For those requiring total peace and quiet to work or study in frenetic Cairo, nothing beats a library.
In an era dominated by work cafés and instantaneous Google searches, libraries may seem outdated, even obsolete - relics of the past. However, for book lovers, nothing beats perusing through a library's shelves on a lazy afternoon in search of the next read and settling down in a quiet corner to enjoy it. Libraries are also wonderful but often overlooked working spaces. Although you may be denied your matcha latte, a good library can guarantee the peace and quiet needed to finish that last-minute assignment or work on a personal project.
From a neo-Gothic palace and a sprawling modernist complex to a monastery nestled in a lush garden, Cairo’s libraries cater to diverse tastes and settings, underscoring the city’s rich tradition as a centre of learning.
Egyptian National Library and Archives
Towering above the Nile in Boulaq and stretching across seven stories in an imposing 1970s modernist building sits the Egyptian National Library, also known as Dar el Kutub. The library traces its history back to 1870, when Khedive Ismail established Egypt’s - and the Middle East’s - first national library. It holds a vast collection of several million volumes on a wide range of topics. Its archive, which includes priceless masterpieces of Quranic calligraphy and a unique collection of early Arabic papyri, is considered one of the finest collections of Islamic manuscripts in the world.
Opening hours: Sunday through Thursday, 9 am – 5 pm
Address: 121 Nile Corniche, Ramlet Boulak, Bulaq
For more information you can visit their Facebook page.
Zamalek’s Greater Cairo Public Library
Arguably Cairo’s most elegant public library, the Greater Cairo Public Library on Mohamed Mazhar Street in Zamalek is housed in the former neo-Gothic palace of Princess Samiha Kamel, daughter of Egypt’s Sultan Hussein. Although readers cannot borrow books, the library’s expansive, nostalgia-filled reading rooms and beautiful Nile-facing garden terrace are a godsend for those seeking a quiet place to study in a glamorous setting.
Opening Hours: Monday through Sunday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm; closed on Fridays
Address: 17 Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek
For more information, you can visit their Facebook page.
Netherlands-Flemish Institute Library
Tucked away on Omar al-Khayyam Street in Zamalek is a beautiful white villa housing the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo. The institute features a charming little library clad from floor to ceiling with a book collection dedicated to Middle East Studies and Egyptology. However, the library’s most delightful feature is its photogenic family of mischievous yet adorable cats, who frequently star on the institute’s Instagram and Facebook pages
Opening Hours: 9 am to 3 pm on weekdays
Address: 1 Omar Al Khayam, Zamalek, Cairo
For more information, you can visit theirFacebook page..
The Dominican Institute of Oriental Studies Library
Although not technically public and requiring a subscription fee of EGP 20 per month, this hidden gem still deserves mention. The library, which is the world’s largest dedicated to Islamic heritage, is part of the Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies, run by the Dominican monastic order of the Catholic Church. During cigarette and coffee breaks, readers can enjoy the Institute’s sprawling and lovingly maintained garden, one of the most beautiful in Cairo.
Opening hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 am to 4:50 pm except during public holidays
Address: 1 Al Tarabeeshi, Al Ganzouri, Daher, Cairo
For more information, you can visit their website
The Heliopolis Library
First named after Egypt’s Princess Ferial, the Heliopolis Library was founded in 1946 during the reign of King Farouk. Today, in addition to its library facilities, the library is a vibrant cultural centre hosting a variety of workshops and activities including theatre and musical performances, intellectual discussions and a cinema club.
Opening Hours: Sunday through Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm, except on Fridays when they open at 1 pm
Address: 42 El Orouba St Cairo, Cairo
For more information, you can visit their Facebook page.
The Maadi Public Library
The Maadi Public Library, founded in 2002, is the newest on the list. Similar to the Heliopolis Library, it also offers a diverse program of cultural activities. Its signature feature is the American Corner, an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, designed to promote understanding of American culture and provide English teaching as well as youth-focused skills-building workshops.
Opening Hours: Sunday through Saturday, 10 am – 6:30 pm
Address: Street 250, Al Basatin Al Gharbeyah, Maadi, Cairo
For more information, you can visit their Facebook page.
Misr Public Library
The Misr Public library, founded in 1995 and located in Dokki near Cairo University, is arguably Egypt’s most active public library. The library stands out for its community outreach programmes and educational initiatives focused on promoting reading amongst Egyptian children.
Opening Hours: Monday through Sunday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, except Tuesdays when they are closed
Address: 4 Al Tahawia, Ad Doqi A, Dokki
For more information, you can visit their Facebook page
Sep 08, 2024
