Cairo 3-Day Essentials

Activities

1. 08:00 Pyramids of Giza + Sphinx 4 hours

   The only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World — Great Pyramid of Khufu (138 m, originally 146 m), Khafre and Menkaure pyramids, the Sphinx. Arrive at opening to beat the heat and the crowds.

   Cost: EGP 540 site entry + EGP 540 to enter Khufu pyramid; standard tour $50-90 with guide TIP: Hire an English guide ($20-30) — site signage is limited. Camel rides EGP 200-500 (negotiate upfront). Wear comfortable shoes — the site is large and sandy.
2. 12:00 Solar Boat Museum 1 hour

   The reassembled 4,500-year-old cedar boat found buried at the foot of the Great Pyramid — built for Khufu's afterlife journey. A 1-hour stop next to the Pyramids.

   Cost: EGP 100 TIP: Combines easily with the Pyramid visit. The boat is the most-preserved Old Kingdom artifact outside the museums.
3. 13:30 Lunch — Marriott Mena House (Pyramid view) 1.5 hours

   The 1869 hotel with direct Pyramid views from the dining terrace — Cairo's iconic luxury lunch. Egyptian-international menu, $50-150 per person.

   Cost: $50-150 TIP: Reserve Fri-Sat. Smart casual / no shorts. The terrace tables are the photo spot — request when booking.
4. 15:30 Pyramids Sound & Light Show 1.5 hours

   Evening narrated history projected onto the Pyramids — 1 hour, multiple language sessions per night. Slightly dated production but the lighting effects on the Pyramids are the point.

   Cost: EGP 700 ($14) TIP: Check the English-language schedule before booking. Bring a light jacket for cool desert evenings.
5. 18:00 Sunset at Marriott Mena House 2 hours

   The Pyramid view at sunset is the trip's most-photographed moment. Return to the hotel terrace or pool deck for tea while the light shifts.

   Cost: Included with stay or dining TIP: If not staying, order a coffee or mint tea for terrace access ($5-15).
6. 20:30 Dinner — Abou Tarek (koshary) 1 hour

   The reference koshary spot Downtown — Egypt's national dish for $1-3. The local counterpoint to the morning's luxury splurge.

   Cost: $1-3 TIP: Multiple Downtown branches. Cash and cards. Self-serve at the counter; pay first, then sit.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 09:00 Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM, opened 2025) 4 hours

   The world's largest archaeological museum — Tutankhamun's full 5,400-piece collection, 120,000+ Pharaonic artifacts, located near the Pyramids of Giza. Replaced the smaller (1902) Egyptian Museum at Tahrir Square as the main destination.

   Cost: EGP 1,200 ($25) TIP: Pre-book online to skip the queue. Allow 3-4 hours minimum for the highlights; full visit takes 6-8 hours. Hire an English audio guide ($5).
2. 13:30 Lunch — Felfela (heritage Egyptian) 1.5 hours

   Tourist-friendly Egyptian sit-down restaurant Downtown — Egyptian classics in a photo-menu format. Walking distance to Tahrir Square and the (old) Egyptian Museum.

   Cost: $3-8 TIP: Cards and cash. Tip 5-10%. The mezze platter is the best way to sample multiple dishes.
3. 15:00 Citadel of Saladin + Mosque of Muhammad Ali 2 hours

   The 12th-century fortress overlooking Cairo, with the iconic Ottoman-style Mosque of Muhammad Ali (the 'Alabaster Mosque', completed 1848). Panoramic views over Islamic Cairo and Old Cairo.

   Cost: EGP 200 TIP: Modest dress mandatory at the mosque (robes provided free). The view from the courtyard is the best Cairo panorama.
4. 17:30 Khan el-Khalili Bazaar 2 hours

   The historic bazaar of Cairo — established in 1382, still the city's main spice, jewelry, leather, brass and souvenir market. Get lost in the narrow lanes; the main streets are tourist-priced.

   Cost: Free entry, bargaining required TIP: Bargain hard — start at 25% of the asked price. Carry cash EGP in small bills. The deeper into the bazaar, the cheaper the goods.
5. 20:00 El Fishawi (since 1797) 2 hours

   Cairo's oldest café — Naguib Mahfouz wrote here. Mint tea, karkadeh, shisha, 24-hour operation. The reference Khan el-Khalili evening stop.

   Cost: $3-10 TIP: Cash and cards. Tip 5-10%. The mirrors and brass interior are the photo draw. Cheaper than the rooftop cafés nearby.
6. 22:30 Nile Dinner Cruise 2 hours

   2-hour Nile cruise with Egyptian buffet, belly dancing and a tanoura whirling dervish performance. The most-booked Cairo evening activity for first-time visitors.

   Cost: $40-80 TIP: Pre-book via Klook (15-20% off vs walk-up). Departures from Garden City; check the meeting point. Vegetarian options on request.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Saqqara Step Pyramid + Memphis 5 hours

   Saqqara — the burial ground for Memphis, with the Step Pyramid of Djoser (2630 BCE, the world's oldest pyramid). Memphis itself is largely ruined; the open-air museum has a colossal statue of Rameses II. Older than Giza by 80 years.

   Cost: EGP 240 entry + $50-80 day tour TIP: Combine with Dahshur (the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid) on a full-day tour. Hire an English guide ($20-30) — site signage is minimal.
2. 13:30 Lunch — Andrea Mariouteya 1.5 hours

   Open-air Egyptian-Greek restaurant in a garden setting near the Pyramids — whole grilled chicken is the signature dish, served with fresh bread and salads. Family-friendly.

   Cost: $10-25 TIP: Reserve Fri-Sat. Cards and cash. Tip 10%.
3. 15:30 Coptic Cairo + Hanging Church 2.5 hours

   The Christian heritage core of Cairo — Hanging Church (3rd-4th century, built atop the Roman Fortress of Babylon), Coptic Museum, Cavern Church. A quiet contrast to the Islamic and Pharaonic sites.

   Cost: Free entry; Coptic Museum EGP 100 TIP: Modest dress mandatory in churches. The Hanging Church is the visual highlight.
4. 18:30 Final Khan el-Khalili + El Fishawi 2 hours

   Last-day souvenir shopping at Khan el-Khalili (spices, brass, leather) followed by a farewell tea at El Fishawi.

   Cost: Variable + $3-10 tea TIP: Bargain hard. Cash EGP. Allow time to repack.
5. 20:30 Final dinner — Four Seasons First Residence Cairo 2.5 hours

   Nile-side luxury dining at Bella (Italian) or Zitouni (Egyptian) — the polished farewell meal. $80-200 per person.

   Cost: $80-200 TIP: Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead. Smart casual / no shorts. Cards and cash.
6. 23:30 Departure from Cairo International Airport (CAI) 45 min

   Late-evening international departures. Most long-haul routings transit via Doha (DOH) or Dubai (DXB).

   Cost: Uber $10-15 TIP: Pre-book a Klook airport transfer for late evening. International check-in opens 3 hours before departure.

Meal Recommendations