Cairo, EGYPT in 96 Hours
Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set majestically on the Nile River. At its heart lies a world-class collection of antiquities, including the legendary treasures of King Tutankhamun. Nearby, the Giza plateau holds the iconic Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, dating back to the 26th century BC. In the leafy Zamalek district, the Cairo Tower (187m) offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
Cairo is a city of stunning contrasts. Along the well-irrigated shoreline, lush vegetation shares the landscape with modern skyscrapers. Beyond the skyline, Cairo reveals its soul through its bustling bazaars and an extensive, semi-walled medieval city. This historic heart contains more than 400 registered monuments—including soaring mosques, ancient mausoleums, and massive stone gates.
<Kindly note: The Photo Gallery can be found at the bottom of this page>
Tips:
At Cairo Int’l Airport, unruly crowds may gather outside terminals, with unauthorized chauffeurs and fixed-fare taxis common.
Best advice - ask your hotel to arrange airport transfer or book a tour with pickup to avoid hassles. If not possible, take an Uber for a fixed fare.
When departing, use Fast Track at Cairo Airport (CAI)! Services like ALLWAYS and AHLAN help you save time and avoid long lines at busy spots like immigration, security, and customs, making your airport experience quicker and less stressful. The most consistent complaint about CAI is the time (3-4hrs.) it takes to get through the essential procedures.
👮♂️ Cairo is generally safe to walk around at most times. Crime in Egypt is low compared with many Western countries. Most cases are petty theft, not violent crime, but stay alert in crowded areas..
Harassment from street vendors and hawkers—can make markets unpleasant depending on location and type.
In general, you should NOT feel threatened, they’re easygoing and sometimes funny. They won’t touch you—they just walk beside you and try to sell things. If uninterested, shake your head and say “no thank you.”
Avoid eye contact to discourage approaches.Learn to haggle: Prices in Cairo aren’t fixed. With good haggling you can cut about 20–25% on souvenirs and taxis.
Check for vaccine recommendations. Drink bottled water.
USA and Canadian citizens with a valid passport must apply for an eVisa to travel to Egypt.
Do not rent a car in Cairo. The roads are congested and chaotic.
🥘 Try local dishes like Kushari, Mulukheya, and Feteer (pie). They are some of the best dishes to taste.
Kushari - a popular Egyptian dish made with pasta, rice, brown lentils, and topped with tangy tomato sauce, garlic vinegar, chickpeas, and crispy fried onions.
Mulukheya - it’s a classic Middle Eastern soup made with Jew’s Mallow, a unique leafy green, cooked in chicken broth.
Feteer - it is a flaky, layered pastry made of thin dough and ghee with an optional filling. Sweet fillings can be cheese, coconut, mehalabiya, malban, Nutella, or chocolate. Savory fillings include ground beef or sausage.
Where to stay: considered an affluent area, Zamalek is a district on Gezira Island popular with international visitors. Accordingly, the island boasts many embassies, boutiques, shops, hotels, restaurants and cafes.
Zamalek offers travelers superb five-star hotels, such as the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino and the Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences. Other hotels outside Zamalek, Four Seasons Hotel , Ritz Carlton and Kempinski Nile.
If you want a view of the Pyramids, consider the Marriott Mena House. The hotel is set at the base of the Pyramids, allowing hotel guests to walk there.
Cairo Travel Guide: Lonely Planet Egypt and Cairo Travel Book.
Highlights:
Cairo is one of the world's great cities. However its sheer size, noise, pollution, and traffic can make it difficult to navigate on your own.
We highly recommend a tour. One of the long-time tour operators in Egypt is Memphis Tours.
Visit the remarkable Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza. <Satellite view> You’ll get to experience one of the most iconic and mysterious seven wonders of the world. The pyramids have remained intact for over 4,500 years.
The must-visit pyramids are Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure and the Queens Pyramids of Giza.
Great Sphinx of Giza—situated by the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx impresses with its size – it measures 66 feet high and 234 feet long – and a unique appearance. The monument depicts a part pharaoh, part lion being.
Experience the Pyramids at night. The Sound and Light show is unforgettable.
For a more convenient and practical experience, it is strongly recommended to opt for a guided Pyramid tour. Guided tours can be arranged by all the hotels.
If you prefer, you can go by taxi, bus, or metro.
At the Pyramids, you can ride a camel for 30 to 60 minutes and take great photos. The guides may ask for a high price, but you should not pay more than $35 per person.
Remember to bring a hat, wear comfortable shoes, and apply sunscreen.
Photo Tip: The "Panoramic Point" at Giza
When visiting the Pyramids, make sure your driver takes you to the Panoramic Point (often called the 9 Pyramids View).
