When to Visit - Arts and Events

Cairo is at its most colourful during the Muslim festivals. In fact, holiday days in Cairo are usually reserved for religious celebrations. In addition, the Nitaq Festival in early March is a unique experience that attracts poetry, music, theatre and art to Cairo.

Cairo Dining

Many traditional Egyptian recipes have travelled from the kitchens of North Africa to tantalise the taste buds of diners all over the world; hummus, tahini, tabouleh and shish kebab are featured in the restaurants of most cities. However, it is always worth sampling the authentic version of international dishes. In Cairo there is an abundance of traditional cuisine prepared with local ingredients. Most daily dishes are meat free and based instead on ful, a brown bean, cooked with garlic and lemon to make the thick, tasty stew mudammas. Global cuisine is always available in a large variety of city restaurants, but whether you choose local or international flavours it is wise to leave room for a sticky, sweet Egyptian dessert.

Cairo Tipping Advice

Tipping in Egypt is called baksheesh. In hotels and restaurants a gratuity of between 10% and 15% is the acceptable norm. However, baksheesh is expected for every service. Attendants at Cairo's historical buildings, footwear supervisors in mosques, taxi and camel drivers, baggage handlers and tour assistants will all ask for something extra from those who can afford it. Low wages necessitate this requirement and the working people of Egypt rely on the generosity of visitors. The equivalent of between USD 1.00 and USD 2.00 is an appropriate amount each time.