Cairo itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in Cairo, day by day: the Giza pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum first, then the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel and the great mosques of Ibn Tulun and Sultan Hassan, Islamic Cairo's Muizz Street and Khan el-Khalili, Coptic Cairo and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, and Saqqara's Step Pyramid as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Cairo in 1 day
Day 1
Giza pyramid complex
The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx; the Great Pyramid is the last surviving ancient wonder.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
The huge new museum beside the Giza plateau, home to Tutankhamun's treasures and the colossal statue of Ramesses II in its atrium.
Cairo in 2 days
Day 1
Giza pyramid complex
The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx; the Great Pyramid is the last surviving ancient wonder.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
The huge new museum beside the Giza plateau, home to Tutankhamun's treasures and the colossal statue of Ramesses II in its atrium.
Day 2
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The 1902 museum on Tahrir Square, still crowded with statues, sarcophagi and jewellery from three thousand years of pharaonic Egypt.
Cairo Citadel
Saladin's 12th-century hilltop fortress, seat of Egypt's rulers for centuries, with mosques and museums inside.
Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
A huge 14th-century Mamluk mosque and madrasa below the Citadel, with a soaring portal and four vaulted halls.
Al-Azhar Mosque
A mosque founded by the Fatimids in 970, one of the oldest working mosques and the seat of Al-Azhar University.
Khan el-Khalili
Cairo's historic bazaar, a maze of lanes with shops, workshops and old coffee houses.
Cairo in 3 days
Day 1
Giza pyramid complex
The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx; the Great Pyramid is the last surviving ancient wonder.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
The huge new museum beside the Giza plateau, home to Tutankhamun's treasures and the colossal statue of Ramesses II in its atrium.
Day 2
Cairo Citadel
Saladin's 12th-century hilltop fortress, seat of Egypt's rulers for centuries, with mosques and museums inside.
Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
A huge 14th-century Mamluk mosque and madrasa below the Citadel, with a soaring portal and four vaulted halls.
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
A 9th-century mosque, one of the oldest in Cairo, with a vast courtyard and a minaret with an outer spiral stair.
Gayer-Anderson Museum
Two Ottoman-era houses beside the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, furnished with the collection of a British army doctor.
Al-Azhar Mosque
A mosque founded by the Fatimids in 970, one of the oldest working mosques and the seat of Al-Azhar University.
Khan el-Khalili
Cairo's historic bazaar, a maze of lanes with shops, workshops and old coffee houses.
Day 3
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The 1902 museum on Tahrir Square, still crowded with statues, sarcophagi and jewellery from three thousand years of pharaonic Egypt.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
The museum at Fustat whose Royal Mummies Hall holds Ramesses II and other pharaohs, moved here from Tahrir Square in 2021.
Coptic Museum
The world's largest collection of Coptic Christian art, beside the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo.
Babylon Fortress
A Roman fortress at the heart of Coptic Cairo; its towers support the Hanging Church.
Cairo in 4 days
Day 1
Giza pyramid complex
The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx; the Great Pyramid is the last surviving ancient wonder.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
The huge new museum beside the Giza plateau, home to Tutankhamun's treasures and the colossal statue of Ramesses II in its atrium.
Day 2
Abdeen Palace
A 19th-century palace built by Khedive Ismail; part of it is a museum of arms, silver and royal gifts.
Cairo Citadel
Saladin's 12th-century hilltop fortress, seat of Egypt's rulers for centuries, with mosques and museums inside.
Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
A huge 14th-century Mamluk mosque and madrasa below the Citadel, with a soaring portal and four vaulted halls.
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
A 9th-century mosque, one of the oldest in Cairo, with a vast courtyard and a minaret with an outer spiral stair.
Gayer-Anderson Museum
Two Ottoman-era houses beside the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, furnished with the collection of a British army doctor.
Day 3
Bab Zuweila
The 11th-century southern gate of Fatimid Cairo; its twin minarets can be climbed for views over the old city.
Muizz Street
The main street of Fatimid Cairo, lined with medieval mosques, madrasas, fountains and houses.
Qalawun complex
A 13th-century mausoleum, madrasa and hospital on Muizz Street, with one of Cairo's finest decorated interiors.
