Wikala of Tabtabay
Monument Traditional warehouse and trading inn in Cairo
Merchant lodging in Cairo’s old city, part of the city’s network of wikalas; visitors come to study courtyard plans and to explore adjacent souks.
Wikala of Tabtabay is a historic urban caravanserai in Cairo’s older commercial district, one of several wikalas that served as lodging and storage for merchants. It is part of the built fabric of Cairo’s market areas and reflects the functional architecture of urban caravanserais.
The building is organized around a central courtyard with ground-floor storage and upper-floor rooms for traders, a common plan among Cairo wikalas. The street-facing entrance and any surviving decorative details are the main visible features from the surrounding lanes.
These structures were constructed to support merchant activity and later adapted for local commercial and residential uses as trade patterns changed. Many have been maintained or altered to serve modern urban needs while retaining their original spatial logic.
Situated in Cairo Governorate’s historic market zone, the wikala lies amid narrow streets and souk activity and is best approached on foot as part of a visit to the area.
How to Get to Wikala of Tabtabay #
Situated in the historic district of Cairo; best reached by walking from main tourist concentrations or by short taxi from central Cairo. Local knowledge is helpful due to narrow lanes and modest signage.
Tips for Visiting Wikala of Tabtabay #
- If the wikala is distant from the main cluster, plan transport between sites-some are several kilometers apart and narrow streets make walking slow.
- Look for trade marks carved into beams-these marks can indicate merchants' ownership or storage numbering systems.
- If a courtyard is empty, sit and observe; local rhythms-deliveries, small repairs-often restart in the late afternoon.
Best Time to Visit Wikala of Tabtabay #
Cool months and shoulder seasons are best for walking the historic neighborhoods.
Weather & Climate near Wikala of Tabtabay #
Wikala of Tabtabay's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 35°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Almost no rain.
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February
February is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain.
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March
March is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain.
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April
April is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain.
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May
May is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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