, lunch and early dinner Serves alcohol: no 9 Pyramids Lounge was the first restaurant to actually be on the same Giza plateau as the Pyramids themselves -- so the unobstructed views of all three pyramids plus the smaller queens' pyramids are OUT OF THIS WORLD. Serving Egyptian food, 9 Pyramids Lounge is open from 8 am to 5 pm, but last entry is 4 pm. A local tip though: their food is average so don't have super high hopes; here it's all about the view. For more info: 9 Pyramids Lounge IG Moghul Room Cuisine: Indian Serves: lunch and dinner Serves alcohol: yes Also found in the Marriott Mena House is one of Cairo’s best Indian restaurants, the Moghul Room. This restaurant has been a firm Cairo favorite for decades now, and it never falters when it comes to quality, taste, ambience… oh and that view isn’t anything to sneeze at either. Cheristo Cuisine: seafood Serves: lunch and dinner (noon to midnight) Serves alcohol: yes One wouldn't expect Cairo's oldest seafood restaurant (founded in 1930!) 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). For more info: Cheristo's IG Zeeyara Cuisine: Egyptian Serves: breakfast, lunch and dinner (6:30 am to midnight) Serves alcohol: no Zeeyara, on the rooftop of the 'Elite Pyramids Boutique Hotel', is the place to hit up if you want some authentic Egyptian fare to match your authentic Egyptian view; you'll find local Egyptian favorites , plus more adventurous dishes like camel meatballs. They also open early, so it's a great place to have breakfast -- they have an extensive 'countryside menu' as well as a standard Egyptian breakfast and continental breakfast. For more info and the menu: Zeeyara's IG Pizza Hut Cuisine: fast food I guess? Serves: lunch and dinner (11 am to midnight) Serves alcohol: no 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. This is perfect for people on a budget or those who have picky kids. 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. Bonus entry: Ladurée Ladurée, the famous French patisserie, is more of a dessert place and not a restaurant per se. But they do have a small breakfast, brunch and lunch menu alongside their spectacular view, so we decided to add them as a bonus. You may also like: 12 Places To Go For The Most Beautiful Views in Egypt

A common local complaint is that Alexandria falls significantly short in comparison to Cairo when it comes to bars, pubs, clubs and other watering holes. And while this is true to a certain extent, Alex *does* in fact have more than a dozen spots where you can kick back with a drink. Are they all worth going to? Well… we’ll let you decide for yourself. Note: we didn’t include restaurants that served alcohol (Greek Club, Chez Gaby, Santa Lucia, Zephyrion, etc) because they’re more restaurant than a night spot. So here are the main players in Alexandria’s nightlife, in no particular order: 1. Spitfire Dating all the way back to 1883, Spitfire is Alexandria’s oldest bar with decades of paraphernalia on the walls (but have moved from their original spot to the Corniche). 2. Cap D’Or (Sheikh Ali) Another vintage Alexandrian bar, the Cap D’Or (also known as Sheikh Ali) opened circa 1900 and is still owned by the same family. 3. Jeeda's Touted as Alexandria's first ever tapas bar, Jeeda's is where you should head if you want to have a drink in a beautiful indoor/outdoor space with handcrafted cocktails. 4. Eros Eros is a restobar on the second floor of the Alexandria Syrian Club (the club itself was founded back in 1967!). Rooftop Hidden atop a nondescript commercial/residential building on Alexandria's Corniche is a bar/cafe called, aptly, Rooftop or Alex Rooftop, with gorgeous sea views. They serve both beer as well as coffee and other non-bar drinks. 6. The Pint Located in the Eatabe Alexandria Corniche Hotel, this steakhouse & bar is adjacent to a lounge that serves shisha. 7. Cigar Bar A bar true to its name in the Hilton Alexandria Corniche , the Cigar Bar has beautiful sea views as well as an extensive array of cigars. The Hilton Alexandria Corniche also has NEO Lounge if you're looking for some music after the Cigar Bar. They host weekly themed nights like House Night, Latin Night, Oriental Night, etc. 8. Sky Roof On the rooftop of the Windsor Palace Hotel , this very purple bar and lounge serves up blasting music (albeit with great sea views). 9. Calithea Styled after a Greek tavern, Calithea has been open since 1937. While they serve food, most people opt to drink a beer or wine there instead. 10. Monty Bar The vintage bar at the famous Cecil hotel (now Steigenberger). It was named after Field Marshal Montgomery who visited the bar during World War II. Hooligans Indoor and outdoor seating at this sports bar (and DJ venue at night) at the Sunrise Alex Avenue Hotel, near Stanley Beach. 12. The Kraken A Viking-themed bar and restaurant in the Africana Hotel in King Mariout, on the outskirts of Alexandria, complete with a pool table and bar games. 13. Le Bar A beautiful lounge and bar at the Four Seasons San Stefano which will make you nostalgic for Alexandria’s belle epoque -- with Four Seasons prices, of course. 14. Nyx Bar & Lounge On the second floor of Elite, a Greek restaurant in Mehatet el Raml, you'll find Nyx Bar and Lounge, where they have DJs, karaoke nights and happy hours. Il Punto A restaurant and pub in the Downtown area of Alexandria. It’s small, so reservations are needed. You might also like: 7 Must-Try Restaurants in Alexandria

