Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia (CC BY 2.0)Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan · Al-Azhar Park · Great Pyramid of Giza · Desert Fox Safari · Felucca Ride on the Nile · Egyptian Museum in Cairo
7-day Cairo itinerary. Day-by-day route, attractions and food.
Cairo holds a density of ancient stone and medieval alleyways that Amman or Dubai cannot match. You choose this for the physical weight of history, from the Giza plateau to the minarets of Islamic Cairo, not for polished modernity. It suits a traveler who wants the grit of real streets and the raw, unvarnished scale of antiquity over manicured resorts.
Day 1 · Historic Islamic Monuments
Day 2 · A Felucca Sunset Sailing Cruise
Day 3 · Traditional Bazaars
Day 5 · A Traditional Sufi Dervish Performance
Day 6 · Ancient Necropolis Complexes
Day 6 · World Class Museums
Pick travel dates to see the weather for your month.
Cairo feels warm and clear for most of the year, though the summer sun creates intense heat that can make midday exploration difficult. Plan your outdoor sightseeing for the early morning or evening, and pack a light sweater for the cool desert nights that follow winter days.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sunrise – sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20 °C (68 °F) | 9 °C (48 °F) | 1 | 6:51 AM – 5:16 PM |
| Feb | 22 °C (72 °F) | 10 °C (51 °F) | 1 | 6:35 AM – 5:43 PM |
| Mar | 25 °C (77 °F) | 12 °C (54 °F) | 0 | 6:05 AM – 6:02 PM |
| Apr | 29 °C (84 °F) | 16 °C (60 °F) | 0 | 5:28 AM – 6:21 PM |
| May | 33 °C (92 °F) (hot) | 20 °C (68 °F) | 0 | 6:01 AM – 7:41 PM |
| Jun | 35 °C (95 °F) (hot) | 22 °C (72 °F) | 0 | 5:53 AM – 7:57 PM |
| Jul | 36 °C (96 °F) (hot) | 24 °C (74 °F) | 0 | 6:04 AM – 7:57 PM |
| Aug | 36 °C (97 °F) (hot) | 24 °C (75 °F) | 0 | 6:22 AM – 7:36 PM |
| Sep | 34 °C (94 °F) (hot) | 23 °C (73 °F) | 0 | 6:39 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Oct | 31 °C (87 °F) (hot) | 20 °C (67 °F) | 0 | 6:56 AM – 6:24 PM |
| Nov | 27 °C (80 °F) | 16 °C (60 °F) | 0 | 6:20 AM – 4:58 PM |
| Dec | 22 °C (72 °F) | 11 °C (52 °F) | 1 | 6:43 AM – 4:56 PM |
Ad Meskens (CC BY-SA 3.0)Arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI). Take an official white taxi or a ride-hailing app directly to the hotel area in Downtown Cairo (approx. 45-60 min, $10-15).
Varvara Kless-Kaminskaia (CC BY-SA 4.0)Savor authentic chicken shawerma served in warm flatbread with signature garlic sauce at a local eatery near the city center.
Typical USD 2-5 (~EGP 103-258)
Kritzolina (CC BY-SA 4.0)Enjoy a traditional dinner of vegetable-stuffed mahshi in the historic quarter, surrounded by the vibrant evening atmosphere of the old city.
Typical USD 3-8 (~EGP 155-413)
Muhammad Abul-Futooh (CC BY-SA 4.0)Enjoy traditional rice-stuffed intestine casings at a local eatery near the plateau entrance.
Typical USD 2-6 (~EGP 103-310)
Ahmed Emad H (CC BY-SA 4.0)A quiet, romantic sailboat journey on the Nile at sunset to watch the city lights emerge over the water.
Savor a bowl of rich jute leaf soup with chicken in an elegant restaurant overlooking the river.
Typical USD 4-9 (~EGP 207-465)
Staying at Downtown Cairo since Day 1
Photo by Ali Dashti on PexelsEnjoy freshly fried fava bean fritters with herbs at a busy local canteen.
Typical USD 0-2 (~EGP 0-103)
Photo by Samet Kaplan 🇹🇷 on PexelsEnd the day with a warm, comforting bowl of Egyptian rice pudding while watching the evening bustle.
Typical USD 1-3 (~EGP 52-155)
Staying at Downtown Cairo since Day 1
young shanahan (CC BY 2.0)Enjoy this spiced rice and fish dish in a historic neighborhood known for its authentic flavors.
Bekhir chaima (CC BY-SA 4.0)Dine on freshly grilled fish at a riverside spot, reflecting on the day's historical exploration.
Staying at Downtown Cairo since Day 1
Turnopoems (CC BY-SA 4.0)Enjoy a traditional flaky Egyptian pastry layered with savory ingredients at a local neighborhood eatery.
