Cairo has worn many crowns: ancient capital of a pharaonic superpower, medieval center of learning, and modern megacity that hums day and night. Here, 4,500-year-old pyramids rise beyond a skyline of minarets and Nile bridges, while cafes pour mint tea and street carts fry taameya (Egyptian falafel). Few cities blend living history and daily life as vividly as Egypt’s capital.

Expect big sights and big flavors. Your 3-day Cairo itinerary hits the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, the new Grand Egyptian Museum, Khan el‑Khalili bazaar, and the evocative churches and synagogues of Coptic Cairo. Evenings bring breezy felucca sails and a Nile dinner cruise—timeless Cairo rituals.

Practical notes: Uber and Careem work well; traffic can be heavy, so plan buffers. Dress modestly for religious sites; carry small bills for tips. Winter is mild; summers are hot and dry. Check current travel advisories and Ramadan hours (many restaurants shift schedules). Most major sights accept card payments, but cash (EGP) is still handy.

Cairo

The “City of a Thousand Minarets” dazzles with layers: pharaonic treasures, Fatimid alleys, Mamluk mosques, Belle Époque boulevards, and contemporary galleries and cafes. Spend your days between the Giza Plateau’s desert edge and the Nile’s leafy Zamalek island, with detours into atmospheric Old Cairo.

• Don’t miss: The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the enigmatic Sphinx, Al‑Moez Street’s honey‑stone architecture, the Hanging Church, and a sunset view from Al‑Azhar Park or the Nile.
• Food to try: Koshary (Abou Tarek), grilled kofta (Sobhy Kaber), taameya and hawawshi (Zooba), and Om Ali dessert. For a splurge with views, 9 Pyramids Lounge on the Giza Plateau.
• Neighborhood vibes: Zamalek for leafy walks and cafes; Garden City for riverside hotels; Downtown for historic facades and classic eateries; Giza for quick pyramid access.

Where to stay: Browse a wide range of stays—river-view hotels, boutique apartments, and family-friendly flats.

• Cairo vacation rentals on VRBO — good for space and self-catering, especially in Zamalek and New Cairo.
• Cairo hotels on Hotels.com — compare river-view classics and pyramid-facing stays.

Sample areas and properties to consider: Marriott Mena House (iconic pyramid views), Steigenberger El Tahrir (steps from Downtown), Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City (rooftop pool), and boutique apartments in Zamalek.

How to get here: Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the main gateway.

• Search global flights on Trip.com (great coverage beyond Europe).
• Compare fares on Kiwi.com (flexible dates and multi-city options).
• Flying to/from Europe? Check Omio for Europe‑linked routes.

Airport to Zamalek or Downtown is typically 45–75 minutes by car depending on traffic. Uber/Careem fares usually cost less than a metered taxi; allow ample time for airport security on departure.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Cairo, and a Nile breeze

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, drop bags and decompress with specialty coffee at 30 North (Zamalek) and an Egyptian breakfast—think foul medames, baladi bread, and eggs—at Tabali or Zooba.

Afternoon: Ease into Cairo with Islamic Cairo and Khan el‑Khalili. Browse brass lamps, inlaid wood, and spices; step into Al‑Azhar Mosque (dress modestly) and sip mint tea at the storied El Fishawy cafe. For a guided intro that pairs bazaar lore with a serene sail, consider this experience: private guided tour Khan el-Khalili and Nile Felucca Ride Boat and local lunch.

Time it for late afternoon light on the minarets.

Evening: Dine inside the bazaar at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant (classic mezze and tagines) or head to Al‑Azhar Park for sunset and dinner at Studio Misr with sweeping skyline views. For a nightcap with a view, try NOX at the Nile Ritz‑Carlton or The Roof at Kempinski Garden City.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum + Nile dinner cruise

Morning: Start early for the desert edge. A curated way to fit the big hitters into one efficient day is this combo: Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids and Great Sphinx Tour.

With an Egyptologist guide, you’ll grasp pyramid engineering, royal funerary rites, and the Sphinx’s long guardianship of the necropolis. Note: inside‑pyramid and photography rules change; your guide will advise.

Afternoon: Linger at the panoramic viewpoint for the iconic three‑pyramid alignment and optional short camel photo‑op (agree on price first). For lunch with a jaw‑dropping backdrop, book 9 Pyramids Lounge or Khufu’s Restaurant on the plateau. Expect a 45–60 minute ride back to central Cairo depending on traffic.

Evening: Celebrate the day on the water with a classic river outing: 2-Hour Nile River Dinner Cruise From Cairo.

Expect live music, a tanoura whirling show, and city lights along Garden City and Zamalek. Prefer land-based dining? Try Abou El Sid (rich molokhia, stuffed pigeons) or Sobhy Kaber (legendary grills; go early to avoid queues).

Day 3: Coptic Cairo, last tastes, and departure

Morning: Explore Coptic Cairo’s quiet lanes: the Hanging Church (El‑Muallaqa), Saints Sergius and Bacchus (with a crypt linked to the Holy Family tradition), Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the excellent Coptic Museum. Grab coffee and a sweet at El Abd Patisserie (Downtown) or a quick, hearty koshary at Abou Tarek before you go.

Afternoon (departure): Allow 2.5–3.5 hours from central Cairo to gate at CAI (traffic + security). If your flight is late evening and you want one more ancient chapter, consider a focused half‑day south of Giza: 6- Hours Half Day Tour To Sakkara & Memphis & Dahshur.

You’ll see Djoser’s Step Pyramid (the blueprint for all pyramids), the Red and Bent Pyramids, and relics from Egypt’s earliest kings.

Where to eat today (choose 1–2):

• Breakfast: Tabali (baladi bread, feteer, eggs), or Cake Café (Zamalek) for coffee and pastries.
• Lunch: Abou Tarek (the city’s most famous koshary) or Kazaz (juicy shawarma, quick service).
• Souvenir coffee: Sufi Bookstore Café (Zamalek) for a calm send‑off and a bookish vibe.

Local logistics and tips: Downtown/Zamalek to Giza Plateau is usually 45–70 minutes by car; budget a bit more around rush hours. Metro is clean and cheap for cross‑town hops, but most sights here are best combined by car. At Giza, use official camel handlers and agree on prices in advance; carry sun protection and plenty of water.

Need more Cairo? If you extend your stay, add Al‑Moez Street’s architectural showcase, the Sultan Hassan and Al‑Rifa’i twin mosques by the Citadel, and a photo stop at Cairo Tower at golden hour. Food lovers can detour to El Prince (Imbaba) for tawagen and liver, or Andrea New Giza for wood‑fired chicken.

Alternate pyramid focus (if you prefer a classic, lunch‑included day): Top Rated Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel ride,lunch & inside pyramids.

It’s a great swap for Day 2 if you want maximum time on the plateau with a relaxed pace.

In three days, you’ve touched the heartbeats that define Cairo: ancient engineering genius, layered sacred neighborhoods, and the Nile’s eternal rhythm. Return soon—there’s always another alley to wander, another mezze to savor, and another sunset to watch gilding stone and river alike.