Good morning, wonderful people, and welcome to a very special issue of EnterpriseAM — it’s the first issue of a four-part series we’re running this summer about the North Coast — or as we love to call it: our very own Sahel. The subject is exactly what it says on the tin: Sahel as a holiday destination. As an investment destination. And as a business destination.
Sahel is the opportunity we squandered — until now: More than 40 years ago, policymakers thought they had the formula to unlock the North Coast: hand out long stretches of beachfront to the public sector and to professional syndicates at reduced prices — and hope that development would follow. The outcome? A string of closed-off compounds, used only a handful of weekends a year, sitting on one of the country’s most valuable assets.
The Sahel of today bears little resemblance to its humble origins. From New Alamein City with its Dubai-style high rises to the Marassis and Haciendas that have captured the attention of Gulf (and even global audiences) on Instagram and Tiktok, Sahel is one of the most exciting investment opportunities in the nation today. Their potential to generate foreign direct investment is credibly measured in the USD bns.
It took just one project to change the conversation. Last year, the UAE’s USD 35 bn Ras ElHekma came onto the scene with a USD 150 bn plan to develop a 170 sq km city — challenging Europe’s top Mediterranean destinations. The project, still on the drawing boards at Modon as policymakers work on the legislative framework that will make it possible, is already pushing developers and the government alike to rethink what the North Coast can and should be.
What we’re really talking about when we talk about Sahel: The government defines the Western North Coast as a 500 km stretch from Alamein to Salloum, backed by a 280 km desert hinterland — totaling around 160k sq km, with a plan to develop the whole of it by 2052 and create some 11 mn jobs. Add to this what is called the Central North Coast, which starts from the end of Alexandria and runs up to El Alamein. We’re talking about a massive geographical expanse open to urban, tourism, industrial, and logistics development, and more.
Only piece of the gigantic pie: The Ras El Hekma project alone is expected to generate USD 25 bn in annual returns. That’s just a sliver of what the broader Sahel could unlock.
In this four-part series, we’ll look at the North Coast through the lens of business, investment, and summer vacations — whether you’re Egyptian, a foreign resident, or a visitor flying in to Egypt for a holiday. We’ll ask how the region is transforming (from old Sahel and Alamien to Ras El Hekma and Matrouh), who the next wave of visitors and investors will be, and what it takes to turn the coastline into a true, year-round economic engine.
Up first: Some of the nation’s top real estate CEOs and analysts talk to us about what Ras El Hekma could mean for the nation.
EnterpriseAM Destination Sahel is the first in our new, occasional series of special issues that take deep dives into issues and ideas that matter, shaping opportunity for us all in business and in life. We’ll be back next month with the second issue in this series.
Imagining Ras El Hekma: Back in February 2024, when Abu Dhabi acquired the development rights to the Ras El Hekma triangle for USD 35 bn, the headlines were all about the moment: It was a lifeline — a historic influx of capital that promised to pull our economy back from the brink almost overnight. For weeks, the conversation centered on the sheer scale of it: The largest agreement on FDI in our history, unmatched in size, scope, and ambition. Then the noise faded. Questions have quietly bubbled up since.
You can expect to hear a lot more about Ras El Hekma later this summer or early fall. That’s when our sources expect Modon, the UAE-headquartered developer tasked with bringing it to life, is expected to give the nation a glimpse of what it’s planning. We’re excited about the project and what it means to the nation and the economy — whether you’re a business leader or thinking as a potential homebuyer, you need to factor the North Coast in general and Ras El Hekma, in particular, into your plans.
To help you, we’re asking: What makes Ras El Hekma different? And more importantly, how can it become a catalyst that redefines urban development — not just in one coastal stretch, but across the entire North Coast and, perhaps, beyond?
But first, a quick geography lesson: The city of Ras El Hekma will stretch from kilometre 170 to kilometre 220 on the Alexandria-Matrouh Road. It’s a few klicks west of TMG’s SouthMed, which has racked up over EGP 350 bn in sales since its launch in summer 2024.
Ras El Hekma is a new centre of gravity on the coast: The broader area of Ras El Hekma (as distinct from the as-yet unnamed city Modon will build) is currently the hottest spot in Sahel — especially since last year — witnessing numerous luxury offerings from the biggest real estate developers…
In the line up: Projects like Mountain View Ras El Hekma, Soul by Emaar Misr, The Med by People and Places, Swan Lake by Hassan Allam Properties, Caesar, June, and Ogami by SODIC line up, all the way to Ramla by Marakez, which is directly adjacent to the Ras El Hekma triangle. Development extends beyond the Ras El Hekma triangle with other projects including Shehab Mazhar's Sidi Heneish Village and Marsa Bagoush, Ora Developers' Silver Sands, and Palm Hills Developments' Hacienda Heneish, ending roughly at Travco's Almaza Bay.
