10 Big Egyptian Festivals and Events

Egypt is home to some of the biggest festivals in the world, infact the history of these ancient lands is so deep and well-maintained that you can still experience the magic of some festivals that go back thousands of years, as well as more contemporary festivals – so when it comes to experiencing some of the most exciting and memorable events, Egypt is definitely the place to do it! Here are our top 10 festivals and events you can either sit back and watch or even take part in:

1. Cairo International Book Fair

Taking place every January, this is the biggest cultural event on the Egyptian calendar. Not only does it attract publishers, authors and buyers from all over the world, but crowds turn up for the events programme of talks, reading, debates and lectures, and for the many stalls selling everything from DVDs to street food – this is a must see for literature lovers.

2. International Luxor Marathon

Every February, when it is about as cool as it ever gets in Upper Egypt, this full marathon is held on the West Bank at Luxor. The start and finishing point is the Temple of Hatshepsut – if you’re up for a challenge then get down to this and make sure you have plenty to keep you hydrated!

3. Ramadan

Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting. During daylight hours observant Muslims must not eat, drink or smoke. The fast is opened at sunset with iftar (breakfast), a meal usually enjoyed with all the family. Ramadan is a very festive time where you’ll often find great acts of generosity and many people out on the streets until the early hours of the morning. The celebrations peak with Eid al-Fitr, a three-day feast to mark Ramadan’s end.

4. Cairo International Film Festival

An often chaotic and disorganized celebration of local and international film takes place in November or December every year in various cinemas across the capital. It is usually attended by a bevy of Arab world and international film stars. The festival is hugely popular with local Egyptians because the festival screenings’ censorship laws are relaxed and international films are screened uncut.

5. The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday

Also known as the Moulid an-Nabi, this major holiday celebrates the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. The streets burst into colour and noise with much celebration and talks in remembrance of the Prophet’s impressive character and mannerisms. Like all Islamic holy days, it follows the Islamic calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Western calendar. As a result, Islamic holidays move forward every year compared with the Western calendar.

6. Sun Festival of Ramses II

On 22 February and 22 October every year, the sun penetrates 55 m (180 ft) into the innermost chamber of the Sun Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel. It illuminates three of the quartet of statues of seated gods that lie deep in the innermost chamber – this was considered a special event with the statues being built where they are for this specific purpose, you’ll find that crowds of people will still enter the area before dawn breaks to watch the awe inspiring display!

7. Pharaoh’s Rally

Taking place every October, this is a gruelling 12-day, 6,400-km (4,000-mile) motor vehicle race (including cars and motor bikes) through the Egyptian desert, with the Pyramids as both the starting and finishing point. Major car manufacturers and competitors come from all over the world to compete – try to watch the start of the race where you’ll find some of the most impressive cars!

8. Moulid of Al-Hussein

A moulid is a saint worshipping festival taking the form of riotous street parties, complete with chanting, dancing, music, fairground rides and sideshows. It lasts several days, culminating in the Leyla Kebira, meaning “Big Night”. One of the largest is focused on the Mosque of Al-Hussein in Islamic Cairo.

9. Eid al-Adha

This is a commemoration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. During the two-day holiday Muslims slaughter a sheep or goat and distribute the meat among the poor. It is also a time for visiting family and friends, and for exchanging gifts – somewhat like a Christmas!

10. Moulid of Abu al-Haggag

This festival honors Luxor’s patron saint, whose mosque sits on top of Luxor Temple. Giant floats travel through the densely packed streets, and there is drumming, ritualistic stick fights and horse races. Be aware that the moulid occurs the month before Ramadan and so the date changes each year if your thinking about checking this or any of the other Islamic festivals.

Top 10 Things For Kids In Cairo

For those who are looking to go on a family holiday to Egypt, while Egypt guarantees excitement and lots to do, you may be wondering if there are any child specific attractions – well we’ve got the kids in mind, so we’ve listed up our top 10 attractions to keep the little ones entertained and also experience the ancients lands from a perspective they can appreciate, while most importantly having lots of fun!

