Egypt is a living museum, where 4,500-year-old pyramids rise beyond a busy metropolis and the Nile still dictates the rhythm of daily life. In just one week, you’ll stand before the Great Pyramid of Khufu, weave through medieval bazaars, and trace the footsteps of pharaohs in Luxor’s ornate tombs. This itinerary balances big-ticket sights with local eats, river breezes, and time to savor the details.

From Cairo and Giza to Luxor (ancient Thebes), you’ll explore icons like the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM; ongoing phased opening), Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. Add a day trip to Alexandria to meet Egypt’s Mediterranean soul—Roman catacombs, a fortress by the sea, and legendary pastries.

Practical notes: Egypt is warm year-round; plan early starts, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Dress modestly for mosques; carry small bills for tips (baksheesh) and taxis. Uber/Careem work well in Cairo; in Luxor, taxis and river ferries are easy. Always buy official site tickets; confirm opening hours during Ramadan and Friday prayers.

Cairo

Cairo is kinetic and captivating: a city of minarets, mango juice stands, and traffic that somehow flows. Zamalek’s leafy streets, Downtown’s Belle Époque facades, and Giza’s desert edge each show a different face of the capital. Food is half the fun—koshary bowls, taamiya (Egyptian falafel), and molokhia stew await.

Top highlights include the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum (soft-opening and phased exhibits), the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir (still housing many artifacts), medieval Islamic Cairo, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Time your Giza visit for early morning light or late afternoon golden hour for cooler temps and softer photos.

Where to stay: For Nile views and easy nightlife, base in Zamalek; for shorter drives to Giza, consider Giza/Sheikh Zayed; for classic city buzz, choose Downtown/Tahrir.

• Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Cairo.
• Compare hotels by neighborhood on Hotels.com Cairo.

Getting to Cairo: Fly into CAI (Cairo International). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you’re coming from Europe, compare with Omio Flights. Airport to Zamalek is 45–60 minutes by Uber/Careem (~$8–15, traffic-dependent).

Day 1: Arrival, Nile breeze, and Downtown flavors

Afternoon: Arrive in Cairo and check in. Shake off jet lag with a stroll on Zamalek’s Nile corniche. Coffee at 30 NORTH Coffee Roasters (excellent single-origin espresso) or a fresh sugarcane juice from a local stand.

Evening: Classic Egyptian dinner near Tahrir: Koshary Abou Tarek (Cairo’s beloved carb symphony of pasta, lentils, chickpeas, and spicy tomato sauce). For a sit-down spread, try Abou El Sid in Zamalek for mahshi (stuffed vegetables), molokhia, and spiced pigeon—warm lighting and vintage décor set the mood.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum (full day)

Let an Egyptologist-led tour streamline logistics and storytelling. This private tour pairs the plateau with the GEM’s highlights. Expect pickup, guidance through the pyramids’ history, and curated viewing of star artifacts (GEM exhibits continue to expand; check the latest status).

Grand Egyptian Museum Giza Pyramids and Sphinx in Private Tour

Insider tips: Bring small bills for official camel handlers (agree on price first; 15–30 minutes is plenty). The Great Pyramid interior is narrow and warm—skip if you’re claustrophobic. Lunch with a view at 9 Pyramids Lounge (bedouin-style seating and panoramic vistas) or Ezba for grilled kofta and kebabs.

Evening: Unwind back in Zamalek. For Nile-side dining with skyline views, Crimson Cairo pairs fresh seafood with a rooftop setting. Nightcap mint tea at Al-Fishawi in Khan el-Khalili if you still have energy—this café has been buzzing since the 1700s.

Day 3: Alexandria day trip from Cairo (full day)

Trade desert hues for sea breeze. Alexandria layers Greco-Roman history with Egyptian life: a 15th-century fortress built from the stones of the famed Lighthouse, Roman catacombs, and a library reborn.

1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo

Typical route covers the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, the exterior of the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Qaitbay Citadel by the sea. Lunch by the water at the Greek Club (White & Blue) for grilled calamari and fried shrimp, or sample ful and taamiya at Mohamed Ahmed—an Alexandria institution since 1957. Return to Cairo by evening.

Day 4: Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur (full day) + Khan el-Khalili night

South of Giza lies Egypt’s vast necropolis. Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser is the ancestor of all pyramids; Dahshur’s Bent and Red Pyramids preface Giza’s perfection; Memphis was the first capital of unified Egypt.

Private Day Tour Saqqara Pyramids, Memphis and Dahshur Pyramids

Expect fewer crowds than Giza and the thrill of climbing into the Red Pyramid’s inner chambers (steep ramp; mind your head). Back in Cairo, wander Khan el-Khalili’s brass and spice lanes. For dinner, book Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant inside the bazaar for classic mezze and grilled meats in a historic setting.