“This triangle will be the new center of the North Coast,” says Abdallah Sallam, CEO of Madinet Masr. “This project will include a real city, not just a resort — a city with an airport, global tourism attractions, and medical and industrial facilities serving all the areas currently being developed on the coast.”
Sahel may be “predominantly a destination for Egyptians today,” says Marakez Executive Vice Chairman Dasha Badrawi, but that’s changing as it becomes increasingly popular with holidaymakers who live abroad.
The balance will shift with time as the infrastructure matures — more airports, hotel rooms and activities. “We have already announced the Adrère Amellal hotel in Ramla and are in advanced stages of finalizing our plans for a second, larger hotel,” Badrawi adds.
Upscaling is the name of the game: Only “Category A" players are being allowed to build communities in Sahel, a senior government source tells us. Developers must have on board consulting firms with international experience to meet the needs of Sahel’s new clients, the source notes. It’s a deliberate move to ensure consistency, scale, and integration across projects as Egypt looks to transform the entire stretch into a world-class tourism and urban development destination.
Our offering will have to improve to compete with international destinations. “In Ramla, for example, we have placed The Town in the heart of the project on the seafront with underground parking for visitors. Our sports and leisure activities occupy 10 acres and include tennis, padel, basketball courts, fitness studios, a semi Olympic pool and multi purpose courts,” Badrawi told us. Significant amenities are the table stakes to attract holidaymakers — let alone making possible the dream of year-round residents.
More developers are beginning to introduce a wider selection of international brands and high-end hospitality, shopping, and fine dining experiences along Ras El Hekma. SODIC, for example, plans to have a Nobu hotel and restaurant at Ogami, in addition to launching Dubai’s Surf Club at June next month. “If you’re looking at international destinations like Ibiza or Southern France, they mainly depend on entertainment,” SODIC General Manager Ayman Amer told us.
“I see Sahel season extending to four months and even longer in the very near future,” the SODIC GM adds. Remember the “old days” of Gouna in the early 1990s? It was considered a far-off destination and people shied away from going there — now, Cairenes flock there on weekends year-round, Amer notes.
“Designing a place for permanent residents is very different from developing second homes or vacation homes,” El Gouna CEO Mohamed Amer explains. The planning considerations are different: Having a broad vision of the intended outcome is absolutely key — “and I have no doubt that this is going to be the case for a project as huge as Ras El Hekma”, he added.
You have to be very deliberate about the community you want to build. “If there is one thing that is critical for the continuation of El Gouna, it’s the community. That, in my opinion, is going to be the key. The way the community is built will define the longevity and the long-term viability of the entire development… Today, 40% of Gouna’s sales are generated internationally,” EL Gouna’s Amer told us.
The Ras El Hekma triangle is not one project, but many independent developments chained together, so there’s going to be a very wide range of clients. “I don’t want to talk on somebody else’s behalf, but I imagine a big part of the target market is going to be international,” the Gouna chief added.
Two game-changing licenses: Modon Holding — the master developer of Ras El Hekma triangle — received two key approvals in May 2024 for its project; one to build an airport to serve the area and another to establish an 18 mn sqm free-service zone, Redcon Properties’ Tarek El Gammal explained. This economic zone will help position Ras El Hekma as a fully integrated destination — inspired by Dubai’s DIFC model — with a special focus on attracting European firms looking to use Egypt as a gateway to 22 countries, including 18 in Europe.
Beyond lagoons and luxury villas: El Gammal took issue with the limited vision that has long shaped North Coast development, which has largely been focused on high-end villas and artificial lagoons. Modon’s Ras El Hekma, by contrast, is envisioned as a real city — complete with high-quality education, industrial infrastructure, and business facilities alongside its tourism offerings. The idea, he said, is to attract diverse residential patterns, including full-time residents, not just seasonal vacationers.
Modon is building a dream team: Last year, Modon inked a pile of agreements with local, regional, and international players to get the project off the ground, including:
A framework agreement with local construction giant Orascom Construction for it to be a key contractor for the project's first phase;
An MoU with Hassan Allam Holding to cooperate on projects in the infrastructure, energy, and water and wastewater treatment, and special building sectors;
A memorandum of understanding with TAQA Arabia to explore cooperation on greenfield utilities, water desalination, and electricity projects;
An MoU with Elsewedy Electric to look into supplying building materials and collaborating on industrial park development, operations, and maintenance;
A letter of intent with Elsewedy Industrial Development to build and operate an industrial zone over a 10 mn sqm to the south of Ras El Hekma;
An MoU with Abu Dhabi Airports to collaborate in strategic airport planning, development, and operations;
An MoU with e& Egypt to help design and implement smart city infrastructure, from 5G networks and IoT-enabled solutions to city-wide data analytics systems;
An MoU with Lulu Retail to develop and operate hypermarkets and other retail facilities;
An MoU with Valderrama to develop and operate golfing facilities;
An MoU with Candy International to look into developing luxury real estate;
An MoU with US-based luxury hotel management company Montage International for the development and management of luxury hotels;
An MoU with the French hospitality company Accor and Ennismore to operate hotels and resorts;
An MoU with UAE player Burjeel Holdings to develop healthcare facilities and collaborate on public health programs.
