Fish Garden (Hadiqat Al Asmak), Zamalek
Nature
A small nineteenth-century garden in Zamalek built around an artificial grotto with aquarium tanks set into its tunnels.
- Arabic name
- حديقة الأسماك
- Type
- Park and garden
- Governorate
- Cairo
- Area
- approx. 0.04
- Protected since
- Created in the 1870s
- Nearest city guide
- Cairo
The Fish Garden is an unusual historic garden in Zamalek, on Gezira Island. It was created in the reign of Khedive Ismail in the 1870s as part of the grounds of his Gezira Palace, and it is one of Cairo’s oldest public gardens.
What to see
The centrepiece is an artificial hill built of rock and mortar, honeycombed with winding passages. Small aquarium tanks set into the walls display freshwater and tropical fish, and children enjoy exploring the dim tunnels and climbing to the top of the grotto. Around it are lawns, banyan and other mature trees, and shaded benches.
What to do
- Explore the grotto tunnels and aquarium tanks.
- Sit for a while in one of Cairo’s quietest green spaces.
- Combine the visit with a walk around Zamalek’s cafes, galleries and the Cairo Tower.
Getting there and best time
The garden is in Zamalek, about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from Tahrir Square. Weekday mornings are quietest. Any season works, though spring and autumn are most comfortable.
Entry fee: a very small fee in Egyptian pounds, with a separate charge for the aquarium grotto (last checked October 2026).
Last checked October 2026. Entry fees and access rules change; check with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency or a local operator before you go. Sources: en.wikipedia.org.
Frequently asked questions
What is special about the Fish Garden?
Its centrepiece is a man-made rock grotto from the 1870s, honeycombed with dim tunnels whose walls hold small aquarium tanks of freshwater and tropical fish. It was laid out for Khedive Ismail's Gezira Palace and is one of Cairo's oldest public gardens.
Is the Fish Garden good for children?
Yes. Children enjoy exploring the tunnels, spotting fish in the tanks and climbing to the top of the grotto, and there are lawns and shaded benches for a rest.
How do I get there and when is it quietest?
It is in Zamalek, about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from Tahrir Square. Weekday mornings are the quietest time, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, a very small fee in Egyptian pounds, with a separate ticket for the aquarium grotto. Both are paid at the gate.
What else can I do nearby?
Combine the visit with a walk through Zamalek's cafés and galleries, or go up the Cairo Tower for views over the city.
