Cairo is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest historic cities. The Egyptian capital is home to some of the most recognisable landmarks on the planet. Its history spans many thousands of years, with several fascinating periods such as Medieval Islamic times and the expansion in the Victorian Era, which led to the city becoming the modern metropolis that stands today. Cairo flight and hotel packages will bring you to one of the world’s most iconic cities.
Cairo International Airport (CAI) is in the centre of town, and flights to Cairo from the UK are frequent, especially from London and Manchester. Visas, which last for 30 days, are easy to get a hold of upon arrival in Egypt. Cairo is two hours ahead of London. Whereas Arabic is the official language, English is taught in Egyptian schools, and you’ll find many people speak enough English to assist you in shops or offer directions.
Many medical facilities in the city are of good quality, especially private hospitals, and travel insurance is advisable. The British and American embassies are both in the city's Garden City district. The general vibe in the city is friendly and helpful – Egyptian market stall holders are known for their cheerful nature.
Cairo flight and hotel packages are popular throughout the year. The summer months can be quite hot in Cairo, with temperatures often climbing into the 30s and 40s. Those who don’t enjoy hot weather may prefer to beat the heat and the crowds by visiting in spring or autumn, when the weather is milder. Even the winters are never cold. A very cosmopolitan city, Cairo offers many festivals and events to enjoy throughout the year, including the Cairo Bites food event in April and the Cairo Jazz Festival in September.
Cairo package holidays can be enjoyed even in the middle of winter, as this can be a good time to take advantage of the cooler days – walk among Cairo's great monuments comfortably and barter in the souks.
Some of the fantastic things to get up to in the Egyptian capital:
There are so many great sights to experience during a Cairo weekend, including the following:
Cairo city breaks are incomplete without indulging in the colourful dishes Egypt has to offer. Whether you choose to visit the market stalls of the bazaars or modern and traditional restaurants, make sure to sample sumptuous koshari, which is a mixture of pasta, rice, chickpeas and vegetables, or mahshi, which are grape leaves stuffed with fragrant rice.
Another great dish to try in Cairo is the Egyptian take on pizza, known as fiteer. It resembles a folded pizza but is made of filo pastry and filled with either meat, vegetables or even sweet ingredients like honey. The international cuisine available in Cairo is also excellent and includes fine dining establishments as well as more relaxed pizzerias and other options on almost every corner.
For a traditional gift from the city, head to the gold district in Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where you can find many excellent pieces made from the precious metal. Cairo weekends can also be filled browsing artisanal products such as spices and incense. Simpler tokens of trips to Cairo include scarab beetle, cat and Egyptian god statues and jewellery. Browsing and shopping on Cairo city breaks is a pleasure.
If you've got plenty of luggage space, a hookah pipe or rug from Cairo is a winning choice for that special someone back home. These are often easy to find in miniature form too, which may be more convenient for fitting in your suitcase. Wall art featuring Ancient Egyptian drawings and alabaster vases are just a few other treasures you can unearth on Cairo package holidays.
If a city break in Cairo doesn't quite convince you, why not explore other exciting cities? Check out our amazing flight and hotel packages for your next holiday adventure!