General Information

Time zone

Egypt is two hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) during winter. During summer, from May 1st till October 1st, the clocks move one hour forward.

Temperature

Local daytime temperatures range as follows for the year (°C):

Language

The national language in Egypt is Arabic. However, tourists will rarely find a problem communicating as English is widely spoken in hotels and shops, with French a close second, and many staff in tourist areas also speaking German or Italian.

Electricity

Egypt electrical current is 220V, and sockets take the standard continental European dual round-pronged plug. If you do not have the correct adaptor with you, your hotel Housekeeping department may have one available upon request.

Shopping for souvenirs

Shopping in Egypt can be relaxed and leisurely, at high-class souvenir stores and hotel outlets, or part of an authentic – but sometimes hectic! – Middle Eastern experience at the local bazaars and souks. Particularly in the local bazaars, a healthy amount of bargaining is expected – which means that the “best”, or “correct” price is simply the one that both parties agree on during that sale. Enjoy the game!

• Gold and silver jewelry, or “Cartouches” inscribed with your name in hieroglyphics.
• Wooden boxes inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
• Hand-engraved brass and copper-work.
• Carved alabaster from the quarries of Upper Egypt.
• Hand-sewn appliqué work – with Arabic, Pharaonic, or “naïf” folk designs.
• Cotton “Galabeyyas” – traditional robes and kaftans, often beautifully embroidered.
• Papyrus – still made by traditional methods, and hand-painted with intricate designs.

Alcoholic drinks:

• Wine – Egyptian wine has undergone something of a renaissance since the old government company was privatized, and competition sprang up, both in the same year. Now, both local brands are pleasant table wines.

  • The “Obélisque” range is made in Egypt but with imported Italian grapes, and is a little drier and heavier.
  • The “Gianaclis” range is made with grapes from Egyptian vineyards, and is a little lighter and fruitier.

Non-alcoholic drinks:

• Beer – Even more so than wine, the Egyptian brewing industry has recently transformed itself into an overnight success story, with many new local brands as well as big foreign names brewed under license in Egypt. Try out some of these:

  • Stella Local & Export – a standard lager.
  • Heineken – a light lager.
  • Sakara Gold – a regular lager.
  • Sakara Premium – stronger version of the above.
  • Löwenbräu – the famous German beer, locally brewed under license.