The development area earmarked for the Ras El Hekma triangle is more than double the size of Alexandria, El Gammal said. For context, Marassi — one of the North Coast’s flagship developments — spans 1.5k feddans and has taken some 20 years to reach 80% completion. That scale makes the timeline for Ras El Hekma an ambitious challenge in and of itself, he noted.
The project targets some 8 mn high-spending tourists annually, marking a clear shift away from Egypt’s traditional low-cost tourism model. It’s expected to feature a fully equipped international airport, a diversified hospitality portfolio, mixed-use neighborhoods, and fully integrated entertainment zones. El Gammal expects the Ras El Hekma area to eventually create 1.5 mn jobs and accommodate some five mn people — both permanent residents and workers. The aim is to set a new regional standard for coastal development while supporting Egypt’s push into real estate exports through international sales, he said.
Some expect a different first move: While many are bracing for a classic sea view launch in the project’s first phase, others see a different play taking shape. “The first phase from Modon may see them launching a golf course area deep in the city, which I think is a very smart thing to do to show that it’s not just a beach resort,” an industry player told us.
Ripple effect: Neighboring areas could see a tourism and investment boom. The Ras El Hekma project is set to have a positive knock-on effect on surrounding areas like Sidi Abdel Rahman, which are expected to benefit from infrastructure upgrades, rising land values, and more commercial activity, Savills Egypt told us.
These areas are likely to evolve into standalone investment hubs catering to mid-market projects and support services that meet growing demand from both buyers and renters. Ready-to-move, furnished units and serviced apartments could be particularly attractive to those seeking immediate occupancy, while flexible payment plans could bring new demographics into the fold.
Integrated services are a must: All projects in the area are now required to offer a mix of tourism, hospitality, commercial, and public services to ensure service availability and strengthen tourist appeal, the government source said.
A major marketing push is coming next month: The Real Estate Development Chamber is set to kick off a 60-day marketing blitz next month, the chamber’s executive director, Osama Saad El Din, tells. The marketing campaign will be the largest campaign to date covering projects across the so-called “new North Coast” and the entire Ras El Hekma area, targeting foreign and Arab tourists alike with fresh marketing ideas and offerings tailored to their tastes, he notes.
We’ll have more on Ras El Hekma throughout this limited-run series. Stay tuned.
Get ready for one-of-a-kind culinary experiences with Marakez this summer as WHEN WE EAT (from the founders of Cairo Food Week) brings a thoughtfully curated lineup of award-winning global chefs to Ramla’s white-sand shores in Ras El Hekma.
Starting July 15th, chefs Mads Refslund (ILIS, NY), Kelvin Cheung (Jun’s, Dubai), Brando Moros (11 WOODFIRE, Dubai) and Alex Atala (D.O.M., São Paolo) will curate unique dining experiences inspired by the local flavors & culinary traditions of classic Sahel summers along Egypt’s Mediterranean Coast.
Are Sahel prices overblown? If you’re talking about the price of your freska or a watermelon smoothie, most people would probably agree. And anecdotally, rental costs are even more eyebrow-raising. What factors play in the price dynamics? We take a deeper look.
Let’s start with the fact that Sahel competes with Europeans vacation destinations… It’s clear why many would want to flock to Sahel over Europe: Depending on how heavy your foot is, you can get there in under three hours door-to-door — no airport, no customs and immigration, just gas and go. And you can visit any time. One week you’re with your entire family. The next, you’re reconnecting with childhood friends, and in between, you can close a transaction on the beach.
…and then throw in the fact that the season is incredibly short: Sahel visitors are the country’s highest earners, yet they concentrate their stay and spending over just a few weeks of the year. This is not matched by adequate services or infrastructure. Prices are driven by scarcity, not quality. Because it’s not a year-round destination, operators have to truck-in staff and product — and face heavy competition on everything from logistics services to staff accommodation, sending their operating costs into the stratosphere.
For would-be North Coast home buyers, most real estate experts we spoke with say prices are justified. The bubble narrative that remerged last year following the devaluation doesn't hold water, especially in Sahel, according to industry players we spoke with.
