7 Days in Egypt: Cairo & Luxor for Adventurous Travelers
Egypt rewards the adventurous: 5,000 years of pharaohs, vivid souqs that hum late into the night, and the Nile glowing at sunset. From the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx to Luxor’s vast temple complexes, this 7-day Cairo-and-Luxor itinerary balances sightseeing, street food, coffee culture, and local life—ideal for travelers who love photography, unique experiences, and a mid-range budget.
Expect warm hospitality and hearty cuisine—think koshary layered with lentils and crispy onions, grilled kofta, and flaky feteer. In Cairo, dive into Islamic alleyways and Coptic churches; in Luxor, wander the Valley of the Kings and soak in golden-hour light at Luxor Temple. Along the way, you’ll haggle politely, hydrate often, and catch the best views from Nile feluccas.
Practical notes: Most nationalities can get an e-visa or a $25 visa on arrival. Modest dress is appreciated at religious sites. Tipping 10–15% is customary. Download Uber or Careem in Cairo; carry small cash for tips and markets. Summer heat is intense—start early, rest midday, and always carry water. Local SIMs from Vodafone/Orange are inexpensive and reliable.
Cairo
Cairo is bold and cinematic—minarets and modern towers, traffic symphonies, and cafés where time slows over mint tea. Base yourself in leafy Zamalek or lively Downtown to be central for Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and Khan el-Khalili.
- Top sights: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Cairo Citadel, Al-Azhar Mosque, Coptic Cairo’s Hanging Church, Khan el-Khalili, Al-Muizz Street.
- For foodies: Koshary at Abou Tarek, mezze at Abou El Sid, taameya and street classics at Zooba, rooftop Nile views at Crimson Zamalek.
- Local life: Sip tea at historic Café El-Fishawi, browse brass and inlaid wood in Khan el-Khalili, catch sunset from Al-Azhar Park.
- Fun fact: Cairo’s nickname, “The City of a Thousand Minarets,” reflects a skyline shaped by centuries of Islamic architecture.
Stay: Browse stays in central neighborhoods on VRBO Cairo or compare hotels on Hotels.com Cairo.
Getting there: Find international and domestic flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. Uber/Careem to Zamalek or Downtown takes ~30–60 minutes (~$6–12 depending on traffic).
Day 1: Arrival, Old Cairo Atmosphere, and Sunset Views
Morning: Fly into Cairo. For the best routes and fares, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. On arrival, change a small amount of cash and pick up a local SIM.
Afternoon: Check in, then caffeinate at 30 NORTH (specialty roaster) or Cake Café in Zamalek. Stroll the leafy island streets, pop into boutiques for Egyptian cotton and local design, and photograph Nile bridges against the skyline.
Evening: Head to Al-Azhar Park for panoramic sunset views over the Citadel and the old city. Dinner at Abou El Sid (slow-cooked molokhia, mahshi, and classic mezze) or Felfela Downtown (beef shawarma and crispy taameya). Cap the night with mint tea at Café El-Fishawi in Khan el-Khalili—open late and perfect for people-watching.
Day 2: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx (Guided, With Camel Ride and Pyramid Entry)
Make your Giza day count with a vetted, all-inclusive tour that covers logistics and maximizes photo stops.
Recommended tour:
Top Rated Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel ride, lunch & inside the pyramid
What to expect: Hotel pickup, expert Egyptologist guide, time at the Great Pyramid of Khufu, panoramic desert viewpoints, a short camel ride for photos, and lunch. You’ll also enter one of the pyramids (a rare, atmospheric experience). Budget extra for souvenirs and tipping.
Food/coffee: Grab an early breakfast—koshary from Abou Tarek travels well or a quick foul/taameya sandwich from Zooba. If time allows afterward, celebrate with fresh juices or Turkish coffee back in Cairo at Kafein-style cafés in Downtown.
Evening: Return to Zamalek for a Nile-view dinner at Crimson (Egyptian grills, seafood, and mezze; great sunset terrace). Night owls can check Cairo Jazz Club for live sets.
Day 3: Coptic Cairo, Islamic Cairo, and Bazaar Hopping
Morning: Explore Coptic Cairo: the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Photography is rewarding—arrive early to beat crowds and midday heat. Coffee break at Delices or a local bakery for fresh date-filled cookies.
Afternoon: Walk Al-Muizz Street’s Mamluk monuments, then dive into Khan el-Khalili for brass lamps, mother-of-pearl boxes, and scarab trinkets. Lunch at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant (classic Egyptian dishes in a cool, wood-paneled setting). Bargain with a smile; carrying small bills helps.
Evening: If you prefer a guide and curated access to collections, opt for:
Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids and Great Sphinx Tour
Otherwise, DIY the museum portion earlier and tonight settle into Zamalek: dinner at Abou El Sid (try the rabbit molokhia or pigeon mahshi) or street-style grills at El Prince in Imbaba if you’re up for a local, lively scene. Nightcap: sugarcane juice or thick Egyptian coffee.
