90. Lehnert & Landrock
Experience:
Lehnert & Landrock is a real holdover, the oldest bookstore in Africa established by foreigners, dating back to the early 20th century. It began as a photo studio, and while there is a selection of English-language books, the true glory of the shop is the selection of reproductions of the old photos of Egypt -- prints and postcards among them -- that were taken by Lehnert decades before. While the store began as a photography studio, it was turned into a bookstore in the 1950s. Unfortunately, on our visit, the main branch in central Cairo (36 AbdAlkhalik Tharwst Street, up one flight on the first floor) was not open; we visited an offshoot on the island of Zamalek (3 Taha Hussein St. Yamama Mall, up one flight on the first floor), so we didn't get the chance to wander among the displays of old photos that are the pride and joy of the central Cairo shop. Nonetheless, even the Zamalek shop was well-worth the visit. (Interior photos are not permitted, so the best I could do, to give an idea of the interior, was a picture taken through the front window)
Lehnert And Landrock Bookshop - Instagram