3 Days in Cairo Egypt: The Ultimate Itinerary
If you are heading to Egypt for an ancient adventure, there is no better place to start than the chaotic capital of Cairo. This 3 days in Cairo travel itinerary includes historical landmarks in the city, a dose of Egyptian culture, and the last remaining ancient wonder, the Pyramids of Giza.
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Following a visit to Cairo, this blog details what you can expect from the city, along with the best things to do, and how to get around.
Three days is the right amount of time to introduce you to Egypt before you head off to other famous cities down the Nile: Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.
During your first day, you will explore downtown Cairo, and uncover some ancient secrets inside the Egyptian Museum.
Let’s head to Tahrir Square to start!
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3 Days In Cairo Itinerary – Exploring The Capital Of Egypt
1st day: Tahrir Square, Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
2nd day: Giza Pyramids & Saqqara.
3rd day: Coptic Cairo & Cairo Tower.
3 Days In Cairo: Day One – An Introduction To The Chaos Of The Capital.
There is no doubt that the main draw to Cairo is the Pyramids of Giza, however, there is so much more to the capital, with historical and cultural experiences available throughout the city.
You should spend the first day of your 3 days in Cairo getting to know the city and trying to keep up with its constant energetic pace. My first moment in Cairo was trying to cross the road in Tahrir Square, and it was no easy task!
After a morning history lesson at the Egyptian Museum and famous monuments, you will head to the busy markets for some culture, before a beautiful dinner with views of the famous river Nile.
Let’s start in Tahrir Square, where I also recommend you stay.
Morning: Start In Tahrir Square
Back in 2011, Tahrir Square became globally famous for becoming the epicenter of the Arab revolution, marking it as a key political and cultural hub.
The square is now very popular with visitors wanting to learn about the modern history of Egypt’s politics, along with wanting a central location in the city, with extensive transport options.
If we wind the clock back further though, ancient history can also be discovered in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.
The Egyptian Museum has been open for over 120 years, and houses around 125,000 artefacts across its two floors, showcasing a vast range of ancient Egyptian history, from the Pre-Dynastic era to the Greco-Roman period.
The highlight of the museum is the room dedicated to King Tutankhamun, which houses his famous death mask, amongst other treasures that were discovered in his tomb in Luxor. Although his mummy isn’t located in Cairo, there are some original mummies in the museum.
Queen Hatshepsut’s mummy lies in the museum, following her official identification back in 2007, which solved an ancient mystery that had lasted decades, wondering about her final whereabouts.
An early morning visit to the museum is the best option, to beat the coach loads of tourists which come to visit. It also gets very warm and stuffy in there, with it being an old building with poor air conditioning. Make sure you allow plenty of time to fully explore both floors, as there are so many surprises awaiting you.
Afternoon: Head To The Egyptian Bazaars.
There is nothing like wandering the weaving streets of an Egyptian market to give you a taste of how the locals live, and you should always expect the unexpected! It is a sensory attack like no other, and a place where some time observing your surroundings is a good idea, rather than diving into the deep end.
Khan El Khalili is a great spot to experience bazaar life, and it is the most famous market in Egypt, dating back to the 14th century. Although I recommend heading to the market without a guide, so you can explore at your own pace, there are guided tours that operate.
This is a good option if you want a local to protect you from some of the games, and heckling which should be expected as you explore.
There is a wide range of goods available to purchase in the market, for both locals and tourists, and you will pay the amount of which you can negotiate.
If you travel light or don’t want to partake in the bartering, then there are small coffee shops dotted around the market, so it is equally fun to sit with a coffee and watch the world go by.
I will never forget the strong smell of spices circulating around the streets of Khan El Khalili.
The centuries-old bazaar is located downtown also, so it is only around a 20-minute walk from Tahrir Square or a very short, and cheap Uber ride.
Important Market Tip – Bring small denominations of cash to haggle with, as it strengthens your negotiation having exact change. Requesting change adds another obstacle to securing the best price possible.
Evening: A Unique Dining Experience Floating On The Nile.
Spending your evening floating on the Nile is a very fun way to finish the first one of your 3 days in Cairo.
The popularity of floating restaurants in the Egyptian capital has grown over the last two decades, with many new options popping up, however, here are two established floating restaurants you should consider:
Nile Pharaohs: This awesome option offers visitors a fun two-hour experience cruising down the Nile while enjoying a three-course meal. Themed live shows keep guests entertained between courses. There are two evening slots every night, starting at either 7 pm or 9.30 pm.
The Blue Nile Restaurant – For a more upscale dining experience, you should head to the Zamalek area, where the Blue Nile Floating Restaurant is usually docked. Although this option doesn’t involve a cruise along the Nile, it does offer live entertainment, along with Egyptian and International cuisine options. The ambiance of Blue Nile is ideal for a romantic evening.
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3 Days In Cairo: Day Two – A Day At The Ancient Egyptian Wonders.
After your first day in Cairo getting used to its fast pace, day two of your 3 days in Cairo is focused more on the outskirts of the city, in Giza and Saqqara.
It is time to tick the Pyramids, a World Heritage site, off your bucket list!
And not just the Giza ones, with the Step Pyramid of Djoser also owning its claim to fame on the Necropolis of Saqqara.
You can visit both sites of your own accord, however, due to the traffic in and around Cairo, booking a day tour is the most stress-free option, and many of the day trips cover both sites, along with Memphis (the ancient capital of Egypt).
Whether you are visiting on your own, or with an official tour, you should start with the Giza pyramids first, before the main crowds arrive after lunchtime.
