Egypt as Egyptians live it
Food, crafts & living culture
Koshari and ful in Cairo, seafood in Alexandria, Nubian cooking in Aswan, dates and olives in Siwa; the bazaars and workshops of historic Cairo, the pottery village of Tunis in Fayoum, and live music from Sufi performances to Nubian song.
Ideas to start with
- A food walk in downtown Cairo
- Craft workshops around Khan el-Khalili
- Lunch in a Nubian home
- Pottery in Tunis village
Travel responsibly
- Buy directly from makers and ask where products come from.
- Ask before photographing people, homes and workshops.
Places
- Historic Cairo & Khan el-KhaliliMedieval mosques, workshops and bazaars of the UNESCO-listed historic city.
© Hassan Hamdy wahidy · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons - AlexandriaMediterranean city of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel and Graeco-Roman catacombs.
© Argenberg · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Aswan & NubiaGranite islands, felucca sailing and Nubian villages at the gateway to the south.
© Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Siwa OasisRemote oasis of salt lakes, palm groves and the Oracle of Amun.
© ولاء · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons - Fayoum & Wadi El RayanLakes, waterfalls and desert protected areas within easy reach of Cairo.
© Ibrahim El-Mezayen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons - Coptic Cairo & Abu SergaHistoric churches inside the Babylon fortress, including the crypt linked in tradition to the Holy Family.
© Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 8Decent work and economic growthTarget 8.9: devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
- SDG 5Gender equalityEqual opportunities for women, including in tourism jobs, guiding and small hospitality businesses.
- SDG 11Sustainable cities and communitiesTarget 11.4: strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage.
Editorial overview. Opening hours, prices, permits and access rules change: confirm them with the responsible authority or a licensed operator before you travel.