A weekend in Cairo: get the most from a cultural break
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Your weekend in Cairo can start with the phrase: Marhaban Bikum fi Misr! (Welcome to Egypt), and will end with regret that you cannot stay longer. The Egyptian capital is the entry point to one of the world’s most exciting countries, whose secrets have hardly begun to be revealed. On a visit of little more than two days, you won’t have time to see every corner of this huge city but, by being selective, you will get enough of a taste of this legendary destination to make you fall in love with it.
Although much of your schedule will be devoted to cultural visits, if this is your first visit to Cairo, we recommend you leave aside some free time to wander at leisure through the narrow streets. From first light until well past sunset, this city buzzes; it is a constant hubbub, with millions of people milling around in different directions from yours. We have designed this methodical itinerary to ensure that you see all the essential sights during your stay. If you don’t have time to see everything, don’t worry: it will give you a good excuse to come back. Although this is a historic city, every visit here reveals new details and perspectives.
Itinerary day 1
21.00-23.00
Dinner at Pier 88
To bid farewell to this weekend in Cairo, we suggest you return to the Nile, and enjoy a dinner with views of this legendary river, with the city as a backdrop. The Pier 88 restaurant in Zamalek is on the deck of a boat, and offers thoughtfully prepared Italian cuisine. It’s not cheap, but it is worth it for the experience.
17.00-19.30
A spa afternoon
Your cultural schedule in Cairo can continue with visits to the mosques of Ibn Tulun or Al-Azhar, or to the City of the Dead, but if you do feel like a rest, both mentally and physically, we recommend you devote an afternoon to yourself. How about sampling the delights of a Cairo Hamman? You will find spas in hotels such as the Barceló Cairo Pyramids, or there are others, including the Al Sultan Hamman.
14.30-16.30
Lunch at the Felfela restaurant
A perfect spot to continue your experience of Egypt is this restaurant where you can sample the country’s gastronomic delicacies. Although you may think this is an establishment targeted at tourists, you will see lots of local people enjoying the menu if you look closely. The décor is fascinating, and the prices very reasonable. Although service can be slow, the experience is worth the wait.
12.00-14.00
The Coptic Quarter
This is a district of Cairo that holds many surprises for visitors, as it’s a far cry from the antiquities associated with the Pharaohs and the Muslims that we expect to see. In this labyrinth of streets, you will find Roman and Christian remains in the form of churches and synagogues. The Coptic Museum is a good place to understand the context of all this. Don’t forget to visit the Muallaqa (or Hanging Church) nor to attend a Coptic Mass if you get the chance.
10.00-11.30
The Egyptian Museum
A visit to the Egyptian Museum is a major undertaking, and needs a whole morning if you don’t want to rush. This old museum (which has already donated part of its collection to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation) expects to lose its prestigious status to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which will open in 2022 in a magnificent building. Meanwhile, don’t miss your chance to see the collections held in an edifice redolent of over 3,000 years of history, culture, and hidden secrets.
Itinerary day 2
21.30-23.30
Dinner at the Panorama Restaurant in the Cairo Tower
As fitting end to an exciting day, we’ve come up with a brilliant plan: dinner at the revolving Panorama Restaurant in Cairo Tower. This telecommunications tower also has a viewing point and a snack bar, but we recommend you enjoy the delicious Egyptian dishes offered by the restaurant, with panoramic, 360° views of the city as it lights up during the evening.
20.00-21.00
Café Al Fishawi
After wandering through Jan el Jalili, it is almost obligatory to call into Café Fishawi, one of Cairo’s most famous ‘tea rooms’. Writers such as Naguib Mahfuz liked to write at a table here, and the place has become a favourite haunt of his followers. Having a cup of tea and smoking a shisha is one of the most pleasurable activities as evening falls over the city.
18.30-19.30
Shopping in Khan el Khalili
Khan el Khalili or Jan el Jalili is the name of Cairo’s oldest bazaar, a labyrinth of narrow streets where you can find good souvenirs to take home. Although its main street, Al Badestan, has lots of shops, it is worth venturing into the side streets to seek out more unusual treasures.
16.30-18.00
The Citadel of Saladin
This is considered to be the largest fortress in the Middle East. Built in the twelfth century by Salah ad Din, its walls contain striking mosques such as the Muhammad Ali or Alabaster Mosque (built in 1824), and the Gawhara Palace. Its museums include the outstanding Carriage and Military museum. A walk around its walls offers lovely views and the chance to take great photographs.
14.00-16.00
Lunch at the Café Riche
For lunch, we recommend you return to the city and make for the famous Café Riche. Founded in 1908, this is one of those establishments steeped in a magic that has seduced any number of intellectuals, writers and artists. The menu offers Egyptian delicacies, but also includes French dishes. If you decide to have dinner here instead of lunch, you can round off the evening in the basement, which has a bar.
09.00-13.00
The Giza Pyramids
This is one of Cairo’s absolute highlights. We recommend you arrive early, before all the other visitors, so that you can enjoy the legendary pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus without the crowds. On the approach to the pyramids, you will be offered camel rides by lots of operators — this is an added option that you may wish to take advantage of.
Itinerary day 3
22.00-23.30
Horus Restaurant
To round off the day, we recommend dinner at the Horus Restaurant, which affords spectacular views of the Giza pyramids. At this establishment, on the 12th floor of the magnificent Barceló Cairo Pyramids hotel, you can enjoy both local dishes and international cuisine. The décor and the service guarantee a very special experience.
20:00-21.30
Sail down the Nile in a felucca
On your first evening in Cairo, we suggest you view the city from the legendary river Nile, where you can appreciate the city’s silhouette from the water. The shortest trips are around an hour or an hour and a half, and include a commentary on the history of the Egyptian capital — the perfect introduction to a weekend packed with sightseeing.
18.00-19.30
National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation
If you arrive in Cairo on a Friday afternoon, you could enjoy a peaceful time visiting the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC), which partially opened in 2017 and has been fully open since April 2021. Its 135,000 m2 houses a broad collection covering all stages of the country’s history. The highlight is the Mummies’ Room, which has been designed to give visitors the experience of being in the Valley of the Kings.