1. Egyptian Museum

Children of all ages will really enjoy this museum. Besides the Tutankhamen treasures, which are always popular, both children and adults find the ‘Mummy Room’ fascinating, particularly the collection of animal mummies that include bandaged cats, monkeys and even a crocodile! Another favorite with the little ones is the large collection of Middle Kingdom models on the first floor, which may look like toys but were believed by the ancient Egyptians to come to life in the afterlife… sounds a bit like the movie ‘Night at the Museum’!

2. Cairo Zoo

The zoo was founded in 1891 and has a central feature of twin hills connected by a bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. A maze of pathways loops around animal enclosures and it’s you’ll even get to chance to take part in feeding sessions. The ‘First Residence Mall’ across the road from the zoo is worth popping into since you’re in the neighborhood; it has a splendid café with great ice-creams. Note however that it’s best to try and avoid Fridays as it gets overcrowded.

3. Fish Gardens

Officially known as the ‘Gabalaya Gardens’, this is a small yet beautiful public park on the island of ‘Zamalek’, adorned with tall palm trees and serene grassy hillocks. The hillocks cover cave-like rooms that contain large aquariums with fish and turtles – Egypt being right near the Mediterranean has lots of colorful aquatic life, so you’re guaranteed to see a lot of things you’ve never laid eyes on.

4. Al-Azhar Park

A well-tended modern park on the eastern edge of the city, Al-Azhar is very popular with families and children, thanks to its wide-open spaces, grassy hills and ornamental lake – perfect for a picnic. There is also an excellent children’s play area, which includes climbing frames, walkways and swings, as well as cafés and snack shops – great for an afternoon out.

5. Felucca Rides

Feluccas – the classic small boats with triangular-shaped sails – can be hired by the hour from landings just in front of the Shepherd’s Hotel and the Four Seasons Nile Plaza. They seat eight people and cost about LE50 per hour + LE10 tip, although remember because it’s Egypt, it’s always negotiable! Put this on your list for an afternoon and pack a picnic and eat out on the river while watching the majestic view of the sun going down over the city.

6. National Circus

Housed in a purpose-built structure beside the Nile, the circus operates year round. All the performers are Egyptian and include all that you’d expect from any top class circus – jugglers, acrobats, tightrope walkers, lion and tiger tamers, magicians and trained dogs. The show lasts just over two hours so it’s a great little filler for a day packed with activities.

7. The Pyramids of Giza

Many children are just as spellbound by the impressive structures that are Pyramids as us adults. The opportunity to go inside these pyramids and descend the millennia old passageways to the buried chambers is a particularly exciting and unique experience. After you’ve had your fill of the pyramids it’s always worth capturing some great memories by taking pictures of the kiddies sitting on the horses and camels!

8. Diwan Bookshop

Cairo’s best bookshop has a small but excellent dedicated children’s section with books for all ages in both English and Arabic. You might want to look out for titles that are set in Egypt such as the beautifully illustrated ‘The Day of Ahmed’s Secret’. The story follows Ahmed through the streets of Cairo as he delivers butane gas to customers. These books are entertaining and allow you to take home a piece of Egypt while often learning a little about day to day life in Egypt.

9. Dr Ragab’s Pharaonic Village

This educational theme park recreates life in ancient Egypt using about 100 actors. Board a boat for a tour that includes visits to ancient houses, a temple and a walk-through replica of Tutankhamen’s tomb complete with treasure. This is one you shouldn’t miss! Children can have their photograph taken in a Pharaoh costume and there are also several museums, as well as a bazaar, playground and cafeteria. Lots to keep the kids and grownups busy!

10. Dream Park

Egypt’s largest amusement park is a 30-minute car journey from central Cairo. It contains a huge variety of fairground rides, including a roller coaster, a log flume ride, go-karts and bumper cars. In addition, it has the usual videogame arcades and themed restaurant areas to keep you busy – it’s like your regular amusement park but being in the Middle East makes it all the more exciting!

