Cairo

The best time is March to April and October to November, when highs stay around 25-31°C with no rain. Summer, from June to August, is the hottest stretch, with daily highs above 37°C. Winter is mild but brings the most rain days, though only 1-2 per month. Humidity is moderate all year, making the cooler months most pleasant.

Stay in Zamalek for a leafy, upscale island vibe, ideal for first-timers; the Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah is right there. Downtown Cairo puts you near the Nile and the Egyptian Museum, with hotels like the InterContinental Cairo Semiramis and Kempinski Nile Hotel. Nasr City is a modern, residential area with family-friendly malls and the Holiday Inn Citystars. Heliopolis offers a calm, historic district with the Radisson Blu Hotel, great for a relaxed stay.

Khan el-Khalili for its historic bazaar atmosphere, the Egyptian Museum for its unmatched antiquities, and Al-Azhar Park for sweeping city views. The Saladin Citadel offers fortified history and mosque panoramas, while Cairo Tower provides a 360-degree city overlook. Al-Azhar Mosque stands as a living piece of Islamic heritage.

Alexandria offers the Mediterranean charm with its coastal Corniche and Bibliotheca Alexandrina. El Fayoum takes you to the desert oasis of Wadi El Rayan's waterfalls and the ancient whale fossils at Whales Valley. Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis bring you to the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and Egypt's early capital, all in one tour. Islamic and Coptic Cairo covers the city's religious and historical landmarks within Cairo itself.

Plan 4 to 5 days in Cairo. Spend the first two days on the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, and Memphis, then the Egyptian Museum and Khan el-Khalili. Add a third day for the Saladin Citadel, Al-Azhar Park, and Al-Azhar Mosque, and a fourth for Cairo Tower or the Hanging Church. If you take a day trip to Alexandria or El Fayoum, add an extra day, bringing the total to 5 or 6.