Egypt, understandably, has its fair share of museums; 7,000+ years of civilization will do that to you. Cairo alone has over a dozen really interesting museums covering different aspects of Egyptian history, civilization and culture, so imagine how many the country as a whole has. That being said, not all museums were created equal, and while they’re all most definitely worth a visit, some are crucial to truly understanding Egypt beyond just the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Egyptian history is vast: you have prehistoric, Ancient Egypt, Greco-Roman (and the introduction of Christianity), medieval (and the introduction of Islam), Ottoman Egypt, the French occupation, the Muhammad Ali dynasty and Khedivate, the British occupation, the Sultanate of Egypt followed by the monarchy, the revolution in 1952 and its following republic and the revolution on January 25th, 2011. Whew! Obviously visiting a few museums won’t be making you an Egyptian scholar but it’s a good place to start to try to wrap your head around Egypt’s mind-boggling history. 1. Grand Egyptian Museum Location:  Giza, next to the Great Pyramids Type of museum:  Ancient Egyptian history The largest archaeological museum in the world, and truly impressive both in architecture as well as exhibitions. 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 as overall experience. You can currently see the Grand Hall, the massive 6 storey 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. 2. Egyptian Museum Cairo Location: Cairo Type of museum: Ancient Egyptian antiquities Before the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum opened its doors, the Egyptian Museum at Midan Tahrir in Downtown Cairo was the best one-stop-shop for becoming acquainted with different aspects of Ancient Egyptian history. It's still home to over 170,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts! 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. 3. Alexandria National Museum Location: Alexandria Type of museum: Alexandrian history Alexandria, the ancient Mediterranean city and capital of Ptolemaic Egypt, is of paramount importance in Egyptian history. If you’re fuzzy about the story of Alexandria, its National Museum will help sort you out. The museum itself from an architectural standpoint isn’t that impressive, but don’t judge a book by its cover -- its contents definitely make up for what its facade lacks. Its exhibits are divided chronologically into eras to help you flesh things out a bit: pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Christian, Islamic and modern. There’s also a section for underwater monuments (some monuments still exist till present day in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Alexandria!). Read: Sightseeing in Alexandria - 15 Best Things To See And Do 4. 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 . 5. Museum of Islamic Art Location: Cairo Type of museum: Islamic heritage This art museum holds over 100,000 pieces of Islamic heritage from not only Egypt but also Arab and non-Arab countries alike, and is important in understanding Egypt’s Islamic history. 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 . 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. 6. Coptic Museum Location: Cairo Type of museum: Coptic Christian heritage 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.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 7. Nubian Museum Location: Aswan Type of museum: Nubian heritage Nubians hail from southern Egypt and northern Sudan, and their history is as old as Ancient Egypt’s. The preservation of Nubian culture is extremely important, because the heartland of Nubia was destroyed due to the flooding of the Nile. The museum tells the story of Nubia from its start as a prehistoric Nile Valley civilization, through the pharaonic era and introduction of Christianity and Islam to Egypt, up to the building of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. Read more: Aswan, Egypt: A Local's City Guide 8. Bibliotheca Alexandrina Museums: Sadat Museum, Manuscripts Museum, Antiquities Museum and History of Science Museum Location: Alexandria Type of museum: varied The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is the new Library of Alexandria, built in 2002 as a nod to the ancient library and its spirit of knowledge and learning. The original was an ancient wonder of the world, but was sadly destroyed in the Roman conquest of Alexandria around 2,000 years ago. The library is home to four different and important museums: the Sadat Museum , dedicated to the former Egyptian president and also a look at modern Egyptian history; the Manuscripts Museum , which focuses on the conservation and restoration of ancient Egyptian manuscripts; the Antiquities Museum , with special focus given to Alexandrian and Hellenistic collections; and the History of Science Museum , which highlights the historical aspect of science in Egypt during three major periods: ancient Egypt, Hellenistic Alexandria, and the Arab-Muslim World. You might also like: 7 Beautiful Palaces You Can Still Visit in Cairo Today

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

When thinking of Egypt and pyramids, most people automatically think of the Giza Pyramids. But what most people fail to realize is that they’re not the sole pyramids in Egypt, and not even the oldest! Read more: 9 Different Egyptian Pyramids (That AREN’T The Giza Pyramids!) That You Need To See One of the things that makes the Pyramids of Giza so fascinating is their sheer size, plus the neighboring Great Sphinx. But not too far from the Giza Plateau is the necropolis of Saqqara, which is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in the world (and also the oldest complete stone building in the world, by the way), as well as a fascinating array of smaller pyramids and Old Kingdom and New Kingdom tombs. Wait, what exactly is Saqqara? Saqqara (also spelled Sakkara) was the royal necropolis of Ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom capital, Memphis. The remains of the necropolis today include the Step Pyramid of Djoser (aka Zoser), smaller pyramids, tombs and other Ancient Egyptian monuments. Outside of the necropolis that’s sectioned off for sightseeing, Saqqara is still an active archaeological dig site, with almost yearly discoveries. Is Saqqara worth visiting while in Cairo? If you have the time, then definitely. For several reasons: The Step Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest pyramid in Egypt, and is considered the initial prototype for the smooth-sided pyramids of Giza (you can see more of that evolution with the Bent Pyramid of Dahshur) Saqqara actually has more to see than the Giza Plateau, between the different pyramids, mastaba tombs, Serapeum, etc. Continue reading down below for a more detailed guide to what you can see in Saqqara Saqqara isn’t far at all from Downtown Cairo, around an hour maybe. Paired with the Dahshur Pyramids and maybe the remnants of Memphis, it’s a really nice half-day trip that’s easily put together by any tour agency if you don’t want to do it solo Saqqara is much emptier and quieter than the Giza Pyramids. You can wander around the site