Aqmar Mosque
A small Fatimid mosque from 1125 on Muizz Street, known for its finely carved stone facade.
Al-Hakim Mosque
A large Fatimid mosque completed in 1013, beside the northern city walls and Bab al-Futuh.
Al-Azhar Mosque
A mosque founded by the Fatimids in 970, one of the oldest working mosques and the seat of Al-Azhar University.
Khan el-Khalili
Cairo's historic bazaar, a maze of lanes with shops, workshops and old coffee houses.
Day 4
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The 1902 museum on Tahrir Square, still crowded with statues, sarcophagi and jewellery from three thousand years of pharaonic Egypt.
Qasr El Nil Bridge
A 1930s bridge from Tahrir Square to Gezira Island, guarded by four bronze lions.
Cairo Tower
A 187 m concrete tower on Gezira Island, with an observation deck over the Nile and the city.
Cairo Opera House
Cairo's main venue for opera, ballet and concerts, on Gezira Island, opened in 1988.
Cairo in 5 days
Day 1
Giza pyramid complex
The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx; the Great Pyramid is the last surviving ancient wonder.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
The huge new museum beside the Giza plateau, home to Tutankhamun's treasures and the colossal statue of Ramesses II in its atrium.
Day 2
Bab Zuweila
The 11th-century southern gate of Fatimid Cairo; its twin minarets can be climbed for views over the old city.
Muizz Street
The main street of Fatimid Cairo, lined with medieval mosques, madrasas, fountains and houses.
Qalawun complex
A 13th-century mausoleum, madrasa and hospital on Muizz Street, with one of Cairo's finest decorated interiors.
Aqmar Mosque
A small Fatimid mosque from 1125 on Muizz Street, known for its finely carved stone facade.
Al-Hakim Mosque
A large Fatimid mosque completed in 1013, beside the northern city walls and Bab al-Futuh.
Al-Azhar Mosque
A mosque founded by the Fatimids in 970, one of the oldest working mosques and the seat of Al-Azhar University.
Khan el-Khalili
Cairo's historic bazaar, a maze of lanes with shops, workshops and old coffee houses.
Day 3
Abdeen Palace
A 19th-century palace built by Khedive Ismail; part of it is a museum of arms, silver and royal gifts.
Cairo Citadel
Saladin's 12th-century hilltop fortress, seat of Egypt's rulers for centuries, with mosques and museums inside.
Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
A huge 14th-century Mamluk mosque and madrasa below the Citadel, with a soaring portal and four vaulted halls.
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
A 9th-century mosque, one of the oldest in Cairo, with a vast courtyard and a minaret with an outer spiral stair.
Gayer-Anderson Museum
Two Ottoman-era houses beside the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, furnished with the collection of a British army doctor.
Day 4
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The 1902 museum on Tahrir Square, still crowded with statues, sarcophagi and jewellery from three thousand years of pharaonic Egypt.
Qasr El Nil Bridge
A 1930s bridge from Tahrir Square to Gezira Island, guarded by four bronze lions.
Cairo Tower
A 187 m concrete tower on Gezira Island, with an observation deck over the Nile and the city.
Cairo Opera House
Cairo's main venue for opera, ballet and concerts, on Gezira Island, opened in 1988.
Day 5
Manial Palace and Museum
An early 20th-century princely palace on Roda Island, mixing Ottoman, Moorish and Persian styles in large gardens.
Umm Kulthum Museum
A small museum on Roda Island devoted to Umm Kulthum, the great Egyptian singer, with her costumes and recordings.
Coptic Museum
The world's largest collection of Coptic Christian art, beside the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo.
Babylon Fortress
A Roman fortress at the heart of Coptic Cairo; its towers support the Hanging Church.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
The museum at Fustat whose Royal Mummies Hall holds Ramesses II and other pharaohs, moved here from Tahrir Square in 2021.
Cairo in 6 days
Day 1
Giza pyramid complex
The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx; the Great Pyramid is the last surviving ancient wonder.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
The huge new museum beside the Giza plateau, home to Tutankhamun's treasures and the colossal statue of Ramesses II in its atrium.
