What to do in Cairo when it rains
Grey skies over Cairo are a chance to go deep on its museums and galleries, poke around an indoor market, and find the cosiest café in town.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- The Egyptian Museum in Cairo El-Tahrir Square, Ismailia, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 4272083, Egypt
- The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization Ein as Seirah, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate 4245001, Egypt
- Cairo Tower Kasr Al Nile, Zamalek, Cairo Governorate 4270024, Egypt
- Abdeen Palace Museum 26VW+7VP شارع جمعه، El-Gomhoreya Square, Rahbet Abdin, Abdeen, Cairo Governorate 4281035, Egypt
- Prince Mohamed Ali Palace (Manial Palace) and Egyptian Museum of Musical Instruments 1 Al Saraya, Al Manyal Ash Sharqi, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate 4240291, Egypt
- The Agricultural Museum 26W6+98G, Ad Doqi, Dokki, Giza Governorate 12611, Egypt
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Cairopolitan 8 Dar el Shefa street, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 4272010, Egypt
- Kemet – كيميت Rooftop Café 30 Sherif Basha, downtown، Abdeen, Cairo Governorate 11511, Egypt
- جاليري حيفا شارع بابا شارو, محمد مظهر، الزمالك، محافظة القاهرة 11512, Egypt
- Zamalek Art Gallery 11 Brazil St, Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek, Cairo Governorate 4271034, Egypt
- Access art space St - off, 10 Al Nabrawi, شارع شمبليون، معروف، قسم قصر النيل، محافظة القاهرة 4272141, Egypt
- Picasso Art Gallery 30 Hassan Assem, Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek, Cairo Governorate 4271042, Egypt
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- El- Tahrir Square El-Tahrir Square, محطة السادات، Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 11512, Egypt
- Saladin Citadel Al Abageyah, El Khalifa, Cairo Governorate 4252360, Egypt
- Al-Azhar Mosque El-Darb El-Ahmar, El Gamaliya, Cairo Governorate 4293024, Egypt
- Cairo Tower Kasr Al Nile, Zamalek, Cairo Governorate 4270024, Egypt
- Talaat Harb Square Talaat Harb, Bab Al Louq, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 4280124, Egypt
- Ramsis Square Ramses, Al Gayarah, Al Azbakeya, Cairo Governorate 4320330, Egypt
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Attaba Market 4شارع El-Gaish, Ghayt Al Adah, El Mosky, Cairo Governorate 4284140, Egypt
- العتبه شارع محمد علي 130 Al Azhar, El-Gamaleya, Al-Darb Al-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate 4331010, Egypt
- Diana Market 363V+8X9, Oraby, Al Azbakeya, Cairo Governorate 4320102, Egypt
- شارع الجيش العتبة 3723+PFW, Ghayt Al Adah, Bab El Sharia, Cairo Governorate 4284133, Egypt
- شارع محمد علي للبلاستيك 176 محمد علي، غيط العدة، عابدين، محافظة القاهرة،، Ghayt Al Adah, El Mosky, Cairo Governorate 4283110, Egypt
- Abo Taleb العتبه، امام المسرح القومي، Ismailia, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 11541, Egypt
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Cavo Island Nile City Boat River، Street، Zamalek, Cairo Governorate 4270030, Egypt
- B.Laban Talaat Harb, Ismailia, Abdeen, Cairo Governorate 4280150, Egypt
- Stage El Nile ١٠٩ شارع النيل داخل مرسى السلام بين نادي يخت، و، El-Galaa Bridge, Ad Doqi A, Dokki, Giza Governorate 3753450, Egypt
- Viola Rooftop&Restaurant 135 Al Nile, st, Al Giza, Giza Governorate 12513, Egypt
- Latino Cafe & Restaurant - مطعم و كافيه لاتينو 106 Nile St, Ad Doqi, Dokki, Giza Governorate 12611, Egypt
- Cilantro 2 Wady El Nile Street, Corner of Gameat El Dowal El Arabia Street، Gazirat Mit Oqbah, Agouza, Giza Governorate 3752521, Egypt
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Al Boustan Computer Center مول البستان، Bab Al Louq, Abdeen, Cairo Governorate 4280122, Egypt
- Arkadia Mall مبنى الإذاعة والتليفزيون المصرى, 4 Nile Corniche, Boulaq Num.1, El Nile, Cairo Governorate 11672, Egypt
- Ramsis Square Ramses, Al Gayarah, Al Azbakeya, Cairo Governorate 4320330, Egypt
- Talaat Harb Mall Talaat Harb, Marouf, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 4272146, Egypt
- Attaba Square Gawhar AlQa'ed، Ghayt Al Adah, El Mosky, Cairo Governorate 4283105, Egypt
- مول البستان للكمبيوتر 18 Youssef El-Gendy, Bab Al Louq, Abdeen, Cairo Governorate 11513, Egypt
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.