without any annoying touts and vendors, and there are actually plaques to describe what you’re looking at it, which is a rarity in Egypt What to See in Saqqara Like we said above, Saqqara is divided into both a tourist site open to visitors and an active dig site. You won’t be able to explore the dig site for obvious reasons, but there’s still TONS to see. Local tip: not all of the following are always open to the public, sometimes they’re closed for restoration or are on rotation. Unfortunately the only way to find out what’s open and what’s not is to actually go, lol. So here are the main spots in the necropolis, and they’re all a very quick drive away from each other by car, or you can hoof it but beware all the sand and sun: Main Saqqara Site #1: Step Pyramid of Djoser Complex Ok so first off, you’ll hit the Step Pyramid of Djoser Complex. There’s lots to see and explain, but we’ll only get briefly into the main points or else we’ll be here all day. The main things to see there once you walk in are: i) Colonnaded Entrance of the Djoser Step Pyramid Complex You’ll enter the complex through here (same as ancient days, by the way). The colonnade is 20 pairs of columns with 24 small chambers between each, which are thought to maybe represent the nomes of Upper and Lower Egypt, and may have once held statues of the pharaoh or the gods. ii) The Step Pyramid of Djoser This beauty is the oldest Egyptian pyramid to date – it was built c. 2670–2650 BC, so it’s about 4,700 years old, if you can believe that. 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. You can enter the Step Pyramid with an extra ticket. You’ll enter through the Southern Passage, where you’ll walk down a stone corridor ( local tip: it’s nowhere near as narrow or steep as the Giza & Dahshur Pyramids, so if you want to go inside a pyramid with the least amount of claustrophobia/physical exertion, this is the one to enter). At the end of the corridor you’ll reach a railing where you can look down and see the burial chamber where Djoser was laid to rest, deep in the belly of the pyramid. Note: the Northern Passage into the Step Pyramid is not currently open to the public, which is a bummer because it leads to tunnels with some fascinating tiling, engraving and wall imagery. iii) South Tomb The South Tomb is a good place to see what you’re missing within the Northern Passage of the Step Pyramid. Because this tomb is too small to actually hold Djoser’s body, Egyptologists have several theories about the function of the tomb: one is to house the pharaoh’s ka in the afterlife, and a second theory is that this is where the pharaoh’s organs were kept in canopic jars (although future pharaohs were always buried with their canopic jars in the same burial chamber, so it’s a mystery). In either case, the South Tomb has a 30m tunnel that descends into a pink granite burial chamber. It then leads into further chambers that have blue tiling (like the non-accessible Northern passage of the Step Pyramid) as well as wall decoration. Note: you need to buy an extra ticket to enter the South Tomb. iv) Serdab The serdab is a small, enclosed chamber from the Old Kingdom that houses a statue of the deceased (in this case, Djoser) with just a small hole in the wall. It’s believed this statue was for the Pharaoh’s ka, and the sealed off space allowed the soul protection within its walls. You can peek into the hole and see what’s left of Djoser’s statue. Like we said above, there’s loads more to see at the Step Pyramid Complex so make sure to read up on the nitty-gritty before you go. There’s also signage there if you’re not going with a guide. Saqqara Main Site #2: Pyramid of Unas & Old Kingdom Mastaba Tombs While the Pyramid of Unas is not much to look at externally anymore, it’s what’s inside the collapsed pyramid that makes it so interesting. It’s the smallest remaining pyramid of the Old Kingdom, but notable due to the discovery of the ‘Pyramids Texts’ inscribed inside on its walls. The Pyramids Texts were funerary texts and spells for the pharaoh’s afterlife, which would later become the basis of the Book of the Dead. Nearby the Pyramid of Unas are other Old Kingdom mastaba tombs such as: Tomb of Mehu, a royal vizier Tomb of Ti, known for its wall depictions of daily life in the Old Kingdom, including scenes of farming, boat-building and poultry-fattening Tomb of Niankh-Khnum and Khnumhotelp, an unusual ‘double tomb’ mastaba. It’s not common to find a tomb for two people, so it’s theorized that these two men were brothers, and perhaps twins (one theory is that they were actually conjoined twins) Tomb of Irukaptah, also known as Tomb of the Butchers Saqqara Main Site #3: Pyramid of Teti & Tomb of Mereruka This pyramid doesn’t even really resemble a pyramid anymore – you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a sandy hill. But it is in fact the remains of the Pyramid of Teti, and underneath the rubble is worth seeing too – it’s the second known pyramid to have Pyramid Texts on its walls. Nearby the Pyramid of Teti is the Tomb of Mereruka, the biggest and most elaborate tomb of all the non-royals buried in Saqqara. It has 33 chambers in total, with wall paintings and a life-like statue of the vizier Mereruka himself. (Note: going inside the Tomb of Mereruka needs an extra ticket). There are also other Old Kingdoms tombs near the Pyramid of Teti worth visiting, like the Tomb of Kagemni. Saqqara Main Site #4: Horemheb Necropolis (Tombs of the Nobles & New Kingdom Tombs) and the Bubastieion This site is for the “newer” tombs of the New Kingdom (and by newer, we’re talking 3,000+ years old lol). Although during the New Kingdom the Ancient Egyptian capital was at Thebes (now modern-day Luxor ) and the pharaohs were buried in the Valley of the Kings there, the generals were still buried in Saqqara. Horemheb was a general during the time of Tutankhamun and built his tomb in Saqqara, but then became pharaoh after King Tut died childless. The Bubastieion (or Bubasteum) was a temple dedicated to Bastet, the cat goddess. It’s a cat necropolis where over 100 cat mummies were discovered and thousands of cat bones found. 