10 Things to Do in Cairo in November

November is one of the best months to see and do a multitude of activities in Egypt's capital. This is largely due to the weather, as in the penultimate month of the year temperatures are very pleasant, far from the stifling heat of summer and the coldest nights in the middle of winter.

But the good temperatures also have a downside. And that is that they attract a much larger number of tourists that make it more likely that you will have to suffer long queues to visit places like the pyramids or the Egyptian museum. Precisely to avoid this, I have put together 10 less touristy plans and activities perfect for enjoying Cairo in the month of November that are a perfect addition to your trip.

In winter and summer temperatures plummet at night, which makes it very difficult to enjoy nighttime activities. But in November the temperature at night is very pleasant, hovering around 20 degrees, so it is ideal to know the virtues of the night of Cairo.

One of the most recommended nighttime experiences is the sound and light show that is projected on the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. Its beauty and spectacularity make it one of the best experiences you can have in Cairo at night.

Visiting the pyramids of Giza is a must and I assume you will do it during your stay in Cairo. One of the best experiences is to book a private tour to the Pyramids from Cairo. An activity full of culture, history, nature and beauty that will amaze you.

Another option is to watch the sunset with the pyramids in the background while having a snack. The best place to do this is the terrace of the Mena House by Marriott hotel. You don't have to be staying at the luxurious hotel to go to its terrace and enjoy the views practically at the foot of the pyramids. The advantage of doing it in November is that the temperatures are not too hot or too cold at sunset.

In November, due in part to the high influx of tourists, Cairo can be excessively stressful. The hustle and bustle of the city is considerable, but luckily there are places to escape the crowds. Zamalek Island and its namesake neighborhood is one such place and, in my opinion, one of the best places in Cairo to relax. This island is located in the heart of the city surrounded by the Nile River and is home to one of the most cosmopolitan neighborhoods of the capital.

It combines green spaces, cultural centers, stores and restaurants, exhibitions and some of the most popular tourist attractions such as the Cairo Tower. My recommendation is to visit it at sunset while strolling through one of its parks on the banks of the Nile and dine in one of its many restaurants.

Another great option to escape the hustle and bustle and crowds is to hire a cruise on the Nile. And if it also includes dinner and live entertainment, so much the better!

If the crowds of Cairo are too much for you and you have a day or more to spare, an excursion is always recommended. Fortunately, Cairo is the central point of Egypt and a lot of excursions of different types leave from Cairo.

You can do a round trip in the same day to the Red Sea beaches, visit the Fayom Oasis or visit Alexandria. You can even take a cruise on the Nile or, if you have more days, visit Luxor, Memphis or Abu Simbel.

As you can see, the options are varied and for all tastes. Do not miss the best tours and excursions from Cairo perfect to do in the month of November.

Cairo has always been a city of traditions linked to religion. But for many years now the city has been opening up and welcoming other cultures and ways of life. Therefore the contrast between tradition and modernity is something very interesting that offers us the Egyptian capital. To live this experience, it is best to visit the Sawy Culture Wheel.

Around this cultural center grows an atmosphere free of religious norms and November is one of the best months to visit and book a tour of Cairo as it is one of the times when there is more activity with exhibitions, concerts, theaters, film screenings and documentaries and so on. In the high season months, moreover, it focuses more on foreign tourists, although they are welcome all year round. By contrast, this is one of the most interesting visits in Cairo and one of the least known.

Every November the Arabian music festival is held at the Cairo Opera House. The dates vary from year to year, but it is always held in November and is a unique opportunity to learn about and enjoy traditional Arabic music. Generally, this type of music is linked to tradition and religion, but each year the festival brings more novelties and is closer to current styles.

The main stage of the festival is the Cairo Opera House, also known as the opera house of Egypt as it is the only one of its kind in the country. The building located in the southern part of the central island of Cairo is part of the Cairo National Cultural Center. This festival is a perfect way to put an unforgettable soundtrack to your trip.

