The City of All Cities
The gateway to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, Cairo is fast and furious, but has plenty of greenery and the mighty River Nile to take the edge off.
Known as the city of a thousand minarets because of its rich Islamic architecture and UNESCO protected mosques, it’s quirkiness can be seen at the 14th century Khan El-Khalili bazaar, a warren of streets, houses and merchants selling everything from gold to spices and shisha pipes to camels.
Just opened to world fanfare is the Grand Egyptian Museum, in the shadows of the ancient wonders and jam packed with 12 galleries and 100,000 artefacts including the remarkable Tutankhamun collection, which features the funeral mask of the pharaoh nicknamed King Tut. Fully stroller-accessible, there’s a special interactive ancient Egypt space for six to 12-year-olds, with a LEGO construction area, mock archaeological dig and daily life experiences.
Seeing the pyramids themselves is fabulous, but a guide is essential. Nubia Tours use a zero emission VIP shuttle, including pick up from the accommodation. A popular itinerary is to first visit Saqqara and Memphis, which represent the heart of Egypt’s Old Kingdom civilization, then see a 10 metre limestone statue of Ramses II at the Mit Rahina Museum in Memphis, before visiting the smaller pyramids and an open air museum at Saqqara.
Nothing prepares for seeing Giza, dubbed the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, with its three pyramids of differing heights and importance. This is where the desert sits just a short distance from modern Cairo and is also home to the Great Sphinx, a limestone statute of a reclining mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion. Hopping onto a camel to tour the site is a fun option.
Al-Azhar park in the heart of old Cairo is a lovely place to relax and is filled with greenery and panoramic views.
The majestic Sphinx, Cairo, Egypt
Did you know? Cairo Tower is the tallest building in Egypt and 43 metres higher than the Giza Pyramids.
Statue of Queen Hatshepsut in the Grand Egyptian Museum
GEM Grand Staircase
GEM Hanging Obelisk
Where to Stay and Eat
Cosmopolitan Zamalek is the place to be. Home to cultural powerhouses like the Cairo Opera House and the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art, it’s perched on Gezira Island, in the middle of the fabulous River Nile and connected to the mainland by bridges and has lots of restaurants and shops to enjoy.
Top 3 Hotels
Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino: A historic 5-star hotel offering colonial charm, 14 restaurants, a casino, and a large Nile-side garden and pool area.
Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences: A 4-star property (rated highly at 8.4/10) situated directly on the Nile with spacious rooms and excellent service.
Hotel Longchamps: A cozy, well-regarded 2-star boutique hotel with a 9.2/10 rating, known for its personal touch, rooftop terrace, and quiet atmosphere in the heart of Zamalek.
Best Eats
Luuma: Serving International cuisine with a Bohemian vibe on the banks of the Nile River in Zamalek
La Terrace at The President Hotel – Nestled on the 11th floor, La Terrace offers stunning vistas of the cityscape, creating a bright and airy atmosphere perfect for breakfast.
Le Pacha 1901 – Moored off the banks of Zamalek in Cairo, Le Pacha 1901 is a landmark on the Nile.
Stunning views at the Vida Marina Resort, Marassi
Marassi Resort - North Coast
Think turquoise waters and white sandy beaches on a coast which stretches 30 kilometres, making it one of the most desirable holiday spots.
It’s an Egyptian’s hidden paradise, now open to Europeans, keen to enjoy luxury without mass tourism, there’s no fighting for sun loungers at the Emaar Misr group’s Marassi Resort, which has 11 hotels and resorts to choose from, catering for everyone’s needs and finances.
The view at the Al Alamein Hotel, Marassi
Pool view at the Address Marassi Golf Hotel
Here’s the perfect 3 for Junior families:
Very much for families and beach lovers, this elegant 1960’s style hotel has been designed with a nod to Egypt’s golden era of films.
The 189 tip top rooms look out on to white sands and crystal waters or well manicured gardens. Spacious and with sink into comfy beds, with only the finest Egyptian linen and a lovely big bathroom complete with power show, Lorenzo Villoresi toiletries and snug robes and slippers, the rooms are a delight. Complimentary teas, coffees and soft refreshments are in the mini bar, along with snacks and there’s a Smart television and Wifi available. Ground floor accommodation allows for direct beach access and the resort’s villas are ideal for families.
