Talaat Harb Square is a circular junction in Cairo's Khedival downtown, at the far end of Talaat Harb Street from Tahrir Square. A statue of Talaat Harb, founder of Banque Misr, stands in the center. Around it are French neoclassical buildings with ornate balconies, old cinemas, cafés, bookstores and banks, and the streets that lead off the square are lined with shops. Traffic and pedestrians fill it through the day, and it stays lively after dark. Come for the architecture, the shopping streets and a view of downtown life from a café window.
From Soliman Pasha to Talaat Harb
The square dates from the Khedival era, when it was named Soliman Pasha Square. It was later renamed after Talaat Harb Pasha, a key figure in Egypt's economy in the early 20th century and the founder of Banque Misr, the country's first Egyptian bank.
A statue of Talaat Harb stands in the center of the roundabout and is the square's main landmark. The square sits at the opposite end of Talaat Harb Street from Tahrir Square, so a walk along the street links the two.
Old cinemas, cafés, bookstores, banks and political landmarks surround the square. It is still a social and cultural meeting point for downtown Cairo.
The buildings around the roundabout
The architecture is the main reason to stop. The buildings are French neoclassical, with ornate balconies, and the wide streets and classic lines remind many visitors of Paris.
The Cairo Greek Club occupies one of the corners. Several neoclassical buildings in the area are currently being restored, which means some facades are partly covered while work continues.
The square is circular, so pedestrians, shop entrances and vehicles all meet around the same ring. It is worth standing at the edge for a few minutes to see how the space works.
Shopping on the surrounding streets
The streets leading away from the square are organized by trade. One street is known for shoes and another for suits. The stock mixes Western styles with Egyptian fashion.
Prices on clothing are often low by European standards, and quality can be good. Compare a few shops before you buy, since several streets sell similar goods.
A café above the roundabout
At the roundabout, a plain sign reading "Coffee" marks a door and a staircase. Upstairs, on the first floor, is a café with a view over the square. The balcony seats are the most sought after and are often taken, but the tables just inside also look out over the roundabout.
The chocolate cake here is large enough to share. It is a good way to take a break from the traffic and watch the square from above.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Talaat Harb Square?
It is in downtown Cairo, in the Qasr El Nil district, at the end of Talaat Harb Street opposite Tahrir Square.
Who is the square named after?
It is named after Talaat Harb Pasha, an important figure in Egypt's early 20th-century economy and the founder of Banque Misr. Its original name was Soliman Pasha Square.
When is the best time to visit?
Evening is a good choice, when the square and nearby streets are at their liveliest. The square is open 24 hours.
What is there to see around the square?
You can see French neoclassical buildings with ornate balconies, the statue of Talaat Harb, the Cairo Greek Club, and old cinemas, cafés, bookstores and banks.
Can you shop nearby?
Yes. The surrounding streets are grouped by trade, with separate streets for shoes and suits, and the shops sell both Western styles and Egyptian fashion.
