Essentials
- City
- Giza, Giza Governorate, Egypt
- Population
- 9,200,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 45-60 Mbps on fiber; 4G/LTE is stable near the Pyramids.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 48 EGP, 1 EUR ≈ 52 EGP. Cash is king.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water like Dasani or Nestlé Pure Life (approx. 10 EGP per 1.5L).
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets.
- SIM Card
- WE (Telecom Egypt), Vodafone Egypt, or Orange. 20GB data pack costs roughly 250 EGP ($5).
- Banking for Expats
- CIB (Commercial International Bank), QNB Al Ahli, and HSBC. Many nomads use Revolut for ATMs.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local Facebook groups like 'Expats in Cairo & Giza'.
- Cashless Friendly
- No; while high-end hotels and malls accept cards, local shops and cafes are cash-only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (Pyramid-view studios) and local serviced apartments in Al Haram or Sheikh Zayed.
- Budget Accommodation
- Marvel Stone Hotel (approx. $30/night) or Pyramids Valley Boutique Hotel.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al Haram (specifically the Nazlet El-Semman area) for direct Pyramid views.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sheikh Zayed City (6th of October) for modern infrastructure and fast internet.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Makanak Office Spaces (Sheikh Zayed) - Daily pass approx. 300 EGP.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Espresso Lab (Arkan Plaza) - reliable Wi-Fi and ample power outlets.
- Networking Events
- RiseUp Summit (Annual tech/startup event usually in Cairo/Giza vicinity).
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Cairo/Giza chapters and 'Cairo Digital Nomads' Facebook meetups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Careem (most reliable and avoids price haggling).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rabbit Mobility (Scooter sharing in Sheikh Zayed/6th October areas).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ain Sokhna (Red Sea), approx. 2 hours drive (150 km).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Cairo or Nile Air.
- Top International Airline
- EgyptAir (hub at Cairo International Airport).
- Highway Access
- Ring Road and Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Giza Railway Station for trains to Upper Egypt (Luxor/Aswan).
- Public Transport Passes
- Cairo Metro Ticket (Line 2 serves Giza) - 8 to 15 EGP per trip.
- Regional Travel
- Go Bus (High-end coaches to Hurghada or Alexandria) from Giza terminal.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Dar Al Fouad Hospital (6th of October City) - Internationally accredited.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Studio (Arkan Plaza, Sheikh Zayed) - approx. 250 EGP per class.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gold's Gym (Elite branch in Sheikh Zayed) or H2O Gym.
- Laundry Services
- Local 'Kaway' shops (widely available) or Orca Clean App (on-demand pickup).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Talabat and ElMenus.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Koshary from Koshary Abou Tarek or Koshary El Tahrir (Giza branch).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Zooba (Modern Egyptian street food with many vegan options).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Mandarine Koueider (Oriental sweets like Kunafa and Baklava).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- HyperOne (Sheikh Zayed) or local markets in Faisal Street.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.eg and Noon.com.
- Grocery Delivery
- InstaShop or Breadfast (fast delivery of fresh bakery and groceries).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Most bars are in hotels; 139 Terrace (Marriott Mena House) for drinks with Pyramid views.
- Local Brewery
- Al Ahram Beverages (produces Stella and Sakara beer).
- Wine Bars
- The Cellar (at the Cairo Marriott nearby) or high-end hotel lounges.
- Street Food Stalls
- Kebda and Sogo' (Liver/Sausage) carts found throughout Al Haram street.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Crave (Arkan Plaza) for international fusion and pastas.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx.
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) - The world's largest archaeological museum.
- Historical Sites
- Saqqara Step Pyramid (30 min drive) and Memphis Open Air Museum.
- Religious Sites
- The Church of Saints Sergio and Bacchus (nearby Coptic Cairo) and Mosque of Amr ibn al-As.
- Annual Events
- Art D'Égypte (Annual contemporary art exhibition at the Pyramids).
- Cultural Districts
- Wust El Balad (Downtown Cairo - 20 mins from Giza).
- Theater Venues
- Cairo Opera House (located on Gezira Island, bordering Giza).
- Local Markets
- Souq al-Goma'a (Friday Market) for antiques and local goods.
- Music Scene
- Cairo Jazz Club (Agouza, Giza) - the premier spot for live music and DJs.
- Street Art
- Murals often found in the artistic pockets of Sheikh Zayed and Agouza.
- Cooking Classes
- Bellies En-Route (Food tours and cooking experiences).
- Art Galleries
- Ubuntu Art Gallery (Zamalek/Giza border).
- Historic Buildings
- Mena House Hotel (Historic 19th-century hunting lodge).
- Local Heritage
- Pharaonic Village (Living museum of ancient Egyptian life).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Wadi El Rayan (Fayoum) - Waterfalls and desert lakes (2-hour drive).
- National Parks Nearby
- Wadi El Hitan (Whale Valley) - UNESCO site in the desert nearby Giza.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Zayed Central Park (Sheikh Zayed City).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Pyramids Panorama Point (inside the plateau) for sunset.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The Nile River banks in southern Giza (Maadi/Giza border).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Desert safari camps in the Sahara surrounding the Pyramids.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex Giza Branch or DHL Express.
- Tech Repair Services
- Tradeline (Apple Authorized Service Provider) in Mall of Arabia.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Most sports clubs like Shooting Club (Dokki) or Al Ahly SC (Sheikh Zayed).
- Language Classes
- Ahlan Arabic Centre or International Language Institute (ILI).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Greater Cairo Public Library (Zamalek, edge of Giza).
- Community Centers
- Swiss Club Cairo (Located in Imbaba/Giza) - Great garden and workspace.
- Gaming Lounges
- The Hive Gaming Lounge (Sheikh Zayed).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Royale (Located inside the Sheraton Cairo, Giza side).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 25,000 EGP per m² ($520) (e.g., 40 m² = 1,000,000 EGP).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 18,000 EGP per m² ($375) (e.g., 40 m² = 720,000 EGP).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 22,000 EGP per m² ($458) (e.g., 60 m² = 1,320,000 EGP).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 15,000 EGP per m² ($312) (e.g., 60 m² = 900,000 EGP).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 20,000 EGP per m² ($416) (e.g., 80 m² = 1,600,000 EGP).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 14,000 EGP per m² ($291) (e.g., 80 m² = 1,120,000 EGP).
- Corporate Tax
- 22.5%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% (standard) or 5% if listed on the stock exchange.
- Tax System
- Residency-based; residents are taxed on worldwide income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 27.5% for income exceeding 1.2 million EGP.
- VAT
- 14% standard rate.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Egypt has regulations regarding income from foreign subsidiaries.
- Property Tax
- Yes, 10% of the annual rental value after deductions.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2.5% Real Estate Disposal Tax on the sale price.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad tax break; however, low cost of living offsets high-bracket taxes.