Welcome to Cairo—the “City of a Thousand Minarets” and the beating heart of the Arab world. Founded in the 10th century near ancient Memphis, Cairo blends Pharaonic treasures with Mamluk mosques, Ottoman palaces, and Belle Époque boulevards. Its skyline is a palimpsest where the Giza Pyramids share the horizon with the Cairo Tower and graceful mosque domes.

Travelers come for blockbuster sights—the Sphinx, the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, and the Royal Mummies—but stay for café culture, Nile sunsets, and late-night conversations over koshari and mint tea. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) now houses the Royal Mummies Hall, while the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza continues phased openings—check status before you go.

Practical notes: traffic is intense, so allow buffer time; Uber and Careem work well. Dress modestly for mosques (shoulders and knees covered; women may bring a scarf). Tipping (“baksheesh”) is customary for small services. Expect warm, dry weather much of the year; midday summer heat calls for early starts and shaded breaks.

Cairo

Cairo rewards curiosity. Wander Islamic Cairo’s medieval lanes; climb a minaret view at Bab Zuweila; sip coffee where Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz once wrote. Then pivot to modern life on Zamalek’s leafy island—gallery-hopping by day, Nile breezes by night.

• Don’t-miss highlights: Giza Plateau (Great Pyramid and Sphinx), Saqqara and Dahshur pyramids, NMEC’s Royal Mummies, the Citadel and Sultan Hassan Mosque, Coptic Cairo’s Hanging Church, Khan el‑Khalili bazaar, Al‑Azhar Park at golden hour.
• Where to stay: For Nile views and easy access, base in Downtown, Garden City, or Zamalek. Giza hotels near the plateau give magical pyramid sunrises.
• How to get around: Uber/Careem are straightforward; Cairo Metro serves key districts; private drivers are useful for pyramid day trips.

Stay in Cairo: Browse apartments and hotels near the Nile or Giza Plateau on VRBO Cairo or compare riverfront stays on Hotels.com Cairo.

Getting to Cairo (CAI): From Europe, nonstop flights are typically 4–5 hours; from the U.S., most routings are 12–16 hours with one stop. Check fares and schedules on Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com, or (for Europe-based travelers) Omio flights. Typical roundtrip ranges: $250–$500 from major European hubs; $700–$1,100 from the U.S., varying by season.

Day 1: Arrival, Zamalek Stroll, and Nile Twilight

Morning: Fly into Cairo International Airport (CAI). If you land early, rest or enjoy a leisurely breakfast later—good spots include 30 North (specialty coffee and eggs on sourdough) or TBS—The Bakery Shop (fresh croissants, date muffins).

Afternoon: Check in near the Nile. Ease into the city with a wander through Zamalek’s leafy streets: peek into the small but thoughtful Museum of Modern Egyptian Art (when exhibitions are on) and browse indie boutiques along 26th of July Street. Coffee at Kafein (Downtown‑adjacent) for espresso and cold brew, or Sufi Bookstore Café for tea and a quiet read.

Evening: Watch the city glow from the Cairo Tower’s observation deck (time your visit for sunset). Dinner at Abou El Sid (Egyptian classics like molokhia and stuffed vine leaves in an ornate setting) or Pier 88 (riverfront Italian‑Mediterranean, reservations recommended). Nightcap walk along the Corniche to settle the jet lag.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and Sound & Light

Morning: Head out early to the Giza Plateau (30–60 minutes by car depending on traffic). Start with the panoramic viewpoint, then approach the Great Pyramid of Khufu; consider the interior ticket if you’re comfortable with narrow, steep passages. Visit Khafre’s pyramid base and the Sphinx enclosure. For photos, mid‑morning light is kinder on the stone.

Afternoon: Lunch with a view: 9 Pyramids Lounge (Bedouin‑style seating, grills, and mezze) or 139 Pavilion at the historic Mena House (buffet with pyramid backdrop). Return to your hotel for a break. Optional: stop by the Grand Egyptian Museum exterior areas or preview experiences if open during your visit—exhibitions are rolling out in phases in 2025; check onsite for tickets.

Evening: The Giza Sound & Light Show adds drama to the plateau after dark. For a relaxed dinner back in town, try Zooba (modern takes on street staples—taameya, hawawshi, pickled veg) or Abou Tarek, Cairo’s beloved temple of koshari; go big with extra crispy onions and hot sauce on the side.

Day 3: Saqqara, Dahshur, and (Optional) Memphis

Morning: Day trip south (45–60 minutes to Saqqara). Explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Imhotep Museum, and richly decorated tombs like Mereruka’s. The desert calm here contrasts with Giza’s bustle, and relief carvings are exceptionally photogenic.

Afternoon: Continue to Dahshur (20–30 minutes). Climb inside the Red Pyramid (spacious chambers) and admire the Bent Pyramid’s unique angles from outside. If time allows, stop at Memphis Open‑Air Museum (colossal statue of Ramses II). Return to Cairo. Late lunch/early dinner at Sobhy Kaber (legendary mixed grills, kofta, and tahini; lively local vibe) or El Prince in Imbaba (cast‑iron liver, molokhia, and sizzling tagines; arrive early to avoid long waits).

