Few cities carry the weight of human history like Cairo. Founded in 969 CE yet dwelling beside monuments 4,500 years older, the capital of Egypt is a living archive—where minarets pierce the skyline, the Nile glides past palaces and houseboats, and daily life hums between ancient stones and modern cafés.

From the Giza Plateau to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo’s headline sights are world-class. But the city also rewards wanderers: quiet Coptic lanes, dazzling Mamluk architecture, brass-smiths on al-Muizz Street, and street-food counters dishing koshary and ta’ameya to locals on lunch break. End days with sunset over the Nile or mint tea under Khan el-Khalili’s lanterns.

Practical notes: ride-hailing apps (Uber, Careem) are reliable; dress modestly for mosques; Friday midday prayers affect opening hours. Tap water isn’t recommended—buy bottled. Tipping is customary. For flights to Cairo (CAI), compare options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Airport-to-downtown transfers take 45–70 minutes by Uber depending on traffic.

Cairo

Cairo’s soul is a collage: Pharaonic tombs, Fatimid alleys, Ottoman mosques, Belle Époque balconies, and contemporary galleries. The city’s vastness can feel exhilarating; use neighborhoods as chapters—Giza for pyramids, Downtown for historic cafés, Zamalek for leafy island life, and Old Cairo for Coptic heritage.

• Top sights: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Saladin Citadel, Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, Al-Rifa’i, Coptic Museum and Hanging Church, Khan el-Khalili, Al-Muizz Street, Al-Azhar Park.
• Experiences: felucca at sunset, Egyptian cooking class, oud or tanoura (whirling dervish) performance, traditional hammam, modern art galleries in Zamalek and Garden City.
• Why now: GEM’s new galleries are opening in stages; Cairo’s dining and café scene is buzzing, from iconic koshary halls to creative kitchens.

Where to stay (search and compare): For Nile-view classics (Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Kempinski Nile), pyramid-side stays (Marriott Mena House), and heritage picks (Cairo Marriott Zamalek, Villa Belle Époque in Maadi), browse Hotels.com Cairo. For family apartments and Nile-facing flats in Zamalek and Garden City, see VRBO Cairo.

Getting there: Nonstops exist from hubs like London (~5h), Paris (~4h30m), Istanbul (~2h), and New York (~10–11h). Compare fares and timings on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Zamalek Stroll, and a Nile Sunset

Afternoon: Land in Cairo, check in, and freshen up. Start easy with a stroll in Zamalek—leafy streets, embassies, and boutiques. Pop into 30 NORTH for specialty coffee or try Eish + Malh (Downtown) for a late brunch—think shakshuka and sourdough.

Evening: Catch sunset from a felucca near the Qasr El Nil bridge (bring small bills for tips). Dinner at Abou El Sid (Zamalek) for molokhia, vine leaves, and mixed grills, or head to Sachi (Heliopolis) for modern Mediterranean flavors and a refined wine list. Cap it with sweets from Mandarine Koueider or pistachio basbousa at El Abd Patisserie.

Day 2: The Giza Pyramids and Sphinx (icon day)

Make your first full day the one you’ve dreamed of: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the Great Sphinx, and panoramic desert viewpoints. A guided tour streamlines permits, inside-pyramid entry, and camel logistics.

Featured experience: Top Rated Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel ride, lunch & inside the pyramid

Food and tips: For lunch with unbeatable views, book 9 Pyramids Lounge (reserve ahead). If you stay late, the Sound & Light Show adds theater to the stones. Back in town, try Abou Tarek for the best koshary in Egypt—layers of pasta, lentils, chickpeas, and a punchy tomato-garlic-chili sauce. Nightcap at Crimson Bar & Grill (Zamalek rooftop) with Nile panoramas.

Day 3: Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur (Egypt’s pyramid lab)

Venture south to the fertile fringe where pyramid-building began. Saqqara houses the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the vividly painted tombs of nobles; Memphis is an open-air museum; Dahshur’s Bent and Red Pyramids reveal the trial-and-error that led to Giza’s perfection.

Featured experience: Private Day Tour Saqqara Pyramids, Memphis and Dahshur Pyramids

Why go: You can often enter the Red Pyramid’s interior with fewer crowds than Giza. Don’t miss Unas’ pyramid (Saqqara) for Old Kingdom star-spangled Pyramid Texts. Expect a full day with an early start.

