Cairo

Book a licensed Egyptologist guide for the Giza Plateau — it dramatically cuts down on the aggressive camel-ride and 'special access' touts, and you'll actually understand what you're looking at. Arrive at opening (8am) to beat both heat and crowds. The Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza has now largely superseded the old Tahrir Square museum for major artefacts including the full Tutankhamun collection, though the original Egyptian Museum still holds significant pieces — check current opening status before planning your day. Petty theft and scams (fake 'this site is closed' redirects, overcharging) are the real risks, not violent crime.

Cairo's desert climate means brutally hot summers (June–August routinely above 35–40°C) with little relief, making outdoor sightseeing at the Pyramids genuinely unpleasant. October through April is the sensible window — daytime temperatures of 20–28°C, cooler evenings, and manageable conditions for a full day outdoors. December–January is peak season with the biggest crowds and highest hotel rates; November and March are excellent shoulder-season alternatives.

Cairo traffic is genuinely chaotic and often gridlocked, so budget far more transfer time than distances suggest. A private driver (arranged through your hotel) is the standard, sane choice for tourists — inexpensive by Western standards and removes the stress of navigating unmarked lanes and constant horn-based communication. The Cairo Metro is clean, cheap, and surprisingly useful for specific point-to-point trips (it has a women-only carriage). Walking is fine within Zamalek or Downtown but not as a way to cover the wider city.

Egyptian street food is some of the best value in the world — koshari (a carb-heavy mix of rice, lentils, macaroni and fried onions) is the national dish and costs almost nothing at local spots like Abou Tarek. Ful medames (fava beans) and taameya (Egyptian-style falafel, made with fava beans rather than chickpeas) are the standard breakfast. Zamalek and Nile-front hotels have a strong contemporary Egyptian and international restaurant scene for a more polished evening out.