The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

There's nothing quite as sweet as a mid-week holiday – something we'll be feeling the benefits of with the 6th of October holiday falling slap bang in the middle of the week on Tuesday. But while it is tempting to catch up on some sleep, Cairo isn't a city that takes breaks and there's much more to do on your precious gem of a holiday. Carpe diem, etc.

Do Brunch Because Brunch is Awesome

Seemingly sent from the heavens, there’s something intangibly epic about brunch and there are several choices for those that agree. Start your day with some hearty omelettes and pancakes at Maadi’s enduring breakfast and burger joint, Lucille’s, or by the Nile for some decent fresh pastries at Left Bank. Neighbouring Sequoia, meanwhile, is an obvious but worthy choice, while Kempinski Nile Hotel’s Floor 10 is a favourite amongst brunch-buffs.

Staying with hotels, the Marriott in Zamalek boasts a pleasant outdoor area perfect for your brunch needs, though for a real continental feast, it’s difficult to look further than PAUL. If you want to go really traditional, the legendary El Fishawy is an eye-opening experience, while Simonds can still churn out some mean breakfast and lunch foods, while over in 6th of October City, Allegria’s Tempo is as picturesque as a brunch can get.

Catch Some Live Music

Make sure you stop by the musical performance hub that is Cairo Jazz Club on Tuesday for one of the biggest gigs of the week, as, coming all the way from Michigan, USA, X Factor finalist, Jeff Gutt, take to the stage with his band, Rival City Heights on a night that will also see singer-songwriter, Hassan Ramzy, perform.

Alternatively, you can throw some of the finest food in Cairo into the equation with a visit to Saigon Restaurant & Lounge – which recently renovated its kitchen to include Asian Middle Eastern and American cuisines – while listening to the one and only, Ahmed Harfoush. From Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire, to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Harfoush’s repertoire covers the classics of jazz.

Alternatively, Zamalek’s Riverside is set to host another edition of Party by the River with DJ Tamer Hegazy providing the music, or you can be part of a performance at ROOM Art Space’s weekly Drum Circle.

Go to the Cinema

With a bundle of films – some good, some bad, some weird – covering romance, horror, comedy and action, there are plenty of films to get stuck into at the city’s cinemas, including family road-trip flick, Vacation, the thrilling and shocking real life events in Everest and quirky animation, Hotel Transylvania 2, to name but a few. Check out the Cairo 360 cinema guide for details, schedules and reviews.

Spend it by the Pool

With a weather that continues to be sunny during morning with a little windy breeze at night, you can still take a chance to escape the city’s uproar and spend the day by the pool at one of Cairo’s top notch hotels; of which we recommend Dusit Thani –for a lavish pool day use with an exquisite lake and palm trees view— or at Holiday Inn, for a budget friendly day use alongside a lovely Nile view.

While Cairo usually enjoys a long summer, autumn has begun to creep in, spelling an end to the seemingly habitual act of hightailing out of the city on weekend to the nearest beach. But with a whole host of top hotels housing top pools, you can still catch some sun and have a dip at Fairmont Nile City, Conrad, Mena House and Dusit Thani among others, or even  Sakkara Country Club, Royal Club Mohamed Aly or Villa La Belle Époque. For more details, options and price information, click here.

Escape Games

Perhaps it’s one of the things we’ll keep on suggesting for everyone looking for a bit of unconventional, out-of-the-box fun. What better way to celebrate of October than with some bone-chilling ‘escape games’. It’s a quirky option that has been a trend in Cairo over the last year. With settings including bathrooms, morgues, prison cells and many others, escape games including Escape Egypt, BreakOut and the Room Egypt promise you an unforgettable – if emotional – experience best enjoyed with friends that aren;t faint of heart.

Have fun – but not too much fun. Y’all still have to go to work or university on Wednesday. Lame.