The capital of Egypt, Cairo is an absolutely amazing place to explore. Every turn in the road leads you to exciting historical buildings, bustling bazaars and the sumptuous smells of local cooking. With the Nile running through it and the awe-inspiring sight of the pyramids standing vigil just outside, I think Cairo is the ultimate city in which to experience quintessential Egypt.
Below, you’ll find a without rx brief introduction to Cairo that will give you a basic grounding in what to see and eat when you’re on the holiday of a lifetime in Egypt.
Weather
I’ll begin by looking at the weather, since this is usually a fairly integral part of holiday planning, no matter whether you’re travelling purely to soak up the local culture, have an active adventure or lounge around in the sun. The good news is that the weather in Cairo tends to be fairly moderate and, thankfully, low in humidity all year round.
In the height of summer the temperature can reach the mid-30s, while winter tends to be much cooler – though still warm. I’d recommend visiting around January, which has some of the best weather, with temperatures usually between 15 and 21 degrees C, meaning you escape the strong heat of summer.
What to see
Cairo is packed full of wonders, so I won’t even attempt to list them all! I think it’s logical to start with the most obvious attraction – and the one you can count on every visitor wanting to see – which is the Giza Plateau.
Sitting on the edge of modern Cairo, the plateau is where you can see the awe-inspiring Great Sphinx of Giza. This is the world’s oldest known monumental sculpture and the largest monolithic statue – so, you can bank on it being one of the most breathtaking sights you’ll see while you’re here. For me, the true wonder of the site lies in the fact that it’s so shrouded in mystery. Experts still have no answer to questions such as who built it or why, which means you can gaze at it and ponder for yourself.
This is also where you will find the Great Pyramids of Giza, which are, of course, the most famous sight in Egypt. To make your trip even more memorable, take a camel ride around them as you marvel at their sheer size and remarkable symmetry.
But the pyramids and Sphinx are by no means the only wonders of Cairo. Back in the centre of the city, you shouldn’t miss out on visiting places like the Beshtak Palace, which was built back in the 14th century. As well as being home to some impressive stained glass windows, it also houses a fascinating museum on Cairo’s history.
One of my favourite places, though, is Khan el-Khalili, a bazaar that spans a labyrinth of streets selling all kinds of weird and wonderful things. Personally, I don’t think it matters whether you buy anything here or not – for me, it’s all about soaking up the hustle, bustle and smells of the market, which take you back in time to an old Arab souk.
What to eat
Tasting some of the local food is an absolutely essential part of travel – or I think so anyway! So, make sure you try as many Egyptian specialities as possible.
One dish to put on your list is koshary, which is a mix of lentils, pasta, onions and tomato sauce. Stuffed pigeon is another, while if you have a sweet tooth you should definitely keep an eye out for umm ali – a dessert made with milk, bread, sugar and nuts.
You can try all these dishes (and many more) at Abu el-Sid, which is one of Cairo’s top restaurants. As well as great food, it’s got a really down to earth, relaxed atmosphere that makes a trip here all the more enjoyable.
