Stay…
Budget
Bella Luna: Don’t be put off by this hotel’s alleyway entrance (it’s well-lit at night), rooms are clean and reasonably priced, the staff helpful, and it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.
www.hotellunacairo.com
Luxury
Fairmont Nile City: A grand, colonial-style venue, this hotel with rooms overlooking the Nile is the ultimate luxury getaway and located close to the Pyramids of Giza and other historical places of interest.
www.fairmont.com/nilecity
Eat…
Budget
Koshary Abou Tarek: Eat like locals at this casual Egyptian diner, serving authentic kushari, a national dish which consists of rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, tomato sauce and onion. Cheap and a real taste of Cairo.
Maarouf St, Champollion.
Expensive
Sequoia: Touted as an oasis inside chaotic Cairo, this trendy spot is popular, though it really comes into its own in the evenings when the beautiful flock to its cream couches and devour everything from mezze to sushi.
53 Abou El Feda St, Zamalek.
Must see…
The pyramids of Dashur. Less crowded than Giza, Dashur boasts some of the oldest and most well-preserved pyramids. With fewer tourists, you’ll have much more time to explore.
Must do…
Brush up on your haggling at Khan Al-Khalili. You’ll need your wits about you at this boisterous flea market, where stallholders make the UAE’s handbag purveyors look shy in comparison.
Flight time
Two hours and 50 minutes.
Getting there
Gulf Air flies to Cairo via Bahrain from Abu Dhabi for around Dhs2,600 return.
www.gulfair.com
Exchange rate*
Dhs1 = 1.61 EGP
* Approx exchange rate
Safety note
The current social-political situation is still tenuous and parts of the country, particularly Cairo, are the site for demonstrations, which in the past have resulted in violence. Most foreign offices’ advice is that tourists should avoid these spots. There is currently a curfew in place between 2am-5am.
Time Out recommends
Head up to Al Azhar Park in the evening, the views of the city and its mosques lit up at night are second to none. Plus it includes amazing 12th century ruins.
