Wikala of Uda Bashi
Monument Historic Cairo caravanserai with residential quarters
Historic trading inn in medieval Cairo; noted for wooden balconies and stacked storage rooms, it is often visited during architectural walks through the al-Muizz area.
Wikala of Uda Bashi is a traditional merchant inn in Cairo’s historic commercial quarter, representative of the caravanserai-type buildings that supported urban trade. It forms part of the contiguous market architecture in the old city.
Internally the building is organized around a central courtyard used for loading and storage, with arcades and ground-floor workshops and series of small lodging rooms or shops on the upper levels. The street façade and entrance are the most readily observed elements from the surrounding lanes.
Constructed for merchants and commerce, these wikalas evolved in use as caravan traffic declined and urban commercial activity changed; many have been reused for shops, workshops and storage while preserving the underlying courtyard plan.
The wikala sits in Cairo’s medieval commercial district, within walking distance of the Khan el-Khalili market and other historic streets and monuments of Islamic Cairo.
- Layout: Typical wikala layout with courtyard and stacked rooms; often integrated into active commercial streets so access is pedestrian.
How to Get to Wikala of Uda Bashi #
The wikala sits in Historic Cairo’s medieval quarter near Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Street. From Bab Zuweila or the al-Azhar area, it is a short walk through the alleys; from Tahrir Square take a taxi (roughly 15-25 minutes depending on traffic). Public buses run along surrounding major streets but are less convenient than a short walk from the nearest metro station (Al-Azhar Metro Station, Line 1) or a taxi.
Tips for Visiting Wikala of Uda Bashi #
- Enter the old quarter from Al-Muizz Street and look for narrow service alleys - the wikala's courtyard is easiest to find from the smaller side streets rather than the main drag.
- Check local conservation noticeboards for cultural events; many wikalas in historic Cairo are used for temporary exhibitions and performances outside normal hours.
- Notice the wear on the ground-floor columns: the lowest stones are often smooth from centuries of pack animals and foot traffic - one of the small, easily missed proofs that this was a working caravanserai.
Best Time to Visit Wikala of Uda Bashi #
The best times balance cooler air and lower humidity for walking the old streets of Islamic Cairo.
Weather & Climate near Wikala of Uda Bashi #
Wikala of Uda Bashi'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 35°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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