Mkevy (CC BY-SA 4.0)Relax with a romantic candlelit dinner featuring seasoned minced meat stuffed inside crispy pita bread.
Staying at Downtown Cairo since Day 1
Enjoy a hearty serving of Egyptian Fattah, a traditional dish of rice, bread, and meat broth.
Share a plate of spiced minced meat skewers, grilled over charcoal for a classic smoky flavor.
Staying at Downtown Cairo since Day 1
Enjoy traditional salted fish served with fresh bread in a historic neighborhood setting.
Return to the hotel to finish checkout and collect all belongings before the departure.
Private transfer to the airport for international flight departure.
Staying at Downtown Cairo since Day 1
Same destination, your dates, group, and pace. Generated free in about 2 minutes.
Customize this tripFreeFood, shopping & festivals
Tap any photo for more photos, the story, and where to find it.
Day 3 · lunch
Day 1 · lunch
Day 1 · dinner
Day 3 · dinner
Day 2 · lunch
Day 2 · dinner
A thick, soup-like dish made from finely chopped jute leaves, traditionally prepared with garlic and coriander, often served alongside tender rabbit or chicken.
Tap any photo for more photos, the story, and where to find it.
This deep red tea is the quintessential Egyptian refreshment, best enjoyed chilled with ice.
Tap any photo for more photos and the story.
Feb 17 – Mar 18
Feb 17 – Mar 18
Apr 13
Jul 23
July 23 commemorates the 1952 revolution that ended the monarchy. Main parades on the October 6 Bridge, speeches at Tahrir Square, and evening fireworks over the Cairo Citadel.
Aug 25
Costs
Estimated total · For 2 travelers · 1 room · 7 days
USD 1,021Flights from your city not included.
| City | Simple | Comfortable | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | USD 15 | USD 30 | USD 45 |
Not included: visas, travel insurance, SIM cards, tips, shopping.
Cheap overall -- expect $50-90/night for mid-range hotels and $3-10 for full meals. Drink only bottled water and stick to popular food stalls with high turnover.
Use Uber for all city transit to avoid haggling over taxi fares; a cross-town trip rarely exceeds 150 EGP.
Buy a local Vodafone SIM at the airport for about $10; it provides reliable data for navigation and ride-hailing apps throughout your trip.
Pay the 600 EGP fee to enter the interior of the Great Pyramid of Giza; it is claustrophobic and steep but remains a singular historical experience.
Carry small denominations of Egyptian pounds for tipping, as 'baksheesh' is expected for even minor services throughout Cairo.
Before you go
Hotel in Cairo
Nights 1–6 · Downtown Cairo · about USD 180 · Comfortable hotel range
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) timed entry tickets
Day 6 · Book 2 months ahead · As a newly opened flagship site, timed entry slots for the main galleries sell out weeks in advance; purchase via the official GEM website.
Private desert fox safari experience
Day 2 · Book 4 weeks ahead · This is a specialized tour requiring licensed guides and proper permits for the desert reserve areas; arrange this well in advance to secure availability.
Wekalet El Ghouri Tanoura show tickets
Day 5 · Book 2 weeks ahead · The Tanoura performance is highly popular; arrive early or book through a local operator to guarantee a front-row seat for this cultural event.
Egyptian Tourist Visa (e-Visa)
Day 1 · Book 2 weeks ahead · Apply via the official Egypt e-Visa portal at least 7 days before departure to ensure processing time for entry to the country.
Great Pyramid of Giza and Great Sphinx entry tickets
Day 2 · Book 7 days ahead · Tickets are available online via the official Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities portal. Advance booking avoids long queues at the ticket office.
Felucca ride on the Nile at sunset
Day 2 · Book 7 days ahead · Secure a reputable captain through a travel agency or your hotel concierge to ensure a safe boat and fair pricing for the sunset hour.
When using Uber or Careem, wait for your driver inside the lobby of your hotel or a nearby business rather than standing on the street to avoid unwanted attention from touts.
For the Gayer-Anderson Museum on day 4, ignore any local who claims the building is closed for renovations; this is a common ruse to divert you to their own shop.
At the Khan el-Khalili market, keep your bag in front of your body at all times as the narrow, crowded alleys are prime territory for opportunistic pickpockets.
When visiting the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, arrive early in the morning to beat the large tour groups that arrive from the coast by midday.
Use the Metro Card for the Cairo Metro to avoid the long queues at ticket windows, especially during the morning rush hour near Tahrir Square.
At the Great Sphinx and Giza plateau, politely but firmly decline offers for free camel photos or guided shortcuts; these always end with a demand for payment.
When crossing the street near Tahrir Square, do not rely on traffic signals; observe the flow of local pedestrians and cross only when they do.
Inside mosques like Sultan Hassan or Amr ibn al-As, ensure your shoulders and knees are covered even if you bring a scarf; some custodians are strict about the definition of modest dress.
Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Get EGP cash / a no-forex-fee card
Check visa requirements for Egypt
Purchase tickets for Giza Plateau online
Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)
Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)
Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)
Wallet with ID and payment cards
Pen for arrival forms
The week starts with the intensity of Islamic and Old Cairo to settle into the pace before shifting to the wide, exposed horizons of Giza. We alternate between high-density urban exploration and the desert ruins of Saqqara to prevent sensory overload. The final days anchor you back in Old Cairo, ensuring you finish among the craft markets rather than out in the desert heat.
This itinerary prioritizes the core sites of Giza and the spiritual heart of Old Cairo. You miss the coastal breeze of Alexandria and its Mediterranean seafood, along with the deep-desert solitude of the Fayoum Oasis. This structure is for the traveler who demands deep immersion in classical history and urban chaos; look elsewhere if you prefer quiet nature or a slower Mediterranean pace.
To deepen this, add two days for a trip to Aswan. You can take a sunset felucca ride past the granite rocks of the Nile, which offers a stillness impossible to find within the capital.
| Visa & entry | Most Western nationals can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival for $25 USD at Cairo International Airport. Ensure your passport has 6 months of validity remaining from your date of entry. Other nationalities should check the Egyptian e-Visa portal. |
|---|---|
| US risk level | Exercise increased cautionUpdated Jul 14, 2025 |
| Official advice | US State Department · UK Foreign Office |
| Emergency | Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126Tourist police (126) speaks English and is helpful |
Traffic in Cairo is chaotic and aggressive, so avoid driving yourself; use ride-sharing apps to guarantee a fixed price and trackable route. In tourist hubs like Luxor or near the Giza plateau, maintain a firm, polite 'no' to unwanted service offers. If an emergency occurs, contact the Tourism Police at 126 or local authorities via 122.
| Tipping: restaurants | 10–15%; service charge often included but tip additionally |
|---|---|
| Tipping: taxis | Round up or EGP 10–20 |
| Tipping: hotels | EGP 20–50 per bag |
| Cards | Accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants |
| Contactless | Limited |
| Cash | Cash is king — especially at bazaars and small shops |
| Payment tip | Carry Egyptian pounds in small denominations for baksheesh. ATMs widely available. |
| Plugs | Type C, F220V · 50Hz |
|---|
| SIM | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Vodafone Egypt | $10 to $20 for 30 days | Cairo International Airport arrivals hall or any official retail store |
| Orange Egypt | $10 to $20 for 30 days | Any authorized dealer in major cities |
| Etisalat Egypt | $10 to $20 for 30 days | Any retail outlet nationwide |
| We (Telecom Egypt) | $8 to $15 for 30 days | Any official company branch |
Always buy your SIM card from an official carrier store rather than street vendors to ensure it is properly registered.
Dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees when visiting mosques or local neighborhoods. Avoid public displays of affection, as these are considered inappropriate. When entering a local home or traditional shop, accept tea or water if offered; declining is often seen as dismissive of the host.
About USD 1,021 for 2 travelers · 1 room · 7 days: hotels, food, activities, local transport and travel between places. Flights from your city not included.
Most travelers from the US, UK, EU, and Australia need a visa to enter Egypt. You can often obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport or apply for an e-visa online before your trip. Always check your specific country requirements with the nearest Egyptian consulate before booking flights.
Traffic is chaotic and drivers rarely stop for pedestrians. Use designated crossings when available, but stay alert as they do not guarantee safety. Be extra cautious around Tahrir Square and Midan Ataba, where traffic moves fast and rules are frequently ignored.
The most effective tactic is to ignore anyone who approaches you on the street claiming a site is closed or offering unwanted help. Do not engage in conversation, as many are professional scammers. Keep walking and maintain a confident, focused pace.
Official white taxis are common, but always insist that the driver uses the meter. If they refuse, negotiate the price before you get inside the car. Beware of fake taxis and be prepared for erratic driving styles throughout the city.
Modest clothing is expected, especially in Islamic Cairo. Women should cover their shoulders and legs, and you may be asked to wear a provided smock if your attire is considered revealing. You must remove your shoes before entering any mosque.
Pickpockets are common in crowded areas like the Khan el-Khalili market, so keep your belongings secure. While the city is generally safe for travelers, avoid booking tours through strangers on the street, as they are often overpriced and forced.
Climbing the pyramids is strictly prohibited and dangerous. The structures are fragile, and any fall is likely to result in fatal injury. Respect the site and stay on the designated paths at all times.
Egypt has four main mobile service providers: Vodafone, Etisalat, We, and Orange. Coverage is generally reliable across the city, and all providers offer similar 4G speeds for data. Purchase a local SIM card at the airport upon arrival to stay connected.
Download this Cairo, Egypt itinerary — day-by-day plan, maps, budget, and more.
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