Day 2
Abdeen Palace
A 19th-century palace built by Khedive Ismail; part of it is a museum of arms, silver and royal gifts.
Cairo Citadel
Saladin's 12th-century hilltop fortress, seat of Egypt's rulers for centuries, with mosques and museums inside.
Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
A huge 14th-century Mamluk mosque and madrasa below the Citadel, with a soaring portal and four vaulted halls.
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
A 9th-century mosque, one of the oldest in Cairo, with a vast courtyard and a minaret with an outer spiral stair.
Gayer-Anderson Museum
Two Ottoman-era houses beside the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, furnished with the collection of a British army doctor.
Day 3
Bab Zuweila
The 11th-century southern gate of Fatimid Cairo; its twin minarets can be climbed for views over the old city.
Muizz Street
The main street of Fatimid Cairo, lined with medieval mosques, madrasas, fountains and houses.
Qalawun complex
A 13th-century mausoleum, madrasa and hospital on Muizz Street, with one of Cairo's finest decorated interiors.
Aqmar Mosque
A small Fatimid mosque from 1125 on Muizz Street, known for its finely carved stone facade.
Al-Hakim Mosque
A large Fatimid mosque completed in 1013, beside the northern city walls and Bab al-Futuh.
Al-Azhar Mosque
A mosque founded by the Fatimids in 970, one of the oldest working mosques and the seat of Al-Azhar University.
Khan el-Khalili
Cairo's historic bazaar, a maze of lanes with shops, workshops and old coffee houses.
Day 4
Manial Palace and Museum
An early 20th-century princely palace on Roda Island, mixing Ottoman, Moorish and Persian styles in large gardens.
Umm Kulthum Museum
A small museum on Roda Island devoted to Umm Kulthum, the great Egyptian singer, with her costumes and recordings.
Coptic Museum
The world's largest collection of Coptic Christian art, beside the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo.
Babylon Fortress
A Roman fortress at the heart of Coptic Cairo; its towers support the Hanging Church.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
The museum at Fustat whose Royal Mummies Hall holds Ramesses II and other pharaohs, moved here from Tahrir Square in 2021.
Day 5
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The 1902 museum on Tahrir Square, still crowded with statues, sarcophagi and jewellery from three thousand years of pharaonic Egypt.
Qasr El Nil Bridge
A 1930s bridge from Tahrir Square to Gezira Island, guarded by four bronze lions.
Cairo Tower
A 187 m concrete tower on Gezira Island, with an observation deck over the Nile and the city.
Cairo Opera House
Cairo's main venue for opera, ballet and concerts, on Gezira Island, opened in 1988.
Day 6
Pyramid of Djoser
The Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Egypt's oldest pyramid, designed by Imhotep for King Djoser.
Al-Azhar Park
A landscaped hilltop park built on a former rubbish dump, with views over Islamic Cairo and the Citadel.
Cairo in 7 days
Day 1
Giza pyramid complex
The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx; the Great Pyramid is the last surviving ancient wonder.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
The huge new museum beside the Giza plateau, home to Tutankhamun's treasures and the colossal statue of Ramesses II in its atrium.
Day 2
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The 1902 museum on Tahrir Square, still crowded with statues, sarcophagi and jewellery from three thousand years of pharaonic Egypt.
Qasr El Nil Bridge
A 1930s bridge from Tahrir Square to Gezira Island, guarded by four bronze lions.
Cairo Tower
A 187 m concrete tower on Gezira Island, with an observation deck over the Nile and the city.
Cairo Opera House
Cairo's main venue for opera, ballet and concerts, on Gezira Island, opened in 1988.
Day 3
Gayer-Anderson Museum
Two Ottoman-era houses beside the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, furnished with the collection of a British army doctor.
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
A 9th-century mosque, one of the oldest in Cairo, with a vast courtyard and a minaret with an outer spiral stair.
Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan
A huge 14th-century Mamluk mosque and madrasa below the Citadel, with a soaring portal and four vaulted halls.
Cairo Citadel
Saladin's 12th-century hilltop fortress, seat of Egypt's rulers for centuries, with mosques and museums inside.
Day 4
Bab Zuweila
The 11th-century southern gate of Fatimid Cairo; its twin minarets can be climbed for views over the old city.