Where to eat: Pack snacks from El Abd or stop for countryside grills on the return. For dinner back in Cairo, Kebdet El Prince (Imbaba) thrills locals with sizzling liver, hawawshi, and ta’ameya—go early, or opt for Sobhy Kaber (Shubra) for brilliant kebabs and kofta.

Day 4: Grand Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo Evenings

Morning: Dive into the new era of Egyptology at the GEM near Giza. New galleries and the vast Grand Staircase showcase masterpieces with modern lighting and context. Check which sections are open during your dates; guided access helps you see highlights efficiently.

Featured experience: Grand Egyptian Museum, Grand staircase, New Galleries & lunch

Afternoon: Head to Coptic Cairo: the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Coptic Museum’s tranquil courtyards. Coffee at the Coptic Museum café or nearby Garden City bakeries.

Evening: Dive into Khan el-Khalili and al-Muizz Street after the heat fades—brass lamps, inlaid wood, and Fatimid facades glowing under night lights. Dinner at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant (classic Egyptian) and mint tea at storied El Fishawy. On select nights, catch the tanoura show at Wekalet El Ghouri (arrive early; schedules vary).

Day 5: Citadel, Sultan Hassan, and Islamic Cairo Architecture

Morning: Tour the Saladin Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali with its alabaster interior and wide city views. Continue to the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa’i across the square—sober grandeur and royal tombs in stone.

Afternoon: Explore the Museum of Islamic Art (restored and excellent for calligraphy, woodwork, metalwork). Late lunch at Felfela (Downtown)—marinated pigeon, stuffed aubergines, and mezze—or Zooba for bright, contemporary takes on ful, ta’ameya, and beetroot tahini.

Evening: Sunset at Al-Azhar Park over domes and gardens. Dine at Studio Masr (park terrace grills) or head back to Zamalek for Pier 88’s riverfront vibe and seafood risotto. Dessert? Kunafa and mango when in season.

Day 6: Day Trip to Alexandria (Mediterranean air)

Trade desert palettes for sea breeze. Alexandria charms with Greco-Roman echoes and café-lined corniches. It’s roughly 2.5–3 hours each way by private car; departures are typically early morning with return by evening.

Featured experience: Alexandria Day Trip From Cairo

What you’ll see: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the Citadel of Qaitbay built on the Lighthouse’s footprint. Lunch on the harbor at Fish Market or the Greek Club (grilled sea bream, fried calamari, tahini, and warm baladi bread).

Back in Cairo: Light dinner along the Nile—try mezzes and grills at Kebabgy (Fairmont Nile City) or a casual shawarma stop near your hotel.

Day 7: Galleries, Souvenirs, and a Farewell on the Nile

Morning: Brunch at Eish + Malh or Cake Café (Zamalek). Browse Zamalek Art Gallery or independent shops for crafts (inlaid boxes, brassware, handblown glass). Pick up dates and spices in Downtown grocers to take home.

Afternoon: Free time for a hammam, a cooking class, or one last museum (the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir still houses significant collections). Enjoy a leisurely felucca—bring your own snacks and music.

Evening: Celebrate with Egyptian tasting menus (Abou El Sid for classics) or a Nile dinner cruise with live music and belly dancing (2 hours; departures typically around 7–8 pm). For a low-key finale, watch the city lights from a quiet Corniche bench with sugarcane juice in hand.

How to book and practical pointers

• Flights: Find competitive fares to Cairo on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Consider late-night arrivals; immigration is usually efficient.
• Where to stay: Compare hotels at Hotels.com Cairo and apartments on VRBO Cairo. Zamalek and Garden City are central and calm; Giza is perfect for sunrise pyramid views.
• Local transport: Uber/Careem are easiest. Cairo Metro is fast for Downtown/Heliopolis; avoid peak crush. For Alexandria day trips, private car tours are time-efficient.
• Etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered for mosques; bring a scarf. Fridays: expect some closures around noon prayer. During Ramadan, sightseeing is wonderful but dinner is later; book restaurants.
• Money: Carry cash for tips and small purchases; cards accepted at many hotels and restaurants. SIM cards from Vodafone/Orange are inexpensive at the airport.

In a week, you’ll trace Egypt’s arc from experimental pyramids to gold-washed mosques and the Mediterranean’s breezy edge—while tasting the everyday Cairo locals love. Expect to return with sand on your shoes, sugar on your lips, and a new mental map of one of the world’s great cities.