⚡ Before You Go — Essentials
💰 Currency
Egyptian Pound (EGP). ~31 EGP = $1 USD. Cash is king for taxis and markets. ATMs widely available.
🚕 Getting Around
Uber/Careem are cheap and reliable — avoid haggling with taxis. Metro covers key spots. Budget ~$5-10/day for transport.
🌡️ May Weather
Hot and dry, 25–38°C (77–100°F). Minimal rain. Bring sunscreen, hat, and light breathable clothing. Evenings are pleasant ~22°C.
📱 Connectivity
Get a Vodafone or Orange SIM at the airport (~$10 for 10GB). Wi-Fi in hotels and cafés.
⚡ Pro Tips
Dress modestly for mosques (cover shoulders/knees). Friday is the holy day — some sites have reduced hours. Bargain hard at Khan el-Khalili (start at 30% of asking price).
Pyramids, Sphinx & Sunset on the Nile
Ancient wonders at dawn, the world's greatest museum by afternoon, and a felucca sunset on the Nile to close your first day.
Pyramids of Giza & The Great Sphinx
Arrive early to beat the heat and crowds. The Giza Plateau is otherworldly at dawn — golden light on 4,500-year-old monuments with the city skyline behind them. Walk the full complex: Great Pyramid of Khufu, Pyramid of Khafre, Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Sphinx.
Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
The $1 billion mega-museum near Giza — one of the largest archaeological museums in the world. Home to Tutankhamun's complete treasure collection, royal mummies, and 100,000+ artifacts spanning every dynasty. This is THE cultural highlight of Cairo.
Felucca Sunset Sail on the Nile
Catch a traditional wooden felucca from the Corniche near the Four Seasons. Drift past the Cairo skyline as the sun sets over the city — pure magic. Negotiate the price beforehand (~150-200 EGP for a 1-hour sail).
Islamic Cairo, Bazaars & Rooftop Nights
Medieval minarets, the labyrinthine Khan el-Khalili souk, and Cairo's legendary live music and rooftop bar scene after dark.
The Citadel of Saladin & Muhammad Ali Mosque
This 12th-century fortress dominates Cairo's skyline. Inside, the Muhammad Ali Mosque (Alabaster Mosque) is breathtaking — Ottoman grandeur with panoramic city views from the terrace. On a clear day you can see the pyramids from here.
Al-Muizz Street & Al-Azhar Mosque
Walk down Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Street — the most beautiful street in Cairo, lined with medieval mosques, madrasas, and Mamluk architecture. End at Al-Azhar Mosque, one of the world's oldest universities (founded 970 AD). Free entry, stunning courtyard.
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
Cairo's legendary 14th-century souk — a labyrinth of copper lanterns, spices, perfume oils, papyrus art, and silver jewelry. Get lost intentionally. The deeper you go, the better the prices and the more authentic the goods.
Cairo Jazz Club
Cairo's most iconic live music venue since 2001. A mix of jazz, funk, electronic, and Arabic fusion acts. The vibe is eclectic, artsy, and welcoming for solo travelers. Full bar, decent food menu.
Coptic Cairo, Nile Views & Downtown Nights
Cairo's ancient Christian quarter, the original Egyptian Museum, Belle Époque downtown, and the city's swankiest rooftop bars.
Coptic Cairo & The Hanging Church
Step into Cairo's Christian quarter — a walled enclave of ancient churches dating to the 3rd century. The Hanging Church (Al-Mu'allaqa) is built atop a Roman fortress gate. Visit the Coptic Museum and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, where baby Moses was supposedly found.
Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square)
The original treasure house — 120,000+ artifacts crammed into a pink neo-classical building. While the GEM got Tutankhamun's main collection, this museum still has incredible pieces and is far less crowded now. The royal mummy room is haunting.
Downtown Cairo Walking Tour
Explore the faded Belle Époque grandeur of Downtown (Wust El-Balad). Walk past Khedivial-era buildings on Talaat Harb Street, browse the bookshops, stop at Groppi's (Cairo's legendary 1920s café), and soak in the beautiful architectural decay.
