One thing you should know about me is that I love the theatre. One of my favorite shows is Elton John’s Aida. I saw it once on Broadway in NYC and again (if you can believe it) in Osaka, Japan – performed completely in Japanese. Despite this well-rounded exposure to the story of Aida, I was completely unaware that the Broadway version of Aida is based on an Italian opera by Verdi until I moved to Egypt in 2004. It was then that I enjoyed two firsts: my first encounter with the original opera and my first visit to the Cairo Opera House.
I’ve since been to the Cairo Opera numerous times for various plays, ballets, and other events. Folks who live in Egypt or are visiting for a significant period should sign up for notifications of upcoming events at the Opera. Whether it be the Nutcracker, the Georgian National Ballet, or a children’s storytelling festival, there’s bound to be something for everyone in your family.
(The Cairo Modern Art Museum)
Several years ago, while visiting the Opera, we stumbled upon the Modern Art Museum. Located within the Opera compound, this little gem is definitely worth the trip. While the curation isn’t stellar, many of the pieces are captivating, a few are, well, bizarre, and some of them are beautiful. It is modern art, afterall. And of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder…
(Even kids can appreciate modern art!)
At any rate, the museum keeps my kids busy for at least an hour. As I’ve mentioned here before, my children enjoy a good museum “scavenger hunt.” Direct those kids to take pictures of the “strangest,” “funniest,” or “most offensive” piece of art and they’ll dash off to complete the mission without a complaint. Everyone usually comes back with a few stories to tell and eager to show off a few choice pieces of art they discovered.
We’ve learned the hard way that viewing art is hungry work. If your kids, like mine, must either eat the very moment they leave a museum or die of hunger, you’ll want to take them immediately to the fancy bakery located near the museum. Simond’s Bakery is only a ten minute walk across the Nile from the Opera.
(Enjoy some fresh air and exercise after your visit to the museum)
Among our favorite Simond’s treats are the Lotus Butter kunafa bites. As if gorgeous sweets weren’t enough reason to pay a visit, the bakery also features an adorable glass elevator you won’t want to miss. The elevator actually takes you down the four feet from street level to the sunken main floor of the bakery.
(Time to replenish those calories you burned on the walk to the bakery)
If, like me, you aren’t quite as desperate for Lotus Butter treats, you can leave your kids salivating in the bakery for a few minutes and pop on over to the excellent fuul and ta’amiyya stand directly next door. Just exit out the back (non elevator-side) door of Simond’s and it will be there directly to your right. I am telling you, you’ll be licking your fingers and going back for seconds.
(In the glass elevator!)
Transportation: you can take the metro, hire an Uber, or drive yourself and park at the Opera. As for the metro, the Opera compound is located directly behind the Opera Metro stop; when you exit the metro, turn left and walk five minutes until you reach the main entrance. If you drive yourself and want to add on a visit to Simond’s, I recommend you walk or take an Uber to the bakery and avoid the hassle of parking.
(You’ve not had kunafa until you’ve had Lotus Butter kunafa)
Need I say more? Take your family or friends on this outing and they’ll praise you for your skillful mix of food, fun, and the fine arts all in the same trip. I’ll see you there!
