Egypt’s story unfolds along the Nile: pharaohs, pyramids, and temples that have gripped travelers for centuries. In Cairo, the roar of the modern city meets the spine-tingling stillness of Giza’s desert plateau. In Luxor, ancient Thebes rises in columns and colossi—an open-air museum where dawn paints hieroglyphs gold.

Across one week, you’ll stand beneath the Great Pyramid, wander medieval lanes lit with brass lanterns, and drift along the river in a felucca as the call to prayer echoes. On the West Bank of Luxor, tombs glow with color; at Karnak, papyrus-bundle columns reach skyward. This is an itinerary built for wonder and comfort, with time to savor Egyptian cuisine and coffee culture.

Practical notes: dress modestly for mosques and sun-smart for the desert, carry small bills for tips (baksheesh), and expect security checks at major sites. Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or e-visa (check current guidance). Uber operates in Cairo; in Luxor, taxis and boat crossings are easy. Summers are very hot—hydrate and time outdoor visits for early morning or late afternoon.

Cairo

Cairo is kinetic and layered: Mamluk mosques and Fatimid gates, Belle Époque boulevards, and cutting-edge galleries. Base yourself in Zamalek (leafy, central), Downtown (historic and walkable), or near Giza for sunrise pyramid views. Between museum halls and minarets, recharge with Egyptian comfort food—koshary, falafel (ta’amiya), and molokhia stews.

Top highlights include the Giza Plateau, Saqqara and Dahshur pyramids, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir (with many masterworks still on view), the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) and its Royal Mummies Hall, Coptic Cairo’s churches, and the medieval lanes of Khan el Khalili.

• Where to stay: Browse stays in Cairo on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. Zamalek and Downtown are excellent for first-timers; Giza is ideal if pyramids are your priority.
• Getting there: Fly into Cairo International (CAI). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From CAI, Uber and official taxis are convenient.

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Cairo, and Khan el Khalili

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a specialty coffee at 30 North (several branches, including Zamalek), known for Egyptian-roasted beans and cold brew. Walk Downtown’s 19th-century avenues toward Talaat Harb Square to admire facades and bookshops.

Evening: Head to Khan el Khalili for Cairo’s most storied bazaar. Sip mint tea at El-Fishawi (open for centuries), then dine at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant inside the souk—mezze, grilled lamb, and live oud in an atmospheric setting. Prefer casual? Try Felfela Downtown for ta’amiya, stuffed pigeons, and roasted veggies. Finish with ice cream or mille-feuille at Mandarine Koueider.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Desert Step Pyramids

Morning: Be at the Giza Plateau at opening for cooler temps and softer light. Explore Khufu’s Great Pyramid (optional interior ticket), Khafre’s pyramid, and the Sphinx. For a memorable bite, book breakfast at 9 Pyramids Lounge—Bedouin-style spreads with panoramic views—or enjoy a classic buffet at 139 Pavilion in the historic Mena House.

Afternoon: Continue to Saqqara to see Djoser’s Step Pyramid (the prototype that sparked pyramid-building) and the Imhotep Museum, then Dahshur’s Red Pyramid (you can enter) and the bent silhouette of Sneferu’s Bent Pyramid. Expect a 45–60 minute drive from Giza. Pack water and a light lunch, or stop back in Maadi for a late bite at Zooba (Egyptian street food made fresh—koshary bowls, hawawshi, dips).

Evening: Return to Giza for the Pyramids Sound & Light Show (classic, campy fun, and good for families). Alternatively, dine back in town at Abou El Sid (Zamalek or Maadi) for slow-cooked tagines and molokhia, then grab a Nile-side nightcap at Pier 88 Zamalek.

Day 3: Coptic Cairo, NMEC, and Islamic Cairo at Sunset

Morning: Explore Coptic Cairo: the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus (tradition holds the Holy Family sheltered here), and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Coffee and a pastry at Eish + Malh (Downtown) before heading to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to meet the Royal Mummies—beautifully presented with excellent English signage.

Afternoon: Walk historic Al-Mu‘izz Street past restored Mamluk facades, visit Al-Azhar Mosque (dress modestly), and browse brassware and inlaid wood in workshops that trace techniques back centuries. For lunch, Abou Tarek serves the definitive koshary—layers of pasta, rice, lentils, chickpeas, and tomato-chili sauce.

Evening: Time sunset at Al-Azhar Park for one of the city’s best skyline views. Dinner options: Crimson Cairo (Zamalek) for grilled meats and Nile panoramas, or Kazoku (in New Cairo) for refined modern Japanese if you’re up for a short ride. Dessert? Basbousa and konafa at El Abd Patisserie.

