Cairo/Zamalek
From Wikitravel
Zamalek is a relatively affluent and pseudo-European residential district of the Egyptian capital Cairo that occupies the northern half of the island of Gezira, the large Nile river island located in the heart of the Cairo metropolis. (The district of Gezira occupies the southern half the island). While not noted for obvious tourist attractions, Zamalek does represent a good place to stay and a good place to eat while in Cairo.
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Understand
Zamalek is unevenly bisected by the major artery formed by Sharia 26th of July that crosses SE to NE over two bridges to link Bulaq (north of Downtown Cairo) with Gezira Island and over to Mohandiseen on the west bank of the Nile.
Get in
Get around
See
- the Akhenaten Centre of the Arts, eastern end of Sharia 26th of July, adjoining the bridge crossing over to Bulaq
- Gezira Centre of Arts, 1 al-Sheikh Marsafy, open Sa - Th 9 am - 1 pm, free entry - displays an interesting collection of Islamic ceramics and galleries for temporary art exhibitions
Do
Eat
One of the Beano's cafes is located south to the 26th of July street near the Marriot hotel. It has a west-european style and serves food all day under the Ramadahn.
There is a small cafe called "No big deal" that also serves food all day during the Ramadahn. It is located in the eastern end of either Hasan Basha 'Ashim or al-Sayyid al-Bakri.
Drink
Cafés
- Simonds, 112 Sharia 26th of July, tel 02 735 9436, open daily 9 am-midnight - a small, long-established and highly popular café frequented by expats, journos and students. Rather intimate, space is at a premium with just a few stools available or stand at the bar. Serves the best cappuccino in Egypt, and probably the best in north Africa. A great selection of sweets, pastries and juices is also on offer.
Sleep
Moderate
- Hotel Longchamps [1] (http://hotellongchamps.com/), 21 Ismail Mohamed Street, Zamalek, tel +20 2 735 2311/12, fax +20 2 735 9644, mailto:hotel.longchamps@web.de, rooms from €42 / $36 single, €56 / $46 double - a spotless and well-appointed 3-star hotel situated on a beautiful tree-lined street in comfortable Zamalek, run by a Mrs Hebba Bakri. Garden terrace upstairs. Room rates include a buffet breakfast. Laundry service available. Optional airport pickup and delivery LE 50 flat fee.
Splurge
- the Cairo Marriott [2] (http://marriott.com/property/propertyPage/CAIEG), Sharia Saray El Gezira, tel 02-735 8888, fax 02-735 6667 - housed in a former royal palace