Ancient kings carved legacies in stone on Cairo’s western desert; modern life hums along the Nile’s green banks just across the river. In a single day you can stand under Khufu’s Great Pyramid, sip mint tea in an Ottoman-era alley, and dine while feluccas drift past. Cairo is history writ large—and a living capital with buzzing cafes and cutting-edge galleries.

Far south on the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el‑Sheikh is a different Egypt: warm reefs, painterly sunsets over the Red Sea, and long, lazy meals under lantern-lit pergolas. Divers call it a bucket-list destination; non-divers find glassy lagoons, dramatic desert canyons, and easy day trips to Ras Mohammed National Park.

Practical notes: Egypt is welcoming and affordable, though the sun is strong year‑round—pack hats, SPF, and a refillable bottle. Dress modestly for mosques and older neighborhoods; cash tips (10–15%) are appreciated. Check current guidance on the Grand Egyptian Museum opening status; many galleries are operating, with more rolling out.

Cairo

Home to the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, Cairo is equal parts ancient and exuberant. Zamalek’s leafy streets hide excellent coffee and art; Islamic Cairo’s minarets lace the skyline; Khan el‑Khalili still sells brass and spices as it did centuries ago.

• Top sights: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) previews, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (royal mummies), Saladin Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque, Coptic Cairo.
• Why go now: New GEM exhibits are opening in phases; the Giza Plateau has better visitor services, including the photogenic 9 Pyramids Lounge.
• Eat & drink: Iconic koshary at Abou Tarek; contemporary Egyptian at Zooba; refined dining at Sachi (Zamalek) or Kazoku (New Cairo); mint tea and oud music at Naguib Mahfouz Café in Khan el‑Khalili.

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Cairo or compare hotels on Hotels.com Cairo. Aim for Giza (for early pyramid starts) or Zamalek (for dining and easy river access).

Getting there: Search flights on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Cairo International (CAI) has frequent connections across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Sharm el‑Sheikh

Sharm is the Red Sea’s resort capital—a launchpad for Ras Mohammed and Tiran Island. Expect translucent water, coral gardens, and a lively evening scene in SOHO Square and Naama Bay.

• Top experiences: Snorkel Ras Mohammed’s coral walls; learn to dive in calm housereefs; laze at Ras Um Sid; sunset tea at Farsha Mountain Lounge; shopping and fountains at SOHO Square.
• Local flavor: Order the catch of the day at Fares Seafood, then take a night stroll through the Old Market beneath the alabaster-white Al‑Sahaba Mosque.

Stay: See villas and apartments on VRBO Sharm el‑Sheikh or hotels on Hotels.com Sharm el‑Sheikh. Nabq is quiet and family-friendly; Naama Bay is central and social; Hadaba (Ras Um Sid) is great for reef access.

Getting there from Cairo: 1 hr 10 min flight, typically US$60–140 one-way if booked ahead. Search on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Overland buses take ~6–8 hours.

Optional day trip (if based in Sharm longer): Fly up for a whirlwind Cairo highlights tour: Sharm: Cairo Excursion by Flight.

Day 1 — Land in Cairo, Nile by Night

Afternoon (arrival): Land at CAI and transfer to your hotel in Giza or Zamalek (30–60 min; airport taxis or car services run roughly US$10–20 depending on traffic). Drop bags and refresh. If you’re pyramid‑side, take a quick peek at the plateau from outside at sunset; if you’re riverside, stroll the Corniche to shake off jet lag.

Evening: Celebrate night one with a dinner cruise—live music, whirling tanoura, and Cairo’s skyline aglow. Book the Pyramids Sphinx Camel ATV Bike Shopping and Nile Dinner Cruise for the cruise component and easy hotel transfers.

Late bites & drinks: If you have energy, head to Zamalek for a nightcap. Try 30 North Coffee for single-origin pours and a light dessert, or pop into Sachi for crafted cocktails and contemporary plates (reserve ahead).

Day 2 — Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and Museum Masterpieces

Morning: Early hotel breakfast or a quick espresso and croissant from 30 North Coffee (Zamalek). Beat the crowds at the Giza Plateau: Khufu’s Great Pyramid, Khafre, Menkaure, and the Sphinx. For a guided deep‑dive with stress‑free logistics and an “inside a pyramid” option, consider Top Rated Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel ride, lunch & inside pyramids.