Everyone’s after a spot by the sea. The catchment area for Sahel is not East Cairo or West Cairo, but all of Egypt — and, increasingly, the region, Marakez Executive Vice Chairman Dasha Badrawi tells us. Throw in limited coastal space and it’s not surprising there’s pricing pressure, particularly in well-planned communities where development is moving at speed, he said.
Don’t judge the market by the EGP 400 mn beachfront villas: They’re the exception, not the rule. To this day, there are still major developers offering high-quality products at far more accessible price points — some starting at around EGP 6 mn with payment plans stretching up to 10 years, Madinet Masr CEO Abdallah Sallam noted. For foreigners or Egyptians living abroad, that works out to about USD 1k per month over a decade, he added.
Are European-level prices necessarily a bad thing if the product measures up? “We’ve got a more beautiful coastline, better weather, more diverse cuisine, and a lower daily cost of living, so why shouldn’t our prices match Europe’s?” Sallam argued.
“We still have a long way to go before we catch up to European prices,” said SODIC General Manager Ayman Amer. Average prices for high-end units in Sahel currently hover around USD 4-5k per sqm. Compare that to EUR 10-15k in some Mediterranean hotspots in Europe, he noted.
Will Ras El Hekma push up prices across the North Coast? Almost certainly. Savills Egypt expects an initial uptick, though the consultancy cautions that it’s still too early to call a ceiling or quantify the jump, with full project details yet to be announced.
What’s already clear is the market confidence: Ras El Hekma logged the highest y-o-y price growth in Sahel at 75% as of August 2024, followed by El Dabaa and Sidi Heneish at around 68%. Luxury projects in Ras El Hekma outpaced the broader market, with prices climbing 71% compared to 64% for high-end units. That said, Savills cautions that justifying those price levels will depend on striking the right balance between maintaining affordability and delivering a high-quality, integrated experience.
It’s not too late to find a summer rental if you know where to look. As the weather gets warmer around April-May the topic of Sahel begins to edge its way into conversations across the capital. The chatter usually goes something like this: “Are these prices for real?” “Does this make any sense?” “Who would pay that?” “Should we go to Greece instead?”
The Greece option has certainly become popular — and, in some cases, more affordable — in the past couple of years, but Sahel remains the country’s go-to summer vacation destination. The same people who rant about outrageous prices in spring start scrambling to find the perfect summer rental come June.
To the casual observer looking at the never-ending sea of billboards advertising new coastal developments, it may appear that there is no shortage in the supply of homes on the North Coast. Don’t be deceived. When it comes to fully-developed premium locations where the demand for rentals is high, the supply of well-maintained properties is not as abundant as it may seem — and navigating the offerings that are out there can be confusing to say the least.
Want to lock in that ideal property? Here’s the patented EnterpriseAM Guide to help you get started.
#1- Stay away from Airbnb and Booking.com. These platforms are fine for finding hotel rooms in Sahel or homes in destinations like the Red Sea, but we think their listings for homes in Sahel are underwhelming and overpriced. This is largely the case because many homeowners either distrust the clientele that will come their way through these platforms or are unfamiliar with the listing process and the associated fees.
#2- Do your homework. Start randomly searching for “Sahel rentals” and you’ll get lost and may end up in a summer home in the middle of a construction site — or worse. Decide exactly what you’re after and be as specific as possible before you begin any kind of search.
So, what’s out there? If you want to be in the middle of the action or within close proximity to it, then you are looking at an approximately 20 km stretch of coastline from Sidi Abdel Rahman to Ghazala Bay. Within that area there are at 25-30 developments along with their associated retail and entertainment venues.
Once you understand the labyrinth of highways and service roads that connect them, it’s pretty easy to move around. Among the most sought-after areas are Hacienda Bay, Diplo, Marassi, Bianchi, Seashell, Hacienda White, Hacienda Red, Telal, and Ghazala. There are also popular finished developments further west including Caesar, Swan Lake, and Almaza. Their close proximity to the up-and-coming Ras El Hekma and Sidi Heneish areas promises to make them part of the Sahel hub of the future, but for now the “real” action (read: night life) remains in the Sidi Abdel Rahman area.
#3- Start your search early and familiarize yourself with pricing. The savviest renters usually start their search as early as February-March, but it’s still possible to find good rentals well into the summer. Prices can vary greatly even within a single compound depending on variables such as proximity to the beach, décor, landscaping, swimming pools, whether or not the homes come with cabanas — and, frankly, the sheer greed of the property owner.
Demand for the peak two-month (July-August) summer season, which used to be the norm in Sahel, has gradually dipped as prices have skyrocketed, brokers tell us. “Homeowners who would have never considered short-term rentals are now willing to accommodate requests of one week or even less,” said one local broker who now quotes per-night rates.
