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Every winter, almost overnight, most of Egypt goes from warm and breezy to downright freezing. While the temperatures don’t drop as much as Europe and North America, Egypt’s buildings have zero insulation (a godsend in the summer, a nightmare in winter) so the cold strikes right into the very core of us. Read: 7 Reasons Why Winter Is Actually One Of The Best Times To Go To Egypt So what’s a freezing person to do? Well, besides adding another layer of clothing to the seventeen layers we’re already wearing, we Egyptians like to warm ourselves both physically and emotionally with some good ol’ comfort food. And while one can never go amiss with pizza, today we’re listing our favorite local Egyptian winter classics and the best places to find them. 1. Lentil Soup Served with croutons (or any other type of crunchy bread) and with lemon on the side, Egyptian lentil soup is a staple on most menus year-round, but winter is when we really learn to appreciate this hearty and filling soup. Like most Egyptian classics, it’s best homemade but a few restaurants have managed to nail it. Best place for lentil soup: Abu El Sid 2. Roasted Sweet Potato Now we’re not talking about just shoving a sweet potato or two in the oven at home, no. Walk the streets of any city in Egypt and sooner or later you’ll smell something distinctly sweet and smoky at the same time -- it’s the siren call of the resident batata (sweet potato) street cart. These vendors roast the sweet potatoes in their little portable wood-burning ovens until they’re so soft they practically fall out of their skins (the sweet potatoes, not the vendors). Best place for roasted sweet potato: like we said, your nearest neighborhood batata cart 3. Sahlab So technically sahlab is a comfort drink not a comfort food, but who are we to split hairs. It’s a hot milk-based drink with ground orchid roots to thicken it -- yes, ground orchid roots. Add some sugar, vanilla, shredded coconut and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nuts and voila; the winter drink of our childhood. Best place for sahlab: while sahlab can be found in every cafe and ahwa in the city, they sometimes use the instant sachets of sahlab which are just… no. If you want the real deal, you can buy the orchid roots at an attar (a common Egyptian shop that sells all kinds of herbs and spices) and make it at home. 4. Hommos El Sham Hommos El Sham (also known as halabessa) is an interesting toss-up between comfort food and comfort drink. It’s essentially a spicy tomato drink with chickpeas, garlic and onion, served hot and with a side plate of cumin, chili and lemon for everyone to spice as they see fit. Best place for hommos el sham: if you want to go full local, try one of the hommos el sham carts that line the bridges and Nile Corniche in winter. Otherwise, your neighborhood ahwa should do the trick. 5. Belila An old-school Egyptian comfort food, belila is a type of wheat porridge that’s a popular winter breakfast (or late-night snack). The whole wheat grains are soaked in sweetened milk and then served with toasted nuts, raisins, honey or whatever topping strikes your fancy (clotted cream is another popular one). Best place for belila: homemade always wins when it comes to belila, but El Malky does a decent one. 6. Roz Meammar (Baked Rice) While roz meammar is another year-round dish, its carb-y and creamy goodness is particularly enjoyed in winter. It’s essentially white rice in a flavorful cream sauce that’s baked until the sauce thickens and browns on top. You can either have your roz meammar plain or with pieces of chicken or pigeon. Best place for rez meammar: Le Pacha’s Carlo’s (they have a Zamalek branch, Sheikh Zayed branch and New Cairo branch, but the Zamalek one is by far the best). 7. Colocasia/Kolkas/Ulass/Taro (قلقاس) Yes those are indeed a lot of names for Egyptian taro, known here as قلقاس. For those unfamiliar, Egyptian taro is a root vegetable pretty similar to a really tender potato. It’s usually served in cube form in a stew of some sort over rice, and because winter is when it’s in season, it’s associated with cold weather and hearty meals. Best place for Egyptian taro: at home for the most part, because every family has their own favorite way of preparing it. You can find it frozen in every main supermarket so you don’t need to go through the hassle of peeling and cutting it. You might also like: 12 Local Egyptian Foods You Need To Try

Because Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, most non-Egyptians are unaware that Egypt has some of the oldest and most historically significant churches, cathedrals and monasteries in this part of the world. You don’t need to be Egyptian or even Christian to appreciate the history of these centuries-old places of worship, or the beauty of the more modern ones. While many of these churches can be found in Coptic Cairo (here's our full guide to Coptic Cairo), some are in more… remote places (Sinai mountains, anyone?). But whatever the destination, each of these churches, cathedrals and monasteries should be visited at least once. 1. The “Cave Church” - Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner Location: Moqattam, Cairo Established: 1975 This awesome cave church (or technically, ‘churches’ -- the St. Simon monastery complex has seven churches) is unlike anything else we have in Egypt. Carved into the Moqattam Hills, the main monastery hall can hold over 20,000 people and was named after the Coptic Saint Simon, who, according to legend, moved the Moqattam mountain in 979 AD as proof of the strength of his beliefs. The cave church was built by the Zabbaleen community of Cairo’s Garbage City, and today is not only a religious spot but an educational center, kindergarten and school for the deaf. 2. St. Catherine’s Monastery Location: Mount Sinai, Sinai Peninsula Established: 6th century AD Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (for other Egyptian heritage sites, head here), the Orthodox Saint Catherine Monastery is the oldest Christian monastery in the world still used for its original function. According to UNESCO: “Its walls and buildings are of great significance to studies of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery houses outstanding collections of early Christian manuscripts and icons. The rugged mountainous landscape, containing numerous archaeological and religious sites and monuments, forms a perfect backdrop to the Monastery.” St. Catherine's Monastery is at the foot of Mt. Sinai, where it's believed by the Abrahamic religions that Moses found the Burning Bush and received the 10 Commandments. 3. Wadi Natrun Monasteries Location: Wadi Natrun Valley, northwest of Cairo Established: 4th century AD More than 1600 years ago, Saint Macarius of Egypt decided to build his monastery in the Natrun valley, known for its large alkali lakes. This attracted the attention of other Christian monks and hermits, who then decided to settle in Natrun as well, establishing four large early Christian developments. The four Wadi Natrun Coptic monasteries that are still active to this day are: The Monastery of Saint Macarius The Monastery of Saint Bishoy The Paromeos Monastery The Syrian Monastery All of the four can be seen and visited until today free of charge, but leaving a donation is always helpful in preserving these historic sites. 4. The Heavenly Cathedral Location: Sharm el Sheikh Established: 2010 This modern church was considered by some one of the most beautiful in the world upon its completion over ten years ago, and is now an unexpected must-see for many Sharm el Sheikh visitors. The exterior is simple, but the interior took a team of 19 people two years to create. There are frescoes and murals, and the walls depict Biblical scenes such as The Creation and Exodus, and on the ceiling there’s St. John’s vision of The Apocalypse. 5. The “Hanging Church” - Coptic Church of St. Virgin Mary Location: Coptic Cairo Established: 690 AD One of the most famous churches in Egypt, The Hanging Church is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Historic Cairo. It got the name of ‘Hanging Church’ (or ‘Suspended Church’ in Arabic, ‘El Moallaqa’) because of its location above a Roman fortress gatehouse. When it was first built the pillars of the gatehouse would have been easily seen, creating the ‘hanging’ effect of the church, but now are buried due to the rise of the ground over the past 1300 years. The church is believed to be the first basilica style church built in Egypt, and houses 110 icons, most made of ebony and some inlaid with ivory, the oldest and holiest dating back to the 8th century. 6. Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral Location: Alexandria Established: the current cathedral is recent, but it’s said to stand on the site of a church built by St. Mark himself in 60 AD. This cathedral is of importance to Coptic Christians because it’s the historical seat of the Pope of Alexandria, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. St. Mark the Evangelist was the author of the second Gospel and arrived in Alexandria in 60 AD, when he built his church (where the current cathedral now stands). In his seven year stint in Alexandria, he converted many to Christianity and is considered the founder of the Church of Alexandria and the first Bishop of Alexandria. He was buried under the church he founded. The current cathedral was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times since the death of St. Mark. 7. St. Anthony’s Monastery Location: Red Sea mountains, near Hurghada Established: 356 AD St. Anthony was one of the most famous “Desert Fathers”, a group of Christian monks who lived in the Eastern Egyptian desert in the 3rd century. He was roaming the desert when he came across an oasis surrounded by trees, and it was in this spot that he was later buried and his monastery built a few years later. Today St. Anthony’s Monastery is the oldest inhabited Christian monastery in the world and is home to paintings dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries, as well as 1,700 ancient documents. 8. Church of St. George (Mar Girgis) Location: Coptic Cairo Established: 10th century One of the few round churches built in Egypt, St. George’s is built on top of an ancient Roman Tower that connects to the monastery below. The interior of the church is known for its stained glass and rich woodwork. St. George’s is one of the only still-active churches in the Coptic Cairo area, and is considered the principle Greek Orthodox church in Egypt. Visitors of all religions are welcome any time, except to the monastery, which is closed to the public. 9. Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga) Location: Coptic Cairo Established: 4th century The Abu Serga church is believed to be built on the spot where the Holy Family (Joseph, Mary, and infant Jesus Christ) stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. The spot is now the crypt of the church, 10 meters deep. It’s also believed that they might have lived here while Joseph was working at the Babylon fortress in what is now modern-day Coptic Cairo -- the fortress’ enclosure today includes the Coptic Museum and a few churches, like the previously mentioned Hanging Church and Mar Girgis. Abu Serga is also of importance because it’s where many patriarchs of the Coptic Church were elected, the first being Patriarch Isaac in in 681 AD. Want more beautiful religious sites in Egypt? Check out the 10 most beautiful mosques in Egypt.

Did you know that Egypt is actually one of the most important countries in the world when it comes to the very beginning of the Christian faith? And has some of the oldest churches and monasteries in the world? As in, more than 1,000 years old - and some even older than 1,500 years! Read more: 7 Most Beautiful Coptic Orthodox Monasteries in Egypt It’s believed that Egypt is where Jesus and the Holy Family fled from Judea and took cover; they traveled, worked and rested in different spots throughout Egypt in what is known as ‘The Flight into Egypt’. Egypt is also where some of the world’s earliest churches and monasteries were built, and Coptic Cairo is a stronghold for early Christianity in Egypt (read more: Coptic Cairo - A Detailed Local’s Guide). Let’s take a look at some of the oldest churches in Egypt - and guess what, you can still visit them! 1. Abu Serga (Saints Sergius and Bacchus) - 4th century AD Location: Cairo The Abu Serga church is believed to be built on the spot where the Holy Family (Joseph, Mary, and infant Jesus Christ) stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. The spot is now the crypt of the church, 10 meters deep. It’s also believed that they might have lived here while Joseph was working at the Babylon fortress in what is now modern-day Coptic Cairo -- the fortress’ enclosure today includes the Coptic Museum and a few churches, like the previously mentioned Hanging Church and Mar Girgis. Abu Serga is also of importance because it’s where many patriarchs of the Coptic Church were elected, the first being Patriarch Isaac in in 681 AD. 2. St. Paul’s Monastery - 4th century AD Location: Red Sea mountains, near Zafaraana (before Hurghada) This monastery was built over the cave where St. Paul the Anchorite lived for 80 years in Egypt’s eastern desert, and is also known as ‘the Monastery of the Tigers’ for unclear reasons; some theorize it’s due to its remote location in the desert, but tigers aren’t exactly known to be prancing up and down Egypt (even in ancient times), but oh well. Bedouin tribes attacked the monastery in 1484, killed the monks and burned down their library. It was rebuilt by Patriarch Gabriel VII, who sent monks from the Syrian Monastery (in the Wadi el Natrun monasteries, below) but it was attacked twice after, causing the monks to flee to St. Anthony’s Monastery and not return. 3. St. Anthony’s Monastery - 4th century AD Location: Red Sea mountains, near Zafaraana (before Hurghada) St. Anthony was one of the most famous “Desert Fathers”, a group of Christian monks who lived in the Eastern Egyptian desert in the 3rd century. He was roaming the desert when he came across an oasis surrounded by trees, and it was in this spot that he was later buried and his monastery built a few years later. Today St. Anthony’s Monastery is the oldest inhabited Christian monastery in the world and is home to paintings dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries, as well as 1,700 ancient documents. 4. Red Monastery - 4th century AD Location: Sohag The exact history around this mysterious monastery on the outskirts of Sohag in Upper Egypt is unknown, although it’s considered one of the most famous Coptic monasteries in Egypt. It had fallen into ruin until 2003 when the American Research Center in Egypt undertook a restoration project. According to ARCE: “Nowhere else in Egypt do we know of a monument of the late antique and early Byzantine period whose architectural sculpture is in situ up to the highest level of the building.” Garnering its name from the red burnt brick construction materials on its exterior, the Red Monastery is a neighbor to the White Monastery, built around the same time and worth a visit as well. You can take a virtual tour of the Red Monastery and 21 other awesome sites in Egypt here. 5. Church of St. Barbara - 5th century AD Loca Cairo The Church of St. Barbara the Martyr is another extremely old church in Coptic Cairo, that was complete with priceless relics that exist until today (although many of them have been moved to the Coptic Museum). Although the church itself has been rebuilt and restored several times, items from the original church are believed to date back to the 5th or even 4th century. 6. St. Catherine’s Monastery - 6th century AD Location: Sinai Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (for other Egyptian heritage sites, head here), the Orthodox Saint Catherine Monastery is the oldest Christian monastery in the world still used for its original function. According to UNESCO: “Its walls and buildings are of great significance to studies of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery houses outstanding collections of early Christian manuscripts and icons. The rugged mountainous landscape, containing numerous archaeological and religious sites and monuments, forms a perfect backdrop to the Monastery.” St. Catherine's Monastery is at the foot of Mt. Sinai, where it's believed by the Abrahamic religions that Moses found the Burning Bush and received the 10 Commandments. 7. Hanging Church - 7th century AD Location: Cairo One of the most famous churches in Egypt, The Hanging Church is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Historic Cairo. It got the name of ‘Hanging Church’ (or ‘Suspended Church’ in Arabic, ‘El Moallaqa’) because of its location above a Roman fortress gatehouse. When it was first built the pillars of the gatehouse would have been easily seen, creating the ‘hanging’ effect of the church, but now are buried due to the rise of the ground over the past 1300 years. The church is believed to be the first basilica style church built in Egypt, and houses 110 icons, most made of ebony and some inlaid with ivory, the oldest and holiest dating back to the 8th century. You may also like: 9 Egyptian Churches, Cathedrals & Monasteries You Need To Visit At Least Once

