Cairo International Jazz Festival downtown each autumn

Maadi is a green southern suburb of colonial villas, regarded as one of Cairo's most walkable residential areas, with restaurants along Road 9. It has no major sights of its own, and central attractions are about 30 to 45 minutes away by car, so use a ride-hailing app. It suits travelers who want a relaxed pace, and…

Garden City is a quiet Nile-side district of tree-lined lanes and early 20th-century buildings, a short walk from Downtown and Tahrir. Embassies keep it calm and orderly, but it has few restaurants or bars outside the hotels, so plan to walk to Downtown or Zamalek for dinner. It suits first-timers who want a peaceful…

Every October the Cairo Opera House hosts its Arab Music Festival, about ten days of concerts by Egyptian and Arab singers, with competitions for young singers and oud players and an academic conference. The Grand Theatre carries the main nights, with other concerts across Cairo and Alexandria. Check the official…

Cairo Jazz Club on 26th of July Corridor in Agouza runs a different night almost every day, mixing live bands, tribute shows, jam sessions and DJ sets. Ticketed nights are for guests 23 and over, and staff check a physical ID at the door, so carry your passport or a copy. Check the club's lineup before going to pick a…

The Cairo Opera House on Gezira island has several stages, including a Grand Theatre for opera, ballet and orchestra, and its weekly programme also covers Arabic music ensembles and jazz nights. Many concerts sell through an online ticketing platform, while a few have no booking link. Look at the programme a few days…

Taxi drivers, hotel staff or friendly strangers may steer you to a papyrus gallery or workshop for a demonstration, followed by discounts that are not really discounts. Some sheets sold this way are banana leaf, and whoever brought you often earns a commission. Say you prefer to keep your own plan, and if you do want…

The Mokattam hills sit just beyond the Citadel and give a wide view over Cairo's rooftops and minarets. Sunset is the favored hour, and locals gather there in the evening as the city lights come on. Weekdays are quieter than weekends. Allow extra time on the way up, since rush hour traffic is heavy around sunset.

Just south of Bab Zuweila, the covered Street of the Tentmakers has about two dozen workshops where artisans hand-stitch cotton appliqué called khayamiya, from cushion covers to large wall hangings. Ask whether a piece is hand-stitched or machine-printed, because cheaper printed cloth competes with the real craft…