So how much are we talking about? Rental prices for three- and four-bedroom chalets in the Sidi Abdel Rahman area range between EGP 13-25k per night or EGP 500-800k per month. Rental prices for chalets in Hacienda Bay are on the lower end of the range and currently stand at EGP 13-14k while Hacienda White and Hacienda Red are on the higher end at an average of EGP 20-25k per night. Diplo and Marassi are somewhere in the middle. Larger 4- 6-bedroom villas in some of these compounds will set you back anywhere between EGP 1-3 mn per month with a handful of palatial seaside villas going as high as USD 11k-14k per night.
#4- Browse Facebook. Yes, your mom or grandpa’s favorite social network. It’s home to multiple groups and pages on the subject. What’s up for rent and sale in Sahel is one of the more popular public groups. There are also private Facebook groups for individual compounds. If you know that you specifically want to be in Hacienda Red or Telal for example, you’ll have to ask a friend or acquaintance who is a resident there to either post a message on your behalf on the private group or have them forward you the contacts of people who are posting their places for rent. While this is the less straightforward route than going through a public forum, it will sometimes give you access to nicer properties because many homeowners will only post on private groups to ensure that their potential tenants come through friends and acquaintances within their own residential community.
#5- Reach out to local brokers. The best brokers are locals, and by local we mean members of the coastal Bedouin community. The North Coast Bedouin know the area and its temporary summer residents the best and for the most part they won’t lead you astray. They know the best houses, have well-cultivated relationships with the owners and have firsthand information on the ins and outs of each compound.
#6- Invest time in networking. Bottom line? Word of mouth is king when it comes to Sahel. This is one of those rare areas where your online research skills and AI assistants will not get you very far in the absence of human intervention. Talk to friends, family members, neighbors or work colleagues who know Sahel. They will refer you to homeowners and local brokers (there are plenty of them and they are generally very friendly and easy to deal with if you’re an Arabic speaker) who will help you find your ideal summer rental.
Expert tip: Make sure you get updated photos of the properties that you are interested in and if you are dealing with a broker arrange for a direct call or meeting with the owners. If you can make a quick day trip up to the Coast to assess the properties firsthand before you commit, even better.
Heading up north? It’s about time. With it comes the promise of long, languid days where your biggest worry should be where you’re spending the evening or how much sun is too much sun. But here’s the thing with sun and salt air: Things tend to get a little rusty from season to season. So before you fully ease into summer mode, we’re saving you the trouble of searching far and wide for the right service provider to zhuzh-up your Sahel home.
Time for a little TLC. Whether you’re in the mood to reimagine your living space with a brand-new furniture set, want to add some color — and order — to your front yard, find yourself overthinking those flaky spots in the ceiling, or simply need a helping hand to get rid of a year’s worth of dust, here’s every service provider that should be on your radar.
Something to note: Before contracting third-party service providers, we recommended you first check with your compound’s management to ensure its okay. Some compounds may choose to offer these services in-house exclusively to their residents, meaning third-party contractors would not be an option — or may be hindered by red tape (and QR codes). If you are bringing in an outside contractor for landscaping or external renovation services, be sure to adhere to the compound’s aesthetic regulations, which are often strict.
Most compounds across the North Coast offer landscape maintenance, cleaning services, and residential maintenance services — i.e. plumbing, electrical services, and such — exclusively to their residents. For example, through the official Emaarapp, residents of Marassi can request all sorts of in-house services. Apps from Mountain View Ras El Hekma, Hacienda, and La Vista offer similar services.
MAINTENANCE AND RENOS
Does your house need a deep clean before you open things up for the summer? Whether you’re looking to get that thick layer of dust off, give the living room sofa a proper de-sanding treatment, or fix your screen door, here are the service providers to get you up and running for the summer.
#1- BUSY BEES: Founded in Dubai in 2008, the family-owned business has offered cleaning, maintenance, and pest control services across Egypt since launching here in 2013.
SERVICES: Busy Bees offers four main service packages across Sahel:
Basic Deep Cleaning — which covers a full sweep of living spaces, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas
Deep Cleaning+ adds high-pressure cleaning, further sanitization, inside-out cabinet and wardrobe cleaning
Deep Cleaning++ bundles in furniture washing, appliance cleaning, and more.
The company also provide post-construction cleaning services, pest and rodent control services, and light cleaning visits. You can peruse Busy Bees’ full list of Sahel services on their website.
LOCATIONS: Busy Bees offers its services throughout the North Coast.
PRICES: Pricing varies depending on the nature of the service, the condition of the property, and the size of the space. Expect to pay EGP 30 per sqm and up. Busy Bees will provide detailed quotations by email.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: You can contact Busy Bees through their website or reach out to them via WhatsApp at +20 111 184 8900.
#2- FIXAWY: On-demand maintenance services are available through the Fixawy app. Modelled after your favorite shopping apps, Fixawy allows you to book appointments with all sorts of technical experts in maintenance, repairs, and upkeep — and you can pay easily through the app.