10 Things To Do In Cairo

Cairo and the Nile have some of the best things to do and see when it comes to history, museums, architecture and so much more. But this time we’re going to cover something Cairo is much acclaimed for in the Arab world – entertainment! So let’s look at how you can spend your days and nights enjoying the best forms of Egyptian entertainment in Cairo and on the Nile with our top 10 forms of entertainment.

1. Coffee Houses

Egypt’s traditional coffee houses (qahwa) are a million miles from Starbucks. The coffee comes in just two varieties – with sugar and without. Fine you can’t order ‘a tall half-skinny extra hot split quad shot (two shots decaf, two shots regular) latte with whip’,but hey the tea and coffee is still good and it’s more about the atmosphere in a city where tea and coffee are a given when it comes to socializing, watching football, playing backgammon and smoking sheesha pipes. Coffee houses are the equivalent of the English pub or French corner café – they’re great places to meet, socialize and even get to know new people!

2. Cinema

Egyptian cinema is the Hollywood of the Arab world, producing hundreds of films each year. Egypt’s many cinemas tend mostly to show local films, but the multi-screen venues in the modern malls also show subtitled imports. So if you’ve never seen an Arab movie, head down to the cinema and catch a screening, it’s worth seeing even if it is just so you know you have.

3. Restaurants and Bars

The restaurants in Cairo and on the Nile are many and with all the different types, you’ll be spoilt for choice! If you’re out in Egypt and you’re missing home you can even find some household names from TGI Friday to McDonalds. A point to note is that Islam prohibits alcohol due to the ill-effects it has on not only individuals but also society as a whole, but the choice of whether to observe this prohibition is left to the individual in Egypt. However many restaurants do have bars although they tend to be hidden away from the public gaze.

4. Souqs and Shopping

Shopping is another thing you may want to busy yourself with while in Cairo, for two reasons. Firstly, you can find some great deals on hand made pieces, clothing and even jewelry that would sometimes cost more than double back home, but be careful not to be ripped off, as the shop keepers will try as soon as they know you’re foreign – so don’t be shy when it comes to haggling. The second reason for getting to the ‘Souqs’ is just the experience, ‘Souqs’ also known as markets are quite unique in their smells, sights and sounds and are worth visiting. They will keep you entertained and also allow you to experience some day to day Egyptian culture!

5. Traditonal Arabic Music

Cairo’s Opera House and Alexandria’s ‘Sayed Darwish Theatre’ stage many live performances of Arabic classical music. In Islamic Cairo, particularly during Ramadan, there are often music evenings at the Wikala al-Ghouri and Beit Zeinab Khatoun which can be a nice wind down to a day of exploration.

6. Spectator Sports

Football reigns supreme in Egypt – some could get the impression people are crazier about football their than they are here! Top teams in the domestic leagues are Zamalek and Al-Ahly, both in Cairo. Games are played on Fridays and watched in coffee houses throughout Egypt.

7. Folkloric Performances

The most unusual and compelling folkloric performances are given by the Whirling Dervishes, who can be seen at the Al-Ghouri Complex in Cairo twice weekly – which to many is a very spectacular yet mystical event. Some hotels in Luxor and Aswan also put on folkloric shows, so if you’re interested ask around before booking your hotel.

8. Rock, Pop and Jazz

Music is a big part of the Egyptian culture and it goes back quite a way historically, so you’ll find places such as the ‘Al-Sawy Culture Wheel’ in Cairo which has live music several times a week by young, local bands, and the Cairo Jazz Club hosts regular live jazz. Even foreign cultural centre’s such as the British Council and the Alliance Française sometimes sponsor gigs, details of which can be found in the local press.

9. Art Galleries

There’s a vibrant local art scene in Cairo for all you art lovers, with up to a dozen small galleries hosting regularly changing and well attended exhibitions – so get down to these for some Egyptian inspired art from the Egyptian people and also the other international artists. The best of the galleries are usually found ‘downtown’ and also in ‘Zamalek’.

