A five-day guided tour of Cairo
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Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a huge city: its metropolitan area is home to over 20 million people. The city of the river Nile, of the Romans, Muslims, Mamluks and Christians, a neighbour to the Pyramids and the Sphinx, and a witness to the Tahrir Square uprising. This iconic city is a historical flagship at the entrance to the symbolically significant Nile delta. If you come here, stop, pause, and dedicate five whole days to discovering Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
In the following article, we will explore Cairo in five days — a comprehensive itinerary to make sure that you miss nothing on your trip to this Egyptian metropolis. Five whole days, packed with history, culture, shopping, and gastronomy — all in the bustling atmosphere of this unique city.
Where shall we begin our tour of Cairo? Let’s go!
Itinerary day 1
Todo el día
Excursion to Alexandria
On our fifth day in Cairo, we travel to the emblematic Mediterranean city of Alexandria, about two and a half hours away.
Itinerary day 2
19:30-21:00
Dinner on Le Pacha 1901
After leaving the Tower, we can remain on the island and walk to the bank of the Nile for dinner on board a boat, Le Pacha 1901, where we have several restaurants to choose from.
18:00-19:30
From the heights of Cairo Tower
While we are on the island, we can take the opportunity to go up the Cairo Tower to see views over the city at sunset.
17:00-18:00
The Zamalek district
Next, we cross the river and head towards the island of Gezira, where we can see something of the opulent side of Cairo as we explore the Zamalek district.
15:00-16:30
The Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
This fourteenth-century mosque stands very close to the Citadel, and is regarded as one of Cairo’s most remarkable monuments.
10:00-14:00
Exploring the Citadel of Saladin
Another not-to-be-missed attraction in Cairo is the Citadel of Saladin. It is located in the east of the city centre. The complex contains a number of fascinating buildings and monuments, so we recommend setting aside the whole morning for your visit. The Alabaster Mosque, the tomb of Muhammad Ali, the Gawhara Palace, and the viewing point over the city are just a few of the attractions.
Itinerary day 3
20:00-22:00
Dinner at Zööba
We round off this long day with dinner at another popular Cairo restaurant, Zööba, where we can enjoy authentic falafel.
18:30-20:00
Tent makers’ street
As evening falls, we make our way to Al Khyiamia (or the street of the tent-makers), another of Cairo’s iconic markets. More than one visitor will be tempted to buy one of the amazing carpets to take home.
15:00-17:00
Saqqara Pyramid
If you’ve opted for a tour, it is more than likely that you’ll go on to visit the Saqqara Stepped Pyramid, 20 kilometres south of the Giza Pyramids. The visit to Saqqara will take just over an hour.
09:00-14:30
Excursion to the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
Our third day in Cairo will remain in our memories forever — we visit the Pyramids. It is worth making an early start, as it’s quite a trip if you’re staying in the centre of Cairo, and long queues form at the entrance. Whether you go into the Pyramids or not, it is worth allowing plenty of time, as you will also want to take photos at various points.
Itinerary day 4
20:00-21:30
Dinner at Koshary Abu Tariq
The best possible end to the day: dinner at this iconic restaurant close to Tahrir Square.
17:00-19:00
Sunset in the Corniche
After our visit to the Coptic quarter, we walk back to the city centre along the bank of the Nile, known as the Corniche. This is a pleasant stroll, and its highlight is the view of the sunset.
15:30-16:30
Ben Ezra Synagogue
Our last visit in the Coptic district is to the nearby Ben Ezra synagogue, built on the spot where, according to Jewish tradition, the baby Moses was found.
14:00-15:00
Lunch in the Old Cairo
We stop to recharge our batteries in the Old Cairo, a nearby restaurant which offers exceptional value for money.
12:00-13:00
The Hanging Church
Next to the museum stands a Christian church. The Hanging Church, or St Mary’s Church, was build on the site of an ancient Roman fortress in Babylon.
10:30-12:00
Coptic Museum
Our first stop in this Christian area of Cairo is the Coptic Museum, which houses many interesting exhibits linked to this stage of the history of Cairo.
10:00-10:30
Discovering the Coptic quarter
We begin the second day of our tour in the Coptic quarter in the south of the city, to discover another aspect of Cairo’s rich history. Today we will learn about the Christian past of modern-day Cairo.
Itinerary day 5
18:30-20:00
El Fishawi Café
We cannot leave the market without dropping by the El Fishawi café, one of the city’s most emblematic cafés. But you’ll need to be patient if you want a good table.
16:30-18:30
Haggling in Khan el-Khalili market
We will spend the rest of the afternoon exploring one of Cairo’s most famous markets, Khan el-Khalili. With over 1,000 stalls, you can find just about anything here.
14:30-16:30
A step into the world of Islam at the Al-Azhar mosque
Our next stop is the Al-Azhar Mosque, one of the most important in Egypt, which is itself considered to be the world’s oldest Islamic territory. A golden opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the historic role of the mosque as a centre of learning and a meeting place for Moslems.
12:30-14:30
Shopping in Suuq El Ataba
We leave Tahrir for Old Cairo, making our way towards the Al Ataba souk, one of the city’s most popular (and cheapest) markets, where we will take the opportunity to have lunch.
11:00-12:30
Admiring the Egyptian Museum of Cairo
Although a good part of its collection has now been transferred to the brand-new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, the Egyptian Museum of Cairo still remains a showpiece for Ancient Egypt. It opened in 1902, but with the opening of its sister museum in 2022, lost the distinction of holding the world’s largest collection of Egyptian antiquities. It is however still well worth a visit, as the remaining exhibits have more space and are now better presented.
10:00-11:00
Tahrir Square — a symbol of revolution
We will begin our visit to Cairo in Tahrir Square, the city’s most important public space. This site of the 2011 protests, the meeting point of several thoroughfares, lies on the banks of the Nile, and is steeped in significance for the citizens of Cairo. In the centre stands the obelisk dedicated to Ramses II.