Few cities roar with history like Cairo. Founded in 969 CE yet living beside pharaonic monuments, it’s a metropolis where minarets pierce the skyline and the Nile glows at sunset. From the Giza Plateau’s limestone giants to the labyrinth of Khan el-Khalili, Cairo rewards curiosity with story after story.

Modern Cairo is equally captivating. The Grand Egyptian Museum is redefining how the world meets ancient Egypt, while contemporary cafés and bakeries fuel the city’s day-to-day rhythm. Neighborhoods like Zamalek, Garden City, and Maadi offer leafy streets, gallery-hopping, and excellent dining between historic forays.

Practical notes: ride-hailing (Careem/Uber) is reliable and affordable; dress modestly for mosques; small tips (baksheesh) are part of local etiquette. Expect 45–70 minutes by car from central Cairo to Giza depending on traffic. Street food is a must—koshary, taameya (Egyptian falafel), and hawawshi—balanced with refined Egyptian and Levantine restaurants.

Cairo

Egypt’s capital brims with must-sees: the Giza Pyramids and Great Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the medieval lanes of Al-Muizz Street, the Citadel and Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Coptic heritage in Old Cairo, and sunset scenes along the Nile. It’s also a city of cafés, bakeries, and music—linger and you’ll find your favorites.

• Top sights: Giza Plateau, GEM, Egyptian Museum (Tahrir), Khan el-Khalili, Al-Azhar Mosque, Al-Muizz Street, Saladin Citadel, Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue), NMEC (Royal Mummies Hall), Saqqara Step Pyramid, Dahshur’s Bent and Red Pyramids.
• Great eats and cafés: Zooba (modern Egyptian street food), Koshary El Tahrir (classic koshary), El Prince (Imbaba; grilled meats and molokhia), Abou El Sid (elegant Egyptian), Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant (heritage dining in Khan el-Khalili), Taboula (Levantine), Andrea El Mariouteya (spit-roasted chicken), Crimson Cairo (Zamalek rooftop), Pub 28 (old-school bar), El-Fishawy (centuries-old café).
• Fun facts: Cairo is nicknamed “the City of a Thousand Minarets.” The Step Pyramid at Saqqara predates Giza by centuries, and the Nile dinner cruise tradition is a quintessential Cairo night out.

Where to stay (search and book): Browse apartments and family-friendly stays on VRBO Cairo, or compare hotels—from riverside classics to boutique boltholes—on Hotels.com Cairo. First-timers love Zamalek (central, leafy, artsy) or Garden City (quiet, Nile-adjacent). Maadi suits longer stays with cafés and green pockets.

Getting there and around: Search flights to Cairo (CAI) on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com; from London it’s ~5 hours nonstop, from New York ~11 hours nonstop, from Dubai ~3.5 hours. Travelers starting or ending in Europe can also compare on Omio flights. In Cairo, ride-hailing is typically $3–$10 per ride in central areas; plan 45–70 minutes to Giza by car depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Zamalek Stroll, Nile Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive in Cairo and settle into your hotel in Zamalek or Garden City. Shake off jet lag with a Nile-side walk on the Corniche. For a pick-me-up, try 30 North Coffee (single-origin pours) or EspressoLab (smooth cold brew) in Zamalek.

Evening: Casual Egyptian dinner at Zooba (taameya, baladi bread, koshary with a twist). If you prefer classics, Abou El Sid serves stuffed pigeons, molokhia, and meze in a richly decorated setting. Nightcap at Pub 28 (old-school Cairo bar) or rooftop views at Crimson Cairo while the city hums below.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis (Full-Day Guided)

Spend a full day on a comprehensive pyramids tour that handles logistics, tickets, and a local guide’s context—ideal on your first full day.

All inclusive Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, lunch, Camel, inside 3rd pyramid — VIP-style day covering Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis, with lunch and a camel ride included. Expect hotel pickup around 8–9am and return late afternoon; driving segments are 45–75 minutes each way.

Tip: Bring small notes for tips, a hat, sunscreen, and cash for any add-ons. Evening back in town: unwind with fresh juices at Koueider (try mango or sugarcane) and a simple bowl at Koshary El Tahrir.

Day 3: Grand Egyptian Museum, Historic Lanes, Khan el-Khalili

Morning: Dive into the new era of Egyptology at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Many galleries are open as of 2025, with blockbuster displays and conservation labs glimpsed through glass. Book a guided visit to maximize context.

New Grand Egyptian museum half day tour (GEM museum) — a half-day guided experience focused on the GEM’s highlights and the latest curation.

Afternoon: Head to Islamic Cairo. Walk Al-Muizz Street’s restored medieval façades, step into Al-Azhar Mosque (modest dress; shoes off), and browse brass and spice stalls in Khan el-Khalili. Lunch at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant for stuffed vine leaves, grilled kofta, and warm bread.

