Mansoura

Mansoura is a town in El Dakahlia prefecture in Egypt. This Nileside town is virtually unknown to tourists.

Get in

The easiest way to get there is to take a "Superjet" bus (~8LE) from Cairo's El Ollaly station. The journey time is 2 hours. Authentic scenes of rural Egypt can be seen on the way.

Get around

The most convenient (if not, hair-raising) way to get around is by taxi. Local taxis in Mansoura should be paid around 2.00LE (2005 price) for most journeys. Shorter journeys could command a cheaper fare of 1.50LE. Taxi Meters are not used. Flag one of the numerous maroon and white cars down at the roadside and shout, "tax!". Enjoy the ride.

Do

Mansoura is where King Louis IX of France was captured and ransomed. His prison cell known as "Dar ibn Lokman" can be visited here. On show are some artefacts and paintings, including his cell toilet.

Eat

Food hygiene standards are somewhat lacking. Avoid all unsealed foods and you will avoid food poisoning. A variety of Western, and some local, fast food outlets serve food to the rich in the Gamaa (University) district of town. These provide familiar and safer food that is unlikely to be any less healthy than what the locals eat. Fat is added in enormous quantities to most local food. The salad bar at a certain well known pizza restaurant (Pizza Hut) provides a welcome break from the unhealthy norm.

Drink

Hygiene standards are low. Stick to canned and bottled drinks. Tapwater is unsafe.

Sleep

Accommodation is scarce. This is because tourism is not a local industry. There are a few hotels in town and they are known to all locals. Just ask about "Marshaal" or the "Hotel near the University that the President's son stayed in".

Get out

The Gizirt El Ward Sports Club is where the upper classes of Mansoura spend their weekends. Again, just ask. It is known to everyone. The club is only worth visiting to get a better understanding of the culture and fashions. There is little to do there for the tourist. Entertainment venues are rare in Mansoura. Another activity could be a visit to an Ahwa (Cafe). This can be done more safely and with less hassle in Cairo however, where foreigners are not as much of a novelty.