Nile Dinner Cruise or Sequoia
For your penultimate night, go big. Option A: A Nile dinner cruise with buffet and belly dancing show (touristy but fun). Option B: Sequoia — Cairo's most beautiful restaurant, on the northern tip of Zamalek with the Nile splitting around you. Shisha, cocktails, incredible mezze.
O Bar (Nile City Towers)
End the night at Cairo's swankiest rooftop bar on the 30th floor. Panoramic Nile views, DJ sets, well-made cocktails. The see-and-be-seen spot for Cairo's stylish crowd.
Saqqara, Memphis & Farewell Cairo
Day trip to the oldest pyramid on Earth, then a farewell tour of Zamalek's cafés and a legendary Egyptian fine-dining send-off.
Saqqara Necropolis & Step Pyramid
The oldest stone structure ever built by humans — the Step Pyramid of Djoser (2670 BC) predates the Giza pyramids by over a century. Saqqara is massive, less crowded, and arguably more impressive than Giza. The recently opened Tomb of Mehu has psychedelic painted walls.
Memphis Open-Air Museum
Quick stop at the ancient capital of Egypt. The star attraction is a colossal fallen statue of Ramesses II — 10 meters long, exquisitely carved. Small museum, 30-45 minutes is enough.
Last Shopping & Café Culture
Use your last afternoon for souvenir shopping in Zamalek's boutiques (Nomad Gallery for quality crafts) or a final shisha and Turkish coffee at a traditional ahwa (coffeehouse). Ahwa El Fishawi in Khan el-Khalili has been serving since 1773.
Farewell Dinner at Abou El Sid
End your Cairo journey at this iconic Egyptian fine-dining restaurant. Gorgeous traditional décor, outstanding molokhia, stuffed pigeon (a delicacy), and mixed grills. The perfect last supper in Cairo.
💰 Budget Breakdown
| Category | Low | Mid | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (3 nights) | $90 | $210 | $600 | Hostel → boutique hotel → 5-star Nile view |
| Food & Drinks | $40 | $100 | $250 | Street food → restaurants → fine dining + bars |
| Attractions | $45 | $55 | $55 | All major sites — prices are fixed |
| Transport | $25 | $40 | $80 | Metro/bus → Uber → private driver |
| Nightlife | $30 | $80 | $200 | Local bars → cocktail bars → VIP rooftops |
| Shopping & Misc | $20 | $50 | $150 | Souvenirs, tips, SIM card |
| TOTAL | $250 | $535 | $1,335 | 4 days all-in |
✈️ Airport → City
- Cairo International Airport (CAI) is 30-40 min from downtown. Uber is cheapest (~100-150 EGP / $3-5). Official airport taxis charge fixed rates (~300-400 EGP). Avoid unlicensed drivers.
🕌 Mosque Etiquette
- Remove shoes, dress modestly (knees and shoulders covered). Women may need a headscarf — most mosques provide them. Photography usually allowed but ask first.
💧 Water & Health
- Do NOT drink tap water. Bottled water everywhere (~5-10 EGP).
- Street food is generally safe at busy stalls. Avoid salads from questionable places.
🔒 Safety
- Cairo is generally safe for tourists. Main concerns: traffic (look both ways, then pray), petty scams at tourist sites, and aggressive vendors.
- Uber eliminates taxi scam stress. Solo travelers will be fine.
🗣️ Language
- Arabic — but tourist areas speak basic English.
- Learn: "Shukran" (thanks), "La" (no), "Bikam?" (how much?), "Inshallah" (God willing — useful for everything).
⏰ Timing
- May is shoulder season — hot but not peak summer inferno. Ramadan dates vary; check if your dates overlap (they don't in 2026).
- Sites open early, close by 5 PM. Nightlife starts LATE — nothing happens before 10 PM.