Cairo is never quiet; it hums with 22 million stories, minarets stitched into the skyline, and the Nile slipping past as it has for millennia. Founded near ancient Memphis, the city is a gateway to Old Kingdom pyramids, medieval mosques, and a modern art-and-cafe scene that rewards wandering. You’ll trace pharaohs, Fatimids, and everyday Cairenes—all in one week.

Expect highlights like the Giza Pyramids and Great Sphinx, the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the mosques of the Citadel, the Coptic churches of Old Cairo, the Grand Egyptian Museum previews, and the mummies at NMEC. Add spice with Khan el‑Khalili’s brass and perfumes, Zamalek’s galleries, and a breezy day by the Mediterranean in Alexandria.

Practical notes: Uber and Careem work well; traffic is heavy, so start early. Dress modestly for mosques (shoulders/knees covered; bring a scarf). ATMs are common; small cash (EGP) helps for tips. Cairo is sunny most of the year—carry water and sunscreen, and schedule indoor museums during midday heat.

Cairo

Egypt’s capital is a living library. In one morning you can step inside a 4,500-year-old pyramid, then sip single-origin coffee in Downtown’s belle-époque facades before bargaining for inlaid boxes in a medieval market. Nights bring Nile breezes, grilled kofta smoke, and the glow of minarets at prayer time.

• Top sights: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Saqqara and Dahshur pyramids, the Citadel and Sultan Hassan Mosque, Coptic Cairo’s Hanging Church, Khan el‑Khalili, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM previews), and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (Royal Mummies Hall).
• Food to seek out: Koshary, taameya (Egyptian falafel), grilled mixed grills, molokhia, and hibiscus karkadeh. Don’t miss street carts for fresh sugarcane juice.
• Neighborhoods to base in: Zamalek (leafy, central, artsy), Downtown (historic and walkable), Giza (for early pyramid starts), Maadi (residential, cafes).

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Cairo or compare hotels on Hotels.com Cairo. Look for Nile-view rooms in Zamalek, boutique picks in Downtown, or pyramid-view stays in Giza for sunrise magic.

How to get there: Fly into CAI. Nonstop New York–Cairo is ~10–11 hours; London–Cairo ~5 hours; Gulf connections are frequent. Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From CAI, taxis/Uber to Zamalek/Downtown take 45–70 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1 — Arrival, Downtown Cairo, and a Nile Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel. For a quick orientation walk, head down Talaat Harb Street and pedestrianized Alfy Passage to admire 19th‑century facades and local bakeries. Grab a late lunch at Abou Tarek for Egypt’s beloved koshary—layers of pasta, lentils, chickpeas, and crunchy onions with garlicky vinegar and spicy sauce.

Evening: Take a gentle felucca sail at golden hour from Zamalek’s river docks; one hour is perfect for jetlag. Dinner at Zooba (Zamalek) for modern takes on Egyptian street food—try taameya with beet tahini and hawawshi (spiced meat-stuffed bread). For dessert, head to Abdel Rehim Koueider for pistachio basbousa or mango konafa.

Day 2 — Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum Preview

Morning: Get an early start (7:30–8:00 a.m.) for the Giza Plateau. It’s ~45–75 minutes by car from central Cairo. Consider a guided day to streamline entrances and context. Excellent option:

Grand Egyptian Museum Giza Pyramids and Sphinx in Private Tour — pairs the Pyramids and Sphinx with the new GEM preview areas (opening phases/galleries vary; check availability when booking). You’ll discuss Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, walk to the Sphinx, and view highlights curated from Egypt’s vast collections.

Afternoon: Lunch with a view at 9 Pyramids Lounge on the plateau—think mezze, grilled kofta, and a panorama that makes time stop. If you plan to enter a pyramid, the Great Pyramid access is a separate ticket and involves a narrow, steep climb; bring water. Note: Khufu’s solar boat is now housed at GEM.

Evening: Return to the city. For a relaxed night, head to Sachi (Heliopolis) for refined Egyptian-Mediterranean plates or to Koshary El Tahrir for a budget-friendly second round of the national dish. Optional: the Giza Sound & Light Show (classic, theatrical) if you’re keen on night photography.

Day 3 — Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur: Egypt Before Giza

Morning: Dive deeper at the older necropolis south of Cairo. Book:

Private Day Tour Saqqara Pyramids, Memphis and Dahshur Pyramids — see Djoser’s Step Pyramid (the prototype for all pyramids), the Unas Pyramid with the earliest Pyramid Texts, noble tomb reliefs, then the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur where you can often climb inside with fewer crowds.

Afternoon: Lunch in Giza at Sobhy Kaber, famous for smoky mixed grills, molokhia, and clay-pot fattah. Expect a lively local crowd. If energy allows, stop by the nearby Carpet Schools to see traditional weaving and learn about designs from different regions.

Evening: Cross to Zamalek for a low-key night. Try 30 NORTH for specialty coffee or Cairo Jazz Club (book ahead) for live music. For dinner, Abou El Sid serves classic Egyptian home-cooking—stuffed vine leaves, spicy Alexandrian sausage, and rabbit molokhia.