5 lion mummies were also found there. Saqqara Main Site #5: Serapeum So we covered the feline necropolis, but did you know there’s also a burial ground for bulls in Saqqara? It’s true, the Serapeum was for a sacred Ancient Egyptian bull called the Apis, and more than 60 bulls were found to be buried there, with 24 sarcophagi still remaining at the site. How to Get to Saqqara The most direct and hassle-free way of getting to Saqqara is arranging with a local tour company for them to pick you up and take you there (you can also add on whatever sights you’d like, for example the Dahshur Pyramids or Memphis. You can also include the Pyramids of Giza and have one big Pyramids day). You can also go solo, via Uber or taxi, but these are our local tips: The Saqqara necropolis is off the beaten track a bit and in agricultural land, so it’s not always straightforward to get to and sometimes the GPS will lead you astray. It’s better to make sure your driver knows how to get there without relying on GPS The Saqqara necropolis is pretty big and ideally would need a car to drive you from one main site to the other; it’s doable on foot but ultimately a big hassle It’s almost impossible to get an Uber back from Saqqara, so if you go with an Uber or taxi, make sure that they wait for you to finish and you can leave with them Saqqara Opening Hours 8 am - 5 pm (closes earlier during the month of Ramadan) Saqqara Ticket Prices Standard Entrance to Saqqara Necropolis Ticket: Non-Egyptian ticket: 450 EGP Non-Egyptian student ticket: 230 EGP Egyptian ticket: 30 EGP Egyptian student ticket: 10 EGP Local tip: this ticket includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser complex, Unas and Teti Pyramids and the tombs of Kagemni, Nikauisesi, Ankhmahor, Nefereshemptah, Ptahhotep, Ti, Idut, Unasankh and Iynefert – but keep in mind the tombs are sometimes on rotation so you’re not guaranteed these will be the same tombs open on the day you go. Entry into the Step Pyramid via the Southern Passage Ticket: Non-Egyptian ticket: 220 EGP Non-Egyptian student ticket: 110 EGP Egyptian ticket: 40 EGP Egyptian student ticket: 20 EGP South Tomb in Step Pyramid Complex Ticket: Non-Egyptian ticket: 240 EGP Non-Egyptian student ticket: 120 EGP Egyptian ticket: 40 EGP Egyptian student ticket: 20 EGP Nobles Tombs & New Kingdom Tombs in Horemheb necropolis and the Bubastieion Ticket: Non-Egyptian ticket: 330 EGP Non-Egyptian student ticket: 170 EGP Egyptian ticket: 20 EGP Egyptian student ticket: 10 EGP General Local Tips About Visiting Saqqara: As you can probably tell by now there’s a ton to see, so if you’re interested in visiting all the sites and entering all the tombs, this will take the better part of half a day. If you want to visit as part of a larger Giza Pyramids + Saqqara + Dahshur tour, you’ll have to streamline your Saqqara visit There aren’t any restaurants or cafes there, so make sure to bring your own snacks/water (there are a few touts selling water & sodas, but for exorbitant touristic prices) The sun is strong, so make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat if you’re sensitive to the sun Saqqara is a great spot to be able to see in the distance the rest of the pyramid fields: Giza, Dahsur & Abu Sir Pyramids Happy exploring and enjoy! You might also like: Dahshur Pyramids – A Local’s Guide to the Bent Pyramid, Red Pyramid & Black Pyramid

If you’re visiting Cairo, then chances are you have plans to visit the Pyramids of Giza (as you should!). The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last standing Ancient Wonder of the World and definitely is a highlight of any trip to Egypt – it is absolutely not overhyped or overrated, as so many travel destinations now are in our Instagram-obsessed world. Read more: Visiting the Pyramids of Giza – A Local’s Guide To Everything You Need To Know But you know what is UNDERhyped and UNDERrated? The pyramids at Dahshur! To the extent that most visitors coming to Egypt have never even heard of them, which is a crying shame because the Bent Pyramid especially is one of the coolest-looking pyramids in the world. But before we get ourselves all hot and bothered, let’s quickly break down what exactly IS Dahshur, why exactly you should visit, and everything else you need to know about this hidden gem in Egypt. So what is Dahshur? Dahshur is an Ancient Egyptian royal necropolis in the desert on the outskirts of greater Cairo, and home to several pyramids, two of which (the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid) are even older than the Pyramids of Giza. Is it worth visiting Dahshur if I’ve already seen the Pyramids of Giza? If you’re not super tight on time in Cairo, then the answer is definitely yes! Visiting Dahshur will actually give you more insight into how exactly the Pyramids of Giza were made and the transition from the step pyramid shape (like Djoser’s pyramid at Saqqara ) to the smooth-sided shape of the Giza Pyramids. Pharaoh Sneferu (the father of Khufu, the pharaoh of the Great Pyramid) first attempted a smooth-sided pyramid at Dahshur but failed, resulting in the Bent Pyramid (more info below). He then got it right with the Red Pyramid, leading his son to use his engineering know-how to later build the greatest pyramid the world has ever seen, in Giza. Also because Dahshur is off the beaten path, the necropolis is much less crowded than the Giza pyramids, and there are no touts (just a couple of security guys who will offer to take your picture). Plus the entrance ticket is a quarter of the price of the Giza Pyramids! What can I see in Dahshur? The Bent Pyramid Built 2613–2589 BC (so over 4,600 years ago!) by Sneferu, archaeologists believe that the Bent Pyramid represents a transitional form between the step pyramid and smooth-sided pyramid. The ‘bent’ appearance is due to its base having a 54 degree inclination, but the top section having a narrower 43 degree angle. There are different theories as to why it was built this way: one was that as the builders reached the top, the top section started to show instability, so they narrowed the angle. Another theory is that they anticipated Sneferu’s death approaching, so they wanted to finish his pyramid as soon as possible. A third theory is that they were trying to avoid the same colossal disaster that occured with Sneferu’s first pyramid, the Meidum pyramid in Beni Suef, which collapsed mid-construction. The Red Pyramid The Red Pyramid is believed to be the first successful attempt at creating a smooth-sided