Cairo has been welcoming travelers for millennia. From the limestone giants of Giza to the ornate mosques of Islamic Cairo, the city layers ancient history with a kinetic present—call to prayer mixing with car horns and spice-scented breezes from age-old souqs. Expect bold flavors, late-night energy, and more stories than you can fit into a week.

Beyond the Pyramids, Cairo’s museums reveal golden treasures, royal mummies, and everyday artifacts that bring the pharaohs down to earth. Wander Coptic lanes lined with churches, then step into the vaulted courtyards of mosques that shaped a city once called “the Mother of the World.” Cap it all with a sunset felucca on the Nile—Cairo’s original highway.

Practical notes: traffic is real, so group sights by neighborhood. Dress modestly at religious sites and carry small bills for tips. For flights, compare deals on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; Cairo International Airport (CAI) sits about 45 minutes from Zamalek or Downtown off-peak.

Cairo

Egypt’s capital is a living museum where Fatimid gates guard medieval lanes and new bridges glide over the Nile. Base yourself in Zamalek for leafy streets and river views, Downtown for Belle Époque architecture and easy transit, Maadi for cafes, or Giza for pyramid-side sunrises.

• Don’t miss: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum (soft opening; check what’s on), the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (Royal Mummies), Coptic Cairo’s Hanging Church, the Citadel and Sultan Hassan Mosque, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Al-Muizz Street, Al-Azhar Park, and a sunset felucca.
• Eat & drink: From koshary at Abou Tarek to molokhia and slow-cooked lamb at Abou El Sid, soba and sushi at Kazoku, grills at Sobhy Kaber, and date-studded desserts at local bakeries. For coffee, try 30 North or Espresso Lab; for Nile views, Crimson in Zamalek.
• Good to know: Many artifacts are transitioning to the Grand Egyptian Museum; plan museum days flexibly. At Giza, book a guide to avoid camel touts and to time your visit for fewer crowds.

Where to stay: Browse handpicked options on Cairo vacation rentals on VRBO (great for families or longer stays) and hotel deals on Cairo hotels on Hotels.com (filter by Zamalek, Downtown, Giza, Maadi, or New Cairo).

Getting there: Compare flight times and fares through Trip.com and Kiwi.com—nonstops from major hubs can be 4–6 hours (Europe–Cairo) and ~10–12 hours (North America–Cairo). Arrange hotel pickup or a trusted car service from CAI.

Day 1 – Arrival, First Tastes of Cairo

Afternoon: Land at CAI and transfer to your hotel in Zamalek or Downtown (45–70 minutes depending on traffic). Drop your bags, freshen up, and take a gentle stroll along the Nile Corniche to reset.

Evening: Ease into Egyptian cuisine at Abou El Sid (Zamalek, classic ambiance; try stuffed vine leaves, molokhia, and veal tajine) or modern street-food riffs at Zooba (Zamalek; ta’ameya falafel, hawawshi, and koshary). For a nightcap with river views, head to Crimson Bar & Grill in Zamalek—sunset over sailboats is the mood-setter for the week.

Day 2 – Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx (Guided)

Devote the day to the plateau—your guide navigates gates, touts, and timing for the best photo angles and optional pyramid entry.

Top Rated Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel ride, lunch & inside pyramids — full-day, private, with lunch and the option to enter a pyramid.

• Timing: Hotel pickup ~8:00–9:00 AM; 30–60 minutes to Giza. Expect 6–8 hours including lunch.
• Why it’s great: See Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, the Sphinx, and the panoramic viewpoints without logistical stress. Your guide helps you skip common scams and frames the history with context.

Evening: Celebrate a bucket-list day at 9 Pyramids Lounge (desert chic dining with a view; reserve at sunset) or head back to town for Downtown institution Felfela (since 1959; mezze spreads, grilled kofta). If you still have energy, a short Nile-side walk in Zamalek is perfect.

Day 3 – Museums, Coptic Cairo, and Khan el‑Khalili

Morning: Start at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) to meet the Royal Mummies in a beautifully presented, climate-controlled gallery. Coffee beforehand at 30 North (Zamalek or New Cairo branches; Egyptian specialty roaster) or croissants at TBS – The Bakery Shop near your hotel.

Afternoon: Move to Coptic Cairo for the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus (linked to the Holy Family tradition), and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Lunch at Eish + Malh in Downtown (Egyptian-Italian brunch plates, fresh juices) before continuing to Khan el‑Khalili and Al‑Muizz Street for brass lamps, oud shops, and restored medieval architecture.

Evening: Dine at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant inside the bazaar (classics like stuffed pigeon and kefta in a historic setting). End with mint tea at El Fishawy, a 200-year-old café where poets and philosophers have lingered. Note: The Grand Egyptian Museum continues a phased opening—if key halls are open during your dates, swap NMEC or add GEM in the afternoon and book timed slots in advance.

Day 4 – Saqqara, Dahshur, and Memphis (Ancient Innovations)

Head south to where pyramid-building began—this is a full day best done with a driver and Egyptologist guide.