PRICES: Prices for all of Fixawy’s services are available on its app, starting at EGP 75 and averaging at EGP 250 for basic consultations and repairs.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: You can download the Fixawy app from the App Store or the Google Play store, or reach out to them on Whatsapp at 012 22207333.
#3- FILKHEDMA: In need of a deep clean? Filkhedma is an Egyptian app offering cleaning, maintenance, and repair services in Cairo, Alexandria, and the North Coast. The service provider vets its technicians through written technical tests, in-person assessments, and criminal background checks.
SERVICES: Filkhedma’s North Coast services are limited to regular and deep cleaning services — the latter specializing in thoroughly cleaning and organizing summer homes that have been left vacant (and thus, in need of some TLC) — between seasons, ensuring that your vacation house is ready to be called home for the summer.
LOCATIONS: Filkhedma covers Telal, Marina 1 to 7, Sidi Kerir, Ghazalah, and Ras el Hekmah.
PRICES: Prices for all of Filkhedma’s services are available on the app, neatly categorized and subcategorized by service and scope. For example, a regular cleaning for an 80-120 sqm chalet costs EGP 600, with the service cost capping at EGP 3,020 for 801-1000 sqm villas. Filkhedma’s deep cleaning services start at EGP 1730 for 80-120 sqm chalets and caps at EGP 9045 for 801-1000 sqm villas.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: You can download the Filkhedma app from the App Store or the Google Play store, or reach out to them at 19125.
#4- INO: INO bills itself as a one-stop shop for all your Sahel home opening and cleaning needs, from a quick dusting to a full-on deep cleaning and disinfecting.
SERVICES: INO’s North Coast services include opening chalets — basic cleaning, disinfection, pest control, and deep kitchen cleaning — closing them at season’s end as well as daily and deep-cleaning packages, among other services.
LOCATIONS: INO caters to homes and businesses across the North Coast.
PRICES: Prices for most of INO’s services are available on the app. To give you an idea, daily cleaning packages start at EGP 3k for four visits for spaces under 140 sqm and range up to EGP 6k for spaces between 200-300sqm. Prices for opening and closing chalets, deep cleaning, and furniture cleaning depend on the space and the current state of the residence.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: You can download the INO Express app from the App Store or the Google Play store, visit their website or reach out to them at +20 100 219 2962
FURNISHING SERVICES
Are you ready to give your summer home a facelift? Whether your heart is set on a full overhaul or you’re furnishing your new space from scratch, these furniture stores are perfectly suited to give your home some style this summer — offering services ranging from interior design all the way to assembly.
#1- EFRESHLI: An online destination for all things furniture and home accessories-related, Efreshli claims to be “the easiest way to furnish your home.” The furniture and accessories hub boasts an impressive catalogue of curated pieces from hundreds of “Egypt’s favorite brands” under one digital roof — and if shopping yourself proves too much of a hassle, they’ll do it for you.
SERVICES: Efreshli offers A-to-Z design and curation to delivery and assembly services. This includes floor plans, design boards with custom curated furniture and accessories based on your personal needs, as well as 3D renders to visualize your space. Efreshli handles all logistics, from order-placements to delivery and installation.
LOCATIONS: Efreshli offers its services all across the North Coast.
PRICES: Barring furniture cost, Efreshli’s pricing for single room plans ranges from EGP 2.5 k for the mini tier to EGP 12.75 k for the premium tier, with the most popular standard option priced at EGP 6.9 k. For multiple room plans, pricing starts at EGP 2,000 per room for the mini tier, EGP 5.75 k per room for standard, and caps off at EGP 11 k per room for the premium tier.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: To find out more about Efreshli’s offerings and get a more accurate quotation, you can contact them through their website or give them a call at +20 100 074 8719.
#2- ĒLANCĒ: Ēlancē is a design studio and furniture store that sells Italian-designed luxury furniture. Ēlancē touts itself as a premier hub for high-quality minimalist furniture with curated collections and custom design services catering to distinct aesthetics.
SERVICES: Ēlancē offers full turnkey services from interior design — including consultations, site visits, mood boards, 2D and 3D designs — all the way to furniture selection, production, delivery, and finally, assembly. If you don’t find yourself in need of the whole package, you can tackle furniture selection yourself from the official website or at Ēlancē’s showroom in Mivida, and opt for the White Glove Delivery with Assembly option, in which the design and furniture hub goes “the extra mile to ensure your utmost satisfaction.”
LOCATIONS: Ēlancē offers its services all across the North Coast.
PRICES: Ēlancē’s furniture catalogue is available to view through their website. Pricing quotations for turnkey projects is determined based on the selected designs, quantities, dimensions, and materials.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: You can reach out to Ēlancē by filling out this contact form on their official website or by calling them at +20 122 341 2271.
