'''Mansoura''' is a town in Lower Egypt. This Nile delta town is virtually unknown to tourists.

Get in

The easiest way to get there is either to take a "Superjet" bus from Cairo's El Ollaly station (9LE) or from Alexandria's SeedyGaber Station (13LE). The journey time is 2 hours from Cairo, 3.5 hours from Alexandria. Authentic scenes of rural Egypt can be seen on the way. Train connections from Cairo and Alexandria are also available on regular basis.

Get around

The most convenient (if not, hair-raising) way to get around is by taxi. Local taxis in Mansoura should be paid max 2.00LE (2007 price) for most journeys for one or two passengers but may be up to 3 or 4 LE if are 2+ passengers with long trips. 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" or "taxi". Enjoy the ride.

See

Visit "Dar Ebn lokman", the house of Louis IX of France during his capture in Mansoura. Walk by the mansoura Nile on 'kornish almansoura' or 'almasheya. Take a short boat ride through the Nile to the neighbouring city of Talkha. Visit "Gezirat El-Ward" public garden. You can also take a look at any of the private social clubs in Mansoura "Geziret El-Ward", "El-Hawar" or "Mansoura Stadium".

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 artifacts and paintings, including his cell toilet.

Buy

  • Get your grocery and household merchandise from any of the local supermarkets: "''El-Wekala''" -3 branches in "El-Mashaya", "El-Mokhtalat" and "El-Ter'a" districts-,"''Metro market''" at "El-Gam'a district" besides Ramada, "''Hypermart''" at "Toriel district" or "''Awad Allah markets''" at Qanat El-Swiss street. All are small to medium-sized supermarkets accepting credit cards and offering home delivery. "El-Wekala" is the most popular and probably the least expensive, but if you are looking for a greater variety of imported goods, head to "Metro".
  • For shopping, you can walk through the long street of "El-Sikka El-Gedida" downtown. It is mostly famous for gold jewelery and clothing. You can also find different types of shops and small groceries as you walk. If you are looking for fancier clothes, however, go to the "Gam'aa" or the Mansoura university district. There, you'll find a number of reasonable shops along the Nile bay "El-mashaya" or in "El-bahr street" in front of the university. Yoy can also take a look at "PortSaid" street, if you are looking for electric or household appliances.
  • 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. There are great, clean and really fantastic fast food restaurants like; CookDoor, Mo'men, KFC and Pizza Hut. All of them in the University district.

    You may also try one of the local restaurants:

  • Fish Corner - offering seafood.
  • Green Corner cafe and restaurant - some English speaking staff.
  • Gardino Cafe.
  • Al-Khan -restaurant at the Gamaa district. Some English speaking staff.
  • "Ramadan El-Kababgy"- offering Kebab or grilled meat.
  • Elsalamlek - a good cafe and restaurant.
  • If you are looking for dessets, try "El-Baroun" or "La poire" at the University "El-Gam'a" district.

    Drink

    Hygiene standards are moderate. Stick to canned and bottled drinks. Tapwater is not guaranteed safe; it may be better to use mineral water or tapwater that has been passed through a filter. Mineral waterand canned juices are widely available. Be aware that in Mansoura, like most non-tourist Egyptian cities, alcoholic bevarages are uncommon except in hotels and a few restaurants.

    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 "Mansoura Ramada Hotel".

    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.

    Be aware that transportation can be an inconvenience owing to Mansoura being very crowded.

    Learn

    Mansoura is home for the prestigious public Mansoura University, ranked 3rd in Egypt. The University is especially famous for the School of Medicine and a number of medical centers. Several public and private Languages schools exist, a couple offer IGCSE and American diploma qualifications.

    Respect

    Mansoura is somewhat a conservative city and foreigners are not common. So, take care, mini skirts, shorts and skimpy tops will get you stared at twice as much as normal. Public drunkness is not welcomed by most of the conservative community. However, alcoholic beverages are accepted by the less strict Muslims or Christians and are available at the two main hotels and a few restaurants.