Evening: Tea at El-Fishawy—one of Cairo’s oldest cafés—then a relaxed dinner in Garden City at Taboula (Levantine grills, fattoush, and creamy hummus). If you have energy, catch the Giza Sound & Light Show (nightly; times vary by season).

Day 4: Coptic Cairo, Citadel, and a Nile Dinner Cruise

Morning: Explore Coptic Cairo’s spiritual heart: the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus (linked to the Holy Family tradition), and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Nearby, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) holds the unmissable Royal Mummies Hall—beautifully presented and humbling.

Afternoon: Taxi to the Saladin Citadel; enter the gleaming Mosque of Muhammad Ali and gaze across Cairo’s sea of domes. Coffee with a view at a citadel café or head to Maadi for a late lunch at Kazaz (shawarma and fresh-baked breads) or Lucille’s (if you crave a classic burger; a Cairo staple).

Evening: Celebrate on the river with a dinner cruise and show.

Pyramids, Sphinx with Optional ATV Bike, Dinner Cruise & Shopping — select the dinner cruise component for an atmospheric night with live music and whirling tanoura.

Late: Post-cruise, grab kunafa or basbousa from Abdel Rehim Koueider, or a quiet drink at Cairo Cellar (Garden City) if you prefer a low-key bar.

Day 5: Alexandria Day Trip (Mediterranean Air)

Swap the desert hues for sea breeze. Alexandria blends Greco-Roman echoes with corniche cafés and seafood feasts. It’s ~2.5–3 hours by private car each way (morning departure recommended); traffic through Cairo can add time.

Alexandria Day Trip From Cairo — visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Roman Amphitheatre, Fort Qaitbey (on the site of the ancient Lighthouse), and stroll old-town lanes. Lunch on the harbor with grilled prawns and sayadieh (spiced rice with fish).

Dinner back in Cairo: Keep it light with hawawshi and tahini at El Prince, or try Pier 88 (Zamalek) for river views and a refined menu.

Day 6: Saqqara, Dahshur, and Village Flavors

Morning: Return south for a deeper pyramid day. At Saqqara, the Step Pyramid of Djoser charts ancient Egypt’s architectural leap; nearby tombs have superb reliefs. Continue to Dahshur to see the Bent Pyramid’s dramatic angle change and the elegant Red Pyramid. Allow ~60–90 minutes’ drive from central Cairo; cluster these together to minimize backtracking.

Afternoon: Lunch at Andrea El Mariouteya for spit-roasted chicken, fattoush, and puffy hot bread fresh from the oven. If you’re keen on museums, swing by NMEC (if not visited earlier) for an hour with the mummies and a concise overview of Egyptian eras.

Evening: Golden-hour felucca sail from Zamalek or Garden City (1 hour is perfect around sunset). Dinner at Abou El Sid (slow-cooked lamb, stuffed vine leaves) or a modern twist at Zooba if you want something lighter.

Day 7: Art, Last Bites, Souvenirs, Departure

Morning: Breakfast in Downtown at Eish + Malh (shakshuka and strong coffee) or in Zamalek at The Lemon Tree & Co. (seasonal plates, bright setting). Pop into small galleries on Zamalek’s 26th of July Corridor or browse handicrafts—copperware, mother-of-pearl boxes, handwoven kilims—at Khan el-Khalili or fair-trade shops.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Fasahet Somaya (home-style Egyptian; limited seats—arrive early) or Koshary El Tahrir for a final carb-hug before the airport. Transfers to CAI can take 45–90 minutes depending on traffic; plan accordingly.

Evening: Depart Cairo with sand-dusted shoes, a camera full of history, and a palate permanently spoiled by taameya and tahini.

Practical Add-Ons and Notes

• Flight searches: Compare fares on Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com, and for European routes Omio flights. Roundtrips from Europe often range $250–$600 shoulder season; from North America $700–$1,200 depending on timing.
• Local transport: Ride-hailing is cheap and efficient. Keep small change for tips and minor fees. For most sites, allow buffer time for security checks and Cairo traffic.
• Where to base: Zamalek for cafés and centrality; Garden City for quiet streets and Nile proximity; Maadi for longer stays with leafy avenues and international dining.

Optional Swap: GEM + Pyramids in One Curated Day

If you prefer to condense the museum and Giza into a single expertly guided day, consider:

Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids and Great Sphinx Tour — private guidance across both icons with flexible pacing.

Seven days in Cairo let you savor the Pyramids and Sphinx, wander medieval lanes, meet mummies face-to-face, and watch the Nile glitter after dark. With smart guiding and a few leisurely meals, you’ll feel the city’s pulse—and want to come back for Luxor and Aswan next.