Most tourists just stay at the base of the Great Pyramid, but this specific spot is where you can see all the pyramids lined up in one frame—perfect for those "infinite desert" photos.Visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The museum is located near the Pyramids.
Explore over 12,000 ancient artifacts. The museum is vast; hiring a guide is recommended. - Do not miss the priceless collection of King Tutankhamun treasures.
Note: The Royal Mummies are located at The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Old Cairo.
The NMEC and GEM sit on opposite sides of the Nile. It takes 60–90 minutes to travel between them.
In the evening, visit the Cairo Tower located on Zamalek island to observe a panoramic view of Cairo. (has a restaruant on top)
Climb the 187-meter tower at night to see the city lights reflected on the Nile.
Or opt for a relaxing felucca (a small sailboat) ride on the Nile River.
Visit Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo):
The Hanging Church, which was built into the walls of the water gate of the Roman fortress is believed to be the first Basilica-style church built in Egypt and should not be missed.
The Citadel of Cairo <video> - here lies one of Cairo’s most prominent mosques, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali.
You can experience breathtaking views from above. Located in nearby Islamic Cairo.
Afterwards, make your way to Al-Muizz Al Deen street and go back in time.
Al-Muizz, in historic Islamic Cairo, was the main street in the 11th century. Today it shows restored medieval buildings, grand mosques, and ornate architecture that reflect Cairo’s rich history.
Directly next to Al-Muizz, experience Egyptian culture at the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar.
The Bazaar (avoid the weekend) is the oldest outdoor market in the Middle East. The street is packed with souvenirs, traditional clothes, and spices. You can find belly dancing costumes, men's jalabeyas, pharaonic statues, and more.
Once you’re done shopping, relax at El-Fishawy Cafe, a traditional coffee shop that offers a variety of local drinks and a good spot for people watching.
Planning a Nile Cruise?
Best Cruise - Ship Tours - MS Mayflower, MS Viking Osiris, MS Darakum, MS Sun Boat III
Best Tour Agencies - Aswan Luxor Travel, Osiris Tours, Nour el Nil, Aswan Individual
Average cost:
(EXCLUDING AIRFARE)
USD $ - two (2) people:
Budget $1,100
Moderate $1700
Luxury $2400+
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How old are the pyramids?
— The monumental tombs are relics of Egypt's Old Kingdom era and were constructed some 4,500 years ago.
How much do the highest pyramids measure?
—Khufu is the highest of all the pyramids of Egypt at 146m . The second at 143m is that named after his son Khafra.
—Khufu is the name of the second pharaoh in ancient Egypt.
How were the pyramids of Egypt built?
—It's still partly a mystery. There are several hypotheses.
—The most probable theory is ramps. It is a technique of climbing blocks of several tons on tens of meters high. It consists of building a ramp (raw brick and wood) as the work progresses, allowing the workers to pull the blocks on sleds in a straight line.
What is the great Sphinx?
—The Sphinx is a monumental statue of the Giza Plateau. Its role is not known, it could be the guardian of the necropolis (burial ground).
How many pyramids are there?
—At least 118 Egyptian pyramids have been identified.
How long did it take to build the pyramids?
— 20 years
—It has been told that it took 100,000 men 20 years to build the Great Pyramid at Giza.
What should female travelers wear in Egypt?
—The expectations for travelers are less strict than for local women.
—It is recommended that you pack clothes that cover from at least shoulder to below the knee.
—For visits to mosques, female travelers should wear clothing that covers from ankle to elbow as well as decolletage and hair.
—A scarf or shawl is essential when packing.
What are must-pack items for all visitors to Egypt?
Long, baggy skirts and/or pants
Long-sleeved t-shirts
Wide-brimmed hat
Sunglasses are essential
Sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes
A light fleece or jacket if traveling outside of summer.
What is the best way NOT to get scammed in Egypt and many parts of the world?
—Scammers are like flies. They are there every day and know all the tricks.
—Avoid eye contact.
—A firm “NO” and a smile are more than enough to drive them away since there are other tourists out there for them to rip off, but if you start to be indecisive or just ignore them without saying anything, they will persist. Be confident and polite.
🌤️ Climate:
Cairo has only two (2) seasons: approximately seven (7) months of summer and five (5) months of a mild winter.
In the hottest of the summer months—June, July, and August—the average daily maximum temperature is 95 °F (35 °C), and the average daily minimum is 70 °F (21 °C). The summer temperature has reached as high as 117 °F (47 °C).
During winter the strong Tropic of Cancer sun makes for warm, dry days, but nights are cool and humid, often freshened by breezes from the Nile. The average daily maximum temperature in January–February is 67 °F (19 °C), and the average daily minimum is 47 °F (8.5 °C).