Private Day Tour Saqqara Pyramids, Memphis and Dahshur Pyramids — see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, enter richly decorated tombs at Saqqara, and compare the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur.

• Timing: Pickup ~8:00 AM; Saqqara is ~45–75 minutes from central Cairo. Expect 7–8 hours with lunch.
• Tip: Bring a small flashlight for tomb reliefs and wear closed shoes—sandy stairs and low passages await.

Evening: Back in Cairo, try Sobhy Kaber (Shubra) for legendary mixed grills and mahshi (stuffed vegetables). For something refined, book Kazoku (New Cairo) for Japanese plates and crafted cocktails, or stay central with Maison Thomas (Zamalek)—Cairo’s classic pizzeria since 1912.

Day 5 – Citadel, Grand Mosques, and a Sunset Felucca

Morning: Espresso at Espresso Lab (Zamalek) then to the Salah El-Din Citadel for the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali and grand city views. Walk to the Sultan Hassan and Al‑Rifa’i mosques—monumental Mamluk architecture facing each other like stone leviathans.

Afternoon: Visit the elegant Gayer‑Anderson Museum beside Ibn Tulun—a pair of 17th‑century houses filled with mashrabiya latticework and curios. Late lunch at El Prince in Imbaba (Egyptian liver sandwiches, grilled kofta; expect a bustling scene), or head to Abou Tarek for the city’s most famous koshary—lentils, pasta, and crispy onions with spicy sauce.

Evening: Take a private felucca at sunset (45–60 minutes; agree the price before boarding). Then unwind with dinner and river views at Crimson (seafood and steaks) or keep it casual at The Tap Maadi (craft brews, wings, live music nights). If you prefer a guided cultural sweep of highlights, consider this compact option:

4-hours private Tour Islamic Mosque, Coptic Cairo & Khan el-Khalili — an efficient overview with an Egyptologist.

Day 6 – Alexandria Day Trip (Mediterranean Breeze)

Trade desert tones for sea air. Alexandria’s Greco‑Roman layers, Italianate corniche, and fresh seafood are a different Egypt—reachable in a single day by private car (2.5–3 hours each way depending on traffic).

Alexandria Day Trip From Cairo — covers the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Roman amphitheater, Qaitbay Citadel (on the site of the ancient Lighthouse), and more, with a seafood lunch.

• Timing: Depart 7:00 AM; return ~8:00–9:00 PM. The drive is longer on weekend afternoons.
• Eat: In Alex, try a harborside grill for sayadieh fish and shrimp tagine; your guide will pick a reliable local spot.

Evening (Cairo): Back in the capital, go light with dessert at Four Fat Ladies (cakes and cookies) or a late mezze spread at Felfela Downtown.

Day 7 – Artful Morning, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Eish + Malh or Cake Café (Zamalek; pastries, eggs, and good coffee). Browse Zamalek’s galleries and boutiques for ceramics, artisan jewelry, and quality textiles; pick up spices and hibiscus tea to take home.

Afternoon: Squeeze in a final bowl at Abou Tarek or a quick falafel sandwich from Zooba before your transfer to CAI. Plan to leave your hotel about 4 hours before an international flight to buffer traffic and security lines.

Alternative send-off: If your flight is late evening and you want one last spectacle on the Nile, consider:

Pyramids Sphinx Camel ATV Bike Shopping and Nile Dinner Cruise — opt just for the dinner-cruise component to pair live music with skyline views.

Practical Dining Shortlist (Save These)

• Casual legends: Abou Tarek (koshary), Zooba (street food classics), Felfela Downtown (mezze and grills).
• Egyptian specialties: Abou El Sid (traditional recipes), Sobhy Kaber (grills and mahshi), El Prince (liver and kofta).
• Views & evenings: Crimson (Nile views), 9 Pyramids Lounge (desert panorama), The Tap Maadi (casual night out).
• Cafes & bakeries: 30 North (specialty coffee), Espresso Lab (espressos and pour-overs), TBS (fresh pastries), Cake Café (brunch and sweets).

Optional Add‑On (If You Extend)

Have more time? Fly to Aswan and cruise north to Luxor for temples and tombs that complement Cairo’s story. This 4‑day Upper Egypt cruise bundles the greatest hits into one unforgettable arc:

4‑Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon

Search flights to Aswan or Luxor on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

How to use this plan: Museum openings and roadworks can shift timings. Keep Day 3 and Day 5 flexible, book Giza and Saqqara/Dahshur guides early, and build in buffers for Cairo’s traffic. Budget small cash for site tickets and tips; card is accepted at many restaurants but not all.

Accommodation search: Lock in your base early—Zamalek and Downtown properties go fast in peak months. Compare across Hotels.com and VRBO by neighborhood and view.

In one week you’ll stand in the shadow of the Great Pyramid, listen to a muezzin echo off stone domes, and taste the city’s comfort foods at beloved institutions. Cairo rewards curiosity—arrive with an open schedule and you’ll leave with a full story.