Hamida is a beautiful and ambitious young woman living in Midaq Alley with her foster mother. She possesses a fierce inner strength and actively rejects the traditional, impoverished life expected of her. She yearns for modern luxury and actively seeks a way out of her current social standing, viewing marriage as her primary avenue for advancement.

Abbas is a gentle, good-natured barber who finds comfort in the slow-paced life of Midaq Alley. He avoids conflict, practices his religion diligently, and enjoys simple pleasures like card games. His deep affection for Hamida challenges his complacency, pushing him to consider leaving his comfortable life to earn the wealth she requires.

Mr. Kirsha is the authoritative owner of the local café, a central gathering place in Midaq Alley. He is a former nationalist whose political passion has faded into cynicism. He maintains a public image of traditional masculinity and authority while secretly pursuing young men and using hashish, creating tension within his household.

Salim Alwan is a wealthy, middle-aged merchant whose business operates within the alley. He enjoys the privileges of his class, including a daily aphrodisiac of green wheat and pigeon meat, but feels alienated from his educated sons. His financial success fuels his desire for upward social mobility and younger romantic conquests.

Radwan Hussainy is the highly respected spiritual guide of Midaq Alley. Despite facing immense personal tragedies, including the loss of his children and a failure to complete his university education, he maintains a serene and forgiving demeanor. He acts as a mediator and counselor for the alley's residents.

Umm Hamida is a professional matchmaker who understands the complex social and power dynamics of the alley. She connects residents across different social classes, earning social capital and occasional financial rewards. She serves as a vital bridge between the isolated alley and the broader societal expectations of marriage and status.

Hussain is the pragmatic and materialistic son of the local cafe owner. He works for the occupying British Army, earning a high income supplemented by illicit trading. He despises the poverty and customs of Midaq Alley, constantly urging his peers to abandon their old ways for modern conveniences.

Mrs. Kirsha is the determined and vocal wife of the cafe owner. She fiercely protects her family's reputation and refuses to quietly accept her husband's infidelities. She frequently takes her marital grievances public, seeking to shame her husband into correcting his behavior.

Uncle Kamil is a large, gentle man who owns the local candy store. He spends much of his time sleeping outside his shop, relying on his friends to wake him when it is time to close. He represents the slow, unchanged rhythm of traditional life in the alley.

Saniya Afify is a wealthy widow and property owner who wishes to remarry. Conscious of her age, she hopes to use her financial stability to secure a younger husband. She is willing to trade rent exemptions for matchmaking services, showcasing how she leverages her wealth.

Zaita is a grim, foul-smelling man who runs a dark enterprise: he deliberately maims people so they can earn more money as beggars. He holds deep contempt for most of the alley's residents and finds sadistic pleasure in his work, capitalizing on the desperation of the city's poorest inhabitants.

Dr. Booshy is a fraudulent dentist operating on a budget within the alley. He provides substandard dental work to residents who cannot afford proper medical care, often acquiring his materials through highly unethical means alongside his associate Zaita.

Sheikh Darwish is a mystic and former English teacher who frequents Kirsha's cafe. Following a mental breakdown caused by losing his teaching position, he abandoned his family and now spends his days offering philosophical commentary to cafe patrons, often spelling out English words to emphasize his points.

Husniya is a strong-willed baker who economically supports her household. She frequently asserts physical and verbal dominance over her husband, demonstrating a reversal of traditional gender dynamics due to her financial independence.

Jaada is a baker who operates alongside his wife, Husniya. He takes a submissive role in their marriage, frequently enduring her physical and verbal abuse while helping to maintain their local business.

Ibrahim Faraj is a charming, well-dressed man who frequents Midaq Alley. Wearing European suits, he represents the alluring and wealthy modern world outside the traditional community. He quickly takes an interest in Hamida, promising her a life of luxury.

Ahmad Effendi Talbat is a 30-year-old civil employee working in the police department. Despite not being wealthy himself, his steady government job makes him a highly desirable, respectable match for the older women of the alley looking to elevate their status.

Ibrahim Farhat is an independent political candidate with ties to the nationalist movement. He campaigns in Midaq Alley seeking local support, symbolizing the broader Egyptian desire for political independence and the disruption of traditional daily life.