Cairo holidays

GMT +2 hours

Arabic

Egyptian pound

Pickpockets operate around tourist areas, so never carry money in your back pocket and leave valuables and jewellery in the hotel safe.

The Pyramids
Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramids are possibly Egypt’s most visited monuments.

The Sphinx
Fifty meters long and 22m high, mystery surrounds the meaning of this feline character with a lion’s body and a human head. It lies just in front of the Pyramids and is the centre of attention at the evening Sound & Light Show.

Memphis
South of Cairo is this former Pharaonic capital. There’s not much left of this city, but there’s a good museum with an impressive statue of Ramses II.

Sakkara
A few kilometres away, here you’ll find pyramids, temples and tombs. The star attraction is the Step Pyramid.

The Egyptian Museum
In the centre of Cairo in Tahrir Square, here you’ll relics from Egypt’s past dating back over 5000 years. The star attraction, worth leaving until last, is the treasures that were found in Tutankhamun’s tomb in Luxor.

•   You’ll need a full valid EU passport, and the expiry date should be at least 6 months after your arrival back in the UK.
•   Brits also need a visa to enter Egypt, which you can get before you leave from: The Consulate General of The Arab Republic of Egypt (2 Lowndes Street, London SW1X 9ET; 020 7493 5285).

Metro
Cairo has a surprisingly modern, clean and efficient 33-station metro.

Bus
The Greater Cairo General Transport Authority operates a large bus and minibus network in and around the city, but there never seem to be enough buses and they’re very overcrowded.

Tram
The majority of Cairo’s trams have been phased out, but three lines still remain. The trams are as cheap and as crowded as buses, but quite an experience.

Taxi
Catching a taxi is the easiest way to get around Cairo, but be prepared to fight over the fare and remember to agree the price before you get in.

Train
Over-night train is a popular way to travel between Cairo and Luxor. Every day a train with Wagon-Lit sleepers runs between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. Tickets must be reserved a couple of days in advance, and the train leaves at 8pm and arrives in Luxor at 6am.

July-August
Cairo International Fashion Show
Head to the International Conference Centre and peruse the creations of fashion designers, manufacturers, and fashion houses.

August
Arab Music Festival
Discover Arabic music as you watch instrumentalists, singers and ensembles perform.

November-December
Cairo International Film Festival
Celebrate world cinema in the ‘Hollywood of the Middle East’, with films, seminars and competitions.

•   The main bazaar area in Cairo is called Khan el Khalili, where you can bargain for items such as copperware, mother of pearl, wood, jewellery, perfumes and spices.
•   For more European shopping there is the Talat Harb Square, where you’ll find boutiques selling shoes and handbags. Great quality Egyptian cloth is also sold here. Prices are fixed, so no bartering.

4½ hours

Beach, Eat & Drink, Shopping, Night life, Culture, History & Tradition, Events & Festivals

Food
•   Mezzeh are traditional Egyptian starters, eaten with pitta-style bread and very filling.
•  Lamb is most popular served as kebab in marinated pieces.
•  Shwarma is the Egyptian equivalent of the Turkish doner kebab.
•  Dates soaked in milk are an Egyptian favourite.
•  Honey laced pastries and baked rice in milk with almonds is a national delicacy called Om-Ali.

Drink
•  Stick to bottled water and avoid salads.
•  Make sure you drink lots of water, as it’s easy to get dehydrated, especially in the summer.

Dialling code
+20 2

Religion
Islam

Summer, Winter

• No vaccinations are compulsory but it’s recommended you have them for hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus, polio and malaria. • For more detailed information, contact your GP or a specialist vaccination centre.

•   Egypt is predominately a Muslim country, so make sure you’re properly dressed when out and about. Revealing outfits are a no-no, especially for women.
•   Pack lightweight cotton clothes in the summer and a jumper or jacket for cooler winter evenings.
•   Cover up when Egypt sightseeing or walking the streets – women shouldn’t go out scantily dressed.

Kuoni offers pre-bookable excursions to the pyramids and the museum. For those who want to explore further, there’s an array of temples and churches around Cairo.

Tipping or ‘baksheesh’ is a way of life in Egypt. It’s customary to tip about LE£1 for every little service, so keep a pocketful of small change!