#3-ARIIKA: Ariika is a digital-led home furnishings company that was founded in 2016 by two young entrepreneurs who started producing home accessories that appealed to younger customers and could be easily sold online. Their first claim to fame came from their colorful bean bags and beach towels which became an instant hit in Sahel where they first launched. Today the bean bags have evolved into a full-blown home furnishings business that sells outdoor furniture, linens, sofas, chairs, tables, bedding, accessories and much more.
SERVICES: Ariika’s light, modern and breezy aesthetic makes their products perfect for summer homes. Their use of earth tones and nature inspired colored pallets and materials allows you to easily mix and match furniture, linens and accessories. Ariika’s locally-produced percale and sateen sheets are competitive with much higher-priced imported linens in the market and their website is very user-friendly. Make sure to browse Ariika’s summer collection of classic beach chairs, beach towels, and floatables.
LOCATIONS: Ariika opened a new flagship store in Sahel last year at KM 136, Amwaj Gate 1 in Sidi Abdel Rahman. They also have their original boutique in Diplo 3, Diplomatic compound, El Alamein, and they deliver all across the North Coast.
PRICES: Ariika’s prices are relatively reasonable for the quality that you get. More or less comparable to IKEA prices for items that are often better quality and more stylish, particularly the linens.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: Contact information for each of Ariika’s stores in Sahel, Arkan Mall and Downtown Katameya Mall can be found on their website here.
#4- ALAMEIN- If there is one furniture brand that is synonymous with Sahel, it’s Alamein. The name itself invokes images of white sandy beaches and summer sunsets. Founded in 1987 as a family business, Alamein is now a market leader in the outdoor furniture space. While flashier outdoor furniture brands have recently made their market debut, what’s great about Alamein is its quality, consistency and timeless elegance. The company’s classic wood and canvas foldable beach chairs and beach umbrellas are iconic Sahel staples. Check out their origin story here.
SERVICES: Alamein’s products include outdoor and patio furniture, game tables, beach umbrellas and playground equipment. The company also offers tailored design solutions for outdoor spaces whether it’s a home, a business or a real estate development project.
LOCATIONS: You can shop the website or find Alamein at their summer location in Diplo 3 Sidi Abdel Rahman or their permanent Zamalek branch at 15 Ahmed Hishmat St.
PRICES: Best selling summer beach chairs including the korsi shanta and the simple beach chair sell for under EGP 4,000 while a 3-seater outdoor sofa goes for EGP 38,600 and beach umbrellas start at EGP10,000.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: You can contact Alamein at +20 105 004 2097 or through their Instagram account.
LANDSCAPING SERVICES
Craving your own slice of green heaven? When it comes to day to day gardening and maintenance, your residential compound most likely has a team of gardeners to tend to your green spaces. However, if that yard of yours has been looking a tad too basic lately, and you find yourself craving some novelty…and excess, here are the landscaping experts to keep on your radar.
#1- ARCHIPARK: Headquartered in Maadi, Cairo, Archipark is a landscape company handling design and construction of various landscape styles. Their green thumbs brought many Cairene hotspots’ outdoor spaces to life, including Arkan Plaza. Aside from doing business with the big boys, Archipark takes on residential projects.
SERVICES: Archipark’s services include softscape, hardscape, water fixtures, green walls, irrigation, and lighting — and they see the project from design to implementation.
LOCATIONS: Archipark takes on projects all across the North Coast.
PRICES: Archipark’s pricing is determined following consultation and design conceptualization.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: You can contact Archipark through their Instagram account, email them at info@archipark-egypt.com, or call them at +20 114 677 7200.
#2- ASQUARED: Landscape and pool experts since 2014, ASquared promises to bring your landscape dreams to life from scratch — a promise they can back up with a track record of gorgeous landscaping projects proudly displayed on their website.
SERVICES: ASquared offers landscape design and construction services, — including hardscape, softscape, wooden works, special structures, irrigation systems, and more — pool construction, and outdoor furnishing. ASquared handles everything from design to execution, and all you have to do is dare to dream. ASquared, however, does not offer these services individually, and thus may prove an ideal option only for full scale projects.
LOCATIONS: ASquared takes on projects all across the North Coast.
PRICES: Given that ASquared offers full landscaping packages, prices depend on the scale and scope of the project, and differ from one project to another.
HOW TO CONTACT THEM: You can contact ASquared through the contact form on their website, or reach out to them at +20 111 000 6655
Freshen up your linen shirts and pack up your shades, because Egyptian megastar Amr Diab will be kicking off Sahel season at Sol Beach Marassi on Friday, 4 July. Joining the Hadaba will be German electronic dance music producer and singer Monolink, and Copenhagen-based experimental pop trio WhoMadeWho. You can grab your tickets from Ticketsmarché. Just don’t forget your sunblock.
