Cairo’s highlights are spread out, so group them by area and use Uber, Careem or a driver.
Day 1: Giza and the GEM
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Early morning | The Giza plateau at opening: the Pyramids, the panorama point and the Sphinx (tickets). |
| Afternoon | The Grand Egyptian Museum, about 3 hours (tickets). |
| Evening | Dinner with a Pyramid view, or the sound and light show. |
Day 2: Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur
Hire a driver for the day to see the Step Pyramid and tombs at Saqqara, the Ramesses II colossus at Memphis, and the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur.
Day 3: Islamic Cairo
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | The Citadel and the Muhammad Ali Mosque, then Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa’i. |
| Afternoon | Walk Al-Muizz Street to Al-Azhar, then Khan el-Khalili. |
| Evening | Sunset at Al-Azhar Park, or a felucca on the Nile. |
Day 4 (optional): Coptic Cairo or Alexandria
Visit the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue, then the NMEC’s Royal Mummies Hall. Or take the train to Alexandria (about 2.5–3 hours) for the Mediterranean and its library.
Itinerary tips
- Start early every day to beat the heat and the traffic.
- A licensed Egyptologist guide is worth it at Giza and Saqqara. Compare guided tours.
- Choose your base from where to stay in Cairo.
For events, opening hours and official visitor information, see Experience Egypt, the official tourism site.
More Cairo guides
- Cairo travel guide
- 20 best things to do in Cairo
- Where to stay in Cairo
- Giza Pyramids tickets and tips
- Grand Egyptian Museum tickets
- Egypt visa on arrival and e-visa
- Cairo Airport to the city
FAQ: Cairo itinerary
Is 2 days enough for Cairo?
Two days covers Giza with the GEM, and Islamic Cairo. Three days adds Saqqara and Dahshur.
Can I visit the Pyramids and the GEM on the same day?
Yes. They’re next to each other. Do the Pyramids early and the museum in the afternoon heat.
Where should I go after Cairo?
Fly or take the overnight train to Luxor and Aswan for temples and Nile cruises.
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