The year is coming to a close, and while some like to whoop it up in parties and holiday festivities, others want to usher in the new year with relative quiet and peace of mind -- something that's not easy to come by in Cairo! But luckily Egypt is full of gorgeous, quiet spots away from Cairo's cheerful chaos, and we've listed some of our favorite places to disconnect and start the new year on a tranquil note. Happy New Year! 1. Ras Abu Galum & The Blue Lagoon Ras Abu Galum is an Egyptian national protectorate on the Gulf of Aqaba in the Sinai Peninsula, about 15 km from Dahab. There’s a small Bedouin settlement on the beach at the edge of the national park, and you can either camp on the beach under the stars or stay in one of the primitive beach huts. There’s no electricity and limited running water, but the Bedouins provide fresh and local fare and water for extremely reasonable prices. The Blue Lagoon is an even more remote and beautiful beach camp spot, about another 8 km north of Ras Abu Galum. In both Ras Abu Galum and Blue Lagoon, daily activities range from diving, snorkeling, swimming, kitesurfing, hiking, sunbathing, reading or just relaxing by the beach. At night you can watch for shooting stars by the fire and revel in the fact that there’s no one else for miles around. How to get there: From the Blue Hole in Dahab, you can reach Ras Abu Galum by hiking by foot (it’s relatively flat terrain, but rocky), and really soak in your remote surroundings, with the sea on your right and the mountains on your left. If the hike is too much or you have too much diving gear, you can take a boat or ride a camel. Blue Lagoon is another hike/boat ride from Ras Abu Galum. Go to Ras Abu Galum and The Blue Lagoon if: The thought of sleeping and waking up on the beach already makes you feel less stressed You enjoy camping or primitive accommodations You like to dive or snorkel You love being away from it all Local tip: Blue Lagoon is one of our 9 world-class beaches in Egypt, check out the rest. 2. Fayoum Fayoum is actually an ancient city (read more about it at 7 Modern Egyptian Cities More Than 5,000 Years Old) and is an interesting mix of desert, water, greenery, urban and rural life and modern and ancient life. Besides Tunis Village and the hotels/ecolodges there, Fayoum also has a lot of great camping spots, like on sand dunes right on the shore of Magic Lake (named for its changing water color according to time of day), or near Lake Qarun (Fayoum’s oasis, the biggest in Egypt) or close to the Wadi el Rayan waterfalls. When it comes to types of camping, you can either arrange with a tour company who will pick you up, drive you to Fayoum, set up camp for you and spearhead activities and tours in the area, or you can drive to Fayoum yourself and stay at one of the permanent campgrounds and they can provide a tour guide for any activities in the area you’re interested in. How to get there: it’s about a 2 hour drive from Cairo. You can drive yourself or have a tour agency arrange a ride for you. Go to Fayoum if: You want to travel somewhere relatively close to Cairo You want to camp You want to visit sites like Wadi el Hitan (Whale Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), or Wadi el Rayan, home to Egypt's largest waterfalls (which to be fair aren't very big but still really cool to see) 3. The Western Desert Oases ‘The Oases’ is actually an umbrella 5-in-1 suggestion; each oasis is quite a ways from the next, so we’ll go through them quickly and you can figure out which oasis fits you the best. What they all do have in common though is the feeling of being at the edge of the Earth; the surrounding desert is just so all-encompassing that you’ll feel like you’re literally in the middle of nowhere (and you kind of will be). The natural springs at the oases vary between hot springs and cold springs, and are known for their natural therapy. At each of these oases, you can camp, stay at local lodgings or in some cases, stay in more upscale ecolodges. Siwa Oasis: the most famous of the big 5, Siwa is about 300 km Southwest of Marsa Matrouh, and 50 km from the Libyan border. In Siwa you can find the temple of the Oracle, from Alexander The Great’s time; the Mountain of the Dead and Cleopatra’s Bath, a famous natural spring. Read more: 10 Most Unforgettable Things to Do in Siwa Oasis Farafra Oasis: found approximately midway between Dakhla Oasis and Baharia Oasis, Farafra is known best for its proximity to the White Desert and its massive chalk rock formations. Baharia Oasis: close to the Black Desert, the Baharia Oasis is also home to the Valley of the Golden Mummies, a Greco-Roman necropolis. Also found in Baharia were dinosaur fossils; the Carcharodontosaurus and Bahariasaurus (hilarious name) date to around 95 million years ago. Dakhla Oasis: Around 350 km from the Nile, Dakhla is between Farafra and Kharga Oases. Dakhla is considered by some to be the most beautiful of the oases, due to an abundance of greenery and the cliffs surrounding it. Dakhla is also home to Al Qasr, a fortified Islamic town erected in the 12th century, believed to be built by the Ayyubid kings. Kharga Oasis: the most southern, and most modernized, of the big 5 Western Desert oases. It’s home to the Temple of Hibis (constructed around 2500 years ago) and El Bagawat, an ancient Christian cemetery that functioned from the 3rd to the 7th century AD. It’s one of the oldest and best preserved Christian cemeteries from the ancient world. Go to one of the Western Oases if: You love being in or around the desert You want to stargaze or see the Milky Way You don’t mind the desert cold at night You want to swim in natural springs 4. Ras Shetan This stretch of rugged coast between Taba and Nuweiba in the Sinai Peninsula is known for its simple, no-frills beach camps right on the water. The camps, mainly run by Bedouins, vary from simple rooms to beach huts to camping tents right on the shore. Most of the camps offer a variety of different dishes for meals, and you pay your tab before you leave -- Ras Shetan is not a place where you have to worry about things like carrying around money or phones. In these quiet, sunny camps time seems to slow down -- there’s not much to do besides sunbathe, relax, swim (the water is pretty cold in the winter but some people can handle it) and recharge from reality. Electricity is only available for a few hours, and there are communal bathrooms. At night, most of the camp residents gather around a bonfire and sing and exchange stories with each other and their Bedouin hosts. How to get there: driving or bus. Or you can fly into Sharm El Sheikh airport and finesse a ride from there. Go to Ras Shetan if: You like a bohemian, communal vibe without actually having to deal with people if you don’t want to You want to be near the beach You want to have long stretches of time to relax and have nothing to do You don’t mind long car rides 5. Abu Dabbab Bay, Marsa Alam One of the most stunning stretches of beach in Marsa Alam. You get the choice of staying at the diving lodge (wooden bungalows with private bathrooms), camping in a tent, staying in a 5 star hotel like the Hilton Nubian, or staying in nearby camps and desert hotels and buying a day pass to access the beach, pool, diving center, snorkel rental gear, umbrellas, sun loungers, showers and beach bars and restaurants. So it's safe to say there's something for everyone. Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Marsa Alam Around New Year’s, the temperatures during the day are in the mid-20s celsius, so it’s pleasant beach weather without being too hot. Some might find it too cold for swimming, but you'll be fine diving or snorkeling in a wetsuit. Abu Dabbab Bay is a diver and snorkeler’s paradise -- it’s where you’re most likely to see giant sea turtles, and is home to two dugongs! Dugongs are also known as sea cows, close cousins of manatees, and Abu Dabbab’s two semi-permanent resident dugongs are called Dennis and Dougal. How to get there: you can either fly into Marsa Alam airport or drive/take a bus (it’s an 8-10 hour drive from Cairo though!) Go to Abu Dabbab Bay if: You want sunny beach destination without having to worry about it being full with people You want to learn to dive or already know how You want to hopefully spot a sea turtle or dugong (you don’t have to dive for this!) You want comfortable accommodations 6. Luxor & Aswan If you haven't been to Luxor and/or Aswan yet, what are you waiting for? Winter is the best time to visit Egypt's southern cities because that's when you can explore in the comfort of a nice warm breeze instead of a scorching sun. As for where to stay, there’s a lot of different accommodation options in Luxor and Aswan, ranging from Airbnbs to historic hotels to Nubian ecolodges. Although Luxor and Aswan are two completely different cities with very different sights to see, what they both have in common is a sense of stillness and peace -- the pace there is much more laid-back and you just feel like there’s more room to breathe. You can find a list of the best things to see and do in Aswan here. How to get there: you can either fly into Luxor or Aswan and take a cruise from either city (if you feel comfortable with the idea of a cruise), or you can take the overnight train from Cairo. Go to Luxor & Aswan if: You enjoy learning about Ancient Egypt and actively exploring the temples and monuments You want to go on a Nile cruise You have an interest in Nubian and Upper Egyptian traditions and culture You want to be somewhere warm You might also like: Where to Go in Egypt: 10 Best Egyptian Destinations & Cities

Cairo has over a thousand restaurants, and while sometimes you’re in the mood for something casual (read: 7 Best Places to Try Egyptian Street Food in Cairo), sometimes there’s a special occasion or you’re just looking for something ambient and elevated. Cairo didn’t used to be known for its fine dining scene, but that’s really changed over the past few years. There’s a good handful of ‘fancy’ restaurants, but not all of them give you bang for your buck, so we filtered through the overpriced and underwhelming to bring you the very best of Cairo’s fine dining scene, in terms of both food and overall experience. So get your appetite and wallet ready, and here we go: 1. Sachi Park St. Located on a rooftop in Sheikh Zayed is Sachi Park St., sister restaurant of Sachi in Heliopolis but our personal favorite of the two. This expansive restaurant is divided into indoor and outdoor seating, each beautifully decorated with its own bar. The menu is international fusion, so you’ll find everything from sushi to duck linguine to Chilean sea bass. The service is impeccable and they have a signature cocktail menu. 2. Pier 88 Pier 88 is a high-end Italian restaurant and bar that sits on the upper level of a docked boat in Zamalek overlooking the Nile, and is equally pleasant for both daytime and nighttime dining. During the day it’s one of those quietly sophisticated restaurants, complete with an open kitchen and drinks overlooking the water. At night it gets more of a nightlife feel to it, with Tuesday nights being the ‘in nights’, when the music gets turned up and there’s occasionally dancing by the tables. Local tip: there’s also another branch of Pier 88 in Pyramids Hills in 6th October, and its original branch in El Gouna on the Red Sea. 3. 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, which is in Palm Hills in 6th October. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and it’s a beautiful place to chill, eat and have a cocktail. 4. Moghul Room 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 and ambience. Oh and by the way – did we mention that it has Pyramid views through its windows? Granted, eating Indian cuisine at the foot of Ancient Egyptian pyramids might seem incongruous, but if you’re in the mood for your favorite Indian classics, there’s no better place to enjoy it. They also have an extensive (albeit expensive) international wine list. You may also like: 7 Best Pyramid View Restaurants 5. The Lemon Tree & Co If you’re looking for really gorgeous aesthetics, then head to the Lemon Tree in One Ninety in New Cairo (local tip: this is different from the Lemon Tree Bistro in Katameya Heights, which is also a great restaurant and bar but not the same one we’re talking about now). Lemon Tree serves upscale international fusion, and is by far one of the most beautiful restaurants and bars in Cairo, with indoor/outdoor vibes and overlooking the park at the One Ninety compound. 6. Birdcage Thai restaurant Birdcage has been one of the Semiramis Intercontinental’s flagship restaurants for over a decade now. On the second floor en route to Pane Vino, the Italian restaurant, you’ll find a quiet, wooden little oasis in the hotel -- that’s Birdcage. The service and ambience is on par with what you’d expect from a 5 star hotel, as is the actual food presentation -- and luckily the food rises to the task as well, which isn’t always the case with Cairo restaurant hotels. But we’ve been going to Birdcage for about 15 years now, so that should be some indication regarding their food. You may also like: 7 Best Thai Restaurants in Cairo 7. The Smokery Overlooking the green expanse of the golf course in Katameya Heights, The Smokery is hard to beat when it comes to dinner and drinks with a view in New Cairo. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and serve a variety of upscale international dishes, with everything from sliders to seabass quinoa to sushi. The Smokery became so popular that it opened other branches in Palm Hills, Heliopolis, El Gouna and Marassi. You may also like: Best Nile View Restaurants in Cairo

