ST201902

SVETLANA’S PERSONAL TOUR

Favourite shop

CREATIVE EGYPT

Full of local handicrafts from

hand-embroidered jackets to

bags, quilts, Fayoum pottery,

beautiful glass and filigree lamps.

creative.nextmp.net

Gallery

GEORGE’S SKETCHBOX RED

GALLERY

Like a secret garden complete

with friendly pets, flowering

plants and a kind-hearted owner

called George. The first floor

hosts his talented daughter

Miriam’s workshop and gallery.

37 Ahmed Heshmat St, Zamalek

Favourite bar

CAFÉ RICHE

Allegedly the oldest bar in Cairo

and a drinking spot favoured by

royals, this Cairo institution is still

a fun place to relax over a beer.

1 7 Talaat Harb, Downtown

Favourite market

FRIDAY SOUQ AL GOMA

South of the Citadel, this

sprawling market is atmospheric.

You can buy everything under

the sun from piranhas to carpets.

It’s worth going with a guide.

El-Khalifa

Favourite hotel

MARRIOTT MENA HOUSE

Lovely, opulent and overlooking

the pyramids at Giza.

marriott.co.uk

Favourite way to spend

an hour

Get on a felucca on the Nile, sail

along the river, enjoy the breeze

and watch the frenetic pace of

Cairo from the water.

Place to see by night

Go to the top of the Cairo Tower,

eat at the revolving restaurant

and see stunning night views of

the city and floodlit Nile bridges.

Best view

From the Citadel, you see the old

city and ancient fortifications

spread out like a carpet – spires

and minarets of innumerable

mosques standing sentry.

The one thing you have

to see

MOSQUE-MADRASSA OF

SULTAN HASSAN.

Admired for its early Mamluk

architecture, this mosque was

built during the reign of a sultan

famed for his extravagance. The

peaceful courtyard is edged by

four soaring vaulted halls.

El-Qadima

(^1) Howtournaliving...at
Souq al Goma.
(^2) Allaboardafelucca,
foramemorablewayto
experience the Nile.
(^3) Islamic Cairo (can you
spot Svetlana?)
(^4) Walkingonionsfor
sale in the Imbaba
neighbourhood
2
1
3
4
SVETLANA is a writer and
entrepreneur originally from Calcutta.
When she’s not travelling or writing,
she likes cooking, gardening and
reading; find her at maverickbird.com,
and on Instagram @maverickbirds.