Muizz Street
The main street of Fatimid Cairo, lined with medieval mosques, madrasas, fountains and houses.
Qalawun complex
A 13th-century mausoleum, madrasa and hospital on Muizz Street, with one of Cairo's finest decorated interiors.
Aqmar Mosque
A small Fatimid mosque from 1125 on Muizz Street, known for its finely carved stone facade.
Al-Hakim Mosque
A large Fatimid mosque completed in 1013, beside the northern city walls and Bab al-Futuh.
Al-Azhar Mosque
A mosque founded by the Fatimids in 970, one of the oldest working mosques and the seat of Al-Azhar University.
Khan el-Khalili
Cairo's historic bazaar, a maze of lanes with shops, workshops and old coffee houses.
Day 5
Manial Palace and Museum
An early 20th-century princely palace on Roda Island, mixing Ottoman, Moorish and Persian styles in large gardens.
Umm Kulthum Museum
A small museum on Roda Island devoted to Umm Kulthum, the great Egyptian singer, with her costumes and recordings.
Coptic Museum
The world's largest collection of Coptic Christian art, beside the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo.
Babylon Fortress
A Roman fortress at the heart of Coptic Cairo; its towers support the Hanging Church.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
The museum at Fustat whose Royal Mummies Hall holds Ramesses II and other pharaohs, moved here from Tahrir Square in 2021.
Day 6
Abdeen Palace
A 19th-century palace built by Khedive Ismail; part of it is a museum of arms, silver and royal gifts.
Al-Azhar Park
A landscaped hilltop park built on a former rubbish dump, with views over Islamic Cairo and the Citadel.
Baron Empain Palace
A palace in Hindu-temple style built in the early 1900s for Baron Empain, the founder of Heliopolis.
Unknown Soldier Memorial
A pyramid-shaped memorial in Nasr City built in 1975, where President Anwar Sadat is buried.
Day 7
Pyramid of Djoser
The Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Egypt's oldest pyramid, designed by Imhotep for King Djoser.
Watch: Cairo in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Cairo
October to April is the most comfortable time, with warm days and cool evenings; December and January are the busiest months at the pyramids. May to September is very hot, often above 35 °C. During Ramadan, which shifts earlier each year, opening hours at many sites and restaurants are shorter.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Cairo on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Cairo on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Cairo on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in Cairo with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Egypt from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Cairo with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Cairo
- Start at Giza when the site opens, before the heat and the crowds; going inside the Great Pyramid needs an extra ticket.
- Dress modestly for mosques: shoulders and knees covered, a headscarf for women, and shoes off in prayer halls.
- Friday is the main prayer day; mosques may limit visits around the noon prayer.
- Traffic is heavy: use the metro where it helps (Coptic Cairo is next to Mar Girgis station) and ride-hailing apps for fixed fares.
- Saqqara is about 30 km south of the centre; hire a driver for the day and combine it with Memphis.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Abdeen Palace: Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0
- Al-Azhar Mosque: Wildoo78, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Al-Azhar Park: Yasser Nazmi, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Al-Hakim Mosque: Wael Mostafa, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aqmar Mosque: Mohammed Moussa, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bab Zuweila: JMCC1, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Babylon Fortress: Néfermaât, CC BY-SA 2.5
- Baron Empain Palace: Bishoy Samuel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cairo Citadel: Ahmed Al.Badawy from Cairo, Egypt, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cairo Opera House: The original uploader was ThutmoseIII at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cairo Tower: Ahmedsantos, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Coptic Museum: Djehouty, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gayer-Anderson Museum: Berthold Werner, CC BY 3.0
- Giza pyramid complex: KennyOMG, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Khan el-Khalili: Heba otefy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Manial Palace and Museum: Kareemhany146, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun: User:Berthold Werner, CC BY 3.0
- Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Muizz Street: Omar Attallah, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pyramid of Djoser: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Qalawun complex: Sailko, CC BY 3.0
- Qasr El Nil Bridge: Mohamed Amarochan, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Umm Kulthum Museum: Unknown – probably dead the photo was first published in Egypt and taken by a government photographer working for the local press, Public domain
- Unknown Soldier Memorial: Ovedc, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
