Benha City Guide
Image by Faris knight via wikidata

Egypt

Benha City Guide

Qalyubia Governorate

Benha is a city in Egypt's Qalyubia Governorate, nestled in the Nile Delta. It's agriculturally rich, with a significant focus on cotton and textiles. Travelers find a genuine Egyptian local atmosphere here, distinct from the bustling tourist scenes. Plus, its proximity to Cairo makes it an accessible escape with a slower pace.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Local dishes, like ful medames and koshary, are must-tries. There's not a big international scene, but plant-based foods are easy to find.

Local Dishes:
Ful medames, Ta'ameya, Koshary
International Cuisine:
Limited
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
2

You'll find locals gathering at cafes (ahwas) for tea and shisha. No big bars or clubs.

Coffee Culture
Limited
5

Traditional cafes are abundant. Modern coffee culture is not really a thing here.

💰
Tipping
Required
10%

Tipping is expected for many services. A small tip goes a long way here.

Top Attractions
Benha University
Educational
A key landmark and educational center.
Local markets
Shopping
Perfect for an authentic shopping experience.
Nile River banks
Nature
Scenic spots for leisurely walks.
Cairo (nearby)
Historical
Home to world-renowned ancient sites like the Pyramids.
SIM Cards

Buy SIM cards from major providers like Vodafone or Orange at the airport or larger stores. Registration with ID is required.

Available at:
Vodafone
Orange
Etisalat
Recommended Apps
Uber/Careem(Transport)
Talabat(Food Delivery)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Vodafone Cash/Fawry(Payments)
Elmenus(Food)
InstaShop(Groceries)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Limited
5

Cleaner in main streets, less so in smaller areas. Waste management varies by location.

24/7 Services
Good
6

It's pretty good. Some shops and food vendors stay open late, with emergency services always ready.

Groceries
Carrefour Express

Supermarkets like Carrefour Express carry international items, but local markets have better fresh produce. Bargaining is common.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cash is king here. Small shops and markets usually require cash. Bigger stores and restaurants may take cards, but it’s not guaranteed.

ATMs

ATMs are plenty, especially from big names like National Bank of Egypt and CIB. Be prepared for withdrawal fees.

Schools
Local only

Benha University is well-regarded. Limited international school options.

Available Schools:
Benha University

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Poor
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

There's hardly any established digital nomad scene here.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Limited
5

Green spots are present along the Nile, offering a change of scenery from urban life.

Running
Limited
4

Decent spots along the Nile for a run. Watch out for the air quality and traffic.

Gyms
Available

The city has some local gyms and sports facilities, but they're basic.

Available Gyms:
Benha University Sports Complex
Tennis
Poor
3

Some sports clubs offer tennis, but facilities may be basic.

Padel
Poor
1

Padel isn't common, but may be found in larger cities.

Yoga
Poor
3

Yoga isn't popular, but some classes might be at local gyms.

Martial Arts
Poor
3

Limited martial arts facilities, usually boxing or older styles.

Skiing
Poor
0

No snow here, so skiing is out.

Water Sports
Poor
2

Water activities are limited to traditional boat rides on the Nile.

Surfing
Poor
0

Surfing isn't possible in Benha; it's inland.

Diving
Poor
0

You'll need to head to the Red Sea for diving.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Limited
5

Benha has notable hospitals like the University Hospital, but English speakers are rare outside large cities. Public healthcare varies in quality.

Hospitals:
Benha University Hospital
Pharmacies:
Seif Pharmacy
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Bottled water is safer for drinking. Locals often use tap water for cooking, though.

Common Scams
Fake guides offering tours., Overcharging by taxi drivers., Persistent 'helpers' leading to high-priced shops.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Limited
4

Benha offers few kid-focused spots, but parks and local eateries are welcoming to families.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
1

Benha, like much of Egypt, has conservative views, so discretion is advised for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Pet Friendly
Poor
3

Pets are not very common in public places, and facilities are limited.

Communities
Expats in Egypt (Expat)

Quick Facts

Population
157,701
Power Reliability
Good
7/10

Usually reliable, but expect some outages during the hot summer months.

Languages
Arabic(100%)
English(15%)
Emergency
122
Police
123
Ambulance
180
Fire

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
4

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme Heat
June, July, August, September
Heat can be intense, often exceeding 95°F (35°C).
Dust/Sandstorms
March, April, May
Reduced air quality during these months.

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