Cairo is a city that hums with antiquity and everyday life in the same breath. Pharaonic marvels sit a short drive from medieval mosques, 19th‑century boulevards, and Nile-side neighborhoods where café chatter drifts until late. The skyline—minarets, concrete, and that timeless river—frames an urban symphony you can taste in a bowl of koshary or feel atop a camel on the Giza Plateau.

Founded in 969 CE by the Fatimids but layered over much older settlements, Greater Cairo is a living museum: Giza’s Pyramids and Sphinx, Coptic churches in Old Cairo, and the Mamluk heart of Islamic Cairo. The new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) showcases dazzling collections steps from the pyramids, while the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) safeguards the Royal Mummies.

Practical notes: dress modestly for religious sites; cash is useful though cards are widely accepted; Uber is reliable for getting around. Winters are mild; summers are hot but manageable with early starts and midday breaks. Food is a highlight—from iconic Koshary Abou Tarek to slow-grilled meats at Sobhy Kaber, and contemporary Egyptian plates at Abou El Sid.

Cairo

There’s nowhere else on earth where a metro ride can be followed by a 4,500‑year‑old stone horizon. Beyond its headline sights, Cairo rewards wanderers: tea in Khan el‑Khalili’s centuries‑old cafés, a golden sunset from Al‑Azhar Park, gallery‑hopping in Zamalek, and late dinners that spill into conversation.

• Top sights: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), NMEC (Royal Mummies), Citadel of Saladin, Sultan Hassan and Al‑Rifa’i Mosques, Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Coptic Museum), Khan el‑Khalili bazaar, Al‑Azhar Park, Cairo Tower.
• Don’t miss: Sunset felucca on the Nile; a koshary lunch; bargaining for brass or inlaid wood in Khan el‑Khalili; a day trip to Alexandria for sea air and Greco‑Roman layers.
• Where to stay: Zamalek (central, leafy, Nile views), Downtown/Garden City (historic, walkable), Giza (for pyramid views), Maadi (green, café culture), New Cairo (space and modern hotels).

Stay here (handy search links): Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Cairo or compare hotels by neighborhood and budget on Hotels.com Cairo. For pyramid‑view stays, look near Nazlet El‑Saman; for nightlife and cafés, focus on Zamalek or Maadi.

Getting to Cairo: Search competitive fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: London–Cairo ~5h; New York–Cairo ~10h nonstop (~$600–$1,100 round‑trip off‑peak). If flying from Europe, also compare on Omio flights. Cairo Airport (CAI) sits ~45–60 minutes from central areas; Uber and hotel transfers are straightforward.

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Cairo, and the Nile

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle stroll along the Nile Corniche in Garden City, then wander Downtown’s Khedival boulevards—early 20th‑century arcades, bookstores, and Art Deco facades.

Evening: Eat like a local at Koshary Abou Tarek (the city’s beloved carbohydrate symphony of pasta, rice, lentils, chickpeas, and spicy tomato sauce) or try modern Egyptian street food at Zooba (ta’ameya, hawawshi, beet tahini). For a Nile‑view nightcap and grilled meats, head to Crimson Bar & Grill (Zamalek) or book a table at Abou El Sid for molokhia, stuffed vine leaves, and slow‑braised lamb shank.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids & Great Sphinx (with Camel Ride)

Morning: Beat the heat with an early private visit to the Giza Plateau. A convenient option is the All inclusive Private Giza Pyramids Tour | Trusted by Thousands—hotel pickup, an Egyptologist guide, and a 30‑minute camel ride to those postcard viewpoints.

Afternoon: Linger at the Panorama Point to see all three pyramids in a single frame. If you’d like, buy the limited interior ticket to enter Khufu or Khafre’s pyramid (narrow passages; not for the claustrophobic). For lunch with a view, book 9 Pyramids Lounge for mezze, grilled kofta, and that unbelievable horizon.

Evening: Back in town, head to Zamalek for coffee and dessert at Cake Café or specialty brews at 30 North. Prefer a classic dinner? Abou Shakra (Giza) does old‑school mixed grills with pyramid silhouettes at sunset.

Day 3: Grand Egyptian Museum + Zamalek Views

Morning: Dive into ancient masterpieces at the new museum next to the pyramids with the Top VIP Private Tour Grand Egyptian Museum & the New Galleries. Your guide navigates the highlights efficiently—ideal for a first look at the scale and curation. (Check the latest gallery openings and timed entries.)

Afternoon: Cross to Zamalek: ride the Cairo Tower for 360‑degree views (clearer light in late afternoon), then browse island boutiques and galleries. Refuel with shakshuka or sourdough at Eish & Malh Downtown (also great for brunch if you swapped your morning) or sushi and robata at Kazoku (New Cairo) if you’re craving something modern.