pyramid in Egypt, and was Pharaoh Sneferu’s third pyramid (after the Bent Pyramid & Meidum Pyramid). It’s also the third biggest pyramid in Egypt, after the Khufu and Khafre pyramids at the Giza Plateau. The Red Pyramid received its moniker due to its reddish hue, although it wasn’t always red. The entire pyramid used to be encased in white limestone, which you can still see at the base. The white limestone was actually stripped from the pyramid in the Middle Ages (can you believe it?) to construct buildings in Cairo. The layer underneath was red limestone, which you can see until today. The Black Pyramid This pyramid, while technically ruined, is still definitely worth seeing when you head to Dahshur, just because it looks so different and vaguely creepy. The Black Pyramid is believed to be the first pyramid in Egypt that was intended to house both the pharaoh and his queens. It was built by Pharaoh Amenemhat III in the Middle Kingdom, so around 3,800 years ago. It’s called the Black Pyramid due to is “dark, decaying appearance”. It collapsed partially due to it being made out of mudbrick instead of traditional stone (although it was encased in limestone), and partially due to its low elevation allowing Nile water to seep into the walls, ending with the structure cracking and sinking into the clay ground. Can you enter the Dahshur pyramids? Yep, you can enter the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid, for no extra price (unlike the Giza Pyramids, where you have to buy an extra ticket to go in them). To be fair though, there’s not much to see in them and it’s not recommended if a) you’re claustrophobic, b) not in the best shape or get winded easily, c) have back or knee problems, or d) you’re afraid of bats :D To enter either pyramid, you climb up long (and sometimes steep) stairs to get to the entrance. Then it’s a series of very low tunnels (as in, you’re completely hunched over) to get to the lower pyramid chamber. There are also high wooden staircases to take you to upper chambers. All in all, it’s a workout and not easy on the back or legs by any means. The adventure element is fun, but don’t expect to see treasures at the end of it – the pyramid chambers are all just empty rooms (save a few bats, lol). How to get to Dahshur While Dahshur isn’t far from Downtown Cairo (maybe an hour’s drive), getting there isn’t very straightforward so here’s where our local experience on the ground will come in handy. Because like we said before, Dahshur is off the beaten track and not known to most visitors – the main people there were part of tour groups who came via tour bus, which obviously is the most straightforward way of going about it. If you’re interested in going solo though and not part of a tour group, then here’s some important things to keep in mind: If you’re going with an Uber or using GPS to get there, it gets really tricky because the GPS will want to take you there via the quickest route (Fayoum Road), but it doesn’t realize that that route will cut through the Dahshur military base (which you obviously can’t go through). So then it’ll force you to take a really long circuitous route through questionable neighborhoods and roads. So basically what we’re saying is that it’s best if you hire a car & driver for a day who actually knows how to get there and doesn’t need to depend on GPS (the best way there is through the Saqqara Road). Or hire a tour guide who will be able to give directions to the driver. Basically just someone who knows where they’re going lol. Once you arrive at Dahshur, it’s best to have some kind of vehicle with you because it’s a trek through the desert from the entrance to the Red Pyramid, then to the Bent Pyramid after that, and so on and so forth. With a car or tour bus, you just drive from spot to spot and then can walk around and take pictures as much as you like. If you do end up going with an Uber driver, make sure you hold on to him there because it’s extreeeeemely difficult to get another Uber or even a regular taxi on the way back. Dahshur is desert surrounded by agricultural land, so it’s not like the Pyramids of Giza which are right on a bustling Cairo road. Dahshur Opening Hours: 8 am to 5 pm (they close earlier in Ramadan, so make sure to double check – it’ll probably close by 3 pm then but Egyptian opening hours can change with the wind) Dahshur ticket prices: Non Egyptian ticket: 150 EGP (75 EGP for students) Egyptian ticket: 10 EGP (5 EGP for students) Car ticket: 10 EGP And now a few parting local tips about Dahshur: If you’re not going with a guide, there’s no signage there with explanations of the pyramids, so it’s best to read up before you go to really get a feel for how interesting Dahshur is There aren’t any restaurants or cafes inside the necropolis, so make sure to bring your own water and/or snacks There are very few shaded areas (unless you’re inside the pyramid, that is) so make sure you’re equipped with sunblock and a hat if you’re sensitive to the sun There aren’t any bathrooms, so emptying your bladder before heading to Dahshur is always a good idea If anyone offers to take your picture or to show you different spots in the necropolis, they’re looking for a tip. Feel free to just say no thanks and keep it moving, they’re not pushy like the touts at the Giza Pyramids It’s a good idea to also visit the Saqqara necropolis (where the Step Pyramid of Djoser and other cool tombs are) because it’s close by and along with Memphis (the remnants of the Ancient Egyptian capital), make a really fun day trip. Read more: Saqqara, Egypt - A Local's Guide to Visiting the Step Pyramid of Djoser & the Saqqara Tombs You may also like: Top 10 Things To Do in Cairo, Egypt

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

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