At the highest part of Cairo is the Citadel of Saladin. A huge walled complex that served as a fortress and that houses some of the most important buildings in the history of the city as the al-Nasir Mosque, the Gawhara Palace or the impressive Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Thanks to its location on a hill, the Citadel offers some of the best views of the city.

Since the Mulsulman holiday calendar ends in September, November is a good month to visit the complex without restrictions and with good temperatures. The only thing you should keep in mind is that you should dress appropriately according to the rules reflected in Islam to enter their mosques.

Since the city is crowded in November, it is good to have alternative plans. It is also a good opportunity to get to know less frequented but equally interesting places in Cairo, such as the city of the dead.

It is an atypical place, an area located about 7 kilometers from the city center that began as a cemetery and today has become a city within a city, where tombs and mausoleums coexist with the houses of its inhabitants. Some of them even inside pantheons.

It is a poor area, so it is interesting to know it to leave a little of the most touristy and discover the contrasts of Cairo. Of course, it is mandatory to visit with a guide because on your own is somewhat dangerous, but in months like November, when there are no religious holidays, is when it is best to visit.

Summer, in addition to high temperatures, brings with it the haze. A phenomenon that, due to the hot winds, causes the desert sand to form a layer that covers the city and reduces visibility, something that makes it more difficult to enjoy the best viewpoints of Cairo.

However, in November this phenomenon is much less frequent, so this month is a good time to climb the Cairo Tower and see the best view of the city. This 186-meter high building is located on the island of Zamalek and has, in addition to a viewpoint, a revolving restaurant.

Black Friday is a rather western date and is not usually celebrated in Cairo, but thanks to globalization some local stores and merchants take advantage of these dates to attract tourists. It is a good excuse to visit the Khan el-Khalili market, the most famous and important market in Egypt.

Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, this market houses more than 900 stalls where you can find all kinds of handicrafts, fabrics, clothing, spices and food among many other curiosities. Some traders take advantage of black friday in their own way to attract tourists, although the best way to get a discount is to master the art of bargaining, mandatory in this place.

In the Khan el-Khalili market we also find the old and famous cafes where you can have a tea and smoke a shisha. For something is considered the most important market in the Middle East.

Cairo is characterized by very extreme temperatures, both for heat and cold. For example, in summer the highs exceed 40 degrees during the day and at night can even fall to 0 degrees and in winter even less, while in November temperatures are softened enough and there is less difference between day and night.

The maximum temperatures range from 27 degrees at the beginning of the month, and 23 degrees in the last days, while the minimum that are reached at night fall only to a range between 18 and 14 degrees. This mild November weather is enhanced by clear skies and an almost total absence of rain, which also contributes to low humidity. Few months of the year have better weather in Cairo than November.

Unlike most tourist destinations, summer is not the peak tourist season. This is due, as you may have gathered, to Cairo's extreme heat in the summer months and so the biggest tourist influx comes when the heat goes away. This happens at the end of September, but given that in winter the temperatures drop a lot at night, the high season is between September and November, the latter being one of the busiest months for tourists in the city of Cairo.

This also translates into a slight rise in prices, as the high demand causes both flights and hotels and accommodations to raise their rates somewhat. It is therefore advisable to book everything as far in advance as possible if you want to make your trip in November.

If you are traveling to Cairo in November, the weather and other factors will determine what you pack in your suitcase. So that you do not forget anything, we will review what you should take in your suitcase to travel to Cairo in November:

• Bring light, cool-colored clothes for the day, and jackets and something warmer for when temperatures drop at night.
• Since you are sure to visit a mosque, try to be dressed properly and avoid wearing strapless and too short clothes.
• Women should take special care with the way they dress and therefore it is also advisable to carry a scarf that can be used to cover you in specific places and moments, such as when visiting a mosque.
• Make sure your footwear is comfortable and breathable.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and other items to protect you from the heat. Although it is November, midday temperatures can exceed 30º on some days.