We all know that Egypt has tons of visit-worthy natural as well as historical sites (the pyramids, hello!), and because of that it’s easy for some lesser-known ones to fall through the cracks. But just because they’re lesser-known (or not known at all) doesn’t mean they’re not worth experiencing! So next time you’re interested in learning something new and exploring something off the beaten track, look no further. 1. Djara Cave Location: Western Desert Deep in the desert west of Assiut, between the Bahariya and Farafra oases, is a natural wonder millions of years old, that hardly anyone in Egypt has heard of. We’re talking about the Djara Cave, formed from water coming into contact with the harsh Egyptian desert millennia ago. So many years of chemical activity has left this 30 meter high and 8 meter wide cave full of glittering crystal-like rock formations and stalactites. If the natural beauty and history of it isn’t enough, Djara Cave has animal engravings on its wall dating back to the Neolithic period, over 10,000 years ago, suggesting that this now barren, remote area was populated at the time. It’s now classified as the second most important Stone Age settlement in the Western Desert, after the Nabta Playa (below). 2. Minya's City of the Dead (Zawiyyet El-Mayyetin) Location: Minya One of the largest cemeteries in the world is Zawiyyet El-Mayyetin, right outside the small Egyptian city of El Minya -- hence its moniker as Minya's City of the Dead. Not only is it impressive in size, but even more so in architecture: a sea of conical domes stretch down the Nile for 4 kilometers (2.5 miles), hugged between a cliff and the river. The mausolea are made of mud-brick and all are topped with a smooth or stacked dome, and are still used by both Muslims and Coptic Christians until today. This isn't on any tourist trail, so make sure you have a guide to take you. For Ancient Egyptian tombs: 8 Best Ancient Egyptian Tomb Sites in Modern Day Egypt 3. Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Location: Alexandria This archaeological site in Alexandria is often overlooked by almost everyone, foreign and Egyptian alike, when visiting this ancient coastal city. These catacombs are a rare mix of Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultural references 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. For more great sites in Alex: Sightseeing in Alexandria: 15 Best Things To See and Do 4. Colored Canyon Location: Nuweiba This 800 meter canyon is a part of a larger mountain range, and one of the coolest natural wonders you can see when in the Sinai Peninsula. These red-hued rock formations are the product of the Red Sea tides residing gradually millions of years ago and eroding these mountains of limestone and sandstone. You can hike (and sometimes scramble) through the canyon on a dried up riverbed with a Bedouin guide, but it’s not recommended in the summer months due to the scorching sun. The canyon is easily reached from Nuweiba, but you can also arrange trips from Dahab or even Sharm el Sheikh. 5. Crystal clear salt lakes in the desert Location: Siwa Oasis Everyone’s heard about Siwa’s hot and cold natural springs, but for some reason Siwa’s arresting aquamarine salt lake doesn’t get as much talk time. Siwa actually has several salt lakes, which are so salty that they’re known as natural therapy for skin diseases and sinus problems. They’re actually too salty though for any marine life to live in them though, so unfortunately the Siwans can’t use these lakes for fishing. The lakes vary in size, and some have dried up. But even in the deepest lakes, there’s no real chance of drowning -- the buoyancy is similar to the Dead Sea’s. 6. Nawamis Location: Sinai Did anyone know that we have mysterious prehistoric circular stone tombs deep in the Sinai desert? Because we sure didn’t. These circular structures date back to the Copper Age and Early Bronze Age, so they’re around 5,000 to 6,000 years old -- meaning they’re between 1,500 to 2,500 years older than the Great Pyramids of Giza, and some archaeologists argue that they’re the oldest free standing structures in the world alongside the Megalithic Temples of Malta and the Cairns of Scotland. The Nawamis structures are believed to originally be family tombs, due to the bones, beads and other purported funeral offerings found inside. But they were used afterwards by various different desert groups in the centuries that followed, so it’s hard for archaeologists to be quite sure of Nawamis’ original function. Local tip: the best time to visit Nawamis is in the late afternoon, when the light and shadows play on the structures and their singular doors are illuminated. 7. Ancient hieroglyphic graffiti at Wadi Hammamat Location: near Qoseir Ever seen pharaonic graffiti? The ancient stone quarries of Wadi Hammamat were used by ancient Egyptian engineers and artisans to build monuments, temples and sculptures, and ancient hieroglyphic graffiti from those who would work the quarries can still be seen until present day. There’s also graffiti from the travellers who regularly passed through, due to its popularity as a caravan stop (the Romans had set up watchtowers and wells along the route from the Eastern Desert to Qoseir). Wadi Hammamat would later be smack dab in the middle of an integral trade route between Arab merchants and Egyptians, and part of the famous Silk Road trade with the Han Dynasty in China. 8. The medieval Islamic town of El Qasr Location: Dakhla Oasis Not many know that on the outskirts of the Dakhla Oasis in the western Egyptian desert is a deserted, yet intact, Islamic town that dates back to around the 11th or 12th century, during Ayyubid rule. It’s believed though to be built on the remnants of any even older Roman camp. It actually isn’t *totally* deserted -- it’s estimated that there’s about 700 inhabitants in this otherwise abandoned town, but if they leave, they are not permitted to return, and no new buildings are allowed to be built there so as to safeguard the intact old town as it is. The empty covered streets, mosques, madrassas and Quranic calligraphy on the buildings still stand today, and some are open to visitors. 9. El Bagawat, one of the oldest Christian cemeteries in the world Location: Kharga Oasis The necropolis of El Bagawat in the western desert oasis of Kharga is actually prehistoric -- before it was a Christian cemetery, it was a burial ground for non-Christians. Once Christianity was introduced to Egypt, it became a Coptic cemetery from the 3rd to the 7th century AD. It’s considered one of the oldest and best-preserved Christian cemeteries in the world. El Bagawat is home to a very large number of mud brick tombs in the shape of chapel domes. The walls of the tombs are etched with Coptic frescoes, biblical stories and paintings of saints. 10. Nabta Playa Location: 100 km west of Abu Simbel In Egypt’s deep south, there are the remnants of what some consider to be Egypt’s Stonehenge, but 1,000 years older -- around 8,000 years old in total. Today, west of Abu Simbel is pure desert, but around 130,000 - 70,000 years ago the area of Nabta Playa was a savannah rich in vegetation and wildlife, centered around a basin with a large lake. It’s in this basin that the cromlech (a circle of standing stones) of Nabta Playa was later built, and is evidence of a human presence that predates the Nile Valley human population who would later build the Ancient Egyptian civilization. The Nabta Playa cromlech is comprised of 30 stones arranged in a circle, with six stones in the middle. While its exact purpose is still a mystery, there’s a theory that it was made to be an astronomical observatory of sorts, a type of ancient calendar. 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Whether you’ve never been to Egypt and are looking for the honeymoon of a lifetime, or an Egyptian looking to celebrate your marriage in the most romantic, luxurious spots that Egypt has to offer, then this Egyptian honeymoon destination list is for you. Read more: 8 Best Egyptian Beach Holiday Destinations We broke down each destination based on what kind of honeymoon you’re looking for, and we recommend some of the best honeymoon hotels in each destination to make your research just a little bit easier. We opted for more adult, 5 star accommodations but there are lots of other budget options for each destination if you’re on a tighter budget. Happy honeymoon! Sahl Hasheesh Sahl Hasheesh is ideal for honeymooners who: want an excellent beach and 5 star luxury in a quiet, private area Best honeymoon hotel in Sahl Hasheesh: The Oberoi Beach Resort This resort town was built on a bay in the Red Sea south of Hurghada back in the 1990s, and is known for its beautiful stretch of coastline and long boardwalk. Because this area is dedicated primarily to resorts, each hotel has its own private beachfront and is protected from the usual hustle and bustle of Hurghada beachgoers, lending an air of seclusion and privacy. The best hotel in Sahl Hasheesh for honeymooners is the Oberoi Beach Resort. Not only does it have 5 star luxury restaurants and facilities across the board, it’s an all-suite hotel perfect for couples. Their grand suites even have their own private pool per suite, plus bathtubs that overlook private gardens. Sahl Hasheesh honeymoon activities: swimming & sunbathing at private beaches & pools, spas, couple massages, yoga, Red Sea boat trips, snorkeling and diving (for all levels) Sharm el Sheikh Sharm el Sheikh is ideal for honeymooners who: want an all-inclusive beach holiday with tons of restaurants and activities without having to leave the hotel Best honeymoon hotel in Sharm el Sheikh: Rixos Sharm El Sheikh (Ultra All Inclusive Adult Friendly) Sharm el Sheikh is one of the most internationally famous Red Sea beach cities in Egypt, and definitely the most famous one on the Sinai Peninsula. It’s home to literally hundreds of hotels, and if you’re looking for an all-inclusive beach resort with restaurants, activities and water sports galore, then Sharm is the perfect place for that. The Rixos Sharm el Sheikh is ideal for honeymooners for myriad reasons: 1) it’s adult only (16+), so you can relax by the beach or the pool without having to put up with screaming kids, 2) besides its private beach, it has seven (yes, seven) pools, 3) it has seven restaurants and nine bars, where you can eat and drink all you want with your all-inclusive package, 4) you have access to the neighboring Rixos Premium Seagate resort’s restaurants and bars as well (so a total of 16 restaurants for both resorts!), and 5) there’s an adventure water park. Plus if you’re willing to splurge, you can book the suite with its own private plunge pool. Sharm el Sheikh honeymoon activities: sunbathing and swimming at the beach and pool, water sports, resort activities (eg. Rixos has a waterpark, tennis courts, a fitness center, an open-air club, beach volleyball and go-karts), diving and snorkeling, boat trips, day trips to Ras Mohammed National Park, desert safaris Luxor & Aswan Nile Cruise A Nile cruise is ideal for honeymooners who: want to explore the Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs of Luxor and Aswan (and those in between!) while enjoying a luxury stay down the Nile Best honeymoon Nile cruise ship: The Oberoi Zahra or Nour El Nil Dahabiyas A Nile cruise is one of the best things you can do while in Egypt, and because they’re expensive, a honeymoon is enough of a special occasion to warrant the cost. The Nile cruises in Egypt usually start and end in Luxor and Aswan, where you can see the best of what Ancient Egypt has to offer. There are dozens of cruise ships, but the Oberoi Zahra (and its sister ship Oberoi Philae) are known as two of the very best cruises you can book (and the priciest, though!). We’re talking on-deck pool, full spa, restaurant, bar, cigar lounge and 5 star accommodation and service across the board. The cruise’s itinerary includes the main sights of Luxor, Aswan and the main Ancient Egyptian temples peppering the Nile shore between the two ancient cities. If you want to go even more traditional (but still keep it luxury), you can opt for a dahabiya instead of a cruise ship. A dahabiya is a large sailboat similar to what they used in Pharaonic times, and then you won’t have to worry about the sound of the cruise ship’s motor breaking into your peace and quiet. A dahabiya won’t have as many facilities and amenities as a regular cruise ship, but they still provide luxury accommodation and the added benefit of being able to access smaller towns and sites in between Luxor & Aswan that the bigger ships can’t dock at. Nour El Nil has a fleet of different-sized dahabiyas (keep in mind however that their itineraries only include the sights on the Nile in between Luxor & Aswan, not the cities themselves). Nile cruise honeymoon activities: daytime sightseeing, relaxing on the deck and enjoying the Nile river cruise, swimming in the pool, unwinding at the spa El Gouna El Gouna is ideal for honeymooners who: want to be at a Red Sea beach destination where they can leave the resort, walk around, and try different restaurants and activities Best honeymoon Gouna hotel: La Maison Bleue or Casa Cook (Adults Only) If you want to be by the beach but actually go out and explore as opposed to staying at your resort for the whole trip, then Gouna is the place for you. (You can read our full local’s guide to Gouna here). Gouna is a cute little Red Sea beach town that’s super easy to navigate whether on foot or by tuktuk. It has plenty of restaurants, bars and activities both on land and in the water. There are also plenty of hotels to choose from, but for a honeymoon the ones we recommend are La Maison Bleue or Casa Cook; both boutique hotels with an emphasis on luxury (but with a steep price tag!). There are other 5 star resorts like the Sheraton or Movenpick, but those tend to be more family-oriented so you won’t get the peace and privacy that the boutique hotels offer. El Gouna honeymoon activities: swimming and sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, kitesurfing, biking, tennis, golf, go-karts, horse riding, desert safaris, Red Sea boat trips Siwa Oasis Siwa is ideal for honeymooners who: want a desert adventure, to disconnect from the world and get away from it all somewhere remote Best honeymoon Siwa hotel: Adrere Amellal If you want your honeymoon to be more about adventure and exploration, or just going off the grid even – then Siwa Oasis is for you. This extremely remote town is about a 10 hour drive from Cairo, unless you manage to snag two seats on the rare private flights into Siwa. Most accommodations there don’t even have electricity for most of the day - there’s usually a generator that gives power at certain times of the day if you need to charge your phone or any other gadget. Other than that, it’s just you two and nature! Adrere Amellal is a luxury ecolodge in Siwa that’s been visited by both celebrities and royalty - so it’s not cheap. But the service, food and experience are all five stars. If you want to stay at a place that’s a bit more budget friendly, other ecolodges like Taziry or Talist are good options too. Siwa honeymoon activities: explore the town of Siwa, see the Shali Fortress and Mountain of the dead, swim in the hot springs and salt lakes, go sand-duning in 4x4s, adventure into the Great Sand Sea Read more: 10 Most Unforgettable Things to Do in Siwa Oasis Read more: 7 Best Places to Stay in Siwa Oasis For All Budgets Hurghada Hurghada is ideal for honeymooners who: want to stay in affordable luxury beach resorts but not be isolated from the rest of the city Best honeymoon Hurghada hotel: Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle (Adults Only) or Sunrise Holidays Resort (Adults Only) Hurghada, along with Sharm el Sheikh, is the most popular Red Sea destination in Egypt. Hurghada’s international airport is very close to a plethora of excellent beach hotels, and there are dozens of international and domestic flights daily, so you can literally be on the beach in no time flat. Read more: Hurghada, Egypt - A Local’s Guide for First-Timers Hurghada City itself is close to other destinations in the greater Hurghada area like Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay, but the city of Hurghada offers more in the sense of you can leave your resort and walk around the different areas of Hurghada like the marina or El Mamsha where most of the restaurants and bars are. However their 5 star resorts do offer all-inclusive packages if you want to stick to your hotel. Steinberger Pure Lifestyle and Sunrise Holidays Resort are both adult-only and their rooms have stunning Red Sea views. They’re also pretty affordable considering they’re luxury hotels with gorgeous beaches! Hurghada honeymoon activities: swimming, snorkeling, diving, boat trips, ATV desert safaris, day trips to Luxor Red Sea Yacht A Red Sea yacht is ideal for honeymooners who: love to scuba dive or just love being on the water If you’re looking for total privacy (and we’re talking middle of the sea kind of privacy), then why not charter your own Red Sea yacht? If it’s too pricey for just two people, you can find other yachts where you can book a room on board and share the boat with a few other guests. If you and your partner are into scuba diving, then this kind of honeymoon is ideal – there are multiple dives a day in different locations in the Red Sea, and you can relax and sunbathe on the yacht’s many sundecks in between dives. Even if diving isn’t your thing, just being on the yacht, visiting the numerous Red Sea islands, swimming in crystal clear water and having a drink under the stars is reason enough to charter a private yacht for your honeymoon. Red Sea yacht honeymoon activities: swimming, snorkeling, diving, island hopping, fishing, relaxing, eating & drinking on the boat You may also like: 7 Best Date Restaurants in Cairo