Evening: Unwind with tea and konafa at Mandarine Koueider (Zamalek). If you crave a mellow night, a short felucca spin from a Zamalek dock is serene after a dusty desert day.

Day 4: Islamic Cairo—Mosques, Bazaars, and Music

Morning: Start at the Citadel for sweeping views, then visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Walk to the masterpieces facing each other at the base—Sultan Hassan and Al‑Rifa’i (the latter contains royal tombs). Dress modestly; scarves are available at entrances, but bringing your own is easiest.

Afternoon: Enter Khan el‑Khalili via Al‑Azhar Mosque (one of the world’s oldest universities, founded in 970). Browse brass lamps, oud perfumes, and inlaid wood. Lunch at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant (refined Egyptian dishes; cool respite from the bazaar) or snack at El Fishawy, the centuries‑old café famous for mint tea and backgammon.

Evening: Catch the mesmerizing Tanoura (whirling dervish) performance at Wekalet el‑Ghouri (performance days vary; arrive early for seats). Dinner afterward at Zooba (a different branch) or Kazouza (retro‑Egyptian diner feel; try the hawawshi and sugarcane juice). For live music, Cairo Jazz Club features local bands most nights.

Day 5: Coptic Cairo and the Royal Mummies

Morning: Coptic Cairo’s compact historic quarter rewards slow exploration. Visit the Hanging Church, Abu Serga (with its crypt), the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Coptic Museum’s icons and textiles. Breakfast‑brunch nearby at Ovio Maadi (if you head south toward Maadi) or stay classic with ful and taameya sandwiches from a local kiosk.

Afternoon: Taxi to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (15–30 minutes). The Royal Mummies Hall is beautifully lit and respectfully curated—give it unhurried time. Light lunch at the on‑site café or head to Garden City for sandwiches at Maison Thomas (Cairo institution since 1903).

Evening: Sunset felucca ride (60–90 minutes) from Zamalek or Garden City—bring a light jacket. Dinner at Zitouni (Four Seasons Nile Plaza; homestyle Egyptian repertoire like fattah and stuffed pigeon) or Osmanly at Kempinski (Ottoman‑inspired slow‑cooked meats and pides). Reserve ahead.

Day 6: Ibn Tulun, Gayer‑Anderson, Manial Palace, and Al‑Azhar Park

Morning: Begin at the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, one of Cairo’s oldest and most atmospheric; climb the spiral minaret for city views. Next door, the Gayer‑Anderson Museum is a time capsule of Ottoman‑era houses filled with carpets, mashrabiya, and curious artifacts.

Afternoon: Continue to Manial Palace on Rhoda Island—peacock‑blue tiles, carved wood, and intimate gardens tell a princely 20th‑century story. Coffee and cake at Cake Café (Zamalek) or specialty brews at 30 North. Late lunch at Felfela (downtown classic: taameya platters, stuffed vine leaves, and pigeon if you’re adventurous).

Evening: Climb to Al‑Azhar Park for sunset over the old city walls; stay for dinner at Studio Misr (grills and mezzes with panoramic views) or Citadel View Restaurant. If you prefer the river, Crimson Bar & Grill in Zamalek has one of the city’s most photogenic terraces.

Day 7: Heliopolis, Baron Empain Palace, and Departure

Morning: Explore Heliopolis’ broad avenues and the restored Baron Empain Palace—its Angkor‑inspired façade and rooftop views are a surprise in Cairo. Coffee at Beanos or a flaky morning fateer (Egyptian layered pastry) from a neighborhood bakery. If time remains, pop into the Basilique Notre Dame for a quick look at the quarter’s eclectic architecture.

Afternoon: Transfer to CAI for your flight. If you have a long layover buffer, an early lunch at Tabali (light Egyptian bowls and dips) or a final koshari at Koshary El Tahrir keeps it tasty and efficient. Allow ample time for security and traffic.

Evening: In flight or en route home—scroll your photos and start planning a return for Alexandria or a Nile cruise to Luxor and Aswan.

Insider tips:

• Hire licensed guides at major sites or arrange a private driver for pyramid days; door‑to‑door saves hours.
• Expect $5–$30 per major site ticket; prices change—check the official ticket window day‑of.
• At Giza, agree on camel/horse prices in advance and in writing (on your phone) to avoid misunderstandings.
• Carry small bills for tips; contactless works at upscale places, but cash is king in markets.

Book your flights and stays: Compare fares on Trip.com, check flexible itineraries on Kiwi.com, and (from Europe) browse Omio flights. For lodging, see VRBO Cairo and Hotels.com Cairo.

Seven days in Cairo will leave you dazzled—from the geometry of the pyramids to the arabesque of historic mosques and the bustle of lantern‑lit markets. With early starts, good shoes, and a healthy appetite for mezze and mint tea, you’ll see the city’s big names while tasting its everyday life along the Nile.