​CAIRO

Hello, ​Cairo.

With at least 22 million inhabitants, Cairo is a very crowded, loud, dusty yet energetic city. Skyscrappers and street food vendors can be found along the streets, nestling up to world heritage monuments. Traffic is chaotic and can be intimidating, and crossing the street is both a science and an art.

Cairo is a conservative and mostly Islamic city, and women should dress conservatively. While you do not need to wear a hijab or a veil, you should "cover up" (with the help of a scarf) and wear long sleeves and long pants (make sure they are lightweight fabric that is breathable).

Wearing sunglasses are recommended to avoid "eye flirting" or eye contact with men. Women digital nomads should be vigilant, particularly at night, as sexual harassment of women in the street has increased in recent years.

There are reports of single women hassled late at night around Midan Tahrir and in the Islamic quarter of the city. At all times avoid the cheapest buses ​and large groups of aimless men.

Also be a bit wary of men (or boys) who want to escort you across a street – it’s a prime groping opportunity. Women should try to use a female cabbie at night.

Threat of terrorism in all of Egypt remains real. Egypt is still suffering instability and remains part of a highly unstable region.

The best times to visit Cairo are from March to April and from October to November. These short shoulder seasons welcome comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation rates.

Summer temperatures can reach a searing 38°C, which is compounded by the city's terrible pollution which is at its worst in the fall before the rains.

November to March is winter, and while it does not snow, the weather gets cold. So don't forget to bring winter jackets, jeans and sweaters during this time. Note that buildings​ do not have central heating.