10. Sound and Light Shows

Every major site in Egypt presents a sound and light show once the sun goes down. The monument is illuminated by coloured floodlights while a recorded voice narrates snippets of history and mythology – these are ideal for those of us who don’t always like to read and look around a great deal and just want some history on a plate! Although the narrations often leave something to be desired, it’s definitely worth revisiting the sites by moonlight as well as daylight.

Islamic Architecture in Egypt – Part 2

In ‘Islamic Architecture in Egypt: Part 1′ we covered the terminology and various things you should look out for in Egyptian Islamic Architecture – but now we’re ready to cover our top ten sites that are a must see if you’re a fan of architecture and even history!

1. Mosque of Ibn Tulun

This is one that you should put on your list. It’s one of the oldest mosques in Egypt; it’s unique and known for its impressive minaret. The mosque is the oldest in Cairo surviving in it’s original form. The mosque is actually constructed on a hill which according to one local legend is the same place Noah’s Ark was stationed during the flood!

2. Mosque of Al-Azhar

Egypt’s most important mosque. It consists of a catalogue of architectural styles, going all the way from the 10th to the 19th century – so you’ll find a variety of styles here, keeping any architecture fanatic occupied for a very long time.

3. Beit al-Sihaymi

There are fine examples of mashrabiya in this former merchant’s house. These are the wooden-lattice screens, long before glass became common, mashrabiya was used to cover windows, either externally or internally. Beit al-Sihaymi is known to be the best example of rich private housing dating the 17th century.

4. Mosque of Sultan Hassan

The courtyard of this majestic 13th-century mosque served as a madrassa with four soaring iwans – places for students of knowledge to receive their lessons. When you enter the iwans you can still feel the serenity these cool shaded courtyards would have provided the eager students of knowledge. The mosque was built by Sultan Hassan who had hoped his body would be buried in this extravangant building, but the Sultan known for his lavish lifestyle and spending fortunes on women, he was often critisized for squandering of public funds and eventually assisinated – mysteriously his body dissapeared and he was never actually buried in the mosque.

5. Mosque of Sultan Qaitbey

This mosque in Cairo’s Northern Cemetery has a very fine carved stone dome that will leave you marvelling at how much time and care must have been exerted in producing such a fine peice of art and architecture. Sultan Qaitbey contrary to Sultan Hassan left a great mark and a period of political stability, military success and prosperity, donating a substantial part of his private fortune after seeing some poor regions of the Islamic State – a true leader!

6. Gayer-Anderson Museum

This old house boasts impressive mashrabiya screened galleries – again the designs are very impressive and doesn’t take long to see, so be sure to check it out.

7. Mosque of Suleyman Pasha

Built in 1528, this was one of the first mosques built during the Ottoman period of the Islamic Caliphate. Though it is fairly small compared with some of the other mosques in Egypt, it is a fine example of Ottoman architecture where you can see some beautifully inlaid marble and woodwork.

8. Madrassa-Mausoleum of Qalaoun

Qalaoun was a leader who had this impressive building made in just 13 months in 1279! Qalaoun’s great edifice has some fine inlaid marble decoration, along with intricate floral designs and is lit by stain glass windows. Qalaoun also had a hospital built into the complex after he saw something similar when we was cured of colic in Damascus!

9. Wikala of Al-Ghouri

One thing you’ll find is that historical buildings have a lure and when they are also Islamic monuments they have a very special air to them and Al-Ghouri is not different – you’ll be filled with a strong sense of history and be taken back in time when you see this 500 year old master peice. We would say this is the most impressive wikala in Cairo!

10. Manial Palace

A more contemporary building, yet not less impressive, this 19th-century royal residence built in traditional Islamic style has beautiful painted ceilings along with many of the other peices of Islamic art and architecture we’ve learnt about in part 1.

This should be plenty to keep any architecture and art fan busy for a while, but if you end up staying for an extended period or are like some who go to Egypt for 6 months to a year, then be sure that you have all the basics under your belt to identify and most importantly appreciate the great monuments, history and peices of art that exist in a land which many would argue has the oldest existing sites from a number of empires and cultures!

