Few cities stir the imagination like Cairo. Home to the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the city meshes 1,000+ years of Islamic architecture with leafy island neighborhoods, vibrant markets, and the life-giving Nile. Modern cafes share alleys with medieval mosques, while the new Grand Egyptian Museum anchors a fresh chapter in Egyptology.

For 12 days, you’ll settle into Cairo’s rhythm—slow breakfasts, late sunsets, timeless monuments, and the easy comfort of a local’s routine. With a mid-range budget and a relaxing vibe, this plan balances unmissable icons with spa time, photography strolls, foodie pilgrimages, and mellow nightlife.

Practical notes: Uber/Careem are reliable and inexpensive; Cairo Metro is handy for short hops. Dress modestly at religious sites. Friday is the holy day; expect slower mornings and busier parks later. For flights into CAI, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Cairo

Cairo is sprawling yet intimate when you base yourself in leafy Zamalek, riverside Garden City, or the café-rich lanes of Maadi. Days begin with sesame-dusted bread and end with call-to-prayer echoing over the Nile. In between: the Pyramids’ sharp geometry, Fatimid-era gates on al-Muizz Street, and the scent of cardamom coffee in Khan el-Khalili.

Don’t rush. The city rewards lingering: a book in Al-Azhar Park at golden hour, a long lunch in Downtown, a spa afternoon when traffic hums below. Photographers love sunrise at Giza, the Citadel’s skyline, Ibn Tulun’s spiral minaret, and night scenes along the Corniche.

Where to stay (mid-range and up, with apartment options):

• Search hotels by neighborhood (Zamalek, Garden City, Maadi, Heliopolis) on Hotels.com.
• Prefer more space and a kitchen? Browse apartments and houseboats on VRBO.
• Tip: For a relaxing base, Zamalek offers leafy streets, cafes, and easy access across the city; Maadi is quieter with garden villas and a village feel.

Days 1–3: Settle In, Nile Sunsets, and Old Cairo Foundations

Ease in. Use these days to acclimate, find your favorite coffee, and see Coptic and Islamic Cairo at a comfortable pace. Photography is best early and late; reserve hot mid-day hours for museums and long lunches.

• Old Cairo (Coptic Quarter): Wander the Hanging Church, Abu Serga (with its crypt), and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. The Fustat Pottery Village nearby is great for a short workshop and souvenir ceramics.
• Islamic Cairo and al-Muizz Street: Walk from Bab al-Futuh to Bab Zuweila for Mamluk facades and carved mashrabiyas. Climb a minaret where permitted for views; Ibn Tulun’s courtyard offers serene geometry for photos.
• Al-Azhar Park: Arrive one hour before sunset for sweeping skyline views. Consider a tea on the terrace afterward while the city lights up.
• Nile at dusk: Hire a simple wooden felucca from Zamalek or Maadi for 45–60 minutes at sunset; bring your own snacks. Expect friendly haggling and cash payment.

Food & Coffee (close to key sights):

• Breakfast/coffee: 30 North (specialty roasts, good cold brew), Kafein (Downtown artsy spot), and Eish + Malh (Italian-Egyptian brunch, great shakshuka).
• Lunch: Koshary Abou Tarek (the city’s cult classic—layers of pasta, lentils, chickpeas, tomato), Zooba (elevated street food—ta’ameya, hawawshi), and Abou El Sid (slow-cooked molokhia, stuffed pigeons, and mezze).
• Dinner: Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant (Khan el-Khalili—ambience with classical tunes), Sachi (Heliopolis or New Cairo—modern Mediterranean and excellent cocktails), El Prince (Imbaba—liver and grill, lively and authentic).

Days 4–6: Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and Spa Time

Dedicate a full day to the Pyramids and the GEM; then slow down with a spa afternoon and an easy night out. Keep a buffer morning for resting—Cairo traffic can be tiring.

• Pyramids + Grand Egyptian Museum (private tour): Skip logistics by booking a guide/driver who times your stops well and points out details you’d otherwise miss.

Cairo 8 Hour Private Tour of Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum

Why we love it: Door-to-door convenience, an Egyptologist’s storytelling, and flexibility to add a pyramid interior visit. Note: Areas of the GEM have been opening in phases; check current accessible galleries and timed-entry details when booking.

• Photography tip: The Giza Panorama Point offers the classic three-pyramid lineup; early morning reduces haze. Camel shots are fun—confirm the price first and keep it short for comfort.
• Relaxing spa afternoon: Book a day pass or treatment at Kempinski Nile Spa (Garden City), Sofitel So Spa (El Gezirah), or Four Seasons Nile Plaza. Expect steam/sauna access and Nile-view lounges.
• Nightlife (low-key): Crimson Bar & Grill (Zamalek) for sunset views and a civil cocktail; Cairo Jazz Club (Agouza) for live bands and DJs on select nights; Room Art Space (Garden City or New Cairo) for intimate gigs.

Eats around Giza & the Nile: Tabali (Egyptian classics with a modern touch), Maison Thomas (Zamalek, old-school pizza and midnight snacks), and Kazoku (New Cairo—slick Japanese, great for a treat night).