Accommodation in Aswan is a mixed but limited bag of nuts -- you have your 5 star hotels, budget motels, Nubian guesthouses and random B&Bs… but just not that many. And not all are worth your hard-earned dinero. So we took it upon ourselves to sort through the hits and the duds and give you the real truth -- the pros and the cons-- about the best places to stay in Aswan. Local tip: because getting around Aswan and arranging cars and boats isn’t the easiest, your hotel/guesthouse will be doing most of this for you, so it’s important you pick a place where you find it easy enough to communicate with the front desk/reservations manager. Or if you’re a shrewd one, you can strike up a friendship with a local driver or boatman who will probably give you cheaper rates. Local tip #2: make sure you have cash on you because some of the smaller establishments like Nubian guesthouses either don’t accept credit cards or have issues with their credit card machines, and ATMs are hard to come by in certain parts of Aswan. Cash makes everyone’s life easier. You can read more at our full city guide for Aswan . Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Type of accommodation: 5 star hotel It would be almost sacrilegious to start off this list with any other place. This world-famous hotel was built in 1899 by Thomas Cook and Sons, after the Cairo-Aswan railway was built in 1898 and there was a sudden influx of visitors and and not enough hotels. It was an instant hit and quickly garnered a lot of famous guests over the years, including Tsar Nicholas II, Winston Churchill and Princess Diana. It became literally the stuff of ‘legends’ as its current name suggests, when Agatha Christie used it as the backdrop for her famous novel, Death on the Nile . The 1978 movie they made out of the book was shot there too (so was the famous Egyptian TV series ‘Grand Hotel’). For more historical hotels in Egypt you can stay at until today, head here . Pros: the history, the architecture, the views… it’s 5 star all the way. Cons: THEIR PRICES. If you want to stay here, you better be ready to pay for it. Their website . Kato Dool Nubian House Type of accommodation: Nubian guesthouse One of the colorful Nubian guesthouses you see lining the Nile in the Gharb Soheil area of Aswan, where the Nubian Village is. Meaning ‘Big House’ in Nubian, Kato Dool offers 18 rooms, so it definitely has a more homey feel than a larger hotel. They have a Nubian restaurant that serves up traditional Nubian dishes, grills, and other more standard Egyptian favorites. They also serve shisha but not alcohol. Pros: the beautiful Nubian architecture and being right on the Nile. Cons: it’s not close to anything besides the Nubian village, which means transportation by car or boat is constantly needed and for relatively long distances, which is a considerable added price. Their website . Mövenpick Resort Aswan Type of accommodation : 5 star hotel Located on Elephantine Island, this 5 star hotel provides everything you would expect from a high-end hotel: several restaurants and bars (some right on the Nile with views of the Tombs of the Nobles and Aga Khan Mausoleum), a beautiful pool and amenities like a free and fast ferry to and from the island. They also have a tower restaurant called Panorama with 360 degree views of Aswan which are just insane. Pros: the service, amenities and being in close proximity to many of Aswan’s sights . Cons: the food at the Panorama restaurant was severely lacking last time we were there -- they under-delivered and overpriced. Stick to just drinks and enjoying the view if you’re there. Their website . ECO Nubia Type of accommodation: ecolodge ECO Nubia is an ecolodge on the remote river island of Bigeh, located between the Aswan Dam and the High Dam (all the other places on the list are north of the Aswan Dam). Besides single, double and triple rooms, ECO Nubia offers day-use at their Bigeh Beach, and a Nubian restaurant called Solaih that overlooks the nearby Philae Temple . Pros: their dedication to developing the island for both tourism and locals alike in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. Also the view of Philae! Cons: how remote they are. Their FB page . AnaKato Type of accommodation: Nubian guesthouse Probably the most famous of the Nubian guesthouses in Aswan, AnaKato (meaning ‘our home’ in Nubian), is located in the Gharb Soheil area of Aswan, where Kato Dool (above) and the Nubian Village is, right on the Nile. What started as a small guesthouse has now expanded into several AnaKato properties spread out over Gharb Soheil, and you can choose what kind of room you want: they have basic rooms, family guesthouses and superior chalets. They have an in-house restaurant and are known for their Nile-side New Year’s Eve parties. Pros: the views from their superior chalets are incredible, and their reservations manager is very helpful in sorting out transportation and activities. Cons: their service can be slow, so either give them looots of prior warning (for example, order lunch 2 hours before you’re hungry) or just acclimate yourself to the go-with-the-flow vibe. Gharb Soheil again a bit of a distance from Aswan’s main sites . Their FB page. BenBen by Dhara Hotels Type of accommodation: boutique hotel & ecolodge Located on Heissa Island surrounded by the Nile, this adults only boutique hotel and ecolodge has views of not only Philae Temple, but the Aswan High Dam as well. The hotel as 24 rooms, each with an outdoor jacuzzi. The hotel is built in the eco-friendly Nubian style, with strong focus on its natural surroundings and best ecological practices. Besides their own restaurant and leisure activities, the hotel can also arrange different Aswan excursions for you. Pros: the unbeatable views of Philae Temple (and the jacuzzis of course!) Cons: it's pricey and fully-booked quickly during high season For more details and booking: their website The Zen Wellness Resort Type of accommodation: resort Aswan isn't just a touristic destination for those interested in Ancient Egypt or Nubian culture -- it's also a place that people have gone to for decades to seek out climatic therapy and natural healing . The Zen Wellness Resort brings those two aspects together -- you can experience the beauty and history of Aswan while also partaking in holistic health and wellness. First off, let's talk about accommodation. They offer 3 floor private villas as well as garden view rooms, deluxe rooms and superior rooms. As for wellness, they offer experiences for the mind (eg: CBT, mindfulness meditation and art therapy), for the body (eg: fitness classes, yoga, pilates, biking, water activities, Tai Chi), and for the soul (eg: meditation, mindfulness and expert-led workshops). They also offer holistic 4 day programs that cater to your 360 health and wellbeing. Pros: the ability to intertwine tranquility and wellness into your Aswan trip; as much or as little as you want. Cons: if you don't particularly care for the 'health' part and just want to stay in a beautiful hotel, you might be bothered that their restaurant mainly focuses on seasonal, organic and mainly plant-based meals (meaning you probably won't find your classic vacation favorites), and they don't serve alcohol. For more details and booking : their website You might also like: 7 Best Hotels in Cairo, As Told By Someone Who’s Actually Stayed in Them All