Luxor
Luxor is open-air archaeology—temples aligned with the sun, giant statues guarding the West Bank, and tombs painted in lapis-blue and gold. It’s calmer than Cairo, with easy sunsets on the Nile and stargazing that feels ancient.
- Top sights: Karnak and Luxor Temples, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple, Medinet Habu, Colossi of Memnon.
- For foodies: Sofra Restaurant & Café (heritage recipes), Al-Sahaby Lane (roof terrace with temple views), Marsam Restaurant by Medinet Habu, Wenkie’s for coffee and ice cream.
- Local life: Felucca sails at sunset, West Bank village cafés, Luxor souq for spices, hibiscus (karkadeh), and alabaster.
- Fun fact: Ancient Thebes (modern Luxor) was once Egypt’s religious capital; Karnak evolved over 2,000 years.
Stay: East Bank is convenient for dining and evening walks; West Bank homestays feel rural and serene. Compare options on VRBO Luxor or Hotels.com Luxor.
Getting from Cairo to Luxor: Morning flights are ~1h15–1h30, often $60–120 one-way if booked early. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxis from Luxor Airport to the East Bank are ~15–25 minutes.
Day 4: Fly to Luxor, Golden Hour at Luxor Temple
Morning: Fly Cairo → Luxor. For fares and schedules, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Drop bags at your hotel.
Afternoon: Stroll the corniche and visit Luxor Temple—its colonnades glow at golden hour and after dark. Coffee and gelato at Wenkie’s nearby; browse spice stalls for cumin, coriander, and hibiscus.
Evening: Dinner at Sofra Restaurant & Café (rooftop or antique-filled rooms; order stuffed vine leaves, lamb shank, and om ali dessert). Optional: a short felucca sail for dusk photos.
Day 5: Full-Day Tour—Luxor’s East & West Banks
Full Day Tour to East and West Banks of Luxor
This comprehensive day (with guide and transport) usually covers Karnak Temple’s hypostyle hall, the Valley of the Kings (add on a special-ticket tomb like Seti I or Tutankhamun if available), Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple at Deir el-Bahari, and a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Wear breathable clothes, hat, and sturdy shoes; carry small cash for site shuttles and tips.
Food/coffee: Ask your guide for a local lunch stop (grilled chicken, rice, and tahini salads are common). For dinner, head to Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant with rooftop views of Luxor Temple and traditional tajines.
Day 6: West Bank Villages, Artisan Tombs, and Optional Balloon
Morning: Optional pre-dawn hot air balloon flight for sweeping views of the Nile and temples—an unforgettable photography session. After, explore Medinet Habu (Ramesses III’s mortuary temple with vivid reliefs) and the workers’ village of Deir el-Medina, where artisans painted exquisite small tombs.
Afternoon: Lunch at Marsam Restaurant near Medinet Habu—shaded garden, cold karkadeh, and simple, delicious Egyptian plates. Stop by a family-run alabaster workshop to see traditional carving. Coffee and cake at Sunflower Restaurant & Café on the West Bank.
Evening: Return across the Nile and catch the Karnak Sound & Light Show if you enjoy theatrical retellings of pharaonic history. For a celebratory dinner, book the 1886 Restaurant at the Winter Palace (jackets preferred; classic French-Egyptian menu). Budget option: Nile-side grills and fresh fish along the corniche.
Day 7: Souvenir Spree, Fly to Cairo, Depart
Morning: Last coffee at Aboudi Bookstore & Café, then a quick shop in Luxor souq for handwoven scarves, cartouche pendants, and quality spices. Pack with room for fragile items and label any liquids.
Afternoon: Fly Luxor → Cairo to connect with your international departure. Search schedules and fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If time remains, grab a quick bite near the airport—think takeaway shawarma or koshary.
Evening: International flight home. Edit your photos on the plane—Egypt’s light is generous!
Optional Add-On: 3–4 Night Nile Cruise (Aswan → Luxor)
If you have extra days, a short cruise delivers temples at a relaxed pace and often includes a Luxor hot air balloon.
Or consider:
Budget tips: Your 50/100 budget goes further with midday set menus, local transport (Uber/Careem in Cairo; taxis/ferries in Luxor), and early booking of domestic flights. Prioritize paid entries you care about most (e.g., inside the Great Pyramid, special tombs like Seti I), and balance with free viewpoints and markets.
Where to book transport and stays quickly:
- International and domestic flights: Trip.com Flights, Kiwi.com Flights
- Cairo stays: VRBO | Hotels.com
- Luxor stays: VRBO | Hotels.com
Extra Cairo tour option (if you want one more guided day):
Cairo 8 Hour Private Tour of Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and Bazaar
Seven days in Egypt will fly by, but this plan hits the heavyweights while leaving room for street food, coffee stops, and Nile sunsets. You’ll return with memory-card-busting photos, a deeper feel for daily life, and a list of reasons to come back—perhaps for a Nile cruise next time.