Egypt compresses 5,000 years of history into a vivid, modern travel experience—pyramids rising from desert sands, golden light on the Nile, and temple reliefs that still whisper of pharaohs. In this 7-day Egypt itinerary, you’ll split your time between Cairo and Luxor, pairing headline sights with markets, cafés, and river breezes.

Begin in Cairo with the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum, then fly south to Luxor—ancient Thebes—to explore the Valley of the Kings and the monumental Karnak and Luxor Temples. Along the way, you’ll taste Egyptian staples like koshary and ta’ameya, and sip mint tea in timeworn cafés.

Practical notes: Visa-on-arrival is available for many nationalities; carry a card for museum tickets (increasingly cashless). Dress modestly for mosques, bring sun protection for desert sites, and expect security checks at major attractions. The best time to visit is October–April when days are warm and evenings cool.

Cairo

Sprawling and kinetic, Cairo is equal parts antiquity and appetite—ancient stones at Giza, Ottoman domes in Islamic Cairo, and a riverfront skyline glowing at dusk. It’s your base for the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and a whirl through Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

• Top sights: Giza Plateau, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum (Tahrir), the Citadel, Khan el-Khalili, and historic mosques around Al-Mu’izz Street.
• Food highlights: koshary (lentils, pasta, tomato sauce), molokhia (jute leaf stew), ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel), stuffed pigeon, and hibiscus karkadé.
• Fun fact: Cairo’s nickname, “Umm al-Dunya” (Mother of the World), reflects its centuries as a political and cultural capital of the Arab world.

Where to stay (Cairo): Browse apartments and family-friendly stays on VRBO Cairo or compare hotels by neighborhood on Hotels.com Cairo.

Getting in: Fly into CAI with flexible fares via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Rideshare to Zamalek or Downtown typically takes 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Nile Vibes, and Egyptian Comfort Food

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the flight with a gentle stroll along the Nile Corniche or island lanes in Zamalek. If you need caffeine, 30 NORTH Coffee Roasters pours excellent single-origin brews.

Evening: Welcome dinner at Abou El Sid (classic Egyptian—mezze, molokhia, stuffed vine leaves). Prefer street classics? Try Koshary Abou Tarek for a fast, delicious bowl of Egypt’s favorite comfort food. Nightcap: mint tea by the river or a felucca sail if time allows.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Camel Views, and a Nile Dinner Cruise

Morning: Head early to the Giza Plateau (about 45 minutes from central Cairo). A guided experience elevates the visit with context and smart routing.

Consider booking: Top Rated Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel ride, lunch & inside pyramids.

This popular tour includes a camel viewpoint and entry into a pyramid—valuable if you want that once-in-a-lifetime descent.

Afternoon: Linger over lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge for vast desert panoramas or book Khufu’s for refined takes on Egyptian flavors. If energy remains, add the Solar Boat Museum area and panoramic viewpoint.

Evening: Celebrate with a Nile dinner cruise—views, live music, and a breezy cityscape. Book: 2-Hour Nile River Dinner Cruise From Cairo.

Prefer land-based? Dine riverside at Crimson’s terrace for sunset over sailboats.

Day 3: Museum Masterpieces, Islamic Cairo, and Khan el-Khalili

Morning: The Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) is still a treasure chest—royal mummies, gilded coffins, and stellar statuary. Go early for cooler, quieter galleries. Coffee break at nearby Eish & Malh for Italian-Egyptian pastries.

Or simplify the day with a guide who strings the highlights together: Cairo 8 Hour Private Tour of Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and Bazaar.

It’s a smart option if you’d like door-to-door transport and expert narration.

Afternoon: Explore Islamic Cairo: Al-Mu’izz Street’s Mamluk architecture, then the vaulted lanes of Khan el-Khalili. Pause at historic Café El Fishawy (mint tea amid mirrors and copper lamps).

Evening: Dinner at Zooba (herb-packed ta’ameya, bright pickles, and street-food hits) or Felfela (old-school Egyptian plates under leafy decor). If it’s Friday, the Citadel’s skyline glows at dusk—beautiful from Garden City’s riverfront.

Luxor

Luxor—ancient Thebes—spans both banks of the Nile: the temple cities of the East Bank and the tomb-studded desert of the West. Obelisks, colossi, and painted burial chambers make this a living open-air museum.

• Top sights: Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple and its Great Hypostyle Hall, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon.
• Experiences: Felucca sails at sunset, market browsing, and sunrise views over the Theban hills.
• Fun fact: The Avenue of Sphinxes once linked Luxor and Karnak with a processional road flanked by hundreds of sphinx statues.