Unsure of what you should plan to wear in Egypt? We’ve got you covered (pun unintended, I swear). I’ve noticed that a lot of women seem unsure of what to pack/wear when traveling to Egypt, and the Middle East as a whole. This is extremely valid, because the culture is a tad different and what might seem like a normal summer outfit to you might elicit a few stares on the street in some Middle Eastern countries. While Egyptian society is not as open as Dubai or Beirut when it comes to wardrobe, we don’t have any specific laws or rules about head or body covering like in Saudi Arabia or Iran. Anywho, firstly, a few FAQs: Do people stare everywhere? No. Your only issue will be when you’re on the streets in Egypt’s big cities. In hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs, nobody will look twice at you. And locals are very used to beachwear in coastal towns and cities like El Gouna, Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh and the North Coast. Do I have to cover my hair? Nope, not at all, unless you’re visiting a mosque (PS: here's our list of Egypt's ten most beautiful mosques). That’s the only time you might be asked to loosely cover with a scarf, out of respect. Other that that, there’s absolutely no reason to cover your hair, nor does anyone expect you to. Is there a certain Islamic code of dressing I have to abide by? Nope. You’ll find yourself more comfortable in general if you don’t wear anything too short or too cleavagey, because people will look less. But that’s a cultural thing. For example, the UAE is an Islamic country but women walk around in shorts no problem. Egyptian society tends to be slightly more conservative, so wearing anything too showy might garner you some looks and catcalls in Cairo or Alexandria. Note: beach destinations aren’t included in the above. If you’re in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Dahab, El Gouna, etc., just plan to wear normal beach resort stuff. Is there anything I should avoid showing? Like I mentioned above, any wardrobe edits are for your own comfort, not because you *have* to. That being said, to avoid any unwanted looks or catcalls, try to avoid the following on the streets of Cairo or Alexandria: Skirts or shorts much higher than knee-length Crop tops or anything midriff-baring Lots of cleavage Things that are skin-tight around the butt area -- for example, if you’re going to wear leggings or yoga pants, try to pair them with a loose top or tunic that covers your butt Backless tops or dresses Does this apply to hotels, restaurants, clubs and other night spots as well? Nope. When in the hotels, clubs and lounges, Egyptian women and expats are just as decked out as they would be in NYC, but they make sure that they have long jackets, shawls and cover-ups for when they’re out on the street in Cairo or Alex. So now that you have a clearer idea of what to avoid, let’s talk about what you absolutely SHOULD pack: A shawl. If I could name just one item you *must* bring with you, it would be this. A shawl is not only extremely useful in Egypt, but it’s also super versatile. You can use it to cover your chest or shoulders in the street, you can use it to cover your hair if you plan on visiting a mosque, you can use it as sun protection, or something to sit on, or a way of staying warm if the night cools down and you don’t have a sweater on you. You can also wrap it around your nose and mouth if you’re in the desert and the wind picks up and things start getting sandy. Basically, a million uses. Lightweight, breathable shoes that aren’t sandals A lot of visitors to Egypt tend to bring just sandals or flip-flops with them due to the hot weather, but any local will tell you that’s a mistake -- you need a pair of ‘closed’ shoes for sure. Most Egyptian streets have some element of debris on them that could accidentally cut you, and other streets have unavoidable mud puddles. That’s besides the fact that you’ll be trekking through a lot of sand should you head out to the Pyramids, and that sand gets *hot*. Loose linen or cotton pants If you’re traipsing around Egypt, jeans might seem like the obvious choice for pants -- but I wouldn’t be so sure. In summer, jeans just feel so hot. They feel heavy and kind of like there’s a sweat swamp in unfortunate spots. And on the flip side, in winter they get ridiculously cold -- that aforementioned swamp turns into a frozen tundra real fast. So what do? Well, if it’s the summer, then loose linen or cotton pants will be your best friend. They’re lightweight, they’re breezy and they won’t feel like 20 pounds of regret that you’re forced to carry around while you’re climbing inside a sweltering pyramid. Nice night outfit If you’re planning on going to a club or a lounge, then pack at least one nice night outfit, whether it’s a dress or jeans/pants and a particular top you love. Egyptians like to go out and have fun and love any excuse to wear their trendiest clothes, so rest assured you won’t be overdressed. Some venues also require a ‘smart casual’ dress code, so it’s always good to be prepared. Regular beachwear If you’re going to a beach destination in Egypt or planning to spend time by the pool, then don’t overthink anything and just bring the same swim stuff you would normally pack. Crossbody purse that’s secure and durable As every female traveller knows, the bag/purse you carry around with you daily needs to be multi-functional: it needs to be light and comfortable to carry, it needs to be big enough to hold what you need to carry without it being a monstrosity, it needs to be secure, it needs to be durable and it needs to be cute, damnit. Crossbody bags to me are essential. Backpacks can get uncomfortable after a while and shoulder bags are just a nuisance to society. Other things which are always handy to pack: A pack of hair ties because God knows we never have one when we need them Sunglasses & sunscreen A hat of some sort -- this really is a judgment call, I as a local and most other local women don’t wear hats on a regular basis, so it’s definitely not *needed*, but if you’re not used to a lot of sunlight, you might want to pack a cap or something just in case. Happy packing! You may also like: Top 10 Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt

Whenever you travel to a new country, one of the most important things is trying their local cuisine. And for beer lovers, trying new local beers can be just as interesting – or even more so, depending on who you’re asking lol. Read more: 12 Local Egyptian Foods You Need To Try While Egypt is a Muslim and relatively conservative country, alcohol is indeed legal and beer has been flowing here for literally thousands of years – the Ancient Egyptians absolutely loved their beer, and it was consumed daily from pharaohs to farmers (and even by children!). Modern-day Egypt’s drinking laws are not as lax as back 5,000 years ago (the legal drinking age here is now 21), but beer is easily bought in Egypt, whether from local alcohol shops such as Drinkies or Cheers, or bars, restaurants and hotels. Disclaimer: not all restaurants in Egypt serve beer, but many in Cairo and the beach cities do, and they have bars galore. Keep in mind though that alcohol is not served during the month of Ramadan or other Islamic holidays except at hotels if you’re a non-Egyptian. So let’s dive right into our local Egyptian beers: Stella Stella is by far the long-time darling of local beer drinkers. It first hit shelves in Egypt back in 1897, making it almost 120 years old (and has no relation to the Belgian beer Stella Artois). The Egyptian Stella’s presence in the past century’s old movies, shows and pop culture has made the bottle and its star logo (Stella means ‘star’ in Latin and Italian) a national drinking icon. Type of beer: lager Alcohol content: 4.5% Sizes available: 330 ml & 500 ml Taste: Stella is (in our humble opinion) our favorite local beer. It’s not heavy at all, but not too light that you feel like you’re drinking something watered down. It’s especially excellent when you drink it outdoors in the heat and it’s ice cold. Sakara Sakara is a close second when it comes to the preferred beer of Egyptians. Named after the Saqqara necropolis (although using different spelling), the Step Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt’s oldest pyramid, stands proudly on the bottle so it’s always a nice photo opportunity if you’re the type who likes to take pictures of your international beer-ing. Sakara comes in 3 different variations: 1) Sakara Gold Type of beer: lager Alcohol content: 4% Sizes available: 500 ml Taste: Sakara Gold claims it has a more ‘European’ taste (whatever that means), but to us it tastes pretty similar to Stella. Its alcohol content is a bit less so it’s a tad on the lighter side, but overall a really good and refreshing beer with not much fuss. 2) Sakara El-King 10 Type of beer: lager Alcohol content: 10% Sizes available: 500 ml Taste: In general we’re not a fan of high alcohol content beers, and while Sakara El-King 10 is drinkable, to us it’s by no means enjoyable. Give it a try though if you’re looking for something with quite a kick. 3) Sakara El-King 15 Type of beer: lager Alcohol content: 15% Sizes available: 500 ml Taste: no… just no. Meister Max For those looking for a beer with more of a bite than Stella and Sakara Gold, Meister Max might be up your alley. It’s higher in alcohol content and although it’s a lager, it has more of an IPA feel to it. Type of beer: lager Alcohol content: 8% Sizes available: 330 ml & 500 ml Taste: Meister Max is definitely more bitter than Stella and Sakara, so if you like the taste of IPAs, then you might like this one. The taste tends to start out pretty strong, but mellows out a few sips in. Egyptian beers that were discontinued: Luxor Classic Luxor XXX Sakara Weizen Meister Max Mango Meister Max Pineapple Sphinx In the case that you tried local Egyptian beer and it didn’t do it for you (how could you??), you’ll also find two international brands widely distributed (but produced in Egypt): 1) Heineken Type of beer: lager Alcohol content: 5% Sizes available: 300 ml & 500 ml (and on draft in certain bars) 2) Desperados Type of beer: tequila-flavored lager Alcohol content: 5.9% Sizes available: 330 ml So now that you know a thing or two about Egyptian beer, here are the best bars and nightspots in Cairo to try them, divided by neighborhood: Best Bars in Zamalek Best Bars in Maadi Best Bars in Downtown Cairo Best Bars in Sheikh Zayed & 6 October Best Bars in New Cairo Best Bars in Heliopolis

