Cairo - Prepare

You'll need an empty suitcase to haul home those miniature pyramids you swore you'd never buy. Add bags of patience, a handful of cheery Arabic greetings and comfortable shoes.

Join worldwide bibliophiles at the huge International Book Fair in Nasr City in January, and welcome spring with a picnic on the Nile on Shem al Nessim, ‘sniffing the breeze' festival, the Monday after Coptic Easter. Join the mammoth carnival in Midan Hussain for Moulid el-Nabi, the Prophet's birthday, around May. Catch the start of Egypt's football season in August and watch local greats Al-Ahli and Zamalek compete for the championship. Motorsport fans place themselves at the start and finish of October's Rally of the Pharoahs. Immerse yourself in November's Arabic Music Festival at the Cairo Opera House.

Eid-ul-Adha - Feast of Sacrifice, celebrating the last day of Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca (Dec/Jan), El am Hejir – Islamic New Year (Jan), Eid-Milad Nnabi – Prophet's Anniversary (Mar/Apr), Liberation Day (25 Apr, Sinai only), Labour Day (1 May), Liberation Day (18 Jun), Revolution Day (23 Jul), Wafa'a el Nil – Flooding of the Nile (15 Aug), Armed Forces Day (6 Oct), Suez Victory (24 Oct), Eid-ul-Fitr – Festival of the Breaking of the Fast (Oct), Victory Day (23 Dec). Based on the lunar calendar, Islamic holidays move forward approximately 11 days every Western year.

Wonderfully dry all year round, the months between December and February are most comfortable, with warm days and chilly evenings that can reach as low as 6°C. Things hot up between May and September (20°C-36°C), but thankfully it's never humid. Between June and August, wear a sunhat, stay in the shade and drink plenty of water. Make the most of warm evenings by the Nile.

220V AC, 50 Hz, two-pin round plugs are standard.

+20 (national), (0) 2 + 7-figure number (Cairo).

Egyptian pound (£) is the currency.

GMT +2 (+3 in summertime)

Egypt State Tourist Office website

Muslim Cairo may be conservative but it doesn't stop the in-crowd dressing up for a night out. For daytime sightseeing stick to loose cotton clothing, with long trousers or skirts, covering upper arms. Bring a headscarf for mosque visits.