What's the weather like in Cairo?
The weather is best in June, with the sunshine lasting 14 hours per day. During the summer months the weather becomes very hot, making sightseeing uncomfortable. The best time to visit the city is spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) when the weather is warm and the tourist sites are not too crowded. Bring layers for winter, in case the temperature drops. In the summer months, wear loose, light colored clothing to allow you to cope with the heat.
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How to get around in Cairo
Public Transport
The Cairo Metro (subway) has three lines which cover most areas of the city. Tickets are purchased at the station, and most will run you around USD $0.15 per journey. The middle two carriages on every train are marked with a blue sign - this signifies them as "women-only" carriages.
Public Transport
Cairo has an extensive bus network, and tickets are purchased directly on the bus for between EGP 1.50 - 2.50 ($0.08 - $0.15 USD). Beware that using buses can be confusing, since nearly all of the instructional signs are written in Arabic. (Unless you speak Arabic, of course.)
Ride Share
Uber and Lyft both operate in Cairo, and can be a great alternative to taxis (if you're worried about being over-charged) and buses (if you can't read the signs and are worried about getting on the wrong bus.)
Other
Cycling in Cairo is not for the faint of heart – the city’s traffic is notoriously aggressive. However, there are dedicated cycling clubs in the city that are attempting to make Cairo more bike-friendly, and can organize bike hire.
Walking
Cairo is a busy city that stretches over a large area with less-than-stellar air quality; as such, it’s not the most walker-friendly place. However, it can be pleasant to walk around some areas such as Zamalek or Coptic Cairo.
Where should I eat in Cairo?
Breakfast restaurants in Cairo
Brunch restaurants in Cairo
Lunch restaurants in Cairo
Dinner restaurants in Cairo
Things to do in Cairo
The Pyramids of Giza Website
Egyptian Museum of Antiquities Website
Khan El Khalili Website
Al Azhar Mosque Website
The Coptic Museum Website
Cairo festivals and parades
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AprCairo BitesCairo Bites is Egypt’s biggest food festival, and attracts tens of thousands of hungry guests to its site in New Cairo. Local, regional and international cuisine all has a place here, reflecting Egyptians’ eclectic tastes. This is the place to learn about traditional Egyptian cooking and to sample produce from all over the country.
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JunCairo Jazz FestivalThe Cairo Jazz Festival has gone from strength to strength since it was established in 2009, and attracts a wide range of regional and international talent. The Cairo Jazz Festival really showcases Egypt’s homegrown talent, and provides an exciting spectacle with a great line up.
What's the nightlife like in Cairo?

Photo © Shahrazad
Shahrazad
(website)
(website)
This atmospheric downtown club is a great place to go dancing. It’s decked out in traditional oriental style, but there’s nothing traditional about the drinks menu, or the clientele.
Don't miss:
The beautiful interiors and the hip music.
Tip:

Photo © The Golden Pharaoh Boat
The Golden Pharaoh Boat
(website)
(website)
Cruise down the Nile in style, from Zamalek to Giza, as you sample fine food, drinks and entertainment put on by the best of Cairo’s dancers. This nighttime cruise is a romantic and unusual way to spend an evening.
Don't miss:
There are usually excellent displays of dancing, including dervishes, and the view of Cairo from the river at night is wonderful.
Tip:

Photo © Zigzag
Zigzag
(website)
(website)
If you’re looking for great music and a trendy crowd, look no further than Zigzag, a new addition to the Cairo nightlife scene. There’s a range of music, with local bands during the week, and DJ sets on Thursday and Friday nights.
Don't miss:
This is a great place to hear the newest Egyptian music, and the crowd is edgy and cool.
Tip:
Cairo hidden gems
Birgash Camel Market
For a real taste of Egyptian culture and history, head just outside the city to the Birqash Camel Market. Here you’ll find hundred of camels up for sale – the atmosphere is rough and ready, but it’s a unique sight you’ll rarely find elsewhere. The sight of hundreds of camels lined up and the vibrancy of the market make this a great location for taking pictures – a photographer’s heaven.
The City of the Dead
This 7th century necropolis is a remarkable site; an ancient Islamic cemetery in which, until recently, the dead lived alongside the living. There are shrines to many famous people in Islamic history. Don’t miss the shrines of the early conquerors of Egypt, and the hundreds of wonderful mausoleums.
Kunst Cafe
Kunst Café is cool, cultured and oh-so hip. This trendy hotspot in downtown Cairo serves as a café, art gallery and music venue. Come with your laptop or notebook and soak up the atmosphere. The coffee is excellent, the bookshelf is inviting, and the ambience is very laid back.