Cairo to Luxor travel (Day 5 morning): Fly 1 hour, $50–120 one-way if booked early. Search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. The overnight sleeper train (approx. 9–10 hours, $30–100) is a scenic option; bookable via local agents or stations. Assume a morning departure to maximize sightseeing in Luxor.

Luxor

Luxor is Egypt’s open-air treasure chest. On the East Bank, Karnak and Luxor Temple glow at dusk; on the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings hides painted tombs and Queen Hatshepsut’s terraced temple faces the cliffs. Feluccas slice quietly across a golden river at sunset.

Plan early starts—tomb interiors are cooler and less crowded before 10 a.m. Mix the “greatest hits” with a village lunch or a quiet hour in a palm-shaded courtyard to feel present-day Thebes at its gentlest.

Where to stay: East Bank for walkability and nightlife; West Bank guesthouses for calm and countryside views.

• Find apartments and villas on VRBO Luxor.
• Compare hotels near the Nile, Luxor Temple, or the West Bank ferry on Hotels.com Luxor.

Day 5: Fly to Luxor, temple glow, and classic Egyptian dinner

Morning: Flight Cairo–Luxor (about 1 hour). Drop bags and grab a light brunch at Wenkie’s German Bakery & Café (fresh breads, iced coffee) or Aboudi Coffee Break near Luxor Temple.

Afternoon: Explore Luxor Temple. Its avenue of sphinxes once linked it to Karnak; at sunset, columns shift from sandstone to amber—photographer’s delight. Stroll the corniche and watch feluccas tack across the river.

Evening: Dinner at Sofra Restaurant & Café (beautiful 1930s townhouse; try pigeon with freekeh, stuffed vine leaves, and rosewater lemonade). Alternative: Al-Sahaby Lane’s rooftop for tagines and a skyline view of Luxor Temple’s pylon.

Day 6: Luxor’s East and West Banks (full day)

Cover the essentials with a guided day: Valley of the Kings (three tombs included on a standard ticket; add KV9/Rameses V & VI or Tutankhamun as upgrades), Hatshepsut’s Temple, Colossi of Memnon, plus Karnak and Luxor Temple if you didn’t visit yesterday.

Full Day Tour to East and West Banks of Luxor

Tips: Bring a flashlight to appreciate tomb reliefs without flash photography. Save Karnak’s Great Hypostyle Hall for late afternoon when shadows paint the columns. Lunch suggestions: Marsam Restaurant (West Bank, garden setting near Hatshepsut) or Sunflower Restaurant for homestyle Egyptian dishes.

Day 7: Quiet Nile morning and departure

Morning: Optional early start: walk Deir el-Medina (the artisans’ village) for delicate tomb art and fewer crowds, or simply sip mint tea on your hotel terrace watching feluccas glide by.

Afternoon: Depart from Luxor Airport. Search your onward flight on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If returning to Cairo for departure, allow buffer time for domestic flight connections.

Evening: If your flight is later, take a short felucca sail at golden hour; it’s a serene farewell to the Nile.

Dining and cafe shortlist (Cairo): Breakfast/coffee at 30 NORTH (Zamalek) or Cake Café (Zamalek). Street-food hits: Zooba for taamiya, hawawshi, and dips; Koshary Abou Tarek near Tahrir. Sit-down classics: Abou El Sid (Egyptian home-style dishes), El Prince in Imbaba (grilled meats, molokhia). Bazaar staples: Al-Fishawi for mint tea; Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant for refined Egyptian plates.

Dining and cafe shortlist (Luxor): Wenkie’s for baked goods and coffee; Sofra for Egyptian feasts; Al-Sahaby Lane for rooftop views; Marsam Restaurant for a peaceful West Bank lunch; Sunflower Restaurant for homestyle plates.

Ticket notes (check latest prices locally): Giza Plateau typically ~$15–20; Great Pyramid interior ~$25–30; Saqqara area ~$15; Valley of the Kings ~$20 (three tombs); add-ons for Tut and Seti I are extra; Karnak ~$15; Luxor Temple ~$10. Carry cash; card acceptance improves yearly but remains inconsistent at smaller booths.

Good-to-know: Fridays are the weekly holiday; some sites open later after prayers. Carry a scarf for mosque visits and conservative dress. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful; confirm prices beforehand for private drivers. Always hydrate and pace midday walks.

Summary: In one well-paced week, you’ll sweep from Cairo’s urban energy to desert horizons at Giza, taste the sea air in Alexandria, and stand inside Luxor’s painted tombs. Expect goosebumps, good food, and more stories than your camera roll can hold—the essence of Egypt in seven unforgettable days.