Day 4 — Coptic Cairo, the Citadel, and Khan el‑Khalili

Morning: Start with breakfast at Eish + Malh (Downtown) for shakshuka and fresh juices. Then tour Old Cairo’s Coptic quarter: the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus (tradition holds the Holy Family once sheltered here), and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Continue to the Citadel to see the alabaster Mohammed Ali Mosque and sweeping city views.

Streamline the day with this guide-led circuit:

4-hours private Tour Islamic Mosque,Coptic Cairo &Khan el-Khalili — compact but rich in context; ask your guide to include Sultan Hassan and Al‑Rifa’i Mosques for exquisite Mamluk architecture.

Afternoon: Drop into Khan el‑Khalili. Shop for brass lamps, oud perfume oils, and hand-hammered trays. Lunch at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant inside the bazaar—cool, atmospheric, and dependable mezze. Bargaining is expected; start at ~50–60% of the first quote and smile.

Evening: Stroll Al‑Moez Street’s restored Fatimid lanes after dusk; the stonework glows beautifully. Cap the night with mint tea and a shisha at El Fishawy, a 200‑year‑old cafe frequented by generations of Cairo writers and traders.

Day 5 — Day Trip to Alexandria: Sea Air and Hellenistic Echoes

Trade desert hues for Mediterranean blues with a private day trip (about 2.5–3 hours each way by car). This well-paced option covers the essentials:

1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo — visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Qaitbay Citadel (on the site of the ancient Lighthouse), Pompey’s Pillar, and the Catacombs of Kom el‑Shoqafa.

Lunch: Choose Fish Market on the corniche for the day’s catch with harbor views, or Balbaa (Sidi Bishr) for Egyptian seafood classics like sayadiyah rice and grilled shrimp. Walk the promenade with an ice cream from Gelato Azza if time allows. Return to Cairo by evening.

Optional late evening back in Cairo: Unwind with a Nile dinner cruise—buffet or set-menu options with tanoura or belly-dance shows—or keep it simple with fresh juices at Kimo on the corniche.

Day 6 — Mummies, Modern Cairo, and Departure

Morning: Visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat, home to the Royal Mummies Hall—beautifully presented with clear English labels. Plan ~1.5–2 hours. If you prefer something lighter, browse Zamalek’s galleries (Zamalek Art Gallery, Ubuntu) and artisan shops for ceramics and textiles.

Lunch: Felfela Downtown is a perennial favorite for tamiyya, mahshi (stuffed vegetables), and grilled pigeon. Or head to Kazaz for quick, excellent shawarma and chicken shish.

Departure: Allow generous airport time (3 hours pre-international flight). Check fares and schedules on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Cairo traffic can be unpredictable; leave early, especially on weekday afternoons.

Practical Dining and Coffee Shortlist

• Breakfast/coffee: Eish + Malh (baked eggs, sourdough), 30 NORTH (single-origin pours), Kafein (Downtown espresso and pastries).
• Lunch gems: Abou Tarek (koshary institution), Zooba (playful Egyptian street food), Kazaz (quick grilled chicken and wraps).
• Dinner favorites: Abou El Sid (classic Egyptian), Sachi (Heliopolis; refined Mediterranean), 9 Pyramids Lounge (views for days), Sobhy Kaber (feast-style grills).
• Sweets: Abdel Rehim Koueider (since 1928), Mandarine Koueider (baklava, ice cream).

Getting Around

• Rides: Uber and Careem are reliable; most inner-city trips cost ~USD 3–8. Carry small cash for tips and kiosks.
• Metro: Cheap and efficient for Downtown/Zamalek connections; avoid rush hour if possible.
• Day trip logistics: Alexandria by private car/tour is 2.5–3 hours each way; trains from Ramses Station run frequently (2.5–3 hours), but guided car trips save time door-to-door.

Optional Add-Ons If You Have Extra Time

• Giza deep dive: If pyramids fascinate you, swap in a dedicated half-day like this focused experience: GEM + Pyramids private tour (as above) or add camel ride/photo stops.
• Evening felucca or dinner cruise: Great after hot days; book near your hotel pier for convenience.

Book Your Cairo Base

• VRBO Cairo — Apartments in Zamalek or Giza for space and local feel.
• Hotels.com Cairo — Compare river-view classics, boutique Downtown stays, and pyramid-view hotels.

Featured, Easy-to-Book Experiences Used in This Itinerary

• Grand Egyptian Museum Giza Pyramids and Sphinx in Private Tour

  

• Private Day Tour Saqqara Pyramids, Memphis and Dahshur Pyramids

  

• 4-hours private Tour Islamic Mosque,Coptic Cairo &Khan el-Khalili

  

• 1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo

  

In six days you’ll stand before the world’s most storied pyramids, read hieroglyphs in ancient tombs, sip tea where Nobel laureates once wrote, and taste Egypt on every corner. Cairo moves fast, but this plan lets you savor the city—sand, stone, spice, and the Nile’s quiet hush at sunset.