Cairo is the capital city of Egypt and has a hot desert climate. It holds ancient and medical treasures, and you should visit this city once. If you have only 3 days in Cairo, then you can follow this itinerary to see the top attractions.
This 3-day itinerary covers the most important attractions, including the Grand Egyptian Museum, bazaars, and a boat tour on the River Nile. You will get time to eat the most famous Egyptian street food and even make a trip to Alexandria. The itinerary will help you make the most of your 3 days in Cairo.
Over 20 million people live in Cairo, and you could face some delays due to traffic. The itinerary groups the locations to save time, though you may face traffic jams. If you are a first-time visitor to Cairo, then you should hire a private driver or book a guided tour.
The best part of the itinerary is that you will get enough time to enjoy the attractions without being rushed. To reach Cairo, you can book tickets online with Egyptair. The airline operates direct and indirect flights to Cairo from several international destinations.
3-day itinerary for Cairo
Day 1
On the first day of your trip to Cairo, visit the famous pyramids in Giza, the Giza Museum, and at sunset, enjoy a Nile boat tour.
Your visit to Cairo must include seeing the Great Sphinx of Giza – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Reaching before 8 AM will help you avoid the hot sun and the crowds. You will get enough time to visit the 3 main pyramids and see the views. You can go for a camel ride or ATV to get panoramic views. The tomb is 4,500 years old and called the Sphinx, though you can’t climb it. You can eat breakfast at the lounge.
In the afternoon, you can spend time in the Grand Egyptian Museum/Giza Museum. It is a short distance from the pyramids. It is one of the largest museums in the world devoted to only one civilisation. It has over 100,000 artefacts, colossal statues and hidden treasures and is home to the treasures of King Tut. It has a Grand Hall, massive staircase, 12 galleries and a shopping area.
After sightseeing, it is time to unwind and relax. The most relaxing thing to do is to take a Felucca ride on the Nile in the evening and see the city’s skyline. Instead, you can go for a Nile dinner cruise with traditional entertainment, live music and belly dancing.
Day 2
The second day is about culture, history and shopping. You can visit the Cairo Citadel, Islamic Cairo, Coptic Cairo, and, in the evening, Khan el Khalili market.
You can start by visiting the Cairo Citadel, which is Egypt’s most stunning landmark. It was built by Sultan Salah al-Din in the 12th century. The fortress has a good height and offers some of the best views of the city. You must visit the Muhammad Ali Mosque, also called the Alabaster Mosque. It has grand domes, stunning courtyards and intricate interiors. Do not forget to take photos at this amazing spot.
Next, you can visit Islamic Cairo, where the oldest mosques of Egypt are located. You will find stunning old architecture here. Walk down Cairo’s historic Al-Muizz Street. It is full of beautifully maintained Mamluk-era and Fatimid buildings. Some of the top places to visit in Islamic Cairo are Al Azhar Mosque, Sultan Hasan Mosque and Al Rifa’i Mosque, Ibn Tulun Mosque, Al Hakim Mosque and Al Azhar Park.
In the afternoon, you can visit Cairo’s historic district, Coptic Cairo, which has the most famous Christian landmarks. This is a must-see, as it is believed that the Holy Family and Jesus lived here. The popular attractions in Coptic Cairo are the Church of St.Sergius and Bacchus, the Hanging Church, the Coptic Museum and Ben Ezra Synagogue.
In the evening, you can shop at the ‘Khan el Khalili’ Bazaar, which is the city’s most famous market. You can find a wide variety of Egyptian souvenirs here, like handmade lanterns, jewellery, traditional textiles and spices. You can also try some popular Egyptian street food like koshari or falafel. You can enjoy a cup of mint tea at Cairo’s oldest and most famous cafe, Al Fishawi Cafe.
Day 3
There are many options for the third day, but by taking a trip to Alexandria, you can see another side of Egypt. There are different options available for a trip on the third day, and you can choose the one you prefer.
Option 1: Alexandria
Alexandria is just a 2.5 – 3-hour ride from Cairo and is known for its seaside charm, Mediterranean experience, and ancient Greek and Roman history. The top attractions in Alexandria are:
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a modern-day library and a revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria.
The Qaitbay Citadel is a fortress built on the remains of the famous lighthouse of Alexandria. The lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
A grand ancient column at Ponpay’s Pillar, underground Roman tombs and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.
Taking a walk along the Stanley Bridge and the Croniche, and seeing the views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Eating local seafood, as Alexandris is known for its incredible seafood.
Option 2: Explore ancient pyramids
Instead, you can visit Dahshur and Saqqara if you want to see ancient pyramids. The pyramids here are older than Giza’s, and you are allowed to step inside them. At Dahshur, you can visit the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. The Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara was built approximately 4,700 years ago. The Pyramid of Unas at Saqqara has some of the oldest religious writings.
Option 3: See the modern side of Cairo
Some of the places to visit are the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation and Zamalek, New Cairo. You can choose this option to avoid a day trip.
