Other Tips for Cairo

Cairo traffic makes street running dangerous but Gezira Island (Zamalek) has decent 4km perimeter loop. Start early 6-7am before traffic builds.

Nile Corniche sections have sidewalks and river views. Al-Azhar Park also has internal paths for shorter runs. Avoid running anywhere else - air quality and traffic brutal.

If you need to escape Cairo's beautiful chaos, Diwan in Zamalek has become my second home. The English section downstairs is excellent - proper books on Egyptian history, not just tourist guides.

But the real gem is upstairs. The café serves legitimately good coffee and has that rare thing in Cairo: peaceful reading atmosphere. They host author events and literary discussions fairly regularly.

It's on 26th July Street, impossible to miss. The air conditioning alone makes it worth seeking out when you need to recharge between sights.