Cairo is Egypt's sprawling, electric capital — a city of more than twenty million where the call to prayer drifts over medieval minarets, the Nile slides through the centre, and the Pyramids rise from the desert on the very edge of town. Loud, chaotic and utterly captivating, the "Mother of the World" rewards anyone willing to dive into its history, its hospitality and its non-stop energy.
Cairo has a hot desert climate: warm, sunny winters and long, very hot summers with almost no rain. It is home to a large, long-standing international community, with English widely spoken in business, universities and the city's many international schools. Arabic is the language of daily life, Egyptians are famously warm and welcoming, and a very low cost of living means your money stretches a long way in one of the most historic cities on Earth.
Location Info
- Large, established expat community and a very low cost of living
- Famously warm, hospitable locals and a deep, living history
- Cheap taxis, ride-hailing and an expanding metro make getting around affordable
Top Experiences
The Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx
The last surviving wonder of the ancient world, right on the city's edge. Stand beneath the Great Pyramid, meet the Sphinx and ride a camel across the sands at sunset.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
The world's largest museum devoted to a single civilisation, home to Tutankhamun's complete treasures and tens of thousands of artefacts beside the Giza Plateau.
Islamic Cairo & Khan el-Khalili
Wander the medieval heart of the city, a warren of mosques, madrasas and minarets, then haggle for spices, lanterns and souvenirs in the centuries-old Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
A Felucca on the Nile
Glide across the river on a traditional white-sailed felucca at sunset — the timeless way to watch the city slow down and the skyline glow.
Coptic Cairo & the Citadel
Explore the ancient churches of Coptic Cairo, then climb to Saladin's Citadel and the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali for panoramic views across the rooftops.
Café Culture & Street Food
Sip mint tea and smoke shisha in a buzzing ahwa (coffee house), then feast on koshari, ful and ta'ameya — Egypt's hearty, delicious and famously cheap street food.
Getting Around
Cairo's traffic is legendary, but getting around is cheap and improving fast. Ride-hailing apps (Uber and Careem) are the easiest, safest option and astonishingly affordable, while the metro — clean, air-conditioned and expanding — is the quickest way to cross the city and beat the jams. Black-and-white street taxis still roam everywhere (agree a fare first), and a new monorail and light rail are extending the network outwards.
When to Go
October to April is the best time, with warm, sunny days perfect for sightseeing and pleasant, cooler evenings. Summers (June to September) are intensely hot, often topping 38°C, so plan outdoor sights for early morning. The occasional spring khamsin wind can carry desert dust, but blue skies are the year-round norm.
Good to Know
- The Egyptian pound (EGP) is the currency, and Cairo is one of the most affordable big cities anywhere.
- Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken in business and international schools.
- Egypt is a Muslim-majority country; dress modestly, especially at mosques and religious sites.
- Friday and Saturday are the weekend, and the city runs on GMT+2.
- Carry small cash for tips ("baksheesh"), taxis and the markets.
- Cairenes are famously hospitable — a little Arabic and a smile open many doors.
