Egypt condenses millennia into moments. In Cairo, you’ll look up at the Giza Pyramids—raised more than 4,500 years ago—and then peer into royal treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Within hours, you can swap desert stone for coral gardens, trading city hum for the hush of the Red Sea in Sharm el‑Sheikh.

This 4-day itinerary is designed for momentum: two culture-rich days in Cairo and two blissful days by the coast. Expect early starts, big sights, and rewarding downtime. You’ll move by plane between cities to save precious hours.

Practical notes: Many nationalities can apply for Egypt e‑visas. Dress modestly at mosques (shoulders/knees covered), carry small bills for tips, and plan for strong sun on the Red Sea. Egypt’s new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is opening in phases; if full galleries aren’t accessible on your dates, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square remains an excellent fallback.

Cairo

Cairo is a city of layers—Pharaonic to Fatimid, Mamluk to modern. The Giza Plateau crowns most lists, but Islamic Cairo’s mosques and Khan el‑Khalili’s lanes might steal your heart at dusk. Food-wise, this is where you fall for koshary, fluffy taameya, and slow-cooked molokhia.

• Top sights: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Egyptian Museum (Tahrir), Saladin Citadel, Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Coptic Cairo, Khan el‑Khalili.
• Where to stay: Base near Zamalek or Giza for easier access to sights and river views.
• Book stays: VRBO Cairo | Hotels.com Cairo
• Flights to start your trip: Compare fares to Cairo (CAI) on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From many European hubs it’s 4–6 hours; from the Gulf 3–4 hours.

Day 1: Land in Cairo, Downtown flavors, and the Nile by night

Afternoon: Arrive in Cairo and check in. Shake off the flight with a wander around Downtown’s Belle Époque streets. For a late lunch, try Abou Tarek (beloved for koshary—lentils, pasta, chickpeas, spicy tomato) or Zooba for modern takes on Egyptian street food (taameya with herbs, hawawshi stuffed bread).

Evening: Celebrate your first night with a Nile dinner cruise—belly dancing, whirling tanoura, and city lights from the water. Book the Pyramids Sphinx Camel ATV Bike Shopping and Nile Dinner Cruise for a bundled, great-value night experience (hotel transfers included).

Prefer to keep it low-key? Sip mint tea on Zamalek’s riverfront after dinner. Nightcap ideas: classic cafes near the Opera House or a rooftop in Zamalek.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and museum masterpieces

Morning: Aim for an early start at the Giza Plateau to beat crowds and heat. A private guide deepens the stories of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure and shows the best viewpoints. This Cairo 8 Hour Private Tour of Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum covers the plateau and museum with expert commentary and door-to-door transfers.

Lunch: Dine with a view at 9 Pyramids Lounge—grilled kofta, fresh mezze, and postcard angles of the plateau. If you’d rather head into town, Sachi Park St. offers sleek Mediterranean plates and good mocktails.

Afternoon: Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). If only preview galleries are open on your date, ask your guide to substitute the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir for Tut treasures and royal mummies. Coffee fix: 30 North in Zamalek roasts excellent single origins.

Evening: Explore Islamic Cairo—copper workshops, spice stalls, and muqarnas ceilings at Khan el‑Khalili. For a focused heritage walk, book the 4-hours private Tour Islamic Mosque, Coptic Cairo &Khan el-Khalili to cover the Citadel, Coptic quarter, and bazaar highlights.

Dinner: Book a table at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant inside the Khan for refined classics (pigeon mahshi, veal fattah) or Abou El Sid (Zamalek) for a cozy, old-Cairo setting and tagines.

Sharm el‑Sheikh

Welcome to the Sinai’s resort capital, where desert mountains meet kaleidoscopic reefs. Whether you’re snorkeling from shore at Ras Um Sid, taking a boat to Tiran Island, or people-watching along SOHO Square, Sharm is about relaxed days and late, starry nights.

• Top experiences: Snorkeling and diving (Ras Mohammed National Park, Tiran), sunset at Farsha Café, beach time in Naama Bay or Sharks Bay, desert quad biking.
• Where to stay: Sharks Bay and Nabq for quiet and house reefs; Naama Bay for nightlife; Hadaba for cliff views.
• Book stays: VRBO Sharm el‑Sheikh | Hotels.com Sharm el‑Sheikh
• Optional if you ever base only in Sharm: See Cairo in one day with this fly-in excursion: Sharm : Cairo Excursion by Flight, Pyramid GEM or Ancient Museum.

Day 3: Fly Cairo → Sharm el‑Sheikh, reef time, SOHO Square

Morning (travel): Take an early flight from Cairo (CAI) to Sharm (SSH)—about 1 hour, typically $40–$120 one-way on EgyptAir, Air Cairo, or Nile Air. Compare times and fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Check in, drop bags, and change for the beach.

Afternoon: Start easy with house-reef snorkeling at Ras Um Sid or Sharks Bay—both offer shallow entries and lively coral gardens with parrotfish and the occasional turtle. For a late lunch, Fares Seafood (Old Market or Hadaba) serves standout grilled shrimp, seafood soup, and sayadeya rice.

Evening: Stroll SOHO Square’s promenade for fountains, live music, and a mix of casual bites. Dinner picks: Bombay (fragrant curries and tandoor), Zen (classic Chinese), or L’Entrecote for steak and a date-night vibe. Chase sunset at cliffside Farsha Café—lanterns, rugs, soft Arabic tunes, and views over the Red Sea.

Day 4: Sunrise splash, Old Market flavors, and departure

Morning: Make the most of your last hours with a quick glass‑bottom boat ride from Naama Bay or a shore snorkel at El Fanar Beach Club—both fit into 1.5–2 hours and deliver schools of anthias and neon corals without the full‑day boat commitment. Coffee and a light breakfast at your resort or a quick stop at Starbucks Naama Bay for something grab‑and‑go.

Afternoon: Early lunch back at Fares Seafood or try El Masry (Hadaba) for hearty grills, mezze, and fresh bread. Head to Sharm Airport (SSH) for your afternoon departure. Flights back to Cairo are frequent—check schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com—and connect onward if needed.

Evening: In transit.

Good to know

• Money & tips: Carry Egyptian pounds for small purchases; 10–15% tips are customary at restaurants and with guides/drivers.
• What to wear: Lightweight layers for Cairo; modest attire for mosques. Reef‑safe sunscreen and a rash guard for Sharm.
• Connectivity: Local SIMs (Vodafone, Orange) at airports are reliable. Drones are restricted—don’t bring one without permits.
• Seasonality: Peak comfort is October–April. Summer in Cairo can be hot; early starts help.

In four days you’ll stand at the foot of the world’s most famous pyramids, browse bazaars perfumed with cardamom and leather, and float above forests of coral. It’s a swift, vivid slice of Egypt—ancient stones and brilliant seas—designed to leave you planning a longer return.