Luxor is known for its outstanding sightseeing, but not for its culinary scene unfortunately (Luxor is long on Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs but short on good restaurants). Read more: 10 Best Things to See & Do in Luxor, As Told By Locals But never fear, just because Luxor isn’t the culinary capital of the world doesn’t mean there aren’t any good restaurants, you just need to know which ones are tourist traps and which ones are actually worth your time, money and appetite. So here’s a list of our locally recommended restaurants in Luxor, ranging from rustic farm-to-table to 5 star luxury: 1. Sofra Sofra has been one of our personal local favorites for more than a decade now. It’s in an old 1930s house that’s been transformed into a restaurant, but they held on to a lot of its original traditional charm. The downstairs is the main dining area, and there’s an upstairs open terrace that we recommend (needs to be booked in advance though to guarantee a table!). The menu is Egyptian classics with lots of hot and cold mezzes. No alcohol. For more info: Sofra’s FB page 2. El Kababgy A great option if you want to sit outdoors right on the Nile with fantastic river views (they also have an indoor section with AC though if it’s too hot to be outside). El Kababgy technically is a meat restaurant (their name coming from ‘kebab’), but they also have tons of vegetarian options so don’t let the carnivorous name deter you. Their food is pretty tasty across the board. No alcohol. For more info: El Kababgy’s FB page 3. Pizza Roma.It If you’ve had your fill of Egyptian food, then we suggest you try out Pizza Roma.It, Luxor’s best Italian restaurant – loved by tourists and Egyptian locals alike. While the small restaurant itself is nothing fancy, they have a massive menu of pasta and pizza and they do it all well. The owner lived in Italy for over 12 years and tries to keep the food as authentically Italian as possible (or as much as you can in Egypt). No alcohol. For more info: Pizza Roma.It’s FB page 4. 1886 This place is all about the luxury, fine dining experience. 1886 Restaurant is in the Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel, which is one of Egypt’s historic hotels and steeped in stories (both the hotel and the restaurant have been serving guests for over 130 years!). 1886 only allows formal dining, which means a strict dress code of jacket and tie for men and dresses for women. The service is impeccable but unfortunately sometimes their food (French cuisine) is hit and miss – this restaurant made our list mainly for its ambience, history and overall Old World feel. Alcohol is served. For more info: Sofitel Winter Palace’s FB page 5. Nubian House If you’re looking for something off the beaten track on the West Bank of Luxor, and a little adventure, then we recommend discovering Nubian House. While Nubia is usually more associated with Aswan, a Nubian couple opened a little authentic ‘restaurant’ on their farm on the Nile in Luxor – although it doesn’t feel like eating in a restaurant, it feels like eating in someone’s home, in the best way. The ingredients are the definition of farm-to-table, the wife is the chef and the husband will show you the utmost in hospitality. They don’t have a menu, but will ask you your likes & dislikes and cook up something homemade and just for you. This isn’t the place to eat if you’re looking for a quick meal between sightseeing; go if you want to spend some time actually getting to know a local family and experience something authentic. For more info: Nubian House’s website 6. Main Court at Al Moudira Hotel If you want to have dinner or drinks on the West Bank but somewhere more upscale than Nubian House, then the Main Court restaurant at the beautiful boutique hotel Al Moudira is the way to go. (Head here to read about more unique boutique hotels in Egypt). Al Moudira is away from the hustle and bustle of touristic Luxor, on the edge of the fields and surrounded by gardens. They have indoor and outdoor seating, Egyptian and international dishes (menu is limited though), and serve alcohol. For more info: Al Moudira’s website 7. Al Sahaby Lane This is where to go if you’re looking for that Instagram view along with your meal. Al Sahaby Lane is a restaurant with outdoor lane seating in the souk, and upstairs is its rooftop terrace with stunning views over the Nile, Luxor Temple and Avenue of the Sphinxes. They have a massive menu with something for everyone – Egyptian fare, international, vegetarian, you name it. They even have a camel burger or camel meat pot if you want to try something different. No alcohol served. For more info: Al Sahaby Lane’s FB page You may also like: 5 Must-See Temples in Luxor, Egypt

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 food (you should look into doing a food tour actually, more info here in our article about experience gifts in Cairo). 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. 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 If you love little hole-in-the-wall spots that only locals know about, then make sure to try Om 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 3 pm to 11 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! You might also like: Best Bars & Nightlife in Downtown Cairo

If it’s your first time in Egypt, then you’re probably already feeling a little overwhelmed, and we feel ya -- it’s a lot to take in and get acclimated to. But fear not -- Egyptian food is not something else that will stress you out. Au contraire, most of our local Egyptian favorites are a) extremely tasty and not frightening, b) cheap, c) nutritious and d) vegetarian and vegan friendly. Who would’ve thought? Now because the foods below are our local favorites, you can find at least one provider literally on every block in every main Egyptian city, whether in the form of a little hole in the wall, a street cart or a more established stop-and-eat kind of joint. If, however, you’re wary about eating ‘street food’, then these comfortable and 100% vouched for restaurants provide an awesome array of Egyptian street food. (For more of Cairo’s best restaurants, head here). So are you ready to dive in? We hope you’re hungry: 1. Koshary Vegetarian: yes Vegan: yes It’s hard to find a single Egyptian who doesn’t love koshary (and keep in mind we’re around 100 million people, so that’s saying something). Koshary is a dish comprised of rice, lentils and macaroni, topped with chickpeas and crispy fried onions, all covered in a spiced tomato sauce. It’s always served with garlic vinegar sauce and hot sauce on the side, because each Egyptian has their own preferred garlic-vinegar-spicy ratio. It’s extremely filling, and very high in protein and fiber due to the lentils and chickpeas. The most famous koshary restaurant is Abou Tarek, but you can find other koshary providers in just about every neighborhood -- for super cheap. 2. Fuul Vegetarian: yes Vegan: yes Ah, the number one, uncontested Egyptian breakfast staple (although to be fair, we Egyptians also eat it at any time of day or night too). Fuul is essentially fava beans stewed for hours over a low flame, and the most ubiquitous type of fuul (the plain cheese pizza of fuul) is mixed with some olive oil, lemon and cumin. It can be served either in a sandwich (don’t forget to try our fresh ‘baladi’ bread; a whole wheat pita bread), or in a dish where you scoop up each bite of fuul with a piece of that same baladi bread. And just like there are dozens of different toppings you can add to your pizza, the same goes for fuul: onions, garlic, tomatoes, chili pepper, tahini, vinegar, parsley, a ton of spices, you name it. Fuul is obviously extremely nutritious due to its protein and fiber, and will fill you up for hours on end. You can get fuul at any street cart in the city, or can order it from big fuul powerhouses like Gad or El Shabrawy Arabiata. 3. Taameya Vegetarian: yes Vegan: yes Move over, milk and cereal -- there’s a new breakfast duo on the scene: fuul and taameya. Taameya (Egyptian falafel) is almost always found in the same places where you can get fuul, because nothing makes fuul better than a little taameya and vice versa. The main difference between Egyptian taameya and other falafel elsewhere is the main ingredient -- falafel is usually made out of chickpeas, while taameya is made out of fava beans (we Egyptians just can’t get enough). The soaked beans are mixed usually with parsley, coriander, garlic and onion and then fried with a light coating of sesame on top, leading to a taameya that’s crunchy on the outside and soft and signature green on the inside. We locals either eat the taameya in a sandwich with some tomato and tahini, or just plain straight from the plate. 4. Molokheya Vegetarian: yes (if served without chicken/meat) Vegan: no This dish is hard to describe because you really have to see it to understand it. It’s essentially a vegetable soup or stew eaten over rice, made out of the leaves of a plant called Jew’s Mallow or jute. The leaves are chopped finely with garlic and coriander and then cooked until it’s a soupy consistency. It always smells amazing but what some people, non-Egyptians especially, have an issue with is the consistency. When cooked, the leaves develop almost a slimy quality to them that some people don’t like. Molokheya is always eaten over rice, and lots of people like to add chicken, meat or some other animal protein to the mix (rabbit is actually pretty popular over here). Obviously if you want to keep it vegan, just order your molokheya sans animal protein. Molokheya is usually a home-cooked dish best prepared by someone’s Egyptian grandma, but if you’re interested in trying it, Abou El Sid does it justice. 5. Mahshi Vegetarian: yes (if without minced meat) Vegan: no Most Mediterranean countries love themselves a stuffed vine leaf or vegetable, and we’re no different. Stuffed vine leaves are apparently a rung higher than the rest of the stuffed vegetables here in Egypt, because they have their own name: waraq einab, which just translates into ‘grape leaves’. Any other stuffed vegetable is referred to as ‘mahshi’, which basically just means ‘stuffed’. We apparently favored straightforwardness over creativity when it came to naming the dish. Our favorite vegetables to stuff besides grapes leaves are zucchini, peppers, cabbage and eggplant, and sometimes tomatoes and onions to a lesser degree. They’re stuffed with a mixture of rice, tomato sauce, dill, cilantro, onion and spices galore and then cooked in a tomato broth until the vegetables are soft. Heads up to the herbivores amongst us: while mahshi is usually vegetarian/vegan, some people like to add minced meat to the rice mixture, so you might want to double-check with the restaurant you’re ordering it from. 6. Om Ali Vegetarian: yes Vegan: no Ah, the first dessert of the list. Making up for the lack of creativity in the naming of mahshi, Om Ali literally translates to ‘Ali’s mother’. We’re not exactly sure who the Ali in question and his mother are, but some stories say Ali’s mother was the first wife of a 13th century sultan. All righty then. Either way, the Om Ali of modern day is essentially a bread pudding of sorts made with puff pastry, milk, cream, sugar, coconut flakes, nuts and raisins. It’s baked in the oven until the pastry soaks up the sweetened milk and the top gets crispy and brown, which is our personal favorite part. The nuts are usually a mix of hazelnuts and pistachios, and the raisins are the sweet white kind. If you see Om Ali on a dessert menu at a restaurant, we strongly urge you to try it. 7. Fattah Vegetarian/vegan: no While fattah is a popular dish across the Middle East, each country gives it their own twist, so if you’ve tried it before in Lebanon in Morocco, ours is a bit different. It’s also traditionally eaten during the national holiday of Eid El Adha, but obviously you can eat it whenever throughout the year. Egyptian fattah is essentially a dish of four layers: the first layer is crunchy pita bread, followed by rice, followed by meat, and then a garlicky, spiced tomato sauce pulls it all together. During Eid, most people use mutton for the meat, but otherwise usually beef shank is used. This is another dish best done by an Egyptian grandma, but restaurants like Abou El Sid or Cairo Kitchen will have it on their menu. 8. Shawerma Vegetarian/vegan: no A food that needs little introduction. Grilling meat on a vertical spit and slicing off pieces while it cooks first started in the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century, and evolved into modern-day doner kebab, shawerma, gyros and even tacos al pastor. The Egyptian version of shawerma is either chicken or beef, which are marinated and spiced then grilled for hours.They’re sliced off the spit and served with thin grilled peppers, onions, tomatoes, parsley and either a garlic sauce (tomeya) or tahini in either a wrap or a bun (kaizer). Most shawerma places are to-go joints on the street; you won’t find many sit-down restaurants. They’re also a very popular after-hours food in Cairo, so you’ll find a lot of the shawerma spots open until the early hours of the morning. 9. Stuffed pigeon Vegetarian/vegan: no This is one beloved Egyptian food that gives a lot of tourists pause, because of the misconception that pigeons are winged rats. The pigeons we cook here are raised and fed in specific towers, so not dissimilar to chicken. Taste-wise, if you like duck, then there’s a big chance you’ll like pigeon too -- go ahead, try it! Stuffed pigeons (hamam mahshi) are filled with rice, or fereek (Google tells me that this is bulgar wheat). The filling mixture is usually spiced with cinnamon, nuts, cumin, onion and pepper, and then the whole pigeon is grilled until the skin is a crispy golden-brown. Because the bird is so small, most restaurants will serve you two. Again, Abou El Sid is a good place to try it (we’re not sponsored by them, we swear!). 10. Feteer Vegetarian: depends on the toppings you add to it Vegan: no Feteer, or its longer name, feteer meshaltet, translates to ‘cushioned pies’. It’s essentially a flaky layered pastry that can either be savoury or sweet, depending on what you stuff the feteer with. For some bizarre reason, they called feteer here both ‘Egyptian pizza’ and ‘Egyptian pancakes’, which in my personal opinion is just… not true lol. So if you see that written on a feteer shop, take it with a grain of salt. For savoury feteer, Egyptians love layering the feteer with mixes of cheese, sausage and ground beef. For sweet feteer, you can find it as simple as feteer with honey or molasses, or as extravagant as feteer layered with Nutella, bananas, clotted cream and sugar. 11. Kebab & kofta Vegetarian/vegan: no Now obviously we’re not claiming that kebab and kofta are originally Egyptian or anything like that --grilling meat on skewers is prehistoric-- but modern-day Egyptians really embrace and love their local kebab and kofta. So if you’re a meat-lover, make sure you try our grilled meats (a restaurant like Abou Shakra is good for that). Kebab and kofta are usually served in the same places, with small differences between the two. Kebab are small pieces of meat on a skewer, alternated with chunks of vegetable, and grilled. Kofta is more a ground, mixed-meat meatball which is also grilled on a skewer, and sometimes served in a type of sauce (usually tomato). 12. Roz bil laban Vegetarian: yes Vegan: no Roz bil laban is an Egyptian rice pudding, and pretty simple but very tasty -- it’s essentially cooked rice in a sweet milk pudding, flavored with vanilla and coconut and served chilled. For some reason, you can always find them in any koshary shop; apparently roz bi laban is the preferred dessert post-koshary. But a local favorite place to get roz bil laban from is El Malky, a dessert shop that’s been open for 50+ years and serves some of the best in town. You might also like: 10 Best Restaurants in Downtown Cairo

