Roavina

Nature site · Cairo

Ḥadīqat al-Andalus

حديقة الأندلس

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Opening hours

Monday 09:00 – 23:59
Tuesday 09:00 – 23:59
Wednesday 09:00 – 23:59
Thursday 09:00 – 23:59
Friday 09:00 – 23:59
Saturday 09:00 – 23:59
Sunday 09:00 – 23:59

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Today
Open today, 09:00 – 23:59
Visit duration
1 hour
Accessibility
Partly step-free
Price
EGP 10.00 per person
Standing
Must see
Rank
Rank 55 of 2,047

Place details and sources

This place is a Park.

Admission fee
Payable OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Surface
Grass OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Type of place
Park OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Operator
مشروع الحدائق المتخصصة OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09

About Ḥadīqat al-Andalus

Al-Andalus Garden is a compact public garden situated on the eastern bank of the Nile River in central Cairo, immediately beside the Qasr El Nil Bridge. Its local name is حديقة الأندلس. The garden occupies a riverfront position within the downtown area, offering pedestrians a green pause during walks along the Nile Corniche. Daily 09:00–00:00. Cairo Governorate reopened the garden in November 2024. The responsible Specialized Gardens Project operates throughout the week, so there is no weekly closure day. General admission is EGP 10 per person.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

What's inside

The garden contains typical municipal landscaping elements including lawns, trees, and paved walkways suited to brief recreational stops. As a compact garden, its features are scaled to its riverfront footprint rather than expansive botanical collections. The proximity to Qasr El Nil Bridge means the garden sits within one of downtown Cairo's most trafficked zones. Visitors should expect standard urban park amenities rather than curated botanical or historical exhibitions. Cairo Governorate reopened the garden in November 2024. The responsible Specialized Gardens Project operates throughout the week, so there is no weekly closure day.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

How long to spend

A visit to Al-Andalus Garden suits brief pauses rather than extended excursions. The garden functions as a breathing space during longer itineraries connecting Tahrir Square, the Egyptian Museum, or Corniche promenades. Travelers integrating this stop into broader downtown exploration should allocate time proportionally to its scale. No guided tours or programmed activities requiring fixed durations are recorded. General admission is EGP 10 per person. The official garden description identifies four ascending stepped paths leading to the upper level, so not all visitor areas are step-free. The upper level has paved marble and multicoloured tile paths with marble seating.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Season and crowds

Visitors should not rely on assumed schedules. Cairo's climate features hot summers and mild winters; outdoor spaces become uncomfortable during midday peak heat from May through September. The garden's downtown location means it experiences Cairo's urban rhythm, with potentially reduced appeal during rush-hour congestion. Travelers should verify current status through local inquiry before planning visits. Daily 09:00–00:00. The official garden description identifies four ascending stepped paths leading to the upper level, so not all visitor areas are step-free. The upper level has paved marble and multicoloured tile paths with marble seating.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Tickets

Many small municipal gardens in Cairo operate with minimal or no entry fees, but this pattern cannot be assumed for Al-Andalus Garden specifically. Visitors should carry small denominations of Egyptian pounds for potential nominal charges. No advance booking systems or online ticketing platforms are documented. General admission is EGP 10 per person. The official garden description identifies four ascending stepped paths leading to the upper level, so not all visitor areas are step-free. The upper level has paved marble and multicoloured tile paths with marble seating. Mohamed Bek Zulfikar created the garden in 1935, late in the reign of King Fuad I.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Getting there

The garden's position beside Qasr El Nil Bridge places it at a major downtown landmark. The bridge connects Gezira Island to the eastern bank, making the garden accessible from both directions. Tahrir Square lies within walking distance to the southeast. The garden is on Saraya Al Gezira Street in Zamalek, beside New Opera Square and the eastern end of Qasr El Nil Bridge. The named public-transport arrival is Opera station on Cairo Metro Line 2; Cairo Governorate identifies it as the closest metro station to Zamalek and the Nile Corniche.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

What to watch out for

Standard urban park precautions apply in this central Nile location. The garden's proximity to heavy traffic on the bridge and Corniche means air quality and noise levels reflect downtown Cairo conditions. Visitors should remain attentive to belongings in any public space. The riverfront edge requires appropriate caution, particularly for children. The official garden description identifies four ascending stepped paths leading to the upper level, so not all visitor areas are step-free. Mohamed Bek Zulfikar created the garden in 1935, late in the reign of King Fuad I. It was the first garden in Egypt registered as a monument on the Islamic and Coptic antiquities list.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Photography

The garden's Nile-facing position offers framing possibilities with the river, bridge structure, and Gezira Island beyond. Daylight hours provide natural illumination of the water and downtown skyline. The compact scale limits interior compositional variety, though the juxtaposition of greenery against urban infrastructure may interest some photographers. No photography restrictions are recorded, though standard respect for other visitors applies. Tripod use for night exposures may attract security attention in this sensitive central zone. Equipment security warrants attention in crowded public settings. It was the first garden in Egypt registered as a monument on the Islamic and Coptic antiquities list.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Common questions

When was Al-Andalus Garden created, and by whom?

Mohamed Bek Zulfikar created the garden in 1935, late in the reign of King Fuad I.

Why does the garden have protected heritage status?

It was the first garden in Egypt registered as a monument on the Islamic and Coptic antiquities list.

What inspired the garden's southern section?

The southern section, called the Arab Paradise Garden, follows the style of the Andalusian gardens of southern Spain.

What notable sculpture is inside the garden?

A statue of poet Ahmed Shawqi by Egyptian sculptor Mahmoud Mokhtar stands beneath the decorated Andalusian pavilion.

What water features surround the Ahmed Shawqi statue?

Five lion sculptures feed a sunken rectangular pool containing two marble fountains.

What can visitors see in the Pharaonic section?

The northern section contains a Pharaonic gateway, a model of the Sheikh el-Balad statue, royal palms and replicas of Pharaonic statues.

Where it is

Nearby

Within 6 min on foot
  • Qasr El Nil Bridge 45 min
    4 min walk

    Qasr El Nil Bridge

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  • Cairo Tower 45 min
    5 min walk

    Cairo Tower

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  • Cairo Opera House 1 hour
    6 min walk

    Cairo Opera House

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue

Last updated:

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·