Evening: Catch golden hour at Al‑Azhar Park—the skyline glows, the Citadel looms, and the call to prayer rolls across the city. Dine at the park’s Lake Restaurant & Café for grilled fish and fattoush under the stars.

Day 4: Full‑Day Islamic & Coptic Cairo (Guided)

Let a specialist guide connect the dots across faiths and centuries on the Full Day Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo Private Guided Tour. Expect Old Cairo’s Hanging Church, the Coptic Museum’s icons, Ben Ezra Synagogue, then the grand Mamluk mosques (Sultan Hassan and Al‑Rifa’i), plus time in Khan el‑Khalili. It’s a satisfying, story‑rich day that frames Cairo beyond the pharaohs.

Post‑tour ideas: linger at El‑Fishawy, a 200‑year‑old café for mint tea and sheesha, then sit down for Egyptian classics at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant tucked in the bazaar’s lanes.

Day 5: Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur (Step Pyramid Day)

Morning: Head 45–60 minutes south to the desert necropolis of Saqqara. Start with Djoser’s Step Pyramid (the blueprint of all later pyramids), then enter Old Kingdom tombs to see vivid daily‑life reliefs. If open during your visit, the Serapeum (Apis bull catacombs) is unforgettable. Continue to Memphis for the colossal Ramses II statue.

Afternoon: Drive on to Dahshur to admire Sneferu’s Red Pyramid and the distinctively angled Bent Pyramid. Fewer crowds, vast horizons, and a powerful sense of experimentation in stone. Budget roughly 6–7 hours for the circuit and ~$20–30 in site entries (plus optional interiors). Hire a licensed driver/guide via your hotel; bring water, sunhat, and small bills for tips.

Evening: Back in Cairo, celebrate with grills at Sobhy Kaber—smoky tarb (kofta wrapped in lamb fat), charcoal chicken, and baladi bread fresh off the saj. If energy allows, take a private 1‑hour felucca from Zamalek or Maadi at sunset (expect ~400–600 EGP per boat; agree the price in advance).

Day 6: Alexandria Day Trip (Mediterranean Air)

Trade desert for sea breezes on the Alexandria Day Trip From Cairo. Typically 2.5–3 hours each way, the tour covers the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Roman Amphitheatre, Pompey’s Pillar, and sea views near Citadel of Qaitbay, plus a stroll in the colonial‑era center.

For lunch, order the catch of the day at the Greek Club (White & Blue) overlooking the fort, then finish with coffee and mille‑feuille at Délices, a century‑old patisserie. Return to Cairo in the evening.

Day 7: NMEC Mummies, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat to meet the Royal Mummies—expertly displayed with context from prehistory to modern Egypt. Nearby, the Fustat Traditional Crafts Center sells quality pottery, glass, and textiles.

Afternoon: Brunch on sourdough, shakshuka, and espresso at Eish & Malh (Downtown) or sip single‑origin pour‑overs at 30 North (Zamalek). Pick up last‑minute gifts—papyrus, brass, perfumes—in Khan el‑Khalili or browse boutiques on Zamalek’s 26th of July Street. Depart for the airport; plan 2.5–3 hours before an international flight. Search return options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add‑Ons and Local Gems

• Khan el‑Khalili by evening: Lantern‑lit lanes, oud music drifting from cafés, and copperware workshops—the atmosphere peaks after dusk.
• Cairo food crawl: Felfela for falafel and vine leaves; El Prince (Bolaq) for liver sandwiches and sizzling tagines; Zooba for colorful, modern riffs on classics.
• Citadel skyline morning: Pair the Citadel with the Madrassa‑Mosque of Sultan Hassan early for quiet courtyards and birdsong.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Uber is the easiest. The Cairo Metro is fast and inexpensive for Downtown–Zamalek (Opera), Heliopolis, and Old Cairo corridors.
• Dress & etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered for mosques; remove shoes or use provided covers. Fridays are busier post‑prayers.
• Money: ATMs are widespread. Keep small bills for tips and site attendants.
• Heat strategy: Start early, siesta after lunch, resume at golden hour. Hydrate and pack sunscreen.

Another excellent Cairo day: If you’d like to combine pyramids and museum highlights in one go, consider the Grand Egyptian Museum Giza Pyramids and Sphinx in Private Tour as a dedicated day. It’s efficient for travelers who prefer a single, expertly guided overview.

Seven days in Cairo lets you savor both the immortal stone of Giza and the human rhythms of the city—tea steam curling through bazaars, the Nile’s slow sheen at dusk, calligraphy on stone and sky. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes, spices in your luggage, and stories stitched from pharaohs to falafel.