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 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 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. Starting July 2024, there's a twice weekly domestic flight between Cairo Airport and El Alamein Airport. 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).  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 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! 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 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.  Sachi by the Sea (in Almaza Bay and Marassi) The Lemon Tree and Co (in Hacienda White) Tap North (in Almaza Bay) White and Blue Restaurant/Greek Club (in Ghazala Bay and Almaza Bay) Pier 88 (in Almaza Bay) The Smokery (in Bianchi) Izakaya (in Marassi) Kiki’s Beach Bar (in Hacienda White) Also there are usually various musical concerts 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  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

Maadi is home to quite a few restaurants and cafes (Road 9 is just about ready to burst at the seams with them), but how many of them can you actually have a laid-back beer or a glass of wine at while having lunch or dinner? So if you’ve had a long day at work and want to eat, unwind and avoid chaotic cafes or seedy bars, these Maadi destinations are for you. 1. Estro Cuisine: Italian Also known as the ‘Sicilian Rooftop’, this restobar is found on the 9th floor of the Royal Maadi Hotel on Road 18. Opened by the same owners of Frank &Co, Maadi’s favorite tapas bar (below), Estro delivers the same quality but this time in the form of Italian favorites. Local tip: go right before sunset, the views are awesome. Reservations needed. 2. Bua Khao (now called Sala Thai) Cuisine: Thai Owned and spearheaded by a Thai family for the past 20 years, this award-winning little restaurant is hidden off of one of the many midans of Maadi. Bua Khao's menu is large but not too large, with straightforward and sensible Thai dish descriptions instead of the generic “fish soup” menu entries found in many of Cairo’s other Asian restaurants. Beer and wine are served as well. As of 2023 they changed their name to 'Sala Thai' (although everything else remained the same), but they'll always be Bua Khao to us <3 3. Frank & Co Cuisine: International As mentioned above, Frank & Co has the same owners as Estro, so it makes sense that they’re right next to each other on Road 18 (albeit Frank & Co is street level while Estro is a rooftop). Frank & Co opened a few years back as a much-needed tapas bar in Maadi, and has both indoor and outdoor seating. 4. Tipsy Camel Cuisine: international This sports bar in Maadi is the perfect place to go if you want to watch a match or play some pool but also grab a post-work meal and drink. They have numerous screens, a pool table, babyfoot, an outdoor terrace and all the bar food you'd expect -- pizza, burgers, wings, tacos and more. 5. Kokio Cuisine: Korean Ah, Kokio, the king of fried chicken (sorry KFC). This little Korean restaurant is known by all those Maadi-savvy (and chicken-savvy) for having literally some of the best fried chicken in the country. They have original, spicy, soy (flavored with onion, garlic and crushed red pepper), garlic fried, onion fried, and you can order half a chicken or full chicken (or chicken tenders). You can also wash down all that fried goodness with beer. 6. Villa Belle Epoque Cuisine: International This converted villa-turned- boutique hotel is hidden down one of Maadi’s little leafy streets, making it the perfect spot for dinner and drinks away from crowds. Villa Belle Epoque ’s restaurant serves its meals next to their small pool, surrounded by trees and flowers. They have an extensive food menu, but don't serve alcohol. You are however allowed to bring your own liquor bottles or wine with you, which they'll then serve you. 7. Tawlet Yvonne Cuisine: Lebanese In a corner courtyard nestled away from the honks of the streets is Tawlet Yvonne, a little restaurant and cafe that celebrates home-cooked Lebanese food. They have an extensive menu of Lebanese classics, as well as shisha and local Egyptian wine, beer and arak. 8. Bistro Paris Cuisine: French/international Above Tawlet Yvonne and Caribou Coffee on the same leafy street in Maadi is Bistro Paris, a restobar with a small but to the point menu, as well as local wine, beer and cocktails. Undoubtedly Bistro Paris' claim to fame is its outdoor balcony, which is open as early as 9 am every morning if you want a shady outdoor spot to have breakfast, or somewhere ambient to have dinner & drinks at night. 9. Lan Yuan Cuisine: Chinese Lan Yuan has been open for the past 25 years at least, so what does that tell you about its staying power? It’s small and cozy and has all the Chinese staples you’d expect, for reasonable prices as well -- and the food is good. They also have a full (local) bar so while some people go for dinner and a drink, some just go for a quiet drink. 10. Gaya Cuisine: Korean Gaya is known for being one of the best Korean restaurants in Cairo as a whole, not just Maadi. They've been open for over 20 years, and have a massive menu of Korean dishes (unlike Kokio which just sticks mainly to Korean fried chicken). Gaya also has a 'grill on the table' option, where you can cook up your bulgogi (grilled beef) or other meats of your choice yourself. Beer is served. 11. Sakura Sushi Cuisine: Japanese A tiny place in Degla serving up all your sushi cravings -- and if you have a friend who isn’t the fondest of sushi, they also have teppanyaki, rice, noodle dishes and soups. And like the rest of the restaurants on this list, beer is served. Closed on Sundays. 12. Swiss Cottage Cuisine: Swiss Swiss Cottage is a Maadi staple during winter and the Christmas season when they deck themselves out in holiday cheer. But their fondue, raclette, and 'cook your own meat' are just as good year-round. They don't serve alcohol themselves but you can bring your own bottle and pay a corkage fee. Reservations recommended because the restaurant only has a few tables and fills up during dinner. You might also like: 10 Best Breakfast, Brunch and Bakeries in Maadi