Ah, the 90s in Cairo. The good ol’ days of escalope pane in the club and when McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Chili’s were all sparkly and new. While some food icons of the 90s have since died out in Cairo, you might be surprised to find out that a lot of our favorite restaurants from 20+ years ago are actually still alive and kicking. Are they still good? Well, that’s up for you to decide. But in case you feel like taking your stomach for a walk down memory lane, here are some of Cairo’s 90s classics that are still open until today. Read more: Vintage Cairo - 17 of the Oldest Restaurants, Bars & Cafes in the City Disclaimer: in the list below we only included the restaurants that are *homegrown*, before you start asking where KFC’s at. 1. Cortigiano Founded: 1993 Everyone’s favorite restaurant to go to with their parents from back in the day is not only still operational, but also opening new branches. Right now they’re currently in Dokki (this branch is the real OG), City Stars, Maadi, Helio, Nasr City and New Cairo. Cortigiano’s FB page is here. 2. La Casetta Founded: 1985 Who doesn’t remember La Casetta’s pizza? Forget Chicago deep dish, La Casetta’s deep dish was a whole other heavy-as-hell-but-worth-it story. Their current branches are in Dokki, Heliopolis and Nasr City. La Casetta’s FB page is here. 3. Felfela Founded: 1959 Felfela might be a 90s favorite, but that doesn’t mean it opened in the 90s. It’s now over 50 years old and still going strong *knock on wood and all that*. While our 90s favorite Felfelas were the Haram branch (the Felfela Village) and the famous Downtown branch, today you can also find Felfela in Moqattam and there’s also Felfela Express. Their website is here. 4. Andrea Mariouteya Founded: 1958 The Andrea Mariouteya of the 90s should not at all be confused with the cheap knock-off Andreas of today, like the one on the Maadi Corniche. The original classic might be known for the ‘Mariouteya’ in its name, but its new home is now in New Giza. Andrea Mariouteya’s FB page is here. 5. Swiss Restaurants (Le Chantilly, La Chesa, Le Chalet, Le Chateau) Founded: 1976 Ah, the good ol’ Swiss Restaurant group, delivering happiness in steak and cheese form throughout the 90s. Le Chantilly was the darling of the Heliopolis crowd, La Chesa was a Downtown staple, and Le Chalet and Le Chateau were the go-tos for familial outings for those living on the west side of Cairo (and I say familial because we millennials couldn’t really afford going without our parents). The Swiss Restaurants’ FB page is here. 6. Peking Founded: 1962 Did you know that Peking was established in 1962? Sure, it seems like it’s been around forever, but not 50 years forever! Our favorite 90s Chinese restaurant is still going strong, albeit with a lot more competition than back in the day. Their vegetable spring rolls will always have an oily but fond place in our heart though, because those are ~memories~. Peking’s FB page is here. 7. Didos Aldente Founded: 1993 Do you guys remember when Didos opened in Zamalek and a large plate of Arrabbiata pasta was for 7 EGP? *Sob* the good old days indeed. Didos’ FB page is here. 8. Pizza King When you think of Pizza King, one thing and one thing only probably comes to mind: buy one get one free. While it definitely wasn’t the best pizza (Pizza Hut and Domino’s were our 90s heroes), their BOGO offer made it our number one choice when we were a lot of mouths to feed with little funds. Pizza King’s FB page is here. 9. Maison Thomas Founded: 1922 Wait hold up, did any of you know that Maison Thomas is almost 100 years old?! We sure didn’t, and were shocked to say the least when we read their founding date on their FB page. Listen, no matter how many new and shiny pizza spots open in Cairo, Thomas will always be one of our first loves. Maison Thomas’ FB page is here. 10. Lucille’s Founded: 1995 Back in the day before Road 9 in Maadi was the commercial sh*tshow it is now, it used to be a quiet, tree-lined street with only a few restaurants to its name. Lucille’s was one of them -- but actually, its original name was Lucille’s Mermaid Columbus, but they dropped the second part of its name partly due to confusion with the Italian restaurant Mermaid (below), also found on Road 9 in the 90s. And lo and behold, Lucille’s is no longer just a Maadi landmark -- they now have another branch in New Cairo. Lucille’s FB page is here. 11. Mo’men Founded: 1988 Before fast food sandwich places in Cairo were a dime a dozen, there was Mo’men. What started as just one Mo’men restaurant run by three brothers back in the late 80s now has over a dozen branches which serve over 9.5 million customers a year. Mo’men’s FB page is here. 12. Semsema Founded: 1980 Long live the shawerma in a “kaizer” roll. Most people now just order from Semsema, but back in the day you couldn’t find a spot to park in front of it from the moment it opened its doors up until 2 am. Semsema’s FB page is here. 13. Bon Appetit Founded: 1983 All hail the Champion (the sandwich, that is). It was the OG fried chicken sandwich. Bon Appetit’s FB page is here. 14. Rossini Founded: 1993 If you grew up in Heliopolis in the 90s, then you’ll probably remember Rossini as the fancy Italian/seafood restaurant and piano bar for older people dressed up and sipping wine. The good news is that Rossini has just revamped itself and stepped into the 21st century with an awesome new bar and contemporary interior design. Rossini's FB page is here. 15. My Queen Founded: 1984 What started off as almost a food truck of sorts in Gameat el Dawal with extremely sketchy hygiene but a pretty good chicken madghoot sandwich has now become an actual chain with numerous branches. My Queen's FB page is here. 16. Cook Door Founded: 1988 The Super Crunchy Chicken, Viagra sandwich and Friskies fries were good back then and they’re still good now. Cook Door's FB page is here. 17. Wimpy Founded: 1970s (the Egypt branch) Wimpy was a fast food favorite throughout the 80s and 90s in Egypt until it abruptly shut down in 1998 for reasons unknown. Fast forward more than 20 years later to 2021, and to the nation's collective joy, Wimpy comes back with a vengeance (plus a new look & and even an app!). They now have branches all over Cairo, and their burgers and chicken sandwiches are good enough to compete with the big boys dominating the fast food scene (you know who we're talking about). And yes yes, technically Wimpy is not *really* Egyptian (it was founded in the US and now its headquarters are in South Africa) but it's Egyptian in our hearts and minds. Wimpy's FB page is here. 18. El Tabei El Domyati Founded: 1926 Alongside Maison Thomas, El Tabei remains a generational Cairo food institution. It was founded almost 100 years ago, and started serving the falafel/taameya we love so much back in 1939. El Tabei' FB page is here. 19. Chicken Tikka Founded: 1972 Chicken Tikka might be an Americana restaurant, thus Kuwaiti owned, but Chicken Tikka’s very first branch in the world opened right here in Cairo in 1972, so we can’t help but consider it homegrown. Plus, the puri bread. Come on now. That stuff ran in the veins of Egyptians back in the 90s. Chicken Tikka's FB page is here. 20. Abou Shakra Founded: 1947 Another loooong time classic, Abou Shakra was a family destination back in the 90s for whenever we wanted something fresh off the grill (and wanted our parents pay for it). Abou Shakra’s FB page is here. 21. Abou Haidar Just like Semsema has the hearts and souls of shawerma lovers on the west side of Cairo, Abou Haidar was and still is a cult shawerma classic in Korba. Abou Haidar’s FB page is here. You might also like: 14 Egyptian Dessert Shops and Patisseries More Than 50 Years Old

One of the greatest existential questions of all time: why dine indoors when you can dine outdoors? Well, for most places, that is – Cairo is a tad different and the reasons for staying indoors are numerous: the heat, the noise, crowds. You get the idea. But what about when the weather is nice? Nights in Cairo weather-wise are always pleasant, and what if we could guarantee you’d be away from the noise and the crowds of Cairo streets? So just for you, because you asked nicely, we put together a list of our very favorite open-air restaurants where you can enjoy a breeze, eat and drink well, and kick back and relax. Read more: 9 Best Rooftop Bars in Cairo Read more: 7 Best Restaurants with Pyramid Views The Smokery Location: New Cairo Overlooking the green expanse of the golf course in Katameya Heights, The Smokery is hard to beat when it comes to open-air dinner and drinks with a view in New Cairo. They serve a variety of upscale international dishes, with everything from sliders to seabass quinoa to sushi. The Smokery in Palm Hills (6 October) is an equally ideal destination if you’re looking to enjoy a breeze and some greenery but on the west side of town. For reservations and more info: The Smokery’s FB. Read more: 10 Best Restaurants for Dinner & Drinks in New Cairo 2. Villa Belle Epoque Location: Maadi This converted villa-turned-boutique hotel is hidden down one of Maadi’s little leafy streets, making it the perfect spot for when you want to eat or drink alfresco but still in relative privacy. Villa Belle Epoque’s restaurant serves its meals next to their small pool, surrounded by trees and flowers. For reservations and more info: Villa Belle Epoque’s FB. Read more: 7 Boutique Hotels To Stay at in Egypt for a More Unique, Personalized Trip 3. Crimson Location: Zamalek 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 reservations and more info: Crimson’s FB. Read more: 7 Best Bars, Pubs & Restobars in Zamalek 4. 139 Pavilion Location: Pyramids 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. For reservation and more info: Marriott Mena House website. 5. Cafelluca Location: the middle of the Nile lol It doesn’t get much more open-air than a felucca in the middle of the Nile! Cafelluca is a set menu ‘restaurant’ that you can book for breakfast, lunch or dinner while sailing down the Nile. It takes a minimum of six people (special rates are also offered if you want to do a romantic one-on-one dinner instead), and they have pick-up branches in Maadi, Zamalek, Dokki, Four Seasons First Residence and Mamsha Ahl Misr. For their menu, prices and to book: Cafelluca website. 6. Andrea Mariouteya Location: 6 October City On the west side of the city and looking for an outdoor brunch, lunch or dinner? Then Andrea Mariouteya is one of the best. Besides the fact that their position high up on the New Giza plateau gives you great city views, but Andrea Mariouteya has been serving up some of our favorite grilled chicken and meat for decades now (you can read more at Vintage Cairo: 17 Oldest Restaurants, Bars & Cafes in the City). For reservations and more info: Andrea Mariouteya’s FB. 7. Kebabgy Oriental Grill Location: Zamalek Another great grill restaurant, but this time Nile-side. Kebabgy is on the outdoor terrace of the Sofitel Gezirah (one of our favorite hotels in Cairo), and has been a staunch favorite since 1985 - back when the Sofitel used to be the Sheraton! And make sure to try their fresh baladi bread that’s baked in a clay oven right on spot. Local tip: on weekend nights they have a live ‘takht’ performance (a Middle Eastern instrumental ensemble) from 6 pm to 10 pm. For reservations and more info: Sofitel Gezirah’s website. You may also like: 7 Best Nile View Restaurants in Cairo

