Itinerary Cairo

Seasonality: November is an excellent time to visit Cairo. Temperatures are mild (20–26°C), making sightseeing comfortable and pleasant. This is the start of the high season with manageable crowds.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1200 USD
🏨 Accommodations	900 USD
🧳 Gear	100 USD
🗺️ On-site	700 USD
Total	2900 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇪🇬 Cairo - 5 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🛕 Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h)

  • The last ancient wonder; includes Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure pyramids, and the Sphinx. Arrive early to beat crowds; camel rides available.

• [ ] 🏛️ Egyptian Museum ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Treasures of Pharaohs, King Tutankhamun artifacts, and mummies. Guided tours recommended for history context.

• [ ] 🏙️ Islamic Cairo – Khan El-Khalili Bazaar & Al-Muizz Street ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Wander the bustling souks, historic mosques, and medieval streets. Perfect for local shopping and immersing in city life.

• [ ] 🏛️ Coptic Cairo – Hanging Church & Ben Ezra Synagogue ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Discover ancient Christian and Jewish sites in Misr El-Qadima; tranquil, deeply historic quarter.

• [ ] 🏛️ Citadel of Saladin & Mosque of Muhammad Ali ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Hilltop fortress offering panoramic city views, plus magnificent Ottoman-era architecture.

• [ ] 🌳 Al-Azhar Park ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Lush gardens with city vistas; great spot for a break. Cafés with excellent Egyptian tea.

• [ ] 🏛️ Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan & Al-Rifa’i Mosque ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Twin masterpieces of Mamluk and Ottoman architecture, next to the Citadel.

• [ ] 🎨 Museum of Islamic Art ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Diverse collection of Islamic history—ceramics, manuscripts, textiles.

• [ ] 🏛️ Manial Palace Museum ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Fusion of Ottoman, Moorish, and Persian design with rich gardens.

• [ ] 🛕 Saqqara & Step Pyramid of Djoser ⭐⭐ (~4h, half-day trip)

  • First pyramid in Egypt; see Imhotep’s step design. Combine with Memphis ruins.

• [ ] 🏛️ Memphis Open-Air Museum ⭐ (~1h)

  • Giant statues and artifacts from Egypt’s old capital, usually paired with Saqqara.

• [ ] 🌳 Aqmar Mosque & Bayt Al-Suhaymi (Islamic house) ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Architectural highlights on Al-Muizz Street.

• [ ] 🏙️ Zamalek Island & Cairo Tower ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Trendy artsy neighborhood—views from Cairo Tower at sunset.

• [ ] 🛍️ Souq al-Fustat ⭐ (~1h)

  • Traditional crafts & pottery in Old Cairo, near Coptic sites.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Nile River Dinner Cruise ⭐⭐ (~2-3h)

  • Classic Cairo evening with local music, belly dancing, and cityscapes on the river.

• [ ] 🍸 El Fishawy Café – Khan El-Khalili ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Legendary 18th-century café; people-watch while sipping mint tea.

• [ ] 🍸 Cairo Opera House ⭐ (~2-3h, check programming)

  • Historic venue for music, ballet, or theatre.

• [ ] 🌆 Wekalet El-Ghouri Tanoura Sufi Dance Show ⭐⭐ (~1.5h, alternate nights)

  • Mesmerizing whirling dervish performance in a medieval caravanserai.

• [ ] 🌙 Zamalek nightlife – Rooftop lounges & bars ⭐ (~2h)

  • Relax with Nile views and cocktails (dress code casual-elegant).

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Felfela ⭐⭐⭐

  • Old-school Egyptian eats near Tahrir Square; try the koshari & falafel—~10 USD/meal.

• [ ] 🍜 Abou Tarek ⭐⭐

  • Cairo’s most famous koshari (national lentil/rice dish)—~5 USD/meal.

• [ ] 🍜 Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant ⭐⭐

  • Upscale dining in Khan El-Khalili—classic molokhia~15 USD/meal.

• [ ] 🍜 Zooba ⭐

  • Trendy street food—taameya (Egyptian falafel), hawawshi sandwiches—~8 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🛕 Dahshur Pyramids (Bent & Red Pyramid) (~3h)

  • Quieter than Giza, fascinating early pyramid architecture.

• [ ] 🛕 Baron Empain Palace (~1.5h)

  • Eclectic, surreal mansion in Heliopolis.

• [ ] 🏙️ Wadi Degla Protectorate (~2h, taxi needed)

  • Nature walks & local birdlife—great escape from city.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇪🇬 Cairo

• [ ] 🎬 The Yacoubian Building (2006) — ⭐ 7.4 — A drama centered in Cairo’s downtown, explores city society — Prime Video
• [ ] 🎬 The Mummy (Al-Mummia) (1969) — ⭐ 7.7 — Classic Egyptian tale of lost antiquities — Criterion
• [ ] 📺 Paranormal (2020) — ⭐ 8.0 — Netflix thriller set in 1960s Egypt, with scenes in iconic Cairo settings — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 Cairo Time (2009) — ⭐ 6.6 — Romance set in modern Cairo — Prime Video

🍜 Local specialties

🇪🇬 Cairo

• [ ] Koshari (rice, lentils, pasta, tomato sauce)
• [ ] Taameya (Egyptian fava falafel)
• [ ] Molokhia (greens soup with garlic)
• [ ] Hamam Mahshi (stuffed pigeon)
• [ ] Fattah (meat & bread dish, festive)
• [ ] Umm Ali (Egyptian bread pudding dessert)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇪🇬 Cairo

1. 🌤️ Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx
2. 🌤️ Egyptian Museum
3. 🌤️ Citadel of Saladin & Mosque of Muhammad Ali
4. 🌤️ Coptic Cairo – Hanging Church
5. 🌤️ Islamic Cairo – Khan El-Khalili
6. 🌙 Wekalet El-Ghouri
7. 🌙 Nile River Dinner Cruise (Embarkation point)
8. 🛍️ Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
9. 🏨 Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City
10. 🍽️ Felfela

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Cairo
• [ ] ✈️ Cairo → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Cairo	5	Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City	900 USD
Total	5 nights		900 USD