Day 4: Museums, Zamalek, and a Sunset Felucca

Morning: Visit the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir to see iconic statues, jewelry, and the Narmer Palette. Some collections have moved or will move to the Grand Egyptian Museum, but the Tahrir museum still rewards a focused 2–3 hour visit. If timed-entry previews are offered at the Grand Egyptian Museum during your dates, consider a guided preview instead.

Afternoon: Brunch in Zamalek at Ovio (excellent sourdough, shakshuka, and espresso), then browse contemporary galleries and boutiques. Take a late-afternoon felucca sail from Zamalek or Garden City; the wind-powered silence is a tonic after city traffic.

Evening: For a special final night in Cairo, book 139 Pavilion at Mena House with views of the pyramids after dark, or stay in-town with grilled sea bass and mezzes at Pier 88. Turn in early—you’re flying to Luxor in the morning.

Luxor

In Luxor, the Nile divides living city and necropolis. The East Bank holds the great temple complexes; the West Bank shelters royal tombs carved into desert cliffs. Sunrises here are theater—often best seen from a hot-air balloon drifting over fields and falcon-shaped hills.

Plan early starts, long breaks in the midday heat, and golden-hour visits. Luxor’s dining scene is smaller but soulful: rooftop feasts with temple views, home-style stews at Sofra, and elegant, old-world dinners at the Winter Palace’s 1886.

• Where to stay: Search Luxor stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. East Bank is convenient for first visits; West Bank guesthouses are quiet and close to the tombs.
• Getting from Cairo: Morning flights Cairo–Luxor take about 1 hour 10 minutes and run frequently (~$60–150 one-way). Check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. An overnight sleeper train (~9–10 hours) is a classic alternative; book via a licensed operator or hotel.

Day 5: Fly to Luxor, East Bank Warm-Up

Morning: Depart Cairo on an early flight to Luxor (aim for arrivals before noon). Check in and recharge with fresh juices and Egyptian breakfast (foul, ta’amiya) at a local café near the Corniche.

Afternoon: Explore Luxor Temple when the light turns honeyed; its avenue of ram-headed sphinxes and colossal statues feel cinematic at golden hour. For lunch, Al-Sahaby Lane (rooftop) serves clay-pot tagines and grilled kebabs with temple views.

Evening: Stroll the souq for spices and scarves. Dinner at Sofra Restaurant & Café brings home-style classics—mahshi (stuffed vegetables), pigeon, and molokhia—in a tile-and-lantern-filled townhouse. Nightcap at the Royal Bar in the Sofitel Winter Palace, a storied lounge with vintage photos and quiet elegance.

Day 6: Sunrise Balloon, Valley of the Kings, and the West Bank

Morning: Pre-dawn pick-up for a hot-air balloon ride over the West Bank (weather permitting), typically 45–60 minutes in the air; book via your hotel with a licensed operator. After landing, head straight to the Valley of the Kings—choose 3–4 tombs with vivid painting (often including Ramesses IV, Ramesses IX, and Merenptah; consider adding Seti I or Tutankhamun as premium options).

Afternoon: Continue to the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahri), a masterpiece of terraces set into the cliffs, then pause at the Colossi of Memnon for photos. For lunch, the Marsam Hotel’s garden restaurant on the West Bank is a favorite with archaeologists—simple, fresh Egyptian dishes in a tranquil courtyard. If time and energy allow, add Deir el-Medina to see artisans’ tombs packed with color.

Evening: Return to the East Bank for a sunset felucca sail. For dinner, 1886 at the Winter Palace offers white-tablecloth French-Egyptian cuisine (jackets typically required), or try El Tarboush at the Steigenberger for Lebanese grills and mezzes.

Day 7: Karnak Temple and Departure

Morning: Visit Karnak at opening to wander its hypostyle hall—134 papyrus-bundle columns reaching 20 meters high—and the sacred lake. The scale is astonishing; give it 2–3 hours to absorb. Grab coffee and a light brunch at Wenkie’s German Ice Cream & Café (great espresso and fresh pastries) or a simple Nile-side spot near the Corniche.

Afternoon: Depart Luxor for Cairo by early afternoon flight to connect with your onward journey. Check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com for schedules and fares.

Evening: In transit or one final dinner in Cairo if your flight is late—consider a last koshary at Abou Tarek or mezze feast at Abou El Sid before heading to the airport.

Extra tips: Carry small change for site restrooms and tips; photography tickets or tripod permits may be separate at some sites. Expect site fees in the ~$5–25 USD range per monument; premium tombs cost more. Always confirm opening hours locally—they may shift seasonally and around holidays.

In seven days you’ll have touched Egypt’s greatest hits without rushing: pyramids at dawn, mummies in hushed galleries, lantern-lit bazaars, and temples glowing at sunset. Keep this itinerary handy—it balances headline sights with Egyptian flavors and quiet moments on the Nile, the memories that linger long after you’re home.