Listen, we all love Haagen-Dazs and Baskin-Robbins and the likes, but if you’re in the mood for some ice cream with some local Egyptian flavor, then look no further than these frosty favorites of ours. Dara’s Ice Cream The most recently buzzed-about ice cream shop taking Cairo (and the North Coast) by storm is Dara’s Ice Cream. This uber-popular, Instagrammable spot is known for not only their made-from-scratch ice cream and ice cream cakes, but cookies straight from the oven too. Our favorite flavor: honeycomb Branches: Galleria 40 (Sheikh Zayed), 26th July Street (Zamalek), White by Waterway (New Cairo), Road 218 (Maadi), and Seashell Walk (North Coast). For more info: their website Stavolta Gelato Artisanal, homemade gelato the Italian way. One of our favorite things about Stavolta is that you’ll always find something new and fun on their menu -- their gelato always features different fruit flavors based on what’s fresh and in season (teen shoki/prickly pear in summer for example), and during Ramadan and other holidays they get creative (othmanleya gelato, anyone?). They also offer vegan ‘seyami’ flavors. Our favorite flavor: lemon sorbet Branches: Road 231 (Maadi), Westown Hub (Sheikh Zayed), Point 90 (New Cairo), Korba (Heliopolis), Iconia (Zamalek), Diplo Lakeyard (North Coast) For more info: Stavolta Facebook Mandarine Koueider This beloved dessert shop has been open in Cairo since 1928, and while its main claim to fame is its oriental desserts (especially during Ramadan), locals know that Mandarine Koueider also has some great ice cream year-round. Our favorite flavor: tangerine Branches: Zamalek, Maadi, City Stars, New Cairo, Heliopolis, Sheraton, El Rehab For more info: Mandarine Koueider Facebook Rigoletto Ah, the ice cream of our childhood. Rigoletto opened its first shop in 1987 under the name Dolce Vita, and officially became Rigoletto two years later. They pride themselves on being Cairo’s “first ice cream parlor” and a place where you could actually hang out, not like the grab-and-go ice cream of today. Our favorite flavor: vanilla croquant Branches: Zamalek, Maadi, 6th of October, Nasr City, Alexandria, North Coast (Diplo 3), Hurghada For more info: their website Gelato Mio Similar to Stavolta, Gelato Mio serves up homemade gelato and sorbet the Italian way. Their flavors range from the traditional like Belgian chocolate and Oreo to the quirky like karkade (hibiscus), ricotta and figs, cinnamon and dates, and carrot orange. Our favorite flavor: it changes each time! Branches: Zamalek and Maadi For more info: Gelato Mio Facebook Sultana Another old-is-gold entry in our ice cream list. Sultana has been open for more than 30 years, first opening its doors in 1989. Since then, they’ve absolutely exploded, with around 15 branches in Cairo and ten in Alexandria, plus their ice cream is now even packaged and distributed in big supermarket chains like Metro. They’ve come a long way since our childhood, that’s for sure. Our favorite flavor: mixed berry yoghurt For more info: Sultana Facebook The Batter Half & Co Locals might be surprised to see The Batter Half & Co make this list because they’re mainly known for their assorted baked desserts like cakes, tarts and “desserts in a cup”. But we once tried their ice cream a few years back and ever since, it’s been our favorite thing on their menu. Our favorite flavor: Snickers Branches: Zamalek, Cairo Festival City, Mall of Arabia and North Coast (Hacienda White) For more info: The Batter Half & Co Facebook You may also like: 14 Egyptian Dessert Shops and Patisseries More Than 50 Years Old

New millennial 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 the ‘bakookie’ (baklawa cookie) and all the other bizarre 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 has been 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 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 90 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.

Cairo is full to the brim with restaurants, cafes, ahwas, malls and cinemas, which is where we locals spend 95% of our going out leisure time. But there’s actually a lot more to Cairo than just food, coffee and blockbuster movies -- you just need to know the right places to look. So if you’re in the mood to go down a more cultural route for your next night out, these nine venues might have just what you’re looking for. 1. Zawya Arthouse Cinema Location: Downtown Go for: independent films and other movies not aired in Egypt’s mainstream cinemas Zawya opened its doors in 2014 in Cairo’s historic Cinema Odeon and is touted as Egypt’s first ‘arthouse cinema’. Different than the rest of Egypt’s cinemas which are heavy on Hollywood and Sobky movies, Zawya prides itself on airing independent films, both Egyptian and international, alongside documentaries, short films and experimental work, most of which never see the light of day in Egypt’s mainstream cinemas. Besides regular screenings, Zawya also helps promote local and Arab filmmakers through events, discussions and masterclasses. Make sure you also check out their film festivals and ‘spotlight’ artist events (for example, they recently had a night dedicated to Youssef Chahine’s short films). 2. Room Art Space & Cafe Location: Garden City & New Cairo Go for: live music (jazz, tribute bands, folkloric music), karaoke, open mic nights This cafe and performance art venue “offers professionals and aspiring artists -as well as lovers of the arts- a space to create, collaborate, perform and share ideas over freshly brewed coffee.” Room have almost daily live events, varying from stand-up comedy to live music to film screenings in both English and Arabic. 3. Darb 1718 Location: Old Cairo (behind the Hanging Church and Amr Ibn Aas mosque) Go for: artisanal workshops and live events Founded in 2008, this non-profit organization is a contemporary art and culture center in the heart of Old Cairo. Darb 1718 offers art exhibition spaces, theater, dance and concert stages, an outdoor cinema, gardens and rooftops and even an artist residency to accommodate international artists. Artisanal workshops offered: pottery, leather wallet making, Arabic calligraphy, vintage photo album making, sketching, mosaics, film editing, soap making and much more. 4. Cairo Opera House Location: Zamalek Go for: live performances Undoubtedly the most famous on the list, the Cairo Opera House has been the bastion of cultural events in the capital for decades now. It has several different halls and theatres for all sorts of performances, and in any given month you’ll find a packed schedule: choir, ballet, opera, flamenco, ensemble groups, folkloric music, orchestra, Egyptian modern dance, instrumental soloists, poetry and much more. Check their website for their full schedule. 5. Townhouse Gallery Location: Downtown Go for: art exhibitions and Rawabet Theatre Probably the most popular gallery and visual art space in Cairo, Townhouse is a non-profit organization that strives (and succeeds) to be more than just a standard gallery. Besides hosting visual art, they also have Townhouse Library and Rawabet Theatre, a space for independent performing artists of all disciplines, as well as international residencies for artists, writers and filmmakers. Most recently Townhouse also opened SAWA Shop, where you can buy Egyptian handicrafts and old books, magazines and art publications. 6. El Sawy Culture Wheel (El Sakia) Location: Zamalek Go for: live performances & puppet theatre A Zamalek staple for over 15 years, this performing arts space right on the Nile has been the launching pad for some of Egypt’s favorite contemporary bands when they were first starting out. Their monthly calendar is almost always full with musical performances, poetry, theatre, seminars and their famous puppet theatre. 7. Makan (Egyptian Center for Culture & Arts) Location: Garden City Go for: Traditional and folkloric Egyptian music Makan’s main mission is to preserve the traditional Egyptian folk music that has been marginalized over the years due to the predominance of commercialized international music and its influence on contemporary Egyptian artists. Makan is now one of the few spaces in Egypt where you can attend a ‘Zar’; a folkloric performance with rhythmic dance and drumming, which is in essence a complex healing ritual led by women, but which has been shunned by mainstream Egyptian culture for supposedly being an exorcism ritual. It’s at the risk of dying out completely, which is what makes having a place like Makan so important. They also have Sufi music, ‘mawawil’ (rural songs from the Nile Delta), Nubian and Sudanese heritage music and a medley of other talented Egyptian performers. 8. Wekalet el Ghouri Location: Old Cairo Go for: the tanoura show Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Wekalet el Ghouri Art Centre is host to the famous whirling dervish show -- also known as the tanoura show, or the Sufi dancing show. A great option for tourists (and locals!) to really get immersed in the Old Cairo feel (Wekalet el Ghouri is in the Khan el Khalili and Moez street area). The show is about two hours long, and high energy from start to finish. The show starts at 7 pm, and tickets are first come, first served (starting 6 pm). There’s usually a crowd so make sure you get there early. 9. MASQ - Maq'ad of Sultan Qaitbay Location: City of the Dead Go for: art exhibitions, concerts, bazaars, walking tours exploring City of the Dead MASQ is a cultural hub based in a renovated 15th century Mamluk monument, the maq'ad of Sultan Qaitbay, in Cairo's City of the Dead. The City of the Dead is a medieval Muslim necropolis in Old Cairo, also known as the Desert of the Mamluks, and what makes this necropolis so interesting is that besides the centuries-old architecture and tombs, a modern-day community lives and works among the dead. MASQ holds regular events to promote the heritage of this little-understood area as well benefit and develop the struggling neighborhood community. You might also like: Vintage Cairo - 17 of the Oldest Restaurants, Cafes & Bars in the City

When you think of Egypt, you probably picture… sand. Like, lots of it. And while there is indeed a lot of sand (we’re a desert nation, after all), what we locals know and are eager to share with visitors are all the different (and aesthetically pleasing) sides of Egypt there are. Whether you favor sea views, cityscapes, river scenes or stark desert beauty, we’ve put together a list of the most stunning (and Instagram-able) views in the country. 1. Castle Zaman (Taba/Nuweiba) Perched on a cliff midway between the Sinai towns of Taba and Nuweiba, overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba, is this restaurant and day-use spot. Castle Zaman is famous for its slow-cooked “castle food” -- platters of meat, seafood and fresh vegetables cooked for hours with local spices, dates and figs. Guests can pass the time by swimming in their pool overlooking the sea or by exploring the castle. Read more about Taba and Nuweiba here: Egypt's Red Sea Riviera: Where To Stay 2. Farsha Mountain Lounge (Sharm El Sheikh) Farsha is a mountain lounge, restaurant and bar in the Red Sea town of Sharm el Sheikh, serving up both comfortable seating in a colorful Bedouin style and spectacular views. The vibe is chill, different than Sharm’s usual party scene, and guests can kick back with a local beer and shisha while enjoying the warm sea breeze. 3. Marriott Mena House (Cairo) With the best pyramids view of any hotel in Egypt, the Mena House started out as a royal lodge for the Khedive Ismail for when he or his guests wanted to rest after hunting in the desert or spending time at the pyramids. It was then sold to a British couple in 1869 and turned into a hotel in 1887. You can read more in our article 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt You Can Still Stay At Today. Today you can enjoy your breakfast or take a swim in the pool with the Pyramids of Giza as a very, *very* distinct backdrop. For a list of Cairo's best hotels that are deemed tried and true by locals, head here. And this is our detailed local's guide about everything you need to know before visiting the Pyramids of Giza. 4. Agiba Beach (Marsa Matrouh) While the whole of the North coast in Egypt offers awesome Mediterranean Sea views and white sand beaches, one of the most distinctly memorable spots is Agiba Beach near the coastal town of Marsa Matrouh. Agiba translates to ‘a wonder’ in Arabic, and this little cove is accessible only through a sandy path down from the clifftop. For more breathtaking beaches, read our article 9 World-Class Beaches in Egypt. 5. Hot Air Balloon (Luxor) This one might be a little unexpected, but it’s absolutely legit -- the best way to see the ancient city of Thebes and its necropolis (now modern-day Luxor), is from above. In the early morning hours, you can gently float over the ancient city and see where the Nile’s blues and greens fade into the desert, and the open-air temple complexes like Luxor Temple and Karnak. Read: 12 Most Impressive Ancient Egyptian Temples Still Standing Today 6. Sofitel Gezirah (Cairo) This hotel has the happy real estate of the tip of the island of Zamalek in Cairo, surrounded by the Nile. The pool and a handful of their restaurants are all right on the water, framed by Cairo’s sprawling cityscape. It’s especially beautiful at night with all the lights reflecting on the water (also get ready for some pimped out passing feluccas and their upbeat Arabic music. 7. Mt. Sinai Summit (Sinai Peninsula) If you’re into hiking, then the trek up to the summit of Mount Sinai (known as ‘Gebel Moussa’ in Arabic) is a must. Actually, even if you aren’t into hiking, you have the option of climbing the mountain old-school on the back of a camel. Mount Sinai is considered holy by the Abrahamic religions, because it’s where it’s believed that Moses encountered the Burning Bush and received the Tablets of Law. Even for non-believers, Mount Sinai is known as being a spiritual and cleansing spot. For more camping spots in Egypt, head here. 8. Old Cataract Hotel (Aswan) Across from Elephantine Island on the Nile, this 19th century Victorian palace is now a hotel with some of the best views Aswan has to offer. The juxtaposition between the Victorian architecture and the ancient river and sand dunes of Aswan is definitely worth a visit, and has been visited by notable names from Princess Diana to Winston Churchill. Our full local's city guide to Aswan is here. 9. Dahab Promenade (Dahab) The small Red Sea town of Dahab is known as divers’ paradise, pulling in people from all over the world who are interested in diving and snorkeling. The town has adopted a bohemian, laid-back vibe with a melting-pot of different nationalities and languages, who all share the joint interest of sea and sun. Dahab’s promenade is comprised of a series of open-air, seaside restaurants, bars and cafes, all with stunning views of the Red Sea and Sinai mountains. 10. White Desert (Farafra) Egypt’s Western desert at Farafra is a pristine, stark wilderness where you can camp, do Jeep safaris, sandboard, immerse yourself in natural hot springs and see the Milky Way and an infinite amount of stars at night. The massive white chalk formations in the White Desert are some of the coolest natural wonders in Egypt (and very “gram-able”). Here are some other of the best places to camp in Egypt. 11. Stanley Bridge (Alexandria) This iconic bridge in the ancient seaside city of Alexandria overlooks the Mediterranean Sea on one side and a small beach on the other, and in front and back is Alexandria’s cityscape and Corniche. While it’s not the most peaceful or quiet of spots -- cars will be zipping past -- we recommend taking a walk down the bridge either early Friday morning or late at night for some of the best views Alexandria has to offer. Read: 2 Day Itinerary for Alexandria, Egypt 12. Mahmya (Hurghada) This Red Sea island is about an hour’s boat ride from the Hurghada port, and has one of the clearest water beaches in Egypt. Boats are easily rented from the port, and on the island itself is a restaurant, private beach and bar -- a great day trip if you’re in Hurghada. For more tropical islands in Egypt, head here. You might also like: 7 Restaurants with the Best Views of the Pyramids of Giza

