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 the temperatures are very pleasant, far from the sweltering heat of summer and the colder nights in the middle of winter.

But the good temperatures also have a downside. They attract a much larger number of tourists, which makes it more likely that you will have to wait in long queues to visit places like the pyramids or the Egyptian Museum. Precisely to avoid this, I've put together 10 less touristy plans and activities that are perfect for enjoying Cairo in November and are a perfect addition to your trip.

In winter and summer, night-time temperatures plummet, making it difficult to enjoy night-time activities. But in November the temperature at night is very pleasant, hovering around 20 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for experiencing the virtues of Cairo's nightlife.

One of the most recommended night-time experiences is the sound and light show projected onto the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. Its beauty and spectacular nature 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'll be doing 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 so in November is that the temperatures are pleasant and it is neither too hot nor 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 neighbourhood 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 capital's most cosmopolitan neighbourhoods.

It combines green spaces, cultural centres, shops 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 you stroll 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 of the crowds is to take a cruise on the Nile. And if it 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 a good idea. Fortunately, Cairo is the hub of Egypt and there are plenty of excursions of all kinds.

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, there is a wide variety of options for all tastes. Don't miss out on the best tours and excursions from Cairo that are perfect for 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. This is why the contrast between tradition and modernity is something very interesting that the Egyptian capital has to offer. The best way to experience this is to visit the Sawy Culture Wheel.

An atmosphere free of religious norms grows around this cultural centre and November is one of the best months to visit it and book a tour of Cairo as it is one of the busiest times of the year with exhibitions, concerts, theatres, film and documentary screenings and much more. In the high season months, moreover, the focus is on foreign tourists, although they are welcome all year round. By contrast, this is one of Cairo's most interesting sights and one of the least known.

Every November, the Arab 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 experience and enjoy traditional Arabic music. Generally, this type of music is linked to tradition and religion, but each year the festival brings more novelties, bringing it closer to modern 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 Cairo's central island, is part of the Cairo National Cultural Centre. This festival is a perfect way to add an unforgettable soundtrack to your trip.

At the highest point of Cairo is the Citadel of Saladin. A huge walled complex that served as a fortress, it is home to some of the most important buildings in the city's history, including the al-Nasir Mosque, the Gawhara Palace and the impressive Muhammad Ali Mosque. Thanks to its hilltop location, the Citadel offers some of the best views of the city.

As the Muslim holiday calendar ends in September, November is a good month to visit the complex unrestricted and in good temperatures. The only thing you'll need to take into account is that you should dress appropriately according to the rules of Islam for entering mosques.

Since the city is crowded in November, it's good to have alternative plans. It's 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 kilometres from the city centre 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 are even inside pantheons.

It is a poor area, so it is interesting to get to know it in order to get away from the more touristy side of things and discover the contrasts of Cairo. Of course, it is compulsory to visit it with a guide as it is a bit dangerous on your own, but in months like November, when there are no religious holidays, it is the best time to visit it.

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

However, in November this phenomenon is much less frequent, so this month is a good time to climb the Cairo Tower and enjoy the best panoramic view of the city. The 186-metre-high building is located on Zamalek Island and has a rotating restaurant as well as a viewing platform.

Black Friday is more of a Western date and is not usually celebrated in Cairo, but thanks to globalisation, some local shops and traders take advantage of this time of year to attract tourists. It's a good excuse to visit Khan el-Khalili market, Egypt's most famous and important market.

Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, this market is home to more than 900 stalls where you can find all kinds of handicrafts, fabrics, clothes, spices, food and many other curiosities. Some traders take advantage of Black Friday in their own way to attract tourists, although the best way to get a bargain is to master the art of haggling, which is a must here.

Khan el-Khalili market is also home to the famous old cafes where you can have a cup of tea and smoke a shisha. It's not for nothing that it's considered the most important market in the Middle East.

Cairo is known for its extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. For example, in summer the highs are over 40 degrees Celsius during the day and at night they can drop to 0 degrees Celsius and in winter even lower, while in November the temperatures become much milder and there is less difference between day and night.

The highs range from 27 degrees Celsius at the beginning of the month to 23 degrees Celsius in the last few days, while the lows at night only fall to between 18 and 14 degrees Celsius. This mild November weather is enhanced by clear skies and an almost total absence of rain, which also contributes to the 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 as such, the biggest tourist influx comes when the heat goes away. This happens at the end of September, but since winter temperatures drop significantly at night, the high season is between September and November, the latter being one of the busiest months for tourists in Cairo.

This also translates into a slight rise in prices, as high demand causes flights, hotels and accommodation to go up slightly. It is therefore advisable to book as far in advance as possible if you want to make your trip in November.

If you're travelling to Cairo in November, the weather and other factors will determine what you pack. To make sure you don't forget anything, we'll take a look at what you should pack for your trip to Cairo in November:

• Pack light, cool-coloured clothes for the day, and jackets and something warmer for when the temperatures drop at night.
• As you're likely to visit mosques, dress appropriately and avoid wearing clothes that are too short or too tight.
• Women should take special care with the way they dress, so it is also advisable to carry a scarf that can be used to cover you in specific places and at specific times, 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. Even though it's November, midday temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius on some days.