Cairo 6 Day Itinerary

Here is a 6-day itinerary for traveling in Cairo:

Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Downtown Cairo

  • Arrive at Cairo International Airport
  • Take a taxi or Uber to your hotel (approximately 20-30 minutes)
  • Check-in to your hotel and freshen up
  • Visit the Egyptian Museum of Modern Art (EMMA) to get a feel for contemporary Egyptian art
  • Lunch at Koshari Abou Tarek, a popular restaurant serving traditional koshari (a mix of rice, pasta, lentils, and fried onions)
  • Visit the Khan el-Khalili market, one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East (open from 9am-6pm)
    • Be prepared for crowded and chaotic conditions
    • Haggle prices and be respectful of local vendors
    • Try some traditional Egyptian sweets like basbousa or kunafah
  • Dinner at Felfela Restaurant, known for its Egyptian cuisine with a modern twist

Day 2: Pyramids and Sphinx

  • Take an early morning taxi to the Pyramids of Giza (approximately 1 hour)
  • Visit the Pyramid Complex, which includes the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure
    • Be prepared for crowds and long lines
    • Consider hiring a guide or joining a tour group to learn more about the pyramids’ history and significance
    • Take time to visit the Solar Boat Museum, which houses a remarkably well-preserved ancient boat
  • Lunch at a local restaurant near the pyramids, such as Abou El Sid or Al Tahrir Restaurant
  • Visit the Great Sphinx of Giza, a large limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a human
    • Be prepared for crowded conditions and long lines
    • Consider visiting during sunrise or sunset to avoid crowds
  • Dinner at Zabart, known for its Egyptian and international cuisine

Day 3: Islamic Cairo

  • Visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha (open from 9am-5pm), a beautiful example of Ottoman architecture
  • Explore the Al-Azhar Mosque compound (open from 9am-6pm), one of the oldest universities in the world
    • Be respectful of local students and scholars who use the mosque for prayer
    • Consider visiting during sunset to see the mosque’s beautiful architecture lit up
  • Lunch at a local restaurant, such as Al-Bakar or El-Keshash Restaurant
  • Visit the Madrasa of Sultan Hassan (open from 9am-5pm), one of the most beautiful madrasas in Egypt
    • Be prepared for crowded conditions and long lines
    • Consider hiring a guide or joining a tour group to learn more about the mosque’s history and significance
  • Dinner at Abou El Sid, known for its Egyptian cuisine

Day 4: Islamic Cairo

  • Visit the Citadel of Cairo (open from 9am-6pm), a medieval Islamic fortification
    • Be prepared for crowded conditions and long lines
    • Consider hiring a guide or joining a tour group to learn more about the citadel’s history and significance
  • Lunch at a local restaurant, such as El-Hakem or Al-Dahab Restaurant
  • Visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha (open from 9am-5pm) again, this time exploring its beautiful gardens
    • Be respectful of local students and scholars who use the mosque for prayer
    • Consider visiting during sunset to see the mosque’s beautiful architecture lit up
  • Dinner at El-Ghad Restaurant, known for its Egyptian cuisine with a modern twist

Day 5: Museum Day

  • Visit the Egyptian Museum (open from 9am-6pm), which houses one of the world’s largest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts
    • Be prepared for crowded conditions and long lines
    • Consider hiring a guide or joining a tour group to learn more about the museum’s collection and significance
  • Lunch at a local restaurant near the museum, such as Al-Azhar Restaurant or El-Sayed Restaurant
  • Visit the Museum of Islamic Art (open from 9am-6pm), which houses one of the world’s largest collections of Islamic art and artifacts
    • Be prepared for crowded conditions and long lines
    • Consider hiring a guide or joining a tour group to learn more about the museum’s collection and significance
  • Dinner at Al-Tahrir Restaurant, known for its Egyptian cuisine

Day 6: Shopping Day

  • Visit the Khan el-Khalili market (open from 9am-6pm) again, this time focusing on shopping for souvenirs or gifts
    • Be prepared to haggle prices and be respectful of local vendors
    • Consider visiting during morning hours when crowds are smaller
  • Lunch at a local restaurant near the market, such as Al-Bakar Restaurant or El-Keshash Restaurant
  • Visit the Egyptian Souks (open from 9am-6pm), which offer a wide range of traditional Egyptian products and souvenirs
    • Be prepared to haggle prices and be respectful of local vendors
    • Consider visiting during morning hours when crowds are smaller
  • Farewell dinner at Felfela Restaurant, known for its Egyptian cuisine with a modern twist

Hotel Suggestions

  • Mena House Hotel: A historic hotel located near the Pyramids of Giza
  • Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza: A luxurious hotel located on the Nile River
  • Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah: A 5-star hotel located in the heart of Cairo

Tips and Recommendations

  • Be respectful of local customs and traditions, especially when visiting mosques or other places of worship
  • Consider hiring a guide or joining a tour group to learn more about Egypt’s history and culture
  • Be prepared for crowds and long lines at popular tourist destinations
  • Try some traditional Egyptian cuisine and drinks, such as koshari, basbousa, and falafel
  • Don’t drink tap water and stick to bottled or filtered water
  • Consider purchasing a local SIM card or portable Wi-Fi hotspot for data access
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas

Transportation

  • Taxi: A popular mode of transportation in Cairo, but be prepared for traffic congestion and long lines
  • Uber: A convenient and affordable option for getting around Cairo
  • Metro: A relatively new and efficient way to get around Cairo, with multiple lines and stations
  • Tuk-tuks: A fun and traditional way to get around Cairo, especially in the old city

I hope this itinerary helps you plan your trip to Cairo! Remember to stay safe, be respectful of local customs, and enjoy all that Egypt has to offer.