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

The past couple of years have been... a lot, to say the least. But there's no use crying over covid-spilled milk, and things are definitely taking a turn for the better. Not only is Egypt completely open again, but we've been making headlines as one of THE countries to visit in 2022. Headlines where? Oh here are just a few: Recently TripAdvisor not only named Cairo as their #2 Trending Destination in the World for 2022, but Hurghada in their Top 10 Most Popular Destinations in the World for 2022! And that's besides Egypt having secured 13 spots, yes 13, in Scuba Travel’s World’s Top 100 Dive Sites in 2022. Oh and let's not forget Egypt being on the list for Lonely Planet's Top 10 Countries in 2022. So as you can see, it's been pretty much agreed across the board that Egypt is the place to see in 2022, for myriad reasons. And let us locals add 22 of our own personal reasons to the list! 1. It’s very affordable for tourists. If you're coming from abroad, you might notice right away that certain things are WAY cheaper in Egypt than back home. For example, an Uber from the airport to Downtown Cairo will cost you around $10 - for an hour long ride! And a stay in a five star hotel in Egypt is going to run you *considerably* less than what a stay in a five star hotel in Europe for example will run you. Hot air balloon in Luxor? That'll set you back less than $50. You get the idea! Read: Cairo on a Budget: 10 Cheap Ways to Enjoy the City Read: Cairo Sightseeing For Free: 10 Awesome Sites That Don't Cost Anything To Visit 2. Year-round sunny beaches. Home to both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, Egypt has beaches that can easily compete with some of the best in the world. Even in winter months, it’s never too cold to sit on the Red Sea’s white sand beaches and soak up the sun. Read: 9 World-Class Beaches in Egypt Read: 7 Tropical Islands You Won't Believe Are In Egypt 3. Our world-famous museums. The Grand Egyptian Museum will be hopefully be opening its doors in late 2022; when opened, it'll be the biggest archaeological museum in the world. It’ll also be home to the full Tutankhamun collection, with pieces on public display for the first time ever. But don't let the delay get you down -- you can check out our other world-famous museums, like Cairo Museum in Midan Tahrir -- the museum’s collections exceed over 120,000 pieces, from the pre-historic era to the Roman-Greco period. Or the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, with its Royal Mummy Gallery. There's also Karnak Temple in Luxor, which is considered the biggest open-air museum in the world. Read: 9 Museums In Cairo You Need To Visit At Least Once Read: 7 Important Egyptian Museums To Truly Understand Egypt's History 4. Natural treatments and climatic physiotherapy. The secret is out: Egypt is one of the best destinations in the world when it comes to therapeutic tourism -- those seeking natural treatment for various ailments, or seeking physical and spiritual cleansing. Egypt is home to more than 1,300 natural springs, and their clay and minerals help treat bone, skin and digestive diseases. The 365 days of sunshine and dry climate in places like Aswan help respiratory and rheumatoid diseases. The sea and treatments like ‘sand baths’ are proven to help with skin diseases like psoriasis. Read: Natural Therapy in Egypt - 7 Types of Natural Healing and Climatic Therapy You Can't Find Elsewhere 5. The last standing Ancient Wonder of the World. The Great Pyramid of Giza (known as either Khufu or Cheops) is literally the last existing Ancient Wonder of the World. At around 4500 years old, it’s kind of crazy that you can get so up and close to it, but indeed you can. Its surrounding pyramids and Sphinx are no less impressive, and it’s truly worth being on every single human’s bucket list. Read: Visiting the Pyramids of Giza - A Local's Guide to Everything You Need to Know 6. A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. When was the last time you went on a cruise? Or better yet, when was the last time you went on a cruise that had regular stops to dock and see thousands-of-years-old monuments, tombs and artifacts? These five star, luxury cruises range from 3 to 5 nights, and are both affordable and an awesome option for all ages and families with young kids. You’ll sail down the river in Ancient Upper Egypt and see sights like the Luxor Temple (the world’s largest outdoor museum), Karnak Temple and Philae Temple (the last place where the Ancient Egyptian religion was practiced). 7. Camping in the Sahara Desert. Egypt’s Western desert is a pristine, stark wilderness where you can camp, do Jeep safaris, sandboard, immerse yourself in natural hot springs and see the Milky Way and an infinite amount of stars at night. White chalk formations like in the White Desert area of the Egyptian Sahara are some of the coolest natural wonders (and very “gram-able”). Read: Camping in Egypt: 7 Beautiful and Remote Places To Camp 8. Disconnecting from the world at an Egyptian ecolodge. If peace of mind is your end goal, then Egypt’s ecolodges are what you should be looking into for 2022. Whether you choose an ecolodge at a desert oasis, or next to the Red Sea, or at the very edge of the Great Sand Sea, you’re guaranteed to disconnect from your super plugged-in world; many of these places don’t even have electricity. Perfect for those who want to disconnect, eat fresh, get back in tune with nature and leave as small a carbon footprint as possible. 9. Scuba diving in some of the world’s very best dive spots. Egypt's Red Sea scored a total of 13 spots in Scuba Travel’s World’s Top 100 Dive Sites in 2022 - what more can we say? Notable Egyptian dive sites mentioned: Shark Reef, Daedalus Reef, Little Brother, Thistlegorm and Blue Hole. Read: 7 Best Diving Destinations in Egypt’s Red Sea for Divers of All Levels 10. Religious significance for the three Abrahamic religions -- Islam, Christianity and Judaism. While the Ancient Egyptian religion is what usually takes center stage when people think of Egypt, the country is of extreme significance to the Abrahamic religions as well. In Egypt you can climb to the summit of Mount Sinai, where it’s believed that Moses encountered the Burning Bush and received the 10 Commandments. You can also follow the journey of the Holy Family (Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Joseph) from the Sinai peninsula into mainland Egypt and back again. If you’re interested in more modern historical religious sites, Islamic and Coptic Cairo are home to centuries-old mosques, churches, and the Ben Ezra synagogue. Read: 9 Egyptian Churches, Cathedrals and Monasteries You Need to Visit at Least Once Read: 10 Most Beautiful Mosques in Egypt 11. Ancient whale fossils in the desert, anyone? Wadi el Hitan (Whale Valley) in Fayoum, Egypt, is home to something very strange and very cool -- whale fossils, but not your average whale; these whales had hind legs. According to UNESCO (Wadi el Hitan is an official UNESCO Heritage Site): “These fossils represent one of the major stories of evolution: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a previous life as a land-based animal. This is the most important site in the world for the demonstration of this stage of evolution.” Read: 7 Egyptian UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Which Ones You MUST See 12. Medical and dental tourism. If you need tests done, dental work or a medical consultation and don’t feel like going through thousands of dollars and weeks of waiting for an appointment in your home country, then Egypt is a great alternative. The medical sector in Egypt has excellent doctors, and the vast majority speak English so you don’t have to worry about the language barrier. You can get an appointment with a dentist or specialized doctor of your choice in just a matter of days, and the consultation will cost you between 300-600 EGP ($19-$38), and the follow-up is free. Blood tests and other scanning are similarly affordable. 13. Kitesurfing. Kitesurfing is the world’s fastest-growing water sport, and not many know that Egypt is a treasure trove for both beginner and advanced kitesurfers alike. According to Kitesurfing Holidays, Egypt has 3 different placings in the 10 best spots in the world to learn to kitesurf (Soma Bay, Hamata and El Gouna). Our local tip is to add to those places Ras Sedr and Dahab, also on the Red Sea. Read: 7 Extreme Adventure Experiences in Egypt for Adrenaline Junkies 14. 10,000 year old rock art. If you thought the pharaohs’ tombs were about as Ancient as Egypt’s history gets, think again. In the caves of the Gilf Kebir plateau in the remote Southwest Egyptian Sahara desert, Neolithic cliff paintings (pictographs) and rock carvings (petroglyphs) were found, depicting the daily life of those who dwelled there around 10,000 years ago. The most famous of those caves are the Cave of the Swimmers and the Cave of the Beasts. 15. That boat life. We already talked about 5 star Nile cruises, but what about the rest of what Egypt has to offer when it comes to boating? Whether it’s something easy and quick, like an hour’s sail in of the famous Nile feluccas (little sailboats popular in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan), or a fishing boat in the Red Sea, or a glass-bottom boat (awesome family alternative to snorkeling), or even powerboats that you can rent out for reasonable prices in Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, the options of enjoying Egypt from the water are endless. Read: 25 Fun Things To Do In Hurghada and El Gouna 16. The crazy beauty of the remaining temples, monuments, tombs and artifacts of the Ancient Egyptian civilization. This, like the Pyramids, is really kind of a no-brainer. The fact that you can literally walk into temples and tombs thousands of years old, and see the original art and hieroglyphics is really kind of mind-boggling. Sites like the Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, Dendera, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Abu Simbel, Temple of Hatshepsut, Philae Temple and many others are always *so* much more interesting than anything you might have ever read about them. Read: Ancient Egypt Bucket List: 20 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Sites 17. The ability to have a super diverse vacation, all in relatively easy reach of each other, in the same country. Whether you’re looking for a beach vacation, a journey into ancient history, a diving adventure, a mental, physical and emotional retreat, a city jaunt or a commune with nature, Egypt delivers all, in just a few short days. It’s not all sand and pyramids --although that would be pretty cool too-- which is what a lot of visitors fail to realize, and thus cheat themselves out of some of the best beaches in the world or some amazing retreats. 18. The views, oh, the views. We're just going to leave this here. Read: 12 Places To Go For The Most Beautiful Views in Egypt 19. Egyptian food <3 Egyptian cuisine might not be super widespread internationally, but for us Egyptians, it's a national treasure. Our famous fuul, taameya (Egyptian falafel) and koshary are all cheap, nutritious and even vegan-friendly. And if you're a meat lover, our grills just can't be beat. Read: 12 Local Egyptian Foods You Need To Try 20. Egypt is a great winter destination. It’s a million degrees below zero, and you don’t think you’ll ever see a not-gray sky again. This is where Egypt comes in -- even in the dead of winter, the sun is always shining and the skies are always blue. Read: 7 Reasons Why Winter Is Actually One Of The Best Times To Go To Egypt 21. Egypt's historical hotels. With certain hotels over 150 years old (and still serving up 5 star luxury), in Egypt you don't just SEE history, you can also choose to sleep in it. These hotels range from khedival palaces in Cairo to nods to Alexandria's seaside belle epoque to Agatha's Nile-side inspiration down in Aswan - in Egypt you don't need to stay at another cookie-cutter hotel. Read: 11 Historical Hotels in Egypt You Can Still Stay At Today 22. Moez Street and Khan el Khalili. A lot gets said about Ancient Egypt, but what about Medieval Egypt? Take a walk down Moez Street and its adjacent bazaar Khan el Khalili in the evening and you'll feel like you're in A Thousands and One Nights - with a large dash of modern Egypt, that is. This fascinating area dates back to 14th century AD and is one of our very favorite places in all of Cairo. Also the best place to souvenir shop! Read: El Moez Street in Old Cairo - A Detailed Local's Guide Read: Khan el Khalili - An Egyptian Local's Guide So there you have it, 22 reasons why Egypt should most definitely be on your list of places to visit in 2022. And don't forget to check out our locally-created itineraries -- they're full of details and insider information that you won't find elsewhere on the internet; it's like having your own local friend in Egypt who'll steer you in the right direction. Happy travels!