Cairo, the capital of Egypt and Africa's most populous city, is a modern city with a vibrant lifestyle and full of life. Streets in Cairo are always bustling with activity no matter the time of day.

Aside from being Egypt’s portal for the discovery of great culture which include; art galleries and music halls, such as the Cairo Opera House, Cairo is also a place of leisure, shopping and a healthy nightlife activity.

The shopping centers in Cairo range from the largely unchanged Khan el-Khalili bazaar which has been in existence since the 14th century, to the modern air-conditioned centers displaying the trendy clothing, spices, perfumes, leatherwork among other items.

The camel market in Cairo - the Souq al-Gamaal- is a favourite stop-over after watching Pharaonic monuments as it offers a chance to see the world's largest gathering of camels.

The entertainment offered in Cairo ranges from theater, art, dance, dining, museums, bars and cinemas. The museums in Cairo suit just about any interest. Anyone interested in Egypt’s Pharaonic past should visit the Egyptian Museum located on Tahrir Square. Other interesting museums are the museums of Islamic Art and the Coptic Museum. Besides having a comprehensive collection these museums are situated near other must-see historical sites. These includes Abdeen Palace Museum and the Manial Palace Museum – filled with interesting accounts of the pre-revolution period.

The Gezirah Art Center, located near the Marriot in Zamalek, has a lovely collection of ceramics. The Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Dokki displays a private collection of European art—including works by Monet, Gauguin, Pissarro, and Van Gogh. The National Museum of Egyptian Modern Art, located at the Opera House complex, has an extensive collection, mostly by 20th century artists. It is among the most popular Cairo tours destinations.

Opened in 1988, the Opera House complex is a stunning jewel of postmodernist architecture incorporating Islamic and Pharaonic motifs. There are two opera halls in the complex, one a strictly jacket-and-tie while the other a little more laid back. The complex also offers an open-air theatre and an amphitheatre for summer performances. There is no shortage of activities here. Usually there is more than one event per night, so it is advisable to call ahead or check local newspapers for a schedule. International music, ballet and opera troupes perform here throughout the year and tickets cost a fraction of what one would pay to see the same performance elsewhere.

Cairo has a vibrant modern art scene, with several galleries scattered throughout the city offering good venues to check out local artists. A great concentration of galleries to view contemporary art, and all within walking distance of each other are located in the downtown area. Although Townhouse Gallery is fast becoming a favorite among the locals, and has three floors of exhibition space that usually changes about once a month. Other good downtown art spaces include Espace Karim Francis, Arabesque and Mashrabia.

The Ewart Gallery, at the American University in Cairo offers an array of interesting shows that sometimes serve as a display of the student’s talents. Sony Gallery, put up at the university, is the only venue in town devoted to photography. In Zamalek, the Centre of Arts located near several popular pubs is a good place to see some group exhibits. Nearby, at the Opera House Grounds, the Hanagar Arts Center and the Cairo Opera Gallery have interesting exhibits that will give you an incentive to make an early night trip at the opera.

Cinemas screening new foreign and Egyptian films are found in their dozens in Cairo. Most foreign films are subtitled and edited by Egyptian censors.

The Renaissance at the World Trade Center in Maspero is the newest and most comfortable theatre in town. Renaissance II is located in Nasr City. The modern Geneina Mall cinema also in Nasr City has several screens running recent films. The MGM in Maadi Grand Mall is another good choice for foreign films. Two centrally located hotels, the Hilton Ramses and the Cairo Sheraton also have cinemas. The downtown area is an unbeatable choice for cinema lovers as it offers a wide array of options within reasonable distance from each other. Plus you can also find some of Cairo’s finest clubs and discos.

Cultural centers such as the French Cultural Center, the Goethe Institute, the Information and Cultural Center of Japan, and the Italian Cultural Institute and the Higher Institute of Culture, located in the grounds of the Cairo Opera House, occasionally run foreign film series that are sometimes subtitled in English. Most of these screenings are free.

The Cairo Film Festival takes place around the end of the year. It is a very popular event as it is the only chance to see uncensored films during the year. The films are usually only screened once or twice, and the schedule changes daily. Visit the Cairo film festival and obtain a calendar of events for the adventure of your life.

Other interesting entertainment options in Cairo include darts at the Heliopolis Sheraton hotel, where one can play darts while enjoying a good drink and meal, gambling at Cairo Sheraton Casino located at Galai Square and the Casino Semiramis located on Corniche El Nile street.

Lovers of jazz can enjoy Wednesday jazz nights at the Cair Jazz Club in Midan Sphinx.  Abdel Kader located in Zamalek is an excellent spot for bar lovers. A visit to Egypt is surely an experience full of entertainment and cultural and historical discoveries that will forever impress you.