villa belle epoque

Catch the Quieter Side of Cairo This Football Season

The places to be between your stadium visits

villa belle epoque

The 32nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is here. This year, it’s taken over one of the region’s biggest cities, Cairo. After years of political turmoil, the city is looking to be back on its feet, and with 24 teams having made their way to the Egyptian capital, it’s thriving more than ever.

And whilst it might be mostly known as the home of one of the world’s Seven Wonders, and for its noisy, traffic-logged streets, there’s a whole other side of Cairo that looks beyond the surface. And if you’ve made your way to catch the games, MILLE rounds up all the best spots to hit up between your stadium visits.

Escape the busy streets at Villa Belle Epoque

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Cairo is one of the busiest cities in the region, and this time of year is no exception. Escape the hustle and bustle with a stay at Villa Belle Epoque. The boutique hotel is located in the uber-sophisticated neighbourhood of Maadi, the recently renovated colonial building boasts a swimming pool and plenty of sunbathing spots on the sundeck and various patios.  

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Get your art fix at Darb 1718

The city isn’t particularly known for its art scene, but Darb 1718 has led the way since 2008. Situated in the heart of old Cairo, you’ll be able to browse through the gallery’s permanent collection or catch one of their late-night film screenings.

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Step outside cairo to its biggest party

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After his monthly events were shut down, Magdel AbdelMessih moved his parties to an island right outside the city, hence the name Outside Cairo. AbdelMessih’s parties are not to miss, running from day-to-night, they’re the perfect way to celebrate a win this African cup.


@outside.cairo

Get a taste of tradition at Abou Tarek’s

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Koshary is a must if you’re in Cairo, and Abou Tarek’s is the place to go. Despite its popularity, the restaurant still carries an old-fashioned vibe. The traditional Egyptian dish, which dates back to the 19th century is a delicious mix of rice, macaroni, chickpeas, topped up with tomato sauce, garlic vinegar and crispy fried onion.

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