Where to stay (Luxor): Check character stays and villas on VRBO Luxor or compare riverside hotels on Hotels.com Luxor.

Getting there from Cairo: Morning flights take about 1 hour 10 minutes and are frequent; expect roughly $60–150 one-way depending on season and advance purchase via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Allow an hour for airport transfers on each end.

Day 4: Fly to Luxor, East Bank Orientation, and Luxor Temple by Night

Morning: Fly Cairo to Luxor. Check in and refresh. Grab a light brunch—fresh falafel, foul medames, and sugarcane juice from a local stand.

Afternoon: Start at Luxor Temple, right in town. Its obelisks, colonnades, and pharaoh statues glow beautifully in late light. Walk a portion of the revived Avenue of Sphinxes toward Karnak to get a sense of ancient processions.

Evening: Dinner at Sofra Restaurant & Café (an atmospheric 1930s townhouse serving stuffed pigeons, tajines, and house-made pickles). Post-dinner stroll the Corniche as feluccas glide by.

Day 5: West Bank Epic—Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, and Colossi

Morning: Cross the Nile early for the West Bank. Start at the Colossi of Memnon before crowds, then continue to the Valley of the Kings. Choose a few tombs to savor—look for brilliantly preserved scenes in the tombs of Ramses or Merenptah.

For a seamless full-day overview with an Egyptologist (and to include Karnak if you skipped it yesterday), book: Luxor: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak & Luxor Day Tour.

They handle routing, tickets, and historical storytelling.

Afternoon: Visit the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut, then return to town for a cool-down at your hotel. Coffee and cake at Wenkie’s (house-baked sweets) if you have a sweet tooth.

Evening: Rooftop dinner at Al-Sahaby Lane by Luxor Temple—order stuffed vine leaves, grilled kofta, and tahini. Try a late felucca sail for stars over the river.

Day 6: Karnak’s Hypostyle Hall, Museums, and Sunset on the Nile

Morning: Explore Karnak Temple—arrive at opening to wander the 134-column Hypostyle Hall in soft light. Don’t miss the sacred lake and the reliefs of Seti I and Ramses II.

Afternoon: Two compact museums round out the story: Luxor Museum (exceptional curation, statues in perfect condition) and the Mummification Museum (tools and techniques of embalming). Lunch at a West Bank garden café—The Marsam’s courtyard is restful and serves hearty home-style dishes.

Evening: Sunset felucca ride. For a splurge supper, the 1886 Restaurant at the Sofitel Winter Palace delivers white-tablecloth elegance—reserve ahead and note dress code.

Day 7: Easy Morning and Departure

Morning: Slow breakfast and last shopping in Luxor’s market for spices and alabaster. If time allows, pop back into Luxor Temple for a final look.

Afternoon: Fly from Luxor to Cairo for your onward flight. Check fares and times on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Aim for an afternoon departure to match this itinerary’s pacing.

Practical Eating and Coffee Shortlist (By City)

• Cairo breakfast/coffee: 30 NORTH (specialty coffee, Zamalek); Eish & Malh (Italian-Egyptian brunch).
• Cairo lunch: Koshary Abou Tarek (iconic koshary); Zooba (modern street food: ta’ameya, hawawshi).
• Cairo dinner: Abou El Sid (heritage recipes), 9 Pyramids Lounge or Khufu’s (Giza views), Felfela (classic downtown fare).
• Luxor breakfast/coffee: Wenkie’s (cakes, coffee); hotel terrace breakfasts on the Corniche.
• Luxor lunch: The Marsam (West Bank garden setting); simple Nile-view grills near the ferry landing.
• Luxor dinner: Sofra Restaurant & Café (traditional), Al-Sahaby Lane (rooftop by Luxor Temple), 1886 at Winter Palace (special-occasion fine dining).

Getting Around and Tips

• Local transport: In Cairo, rideshare is convenient; in Luxor, use taxis or arrange hotel drivers. The public ferry links Luxor’s East and West Banks in minutes.
• Tickets and timing: Arrive at Giza and Karnak early for cooler temps and softer light. Many major sites now prefer card payments for tickets.
• Dress & etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered for mosques; bring a scarf. Always ask before photographing people. Tip small for helpful services.
• Safety: Tourist areas are well-policed. Use hotel safes, carry photocopies of passports, and drink bottled water.

In a week, you’ll stand beneath the Great Pyramid, drift along the Nile, and read a pharaoh’s story painted on limestone. Cairo and Luxor deliver the essentials of Egypt—grand monuments, markets thrumming with life, and meals you’ll crave long after you’re home.