Cairo in 7 days

Pyramids, the Nile, and 5,000 years of history in the loudest, most alive city in Africa. Best time to visit: October-April (cooler, less brutal heat). Average daily budget: $40 to $90 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Giza, Home to the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Stay here for sunrise views.

Morning: Pyramids of Giza at opening. First slot beats heat and crowds. Walk out into the desert for the classic panorama.

Afternoon: Explore Giza, Home to the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Stay here for sunrise views.

Evening: Felucca sail on the Nile. A sunset sail by traditional boat - the calmest hour in a frantic city.

Eat: Koshary (rice, lentils, pasta, crispy onions)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Downtown (Wust el-Balad), Faded Belle Époque grandeur, cafés, the Egyptian Museum, walkable buzz.

Morning: Grand Egyptian Museum. The new home of Tutankhamun's treasures beside the pyramids. Allow half a day.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown (Wust el-Balad), Faded Belle Époque grandeur, cafés, the Egyptian Museum, walkable buzz.

Evening: Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Centuries-old market for spices, lanterns and mint tea at El Fishawi café.

Eat: Ful medames and taameya (Egyptian falafel) for breakfast

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Islamic Cairo, Medieval mosques, the Citadel, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

Morning: Al-Azhar Park for the best skyline view at sunset, with the Citadel glowing.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Islamic Cairo, Medieval mosques, the Citadel, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

Evening: The Gayer-Anderson Museum, an exquisite Ottoman house most tourists skip.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Grilled kofta and kebab at a downtown grill

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo), Ancient churches, the Hanging Church, quiet lanes and history.

Morning: Coptic Cairo's quiet lanes early morning before the groups arrive.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo), Ancient churches, the Hanging Church, quiet lanes and history.

Evening: Koshary Abou Tarek for the city's beloved national comfort dish.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh mango or sugarcane juice from a street stand

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Zamalek, Leafy Nile island, embassies, galleries, the calmest base in the city.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Zamalek, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Zamalek, Leafy Nile island, embassies, galleries, the calmest base in the city.

Evening: Dinner at Koshary (rice, lentils, pasta, crispy onions), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Zamalek.

Eat: Koshary (rice, lentils, pasta, crispy onions)

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Giza, Home to the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Stay here for sunrise views.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Giza, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Giza, Home to the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Stay here for sunrise views.

Evening: Dinner at Ful medames and taameya (Egyptian falafel) for breakfast, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Giza.

Eat: Ful medames and taameya (Egyptian falafel) for breakfast

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Downtown (Wust el-Balad), Faded Belle Époque grandeur, cafés, the Egyptian Museum, walkable buzz.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Downtown (Wust el-Balad), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown (Wust el-Balad), Faded Belle Époque grandeur, cafés, the Egyptian Museum, walkable buzz.

Evening: Dinner at Grilled kofta and kebab at a downtown grill, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Downtown (Wust el-Balad).

Eat: Grilled kofta and kebab at a downtown grill

Hidden gems

Al-Azhar Park for the best skyline view at sunset, with the Citadel glowing.
The Gayer-Anderson Museum, an exquisite Ottoman house most tourists skip.
Coptic Cairo's quiet lanes early morning before the groups arrive.
Koshary Abou Tarek for the city's beloved national comfort dish.

Getting around

Use Uber or Careem - they're cheap, metered and remove the haggling and overcharging of street taxis. The metro is fast for north-south trips and has women-only carriages. Traffic is intense, so build in buffer time.

Safety

Cairo is generally safe for visitors but exhausting - touts and persistent vendors are the main hassle, not crime. Agree prices before any service, dress modestly (especially women and at religious sites), and use ride apps at night. Solo female travellers should expect attention and dress conservatively.

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