Joyous Travel in Cairo and Giza: 12 Spots

Researched by Varedelo

Planning notes for Alexandria

Must-try foods in Alexandria

• Kebda Eskandarani (Alexandrian Liver)
  Kebda Eskandarani (Alexandrian Liver)The city's most iconic street food, this dish consists of small strips of beef liver flash-fried with a heavy hand of garlic, chili peppers, cumin, and lemon. Unlike the Cairo version, it never uses onions and is typically served in small 'fino' baguette-style rolls with tahini and spicy pickles.
• Sayadeya (Alexandrian Fish & Rice)
  Sayadeya (Alexandrian Fish & Rice)A defining Mediterranean-Egyptian dish where white fish (usually sea bass or grey mullet) is cooked with deeply caramelized onions, cumin, and spices. The resulting rice is a rich, dark brown and is served with the fish on top, often accompanied by a sesame-based tahini sauce.
• Taset Gebna (Egyptian Cheese Fondue)
  Taset Gebna (Egyptian Cheese Fondue)A trending cult favorite popularized by local spots like Alban Swissra in Bab Sharqi. It features a bubbling, fragrant seven-cheese mixture melted in a skillet and topped with your choice of sujuk (sausage), pastirma, or seafood, served with soft 'vino' bread for dipping.
• Foul Eskandarani (Alexandrian-Style Fava Beans)
  Foul Eskandarani (Alexandrian-Style Fava Beans)A local twist on Egypt’s national breakfast. In Alexandria, the slow-cooked fava beans are sautéed with chopped tomatoes, peppers, onions, and a distinct blend of cumin and lemon juice, giving it a fresher, more vibrant profile than the standard Cairo preparation.
• Hawawshi Eskandarani
  Hawawshi EskandaraniWhile most of Egypt uses pre-baked pita, the Alexandrian version features raw spiced minced meat placed inside fresh dough and then baked together in a stone oven. This creates a crispy, pie-like crust that perfectly seals in the juices of the seasoned beef and peppers.
• Sakalans Sandwich
  Sakalans SandwichA legendary Alexandrian 'sugar rush' sandwich that is a favorite among locals. It is a decadent combination of halva, clotted cream (ashta), and honey, often with jam, stuffed into a fresh fino roll. It’s the ultimate high-energy street snack.

Trip guide

• About Alexandria
  About AlexandriaBab Sharqi WA Wabour Al Meyah is a district in the Alexandria Governorate of Egypt, situated east of the city's central core. The area is defined by a combination of Hellenistic, Roman, and 19th-century infrastructure. Historical Heritage and Traditional Culture The district contains several sites of archaeological and cultural significance.
• When to go
  When to goThe best time to visit Bab Sharqi and the Wabour Al Meyah area is during the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November), when temperatures are mild and ideal for walking. Summer (June to August) can be uncomfortably humid and crowded with domestic tourists, while winter (December to February) is the off-peak season, offering lower prices but frequent rain and chilly Mediterranean winds. For the best balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds.
• Getting around
  Getting around Alexandria

  • Train and Microbus Take a national train to Alexandria's Misr Station (Mahatet Misr), which is the closest major hub to Bab Sharqi. From the station.
  • Ride-Hailing Services (Uber/Careem) Uber and Careem are widely available in Alexandria and provide the most reliable way to navigate the narrow streets of Bab Sharqi. They offer fixed pricing.
  • Public Bus and Tram Local public buses and the yellow 'City Tram' (Tram Al Medina) serve the Bab Sharqi area.
• Local tips
  Local tips

  • Use ride-sharing apps like Uber or Careem for reliable pricing, as traditional taxis in this busy district rarely use meters.
  • Dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees to respect the local residential and professional atmosphere of the neighborhood.
  • Carry small denominations of Egyptian Pounds for tipping service staff and paying at smaller local eateries where cash is the primary payment method.
• What’s new
  What’s new in Alexandria

  • Patria Lounge: A viral 'hidden gem' in Wabour Al Meyah trending for its aesthetic brunch and dinner atmosphere.
  • Alexandria Marathon 2026: A major city-wide event starting and finishing at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Bab Sharqi this November.
• Giza Portal↗
  Giza PortalThe official government portal for the Giza Governorate provides information on the Bahariya Oasis, its archaeological sites, and natural springs.