GO BOHO IN CAIRO

Egypt's capital can feel chaotic, but its inner suburb of Maadi is a peaceful oasis where you can recharge in a charming cafe or enjoy an open-air yoga class, writes Tamara Davison

- Tamara Davison

“I haven’t left Maadi in months,” one local told me as he sipped a coffee in a leafy green cafe in the heart of the Egyptian neighbourhood. I could see why – the customary chaos of Cairo feels like a distant memory among the southern suburb’s relaxing, tree-lined streets.

Located just a stone's throw away from downtown Cairo, Maadi is brimming with hip coffee shops and vintage architecture that evokes a warm, nostalgic feel. It's lush and green, sitting in stark contrast to the dusty yellows I'd come to associate with the rest of the sprawling city. Most who visit Maadi love it.

Here, expats and locals meander between charming cafes, boutique supermarkets, community spaces and outdoor areas, all within an area free from the endless traffic and street vendors that clog the city elsewhere. It's also where you'll find the embassies, NGO buildings and international schools tucked among sleepy residential streets full of towering trees – which, admittedly, attract a more upscale cohort.

For tourists visiting Egypt's capital, a few days exploring the must-see sights, from the bustling pyramids to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, is enough to tire anyone out. The dusty, chaotic and demanding nature of exploring Cairo is indeed part of the fun. However, for those looking to unwind and discover a more modern, rejuvenated pace of life, a few days in Maadi offers the perfect respite. Make no mistake, it is still Egypt - a distant honk will remind you of that - but it's also the perfect place to discover a different side of the capital. It's less about sightseeing and more about recharging. Here are the things you shouldn't miss.

Yoga classes at Osana Family Wellness