Days 7–9: Live Like a Local—Neighborhood Cafés, Markets, and Gentle Adventures

These days are for Cairo’s everyday joys: bakeries in the morning, boutique browsing, a cooking-inspired lunch, and a mellow boat or park at dusk. Layer in a museum or two if you want more antiquities.

• Downtown to Garden City ramble: Start with coffee on Talaat Harb, admire art-deco facades, then stroll the Corniche. Pop into bookshops and vintage spots; finish with ice cream by the river.
• Khan el-Khalili + Tentmakers Street: Browse brass lamps, mother-of-pearl boxes, and Khayamiya appliqué textiles. Practice friendly bargaining; carry small bills for tips and tea.
• Cairo Citadel & Sultan Hassan/Madrasa of al-Rifa’i: Monumental Mamluk stonework and panoramic city views. Shoulders and knees covered; bring socks for mosque interiors.
• Nile Dinner Cruise (nightlife meets relaxation): A classic evening on the water—with whirling tanoura and belly dancing—best after a light lunch earlier.

Pyramids Sphinx Camel ATV Bike Shopping and Nile Dinner Cruise

Why we love it: Effortless hotel pickup, a photogenic night on the river, and classic entertainment. It’s a relaxed way to see Cairo lit up without navigating traffic at the end of the day.

Neighborhood eats to try:

• Fasahat Somaya (Downtown): Tiny, beloved, daily-changing Egyptian home cooking—arrive early.
• Sobhy Kaber (Shubra): Grilled kofta and fattah; lively, authentic, generous portions.
• Fish Market (Maadi or on the Nile): Choose your catch and cooking style; ask for sayadiya rice and tabboulah.
• Sweets: El Abd (Downtown) for basbousa and konafa; Simonds (Zamalek) for old-world pastries.

Days 10–12: Day Trips—Alexandria’s Mediterranean Breeze and Fayoum’s Desert Waterfalls

End with two contrasting escapes: Hellenistic Alexandria by the sea and the desert-oasis drama of Fayoum. Between them, use a Cairo day for markets, last museum time, or simply a pool and spa day.

• Alexandria day trip (2.5–3 hours each way by private car): Roman Amphitheater, the site of the ancient Lighthouse at Qaitbay Citadel, seaside corniche strolls, and modern libraries and cafes.

Day-Trip to Alexandria from Cairo by Private Car

Why we love it: Comfortable door-to-door transport, coastal air, Greco-Roman history, and seafood lunches with Mediterranean views. Trains also run from Cairo Ramses Station (~2.5–3 hours), but private transport is most relaxing for a day trip.

• Fayoum & Wadi El Rayan (approx. 1.5–2.5 hours each way): Fossil-rich Whale Valley, wind-sculpted desert, and the waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan—excellent for nature photography.

Private Tour to Whales Valley & Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls in El Fayoum from Cairo

Why we love it: Unique landscapes, fascinating fossils, and a gentle pace away from the city. Dress for sun and sand; bring water and snacks.

One more Cairo classic (if you want a second pyramids focus or a different pace):

Grand Egyptian Museum Giza Pyramids and Sphinx in Private Tour

Why we love it: Consider this as an alternate gem-and-pyramids day if you prefer a slightly different itinerary flow or guide style. It pairs well with a spa morning the following day.

Seafood in Alexandria (lunch ideas): Baladi-style grills and lemony tahini at popular fish houses near the Corniche; ask for fried calamari, grilled mullet, and hot baladi bread. Back in Cairo that evening, toast the trip with mint tea by the Nile.

Logistics, Budget, and Getting Around

• Flights: Compare fares and routes to Cairo International (CAI) on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From many European hubs it’s ~4–5 hours nonstop; from North America, one-stop options are common.
• Airport transfers: Uber/Careem typically 45–60 minutes to Zamalek or Garden City depending on traffic. Hotel-arranged cars cost more but include meet-and-greet.
• Within Cairo: Uber/Careem are easiest; the Metro works for Downtown/Giza hops. Expect 45–90 minutes to reach the Pyramids by car depending on time of day.
• Tickets & tipping: Major sites accept cards; smaller vendors prefer cash. Modest “baksheesh” is customary for small services (guidance, photos in certain spots).
• Budget (mid-range, per person, per day): Meals $20–40, local transport $5–12, entry fees/tours vary widely ($10–$120+ depending on experiences). Choose 3–4 signature tours and keep other days light for a relaxing pace.

Final foodie notes: Don’t miss falafel made with fava beans (greener and herbier than Levantine versions), hot-from-the-oven baladi bread, and winter drinks like sahlab. For souvenirs, look for copper trays, alabaster, Khayamiya textiles, and artisanal ceramics from Fustat.

Across 12 days, Cairo’s layers unfold gently: ancient silhouettes by morning, cafe chatter by afternoon, and a river of lights by night. You’ll leave with a camera full of golden hours, a list of favorite dishes, and the calm sense that you truly lived in the city for a while.