Outdoors is where it is at, with the beach dominated by a 13 metre high steel sculpture called “Umbrellas”. Created by renowned Greek artist George Zongolopoulos, it’s a reinterpretation of the classic Egyptian song “Dokko Elshamasy” which urges to “fix the umbrellas on the beach.”
The sands have a huge pair of sunglasses on them too and guests are spoiled with individual sun loungers and umbrellas with complimentary towels and coolers full of water, all delivered with impeccable service.
Brightly coloured deck chairs provide a great view of the sea and there are water sports, from parasailing to jet skiing on offer. The garden area of the hotel is dominated by a heated pool and spa, with access to a steam room and sauna and a menu full of treatments.
There’s table football and a padel court, with bikes to hire and a beauty salon and limousine service to make the trip extra special.
>> Nightly rates at Al Alamein Hotel start from $1,300 (£942*) for a double room. *Price in pound sterling accurate at time of publication
Deluxe Room Sea View at the Al Alamein, Marassi
Nod to the swinging sixities cinema golden era at Al Alamein
Address Marassi Golf Resort, Marassi
The Address is the place for golf, from the 18 holer designed by Dubai based architect Peter Harradine, to the state-of-the-art golf academy and club house. In January the course hosted the Egypt Golf Series, part of the MENA tour and attracted professional players from all over the world.
A top team is on hand to help everyone from beginners to experts and the driving range is the perfect spot to master the sport,
The course has a ring of beautifully designed holiday homes around it and its peaceful atmosphere is just the ticket for a good round.
Golfers don’t need to walk far for after game speciality as a well appointed boutique hotel is just a short buggy ride away.
Oozing class and with 48 elegantly decorated rooms and suites and 82 serviced apartments, the hotel is a great place to relax. Designed in Tuscan style, the accommodation is all calming shades and luxury, with good sized rooms and all the mod cons needed, including a Nepresso coffee machine and complimentary mini bar full of soft drinks and tasty snacks.
After a hard day on the golf course, a a spot of TLC is needed and the hotel’s spa is an oasis of leisure.
Special treatments including sporting massages, using top of the range natural oils, can help relax and the spa has an indoor heated pool, sauna, jacuzzi and steam room, plus fitness area, to indulge in to.
A signature service is the Siwa salt body scrub, a restorative ritual which is rooted in centuries-old therapies and is deeply invigorating, with the mineral rich substance blended with aromatic essence, such as lavender, sandalwood, white musk and lemongrass, which helps awaken the senses, while breathing new life into tired skin.
>> Nightly rates start from $1,043 (£773*) for a double room. *Price in pound sterling accurate at time of publication
Luxury awaits at the Address Marassi Golf Hotel
Deluxe room with a golf view at the Address Marassi
With 103 rooms and suites and 122 serviced apartments, the resort is surrounded by a marina full of yachts, a stone’s throw from the beach and all next to a plethora of shops, food spots and a lively night club scene.
Rooms have been designed to create a Mediterranean oasis with open airy aesthetics, huge comfortable beds, a complimentary mini bar, air conditioning, well stocked bathroom and a balcony for people watching.
The outdoor infinity pool, with a section just for the kids is a delight and the wellness spa and fitness centre are close by.
The hotel is decorated to show off its marina style, think cool colours, light furniture and spacious lounges. Guests can take advantage of the free golf buggy service to explore the 1,455 acre community, which is designed to foster community spirit through its mix of shops, parks, restaurants and sporting and recreational areas. As well as apartments, holiday villas are available, complete with all the luxuries needed for a relaxing break.
For younger families, guests from any of the hotels can use The Qix Kids Club, a safe place for the youngsters to enjoy fun with their pals and the ultra brilliant Marassi Water World with 12 different slides, a kids complex, lazy river, pool bar and food outlet, for all ages. It’s also got Egypt’s only FlowRider, along with The Hub, a fabulous youth entertainment space which has a bowling alley, go-karting, skateboarding, an arcade and a hang out space.
Food at all the resorts is a mixture of Egyptian and international, with each hotel having differing options from snacks to buffets and a la carte. Dishes include mezza, seafood, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, Lebanese bites and French pastries.
Vida Marina Marassi pool and Marina View
Vida Marina, Marassi, suite two bedroom marina view.
Breakfast with a view at the Vida Marina, Marassi