They’re not humans, they’re not machines, they’re simply…alive. Hailing from Northern Italy and landing in Sahel’s Kyma Beach Southmed, transcendental DJ duo Mathame will be giving North Coast dwellers a taste of their cinematic techno finesse on Friday, 4 July. Ticket details are yet to be announced, but we’d suggest keeping an eye out for them on Kyma’s website.
Did that trip to Ibiza not make it out of the group chat? Well, you’re in luck. ParadiseIbiza — one of the Mediterranean island’s most celebrated party series — is marching to the beat of its own EDM drum all the way to the North Coast’s Solare in Ras El Hekma on Friday, 11 July. The line up includes Welsh DJ Jamie Jones (the brains behind Paradise), US DJ Seth Troxler, UK’s East End Dubs, Danish-Filipino Manda Moor, and Egypt’s own Awadly. Tickets are yet to be announced, however we’d suggest keeping an eye out on Paradise Ibiza’s website.
On Friday, 18 July, Ras El Hekma’s ESCĀ Beach Club will be the place to be up North. Crossing the Mediterranean, Milan-hailing DJ Stephan Jolk will be bringing the groove to Sahel. Joining him will be French DJ Adrien Apache, Egyptian DJs Ziad Moussa, and ThatGirlSherryK. You can reserve your spot by contacting ESCA through their Instagram account.
Cardio by the shore? Sign us up. On Friday, 18 July, Ramla by Marakez will host Egypt’s adrenaline-packed spinning marathon Party on Wheels. The event, which is making its long-awaited Sahel debut after years of spinning in El Gouna, will hit Sahel’s shores for a five-hour ride at The “fitness fiesta” So if you couldn’t quite get that beach body ready by summer, all is not lost — and with Party on Wheels comes with a side of DJ beats… and much more. To sign up, reach out to info@beachmonkeyz.com
This summer, New Alamein city will be playing host to two landmark art events. Announced by the Egyptian Prime Ministry, the second edition of contemporary exhibitionArt Space will kick off on Saturday, 19 July and wrap up Tuesday, 30 September, as Sahel season comes to a close. Throughout its duration, the exhibition will feature a slew of visual art installations, interactive workshops, and multidisciplinary exhibitions, including the Egypt Sculpture Symposium, which takes place from Wednesday, 6 August till Saturday, 30 August, hosting 30 of the world’s most renowned sculptors.
AUGUST
The Martinez Brothers will be giving the North Coast’s Sol Beach a taste of what New York City’s nightlife scene has to offer on Friday, 1 August. The DJ duo — and brothers from the same mother — will be joined by Lebanese DJ and producer Rolbac, so you know things will be heating up quite fast. You can grab your tickets from Ticketsmarché.
Dream a little dream at Ras El Hekma’s ESCĀ Beach Club on Friday, 8 August, as Brooklyn-hailing party series All Day I Dream lands in Sahel. If there’s anything these folks know how to do, it’s how to party in broad daylight by the beach. British DJ Lee Burridge, German EDM artist Nils Hoffman, Belgian DJ Lost Desert, and Russian producer Amonita will be whipping up their signature beats — so you best believe it’s going to be a wild day. You can reserve your spot by contacting ESCA through their Instagram account.
Get caffeinated and grab your polaroid camera, because on Friday 8 August, &ME — one fifth of Keinemusik — will be bringing the beats all through the night until sunrise at North Coast’s Sol Beach. Promising to have you dancing till the sun’s up, the German EDM DJ and producer will be going solo this time around. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketsmarché.
ESCĀ Beach Club is about to serve up a slice of European summers on Friday, 22 August in Ras El Hekma. Italian DJ duo Fideles will be doubling down on energy — electrifying all those in attendance with their signature techno beats. Joining them is Berlin-based Russian DJ Yulia Niko — and in case that wasn’t enough, Egyptian DJs Ashmawy and Mohasseb will be playing back to back. You can reserve your spot by contacting ESCA through their Instagram account.
Ready for a Bedouin night in Sahel? Well, it’s not exactly what you think it is — it’s even better. On Friday, 22 August, Brooklyn-hailing self-proclaimed nomadic DJ duos Bedouin will be bringing the sonic sandstorm to North Coast’s D-Bay. Think deep house with Middle Eastern influences…and a lot more. Tickets are available on Ticket Egypt.
Solomun is ending the Sahel season with one heck of a bang. On Friday, 29 August, the Bosnian-German DJ will be headlining the season’s closing party at D-Bay. A global deep house and techno icon, Solomun is going to make sure Sahel 2025 will be a tough act to follow. You can get your tickets from Ticket Egypt.
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