| 7 mins read
By Rachel Barac
Cairo, Egypt’s pulsing capital city, houses an irresistible assortment of awe-inspiring sites telling tales of an ancient civilization. There is a liveliness and grandeur about the city that will invigorate your spirit. But don’t get lulled into its charm just yet. Cairo is one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East with swarms of people, a number of who may try to swindle you. Add to that the dust, desert climate, and terrifying traffic and Cairo can be tricky to navigate. Being a woman and travelling to Cairo will hold additional challenges. But with some careful planning and respect for the local customs the experience will be a lot more enjoyable. Here are 10 tips for women travelling to Cairo.
Don’t dress to impress. Egypt has a predominantly Muslim population with a dress code that is conservative when compared to Western standards. Loose fitting clothing in the form of trousers, skirts below the knee, and sleeved tops will not only detract from unwanted attention, but will also be cooler and offer protection from the elements. A pashmina is a useful item to carry. It can be used to cover any exposed skin such as chest, shoulders or even bare legs. When entering one of Cairo’s many mosques, such as the grand mosque of Muhammad Ali, covering up is a must. Often bathrobe type garments are handed to visitors but a pashmina will be more convenient to wear, especially in the heat. Good walking shoes are a must. Mud puddles, dust, sand and uneven surfaces will not go well with heels or other fashionable shoes. Sunglasses are also recommended. They will offer protection from the sun and dust, and reduce the likelihood of eye contact being misconstrued as flirting.
Look but don’t touch. Unfortunately harassment towards women is not uncommon, especially to foreigners. Typically it consists of hissing or a comment to gain attention. This is more of an annoyance then anything else and it’s best just to ignore it. Although it is less common, there is the risk of being grabbed or touched inappropriately, even if you are wearing loose fitting clothing. If this does happen, don’t be afraid to tell the person off. And even better if it’s said in Arabic! No one likes to be shamed in public and this goes for Egyptian men as well.
Speak up. Learning a few key Arabic phrases such as “la shukran”(no thanks) will come in handy. This can be particularly useful when searching for treasures at the Khan El-Khalili open-air market, or “The Kahn” as its commonly referred to. While walking through the narrow alleyways merchants and storeowners will try to persuade you to buy their wares. Being able to say “no thanks” in Arabic can help to avoid scams and overpaying. Be aware that prices are often inflated for tourists. Greetings such as “as-salam ‛alaykum” and the response “wa ‘alaykum as-salam” will also go a long way. The Khan is one of the oldest markets in the world. Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the aroma of spice in the air.
Sorry, no men allowed. Using the metro system in Cairo is the quickest and cheapest way to travel. There are three metro lines with line 2 extending under the river Nile. Women can travel on any of the cars however the middle two cars are specifically reserved for women only. This was introduced so that women could use the metro without being harassed. There are signs in the metro station that signify the women only cars. Also take note of groups of women waiting at the one place on the platform. Another helpful tip, although not specifically for women, is to remember to take your ticket after putting it through the turnstile. You’ll need it to exit at the other side.
Reserve smoking for indoors. As strange as this might sound to smokers who are used to being ushered outside of establishments to get their fix. In Cairo, it’s more acceptable for women to reserve smoking for cafes, restaurants and bars. Smoking on the street for women is uncommon and although there will be no great repercussions if you do decide to light up while taking a stroll, be mindful that you might just attract attention for doing so.
Have your wits about you. This applies to travel to most places not just Cairo. Use some common sense. If a stranger offers you a travel invitation, offers to walk with you to give directions or gives an invitation to go somewhere alone with them, perhaps you should give this a second thought. Of course the invitation could be innocent enough, but why risk it?
Call the shurta. In case of harassment, scams or just generally needing assistance, there are loads of tourism police in Cairo. Egypt relies heavily on tourism so a complaint to the tourism police is usually taken seriously. Sometimes just mentioning the police, or shurta, can be deterrent enough for would-be cons.
Sleep tight. Zamalek in Western Cairo is a very safe neighbourhood and a great place to find accommodation. This is an affluent district which is technically an island surrounded by the river Nile. It is accessible by a number of bridges or by taking the ferry. Line 3 on the metro will also stop at Zamalek. This is a popular residential district with expats as well as Egyptians. It’s very cosmopolitan with a large art scene and home to the Cairo opera house. There are many great restaurants, cafes and bars. Check out Sequoia restaurant and bar on the tip of Zamalek Island. There are spectacular views of the Nile and the Cairo skyline. It’s also a great spot for people watching. For something a little slower paced but very cute and cozy, stop by Cake café and enjoy their selection of baked goods with coffee.
A little planning goes a long way. No need to have each hour of the trip accounted for, but some planning can help. Having a map and marking the routes to get to particular destinations will mean not having to rely on strangers for directions. Knowing where to go will also project confidence to others.
Have fun. Although there are some things you need to be wary of, Cairo is generally a safe place. Egyptians are typically friendly and helpful. If you ask someone for assistance and they are unable to help, often they will call upon their friends to assist. And if that doesn’t work, move on and ask someone else. Explore this amazing city and fuel your imagination with a visit to the pyramids at Giza, the sphinx, the ancient relics housed inside the Egyptian museum and the river Nile. There is so much to see and do in Cairo.
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/7mQWot John6536 , CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/473HNn (Norman Walsh, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/4KNVDD (superblinkymac, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/4Wey3b (NekaPearl, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/91Njx2 (Mahmoud Saber, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/2Rbj6s (rytc, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/9TS6r (Angela Rutherford, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/oxCuQA (Jorge Láscar, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/4B4UQV (Nina Hale, CC BY 2.0)