Cairo city breaks are a little different to the norm. After all, where else would you find pyramids and the River Nile?

Cairo city breaks

Nothing can prepare you for Cairo. Egypt’s capital is a fast-paced mix of archaic and modern, charming and thrilling, which bottles up the past and present and shakes them up into a cocktail of sights, sounds and experiences. Not to mention, a sightseeing list that’s longer than a camel’s neck.

Pyramids and sphinxes

As world-famous sights go, they don’t get much more iconic than the Pyramids of Giza. Built more than 4,000 years ago, this collection of enormous structures on the outskirts of Cairo is the last remaining wonder of the ancient world. And keeping an eye over the whole thing is a huge stone Sphinx – a mythical half-lion, half-human creature.

The mystical Nile

Speaking of world-famous, one of the two longest rivers on the planet runs right through the city – the River Nile. As you’d expect, there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of having such an iconic waterway on the doorstep. You can glide along on a dinner cruise while casting an eye over the riverbank, or enjoy a ride on a felucca – a traditional Egyptian sailboat.

Museums and mummies

Cairo’s home to dozens of museums, where you can learn more about everything from Egyptian textiles to the long-abolished monarchy. If you don’t have time to see them all though, the Egyptian Museum is a great place to start. It’s Africa’s largest museum, with more than 100,000 artefacts on display, including Tutankhamen’s gold burial mask.

At a Glance

  • See the ancient pyramids
  • Sail along the River Nile
  • Barter for bargains at ancient souks
  • Prep for your trip with our Holiday Extras

Best time to go to Cairo

Cairo’s a year-round destination for sun seekers, with the mercury rarely dropping below the mid-teens. June, July and August are the hottest months, when the average temperature’s in the high 20s. If you prefer it a bit cooler, you can expect it to be in the high teens and low 20s during spring and autumn.

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