Cairo City Guide

Local dishes like Koshary and Ful Medames are must-tries. There are many international options too. Food stalls and restaurants stay open late. Vegetarian and vegan options are available but may require requests.

Nightlife ranges from upscale lounges and clubs to casual cafes and shisha bars. Live music and cultural shows are common.

Coffee scene includes traditional ahwas and growing specialty cafes. Both social and work-friendly spots exist.

Tipping is expected in many services. 10-15% in restaurants is standard if no service charge. Taxi riders usually round up fare. Small tips for hotel staff and guides are appreciated.

Buy SIM cards at the airport or official stores. Vodafone, Etisalat, Orange, and WE offer good service. Passport required for registration.

Cleanliness varies across neighborhoods, with some dusty and some well-maintained areas.

Many pharmacies and minimarts are open late or 24/7. Some clinics offer after-hours service, and food stalls run late.

Supermarkets like Carrefour, Spinneys, HyperOne, and Metro Market stock local and some international products. Fresh markets offer produce and spices. Supermarkets open 9 AM to 10 PM. Bargaining is for markets, not supermarkets.

Card payments work in big shops and hotels, but cash is needed for smaller vendors and taxis.

ATMs from major banks like CIB, Banque Misr, and National Bank of Egypt are easy to find. Use these to avoid high fees.

Cairo has many international schools teaching in English, German, and French. Popular ones include Cairo American College and British International School. Early application is advised due to waitlists.

Active but small community. Meetups happen, with some cafes and co-working spaces catering to nomads.

Al-Azhar Park and Nile Corniche offer some green and riverside spots, but overall green space is limited.

Popular running spots include Zamalek Corniche and Maadi. Traffic and air quality can be challenging.

Several gyms are available, covering a variety of fitness needs.

Tennis courts are available at sports clubs and private compounds with memberships.

Padel courts exist mostly in private clubs and require booking.

Several yoga studios in areas like Zamalek and Maadi offer various styles with English-speaking instructors.

Gyms offer karate, taekwondo, judo, boxing, BJJ, and Muay Thai. Some have English-speaking instructors.

Egypt has no natural skiing areas.

Limited water sports like felucca rides on the Nile. More options on the Red Sea coast.

No surfing in Cairo. Nearest spots are on the Mediterranean or Red Sea coasts, several hours away.

No diving in Cairo. The Red Sea coast offers world-class diving but requires travel.

Private hospitals with English-speaking staff include Dar Al Fouad, As-Salam, and Cleopatra. Private care is better than public. Pharmacies are common and usually have staff who speak some English.

Tap water isn’t safe to drink. Stick to bottled water.

Playgrounds and kid-friendly cafés are common. Attractions like the Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum are great for families.

LGBTQ+ people face legal and social challenges. Public displays of affection are risky.

Pet-friendly options exist but vary. Veterinary services are available, though pet parks are rare.