Afternoon: Long, lazy lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge—Bedouin-style seating with blockbuster views and grilled meats, tahini, and fresh baladi bread. Then explore museum treasures with a private Egyptologist. The Cairo 8 Hour Private Tour of Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum aligns perfectly with a one‑day deep dive (guides will tailor to what’s open at GEM and can pivot to NMEC if desired).

Evening: Wander Khan el‑Khalili’s alleys at dusk when brass lamps begin to glow; pause for mint tea and mezze at Naguib Mahfouz Café. For dinner, choose Egyptian street classics at Zooba (taameya, hawawshi, pickled salads) or go celebratory at Kazoku (Japanese) in New Cairo, known for refined sushi and robata.

Day 3 — Flight to Sharm el‑Sheikh, Reefs and Sunset Lounges

Morning (travel): Fly Cairo → Sharm el‑Sheikh (SSH). Flights take about 1 hr 10 min and usually depart in the morning; expect US$60–140 one‑way. Search and book via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Transfer to your hotel (15–25 min to Naama Bay/Hadaba).

Afternoon: Head to Ras Um Sid or El Fanar Beach Club for effortless snorkeling right from ladders—typically clear water, soft drift, and frequent anthias clouds and parrotfish. Lunch seaside at El Fanar (wood‑fired pizza, grilled shrimp, and cold karkadé).

Evening: Sunset tea at Farsha Mountain Lounge, carved into the cliff with lamps, rugs, and Red Sea views—go for cardamom coffee and dates. For dinner, choose SOHO Square: Bombay for fragrant North Indian curries, or L’Entrecôte for classic steak frites. Night owls can try Camel Bar & Roof in Naama Bay for a relaxed, music‑forward scene.

Day 4 — Red Sea Morning, Seafood Lunch, Departure

Morning: Breakfast at German Bakery (Hadaba) for still‑warm bread, omelets, and strong coffee. Then choose one last water experience: a relaxed housereef snorkel, a glass‑bottom boat if you’re keeping things dry, or a Discover Scuba session with a reputable dive center (ask for a confined‑water intro if you’re new).

Afternoon (departure): Early lunch at Fares Seafood in the Old Market—order grilled seabream, seafood soup, and rice with nuts. Pick up spices and dates beneath the striking Al‑Sahaba Mosque, then transfer to SSH for your afternoon flight. If departing from Cairo instead, allow for a late‑morning flight back plus 2–3 hours at CAI before your long‑haul.

Evening (if you have extra time): Quick coffee at SOHO Square and last stroll past the dancing fountain before you go.

Practical Dining & Coffee Shortlist

• Cairo breakfast/coffee: 30 North Coffee (Zamalek) for specialty roasts and pastries.
• Cairo lunch: 9 Pyramids Lounge (Giza Plateau) for the view; Abou Tarek downtown for iconic koshary.
• Cairo dinner: Zooba (modern Egyptian street fare); Sachi (creative Mediterranean‑Japanese, reservations advised).
• Sharm breakfast: German Bakery (Hadaba) for excellent bread and cakes.
• Sharm lunch: El Fanar Beach Club (sea‑view pizza, grills).
• Sharm dinner: Fares Seafood (Old Market) for ultra‑fresh catch; Bombay at SOHO Square for curries and tandoor.

Transport & Booking Tips

• International flights: Compare fares to CAI on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.
• Cairo ↔ Sharm: 1 hr 10 min flights, multiple daily; buses take 6–8 hrs. Airport transfers are widely available; confirm hotel pick‑up pricing in advance.
• Guided touring in Cairo: If you prefer a one‑and‑done day, consider the Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum, Nile Felucca OR Bazaar private tour for flexible routing and hotel pick‑up.

Where to book stays: For apartments and villas, try VRBO Cairo and VRBO Sharm el‑Sheikh. For hotels, compare on Hotels.com Cairo and Hotels.com Sharm el‑Sheikh.

Good to know: Reefs are protected—no touching or standing on coral; consider reef‑safe sunscreen. Fridays are the main day of rest; some shops open later. During Ramadan, many restaurants open after sunset—wonderful if you’d like to join an iftar.

In two cities and four days, you’ll trace the full arc of Egypt—from Old Kingdom stone to living neighborhoods, then onward to Red Sea blues and coral gardens. Expect big views, generous hospitality, and meals that linger in the memory.