Cairo has always been the best shopping destination in Egypt, where there is no shortage of local souks to go bargain hunting for souvenirs. However, in the past two decades or so, Cairo saw a significant rise in the number of modern shopping malls. More and more international brands are introduced to the Egyptian market every year, including high-end luxury items. Egyptians seem to love strolling through shopping malls, whether they are actually there to shop or to just to relax, meet up with friends or have a coffee or lunch in any of the many dining areas and restaurants available. Currently, there are malls in just about every district in Cairo, so it might get a little confusing to decide which one to go to for your entertainment or shopping needs. In view of that, we researched and put together a list of the best shopping malls in Cairo, to make it easier for you to decide based on your own individual shopping needs. Malls in Cairo tend to get crowded in the weekends (Friday and Saturday) so if you want to avoid crowds, it’s best to go in the morning during weekdays. No matter where you’re staying in Cairo, we guarantee that one of these impressive malls is just a short drive away.
Courtesy of City Centre Almaza | afrik21.africa
Perhaps the latest addition to the extensive list of shopping malls in Cairo, the recently opened City Centre Almaza will definitely meet serious shoppers’ expectations. Conveniently located in Cairo’s beloved Heliopolis district, City Centre Almaza has become the go-to for residents in this area, where, until recently, only one similar mall was located. City Centre Almaza boasts a wide range of stores and activities, including an up-to-date cinema complex, a ‘Magic Planet’ arcade, and an indoor adventure park. There’s also Fun in VR, which is a Virtual Reality arcade located on the second level. City Centre Almaza provides visitors with free WI-FI, and a convenient parking service. There’s also an outdoor dining area and a Carrefour hypermarket.
Courtesy of Guilhem DE COOMAN/flickr
Another favorite shopping destination not far from City Centre Almaza is Stars Center in City Stars. Stars Center is one of the oldest shopping malls on this list, as it was the first major mall of its kind to open in Cairo, introducing many brands to the Egyptian market. Nowadays, it has more than 650 stores over 4 floors, selling many different brands of clothes, electronics and accessories. There is a food court and several restaurants as well as a cinema and an indoor arcade. There are several banks, ATM machines and telecom stores as well. Additionally, it has a “Khan al-Khalili” section, where you can find all kinds of Egyptian souvenirs, statues and traditional costumes if you want a quick and convenient place to buy last-minute gifts.
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This newly constructed mall has quickly become a favorite for students and professors of the nearby AUC campus. While it doesn’t have as much stores as the other malls on this list, its charm lies in its diverse range of restaurants and cafes offering a variety of cuisines. Whether you’re looking for a delicious meal or a quick Starbucks pickup, you will definitely find that one of the 25 restaurants and cafés available meets your individual taste. There’s also Airzone, a popular indoor trampoline park, and a Billy Beez, where you can drop your kids off for some fun time while you finish your shopping. There’s also an up-to-date cinema featuring the latest movies. Additionally, Fresh Food Market on the ground floor has an exquisite selection of premium grocery products, for when you decide to do a little grocery shopping before you head home.
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The spacious Cairo Festival City Mall is the ultimate go-to for people around the area of New Cairo. Cairo Festival is best known for its “The Village” outdoor dining area where there’s a scheduled dancing fountain show at designated times. While enjoying a meal at any of the many restaurants around the fountain, you get to enjoy a beautiful view as well. Cairo Festival City Mall houses some of the biggest brands, like Debenhams, H&M, Zara and Marks and Spencer. Additionally, it is the home of the first and largest IKEA store to open in Egypt. Cairo Festival City Mall is a suitable space for parents, as they offer rentable strollers and a complimentary child identification bracelet service, as well as dedicated rooms for moms to feed and change their babies. There are numerous indoor adventure parks and play areas, in addition to Kidzania.
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Located on the other side of Cairo (Giza) from all previously mentioned malls in this list, Mall of Arabia first opened its doors to the public in 2010. This mall is only one floor, however, at 110,000 square meters; it’s easily the biggest mall in Egypt. Mall of Arabia has more than 500 shops including both local and international brands. In addition to a Spinney’s hypermarket, a cinema complex and the only other IKEA store located in Cairo, there’s also a furniture mall, where many furniture stores come together handily in one place. There’s an indoor and outdoor food court, a Billy Beez adventure park for your children and two major department stores: Centrepoint and Red Tag. Other stores in the mall include Gap, Zara, Pull & Bear, Mango and Daniel Hechter, as well as a variety of sportswear and accessories stores. Mall of Arabia is currently expanding and is due to open its extension soon.
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A more recent addition to the residents of Giza and the 6th of October area is Mall of Egypt. In addition to its more than 600 fashion, sports, accessories and home furnishing stores, Mall of Egypt has the first indoor ski park in Africa – Ski Egypt, where you and your family get to test out your skiing skills and make memories. For entertainment, there’s also a Little Explorers, where you can either drop off your little one for an enjoyable time, or share in the fun yourself with one of their workshops where they explain to children different concepts like time and space, through different engaging (and fun!) activities. Mall of Egypt has a vast variety of restaurants including international chains like Chili’s, TGI Fridays, Casper and Gambini’s as well as good quality local joints like Mori Sushi and Abou El Sid. There’s also a Carrefour hypermarket, conveniently located near the mall parking, and a variety of Telecom stores, banks and ATM machines.
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Last, but definitely, not least is the prestigious Four Season’s First Mall in Giza, on the Nile bank. The oldest mall of its kind in Egypt, First Mall is the place of luxury and designer brands. While the building and interior of the mall may seem a little worn out, the stores inside more than make up for it with their splendid displays and decent customer service. The mall is made up of three floors and around 60 stores offering products from different categories: menswear, women wear, children’s wear, optics, home accessories in addition to a gallery and a bookstore. There’s also a spa, a hairdresser, a gym and one restaurant. Stores in First Mall include Bulgari, Salvatore Ferragamo, Rolex, Emporio Armani, Harmont and Blaine and Tiffany & Co. There are also a few local retail stores that offer multiple luxury brands like Ego, Dstore and Seasons, as well as a few luxury watch and jewelry stores.
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