Islamic Architecture in Egypt – Part 1

Egypt is home to some of the oldest Islamic architecture and boasts some of the greatest mosques and even the oldest University – Al-Azhar. If you’re a fan of architecture and art you won’t want to miss these. There are a lot of sites worth putting on your to-do list, but before you do that we’re going to help you get the most out of your visit with this two part guide to ‘Islamic Architecture in Egypt’. In our first part we’ll cover the basics of Islamic architecture and in the second you’re ready to appreciate and look at the essential sites!

So lets get going with some critical terminology, vital for anyone serious about looking at the finer things in Egypt. The following 10 terms will help you spot out and see some extra treats you may have otherwise missed out on in your trip!

1. The Mosque

Egypt’s oldest mosque, the Mosque of Amr, was built in AD 640. Architectural styles developed rapidly under successive early Islamic dynasties to peak under the Mamluks (1250–1516). In order to produce the most impressive buildings the most skilled craftsmen from all over the Near East were brought to Egypt to build for vain glorious sultans; the result was remarkable structures that rival Europe’s great Gothic cathedrals!

2. Domes and Minarets

One of the greatest achievements of Cairo’s medieval artisans was the decorative carving of stone surfaces, seen at its best on the city’s myriad minarets and particularly its domes. Developed under the Mamluks, the decoration of domes became an increasingly sophisticated art culminating in mesmerizing interwoven patterns of geometric and floral designs.

3. Madrassa

A madrassa is a Qur’anic school, where law and theology are taught. Historically, mosques and madrassas have often been housed in the same building. A mosque tends to incorporate teaching rooms or has ‘Iwans’ – large arched spaces arranged around a central courtyard, in which lessons are given – these are often very beautiful and are sometimes like small gardens with cool shades.

4. Domestic Architecture

Egypt is a hot country especially in the peak of the summer, so private houses (beit) owed their design to climatic and social conditions. They were inward looking for privacy, with rooms arranged around a central courtyard. Small windows, large airy rooms, shady arcades, fountains and rooftop “wind catchers” that channeled cool breezes essential for keeping the houses cool in hot conditions.

5. Mashrabiya

Privacy has been an essential right in Muslim culture, especially for women, so these wooden-lattice screens were made, long before glass became common, mashrabiya was used to cover windows, either externally or internally. The screens allowed the women of the house to observe what’s going on outside if they chose not to be seen themselves.

6. Wikala

Also known as a caravanserai, this is the forerunner of the modern hotel. From early Islamic times it provided lodgings to the merchant caravans that brought goods to medieval Egypt – giving a safe and comfortable place for traders and other travellers to stay on their journeys.

7. Sabil-Kuttab

Public fountains (sabils) are a typical element of Islamic architecture – some no more than a tap and a trough, some grand like the Sabil-Kuttab of Abdel Rahman Katkhuda in Cairo. The kuttab was an open loggia or gallery where teachings of the Koran took place.

8. Mausoelum

Just like the pharaohs before them, Egypt’s medieval sultans sought to glorify themselves in death by building funerary complexes of mosques and madrassas beside a domed tomb chamber – although it must be noted that Islam teaches humility and Caliphs that came after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) lived lives which were the model of humility, compassion and generosity to others before themselves. Some of the best examples of these Mausoelums are however in Cairo’s Northern Cemetery.

9. Inlaid Marble

Intricate designs using different coloured pieces of marble often decorate the walls or ceilings of Egypt’s mosques, madrassas and mausoleums, these are often very detailed and for those with a keen interest in art could look at them for hours. You’ll also find the mihrab, the alcovelike niche that indicates the Muslims’ direction of prayer, will also often have beautifully intricate designs on it.

10. Woodwork

Another thing to look out for are the wooden ceilings in the prayer halls of mosques which were often carved with intricate geometric patterns and painted in rich colours. Doors were also often inlaid with pieces of ivory, fine examples of which can be seen at the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo.

We may have kept the terminology to a limit, but rest assured you now have the most important terms you’ll need to appreciate all the sites we’re going to share with you in part 2 of ‘Islamic Architecture in Egypt’!