If you’ve heard of Egypt’s North Coast before (known as Sahel el Shemali  in Arabic or just Sahel  for short), then it’s safe to say you’ve heard about its insanely beautiful beaches, some of the very best in the Mediterranean region (if not the world). But because tourism hasn’t fully taken off there yet, you might not be sure which are the best hotels or places to stay to truly partake in some spectacular sun and sea.  Read more: North Coast, Egypt - A Complete Travel Guide for First-Timers So we’ve put together for you a list of some tried and true North Coast favorites; these 5 star hotels will deliver the best of what hotel hospitality on the Egyptian Mediterranean has to offer. But we also have a few local tips/caveats. Local tip #1: These hotels are all 5 star and in high demand during the summer season - so they’re pretty expensive. It’s best to book far in advance if you’re planning on going in the summer months, and keep an eye out for any deals/discounts they might be offering so as to snag the best price.  Local tip #2: Try to book weekdays and not weekends. First of all, with some of these hotels the nightly price on a weekend is more than double the nightly price of a weekday. Secondly, summer weekends usually are fully booked in these hotels, so aside from the price, try to book in advance before summer starts to make sure you can nab the room of your choice.  Also peppered along the North Coast are various three star and four star hotels; those will be cheaper obviously, but they can also be hit and miss, so we wanted to just focus on the very best North Coast hotels. So with no further ado, here they are in no particular order: Rixos Premium Alamein Location: New Alamein City This soaring hotel is reminiscent architecturally of the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore, and its height makes it different from all the other hotels on this list. Guests are able to get incredible sea views from above in their rooms from a variety of angles. All-inclusive packages are available. New Alamein City is still a work in progress, with the goal of it being a year-round touristic city by 2030. While there’s currently not much around the hotel, the hotel itself has a handful of restaurants, bars, pools and other amenities. For more information and reviews: Rixos Premium Alamein Rixos Alamein Location: Ghazala Bay Another Rixos on the North Coast, but this one is the original in Ghazala Bay, about a 40 minute drive from the Rixos Premium Alamein in New Alamein City.  Rixos Alamein, besides its spectacular beach, has five swimming pools and a spa. They also have six restaurants and several bars, and an all-inclusive option, so it’s a great place to stay if you want luxury and not to leave your hotel.   For more information and reviews: Rixos Alamein Address Marassi Beach Resort OR Address Marassi Golf Resort Location: Marassi This entry is a two-for-one depending on your preferences. The Address hotel chain has several different sister hotels in Marassi, and two of the best are the Address Marassi Beach Resort and the Address Marassi Golf Resort. The main difference between the two is that the Beach Resort is right on the beach, while the Golf Resort is on an 18 hole signature golf course, with beach access at the nearby Al Alamein Hotel (transportation between the hotel and the beach is via golf cart). So if you’re a golfer, then it’s an easy choice. But if you’re more into sea views and direct beachfront, then Address Marassi Beach Resort is a better fit.  For more information and reviews: Address Marassi Beach Resort  and Address Marassi Golf Resort Jaz Almaza Beach Hotel Location: Almaza Bay The Jaz hotel group actually operates 5 different hotels in Almaza Bay, with four of them called Jaz so-and-so – so it can be a bit confusing. The four Jaz hotels (Jaz Almaza Beach, Jaz Oriental, Jaz Crystal and Jaz Tamerina) are all 5 star, while their fifth sister hotel Almazino is 4 star.  There’s not a huge difference between all the Jaz hotels, but we selected Jaz Almaza Beach simply because it’s the biggest and with the most amenities.  For more information and reviews: Jaz Almaza Beach Resort   Al Alamein Hotel Location: Marassi This hotel is one of the highest ranked by guests, with rave reviews on all platforms. Al Alamein Hotel also regularly features in travel influencer content, with their memorable beach sculptures set against a stunning stretch of sea. Al Alamein is in Marassi, and it’s a good option if you don’t want to just stick to your hotel. The Marassi compound is extensive and it’s easy to get to the Marassi Marina with its restaurants and bars, the Marassi mall and even the waterpark. For more information and reviews: Al Alamein Hotel Casa Cook North Coast   Location: Hacienda White If you’re looking for an adults only hotel, away from kids shrieking and splashing in the pool and sea, then Casa Cook is for you. It’s a beautifully designed boutique hotel, with focus on natural materials and elegant simplicity.  Casa Cook doesn’t have all the amenities or bells and whistles that the bigger hotels on this list have, but because it’s in Hacienda White, it’s in walking distance of two of the North Coast’s most popular beach bars and party destinations: The Lemon Tree & Co and Kiki’s Beach.  For more information and reviews: Casa Cook North Coast Caesar Bay Resort Location: right before the Caesar compound If you’re looking for a kid-friendly resort for you and your family, and don’t care about not leaving your hotel, then Caesar Bay Resort is a good option. They offer big family rooms that can take up to four people, whether all adults or adults and kids.  They also have a kids club where professionals lead kids in a series of activities throughout the day, so if you’re looking to keep your kids occupied while you relax. For more information and reviews: Caesar Bay Resort You may also like: 7 Best Hotels in Alexandria, Egypt