2. Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
Yes, it’s touristy and, yes, you’ll be bombarded with “welcome” and “come” and “please, have a look.” Nevertheless, a visit to Cairo isn’t complete without getting lost in the winding alleys of Khan El-Khalili bazaar, where you might be enticed to buy incense sticks, small cups for mint tea, or mini hookahs. Rows of cafes near Al-Azhar mosque serve hot bowls of koshary, a national favorite of rice, macaroni, and lentils topped with tomato sauce and fried onions, and feteer, an Egyptian pastry served sweet or savory. For an elevated (and air-conditioned) setting, go to the Naguib Mahfouz cafe—a tribute to the famous writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. For true Mahfouz fans, there is a museum dedicated to the author’s life and works in a small alleyway next to the Abu al-Dahab mosque. End the day with a Sufi whirling dervishes show in the open-air courtyard of the Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Centre.
3. Walk Like An Egyptian Tour
Walk Like An Egyptian, a tour company founded by local guide Asmaa Khattab in 2015, crafts on-foot itineraries offering unique insight and access to Cairo’s cultural sites. Its downtown Cairo tour takes “walkies” to the Sha’ar HaShamayim Synagogue, which is otherwise restricted to group tours and requires prior permission. The same is true for Abdeen Palace, a 500-room property built by Khedive Ismail, who ruled Egypt from 1863 to 1879. Al-Mu’izz Street—a 0.6-mile pedestrian throughway between the old city gates of Bab Zuweila and Bab al-Futouh—is another option for guests wanting a deeper understanding of the city’s inner workings. Named after Egypt’s first Fatimid caliph in the 10th century, the street is lined with palaces, mosques, and monuments of Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman rulers. Nearby is Tent Makers Street (or Khayamaya, in Arabic) where colorful fabrics, blankets, cushion covers, and tents can be bought.
