A Weekend in Cairo

A WEEKEND IN | CABANA TRAVEL | WORLD OF CABANA

A city of profound contradictions and enchantments, Cairo's beauty extends far beyond its world-famous sights and souks. Photographer Zein Khalifa, co-founder of Tintera Gallery, shares an insider's guide to a captivating city where French balconies crumble above Ottoman courtyards, and the Nile drifts past brutalist relics and gilded palaces.

BY ZEIN KHALIFA | CABANA TRAVEL | 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

Cairo: a city of profound enchantments @ Sam Parkes

Where to Stay

Immobilia: There are some fabulous new places to stay now in Cairo. Some of these latest additions include the Immobilia suite of apartments in downtown Cairo. They are stunningly decorated with magnificent views and concierge service.

Mazeej Balad: A new five-bedroom boutique hotel, each room at Mazeej Balad is unique in its layout and design. It's located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, on the way to the Pyramids - which are obviously a real must-see. 

Villas D'Egypte: If you are looking for a hidden treasure of a hotel, look no further than Villas D'Egypte. These two beautifully curated villas in a private gated estate can accommodate guests across five bedrooms and one family suite.

Where to Eat & Drink

Khufus: For a delicious early morning breakfast before a tour of the Pyramids, Khufus is a must-visit. I highly recommend their 'Falafel Ain Katkoot' and 'Baked Eggs Glaya'.

Mazeej Balad: The wonderful terrace restaurant at Mazeej Balad serves great cocktails, delicious mezzas and a to-die-for rice pudding wrapped in konafa desert! Regardless of whether you're staying here, you should pay the restaurant a visit.

Zeeyara Rooftop Restaurant: Located In the heart of Islamic Cairo, on Mueez Street surrounded by minarets and domes, you will find Zeeyara Rooftop Restaurant. This is a very special place to have lunch when visiting Old Cairo.

Mandarine Koueider: Pop in to this famous Egyptian bakery, which dates back to the 1920s, for traditional Middle Eastern pastries and delicious local ice cream.

Where to Shop 

Old Souk, Khan el Khaliil: This is an absolute must, a true do-not-miss. Here you'll find brass pendants, hand blown glass, carpets, beads, gold and silver jewelry, spices.

The Street of the Tentmakers in Islamic Cairo: This is a real step into the past where you can find beautiful, hand appliqued pillows, wall hangings and quilts while finding out about the history of traditional tentmaking in Egypt

Abdel Zaher's Atelier: Here you will discover a great selection of handmade leather journals, each with gilded edges that you can have personalised with your initials on the spot | 31 Mohammed Abdou Street· 02 2511 8041

Downtown Cairo: Wander an array of antique stores along Hoda Shaarawi Street. If you have a sharp eye, drop into Salle Des Vents Catsaros on Gawad Hosny Street.

Zamalek: Some of the best shopping in Cairo can be found in Zamalek, which is also the location of Tintera Gallery (17 Bahgat Aly Street, second floor, Zamalek).

All images © Sam Parkes

Anut Cairo: At the newly-opened Anut Cairo, you will find unique homewares inspired by Egypt's heritage and handcrafted by Egyptian artisans across the country.

Madu: At Madu (which in ancient Egyptian means 'of the people') you will find beautiful handcrafted homewares and textiles from Egypt and around the world, all sourced directly from the artisans. Madu also has a branch in Luxor at the Al Moudira Hotel. 

Alef Gallery: A wonderful gallery, established in 1991, which both sources and makes fine Egyptian objects, from decorative artifacts, textiles, woodwork, carpentry, glassware, pottery and brass. Their collection reflects traditional Egyptian, Phoenician and Mesopotamian artistry, with a modern touch.

Azza Fahmy Jewelry: Visit Azza Fahmy's Zamalek store for fine contemporary jewelry designed by the renowned Egyptian designer | 5 Taha Hussein, Mohammed Mazhar

Mounaya Gallery: This glorious gallery and boutique store, on the banks of the Nile, is a real destination, founded 18 years ago by Ghada Abdelhak. At Mounaya you'll find a unique selection of handcrafted Egyptian treasures, from textiles to jewelry, in an atmospheric setting | 14 Kamal Al Tawil, Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek

Discover Cairo's unmissable sites, including The Pyramids © Sam Parkes

What to See & Do

Unmissable Sites: On the must-see list for Cairo is The Grand Egyptian Museum, which promises extraordinary treasures and incredible shopping too. The gift shop features Nakhla jewelry, Nunis leather handbags, and Okhtein luxury handbags. Along with The Grand Egyptian Museum, you must make time for: The Egyptian Museum at Tahrir Square; Giza and Sakkara Pyramids; Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo.

Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre, Haraneya: Founded by architect Ramses Wissa Wassef in 1951, there's a rich story to this experimental school of handweaving, which is a real treasure to discover. While you are there, be sure to ask to visit the Habib Gorgi Sculpture Museum, which is slightly tucked away.

The Adam Henein Museum, Haraneya: The home of one of Egypt's leading modern artists, Adam Henein, is now a museum and holds his entire collection of bronze, wood, clay and granite sculptures as well as his ethereal paintings.

Striking photography at Tintera Gallery, Zamalek © Marc Onsi

Bayt Yakan: A once-abandoned 17th century courtyard house in Islamic Cairo - now privately restored - which holds a great calendar of lectures and exhibitions.

The Museum of Islamic Art: Truly one of the world's greatest museums, Cairo's Museum of Islamic Art holds more than 100,000 rare objects and artefacts from all over the Islamic world, and covering different periods of Islamic history.

Al Tannoura Show, Wekalat al Ghouri: A mesmerizing, traditional performance rooted in Sufi culture performed by male dancers in colorful, layered skirts.

Fayoum Pottery School: You won't regret making a day trip to the town of Tunis in Fayoum to visit the wonderful Fayoum Pottery School. The center was founded by Swiss artist Evelyne Porret in 1988 to help develop the creativity of children living in Tunis village. It continues to foster artistic talent and trains both adults and children. 

The Adam Henein Museum, Haraneya, Cairo © Bassam Al-Zoghbi