Morning: The Pyramids Of Giza
You can’t beat the first moments when the ancient pyramids appear on the horizon, as you make your way to Giza. The aurora around the three stone structures is globally famed, and as soon I entered the Giza Plateau, I felt it.
Once inside the site, you are free to wander around all three pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure) at your own leisure, however, you will be approached by locals asking to sell you souvenirs or take your photo for you. The Giza Pyramids are notorious for scammers, so you should just ignore any approaches. You are allowed to sit on the giant stones at the base of the pyramids, which are said to be over 4500 years old, however, climbing any higher will result in a warning from security.
A camel ride is a unique way of exploring the ancient site, with a guide walking you around all three pyramids and leading you out into the desert to the famous ‘panoramic point’, which is the ideal spot to capture an awesome photograph of you, with all three pyramids behind you. Pre-booking a camel ride is the safest way to avoid being ripped off, as the potential price of your camel ride is usually based on what you are willing to pay.
Entering inside the Great Pyramid is an activity that is appealing to millions of people around the world, however, it is very underwhelming, with nothing but steep stairs, narrow passageways, and stuffy chambers awaiting you. Therefore, I recommend that you head to the third pyramid instead, as it is very similar, without the long queues and hefty costs.
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The Sphinx
As the Sphinx statue is located towards the exit of the Giza plateau, the majority of tourists head there after exploring the pyramids.
The globally fabled statue is also over 4000 years old, with many Egyptologists believing it is said to resemble Pharaoh Khafre, who was the second of the three pharaohs, who have pyramids dedicated to them on the plateau. Interestingly, all three pharaohs were from the same family, with three generations ruling Egypt successively.
There are numerous spots around the sphinx to take photos and admire the beauty of the iconic statue.
Afternoon: Saqqara Necropolis.
Located just 30 kilometers South of Cairo is Saqqara Necropolis, which was an ancient burial ground for Memphis, the first capital of Egypt.
The famous relics at this archaeological site include underground tombs, mastabas tombs, and pyramids. An unexpected, but awesome fact about ancient Egypt I learned when visiting, is that the oldest stone pyramid in the world is located on site.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser was the first ever stone pyramid built and comprises a unique step design, which was the original pyramid design, prior to the newer structures at Giza. At approximately 4700 years old, the step pyramid still stands strong, and visitors are allowed inside to explore the different chambers.
An afternoon at Saqqara is far more relaxing than your morning at Giza, with fewer locals trying to scam you, and much fewer crowds, nonetheless though, it is just as historically significant, and aesthetically pleasing.
One hour is enough time at Saqqara to enjoy all of the different relics.
3 Days In Cairo: Day Three – Visiting More Historical Landmarks In The City
On the final day of your 3 days in Cairo, you will learn about the historical significance of different religions, along with enjoying birdseye views of the city.
After a couple of busy days, this day should be a little more relaxed before you move on to your next destination.
Morning: A trip to Coptic Cairo
Although Egypt is predominantly Muslim, around 15% of the population is Christian, and this dates back over 1500 years, creating a diverse religious landscape in the present day.
The area of the city where all three religions live in harmony, with churches, mosques, and Ben Ezra synagogue, is known as Coptic Cairo or Old Cairo.
The most famous church is the Hanging Church, which is suspended above the gate of the ancient Roman fortress of Babylon and has unique architecture. As one of the oldest churches in Cairo, it is often visited by International tourists.
Al-Azhar Mosque is the most picturesque religious building for Muslims, and although it hasn’t been around for as long as the Hanging Church, it has been established as an Islamic center for over 1000 years.
I recommend that you explore the different religious buildings at your own pace when you visit Coptic Cairo, as there is a lot of information to absorb as you browse.
It is free to enter Coptic Cairo, with a small entry fee required for certain buildings.
Afternoon: Climb Cairo Tower
It is time to go and enjoy the best views of Cairo from over 600 feet in the air, from the top of the Cairo Tower.
As the tallest structure in Egypt, the Cairo Tower offers visitors a fun experience of visiting the top for unique panoramic views of the city.
From this vantage point, you’ll get to see the busy daily life in Cairo, along with superb views of the Nile River. On a clear day, you can also see the pyramids in the distance.
The revolving restaurant at the top of the tower offers a fine dining experience with a twist, as the restaurant rotates around the top of the tower, completing a full 360-degree rotation every 90 minutes.
You can head to the top of Cairo Tower during the daytime, or evening time, with the ambiance feeling more romantic after the sun goes down.
The Best Place To Stay For Your 3 Days In Cairo
Staying centrally in Cairo makes traveling around the different attractions easier, therefore, a personal recommendation is that you stay in Tahrir Square.
It is within walking distance of the Egyptian Museum, and some popular cafes, which are ideal for breakfast. There is also a Metro station located in the square.
It is also fascinating to watch the city go by from your accommodation.
The Ritz-Carlton has everything an international visitor would need!
Is 3 Days In Cairo Enough
From my personal experience, you can see most of the places to visit in Cairo and have an introduction to the chaos of Egyptian culture in 3 days in Cairo.
You shouldn’t plan to spend in Cairo any longer than three days, as those extra days of your trip to Egypt are better spent exploring other popular cities in the country. Booking a full-day tour of the capital is an efficient way of squeezing many activities in.
3 Days In Cairo? How To Get Around
Cairo is not a walkable city, as it is extensive, and the heat, weather, and pollution make it difficult to traverse. There are popular locations that have several attractions nearby, so you can walk between some sites adequately.
These are the main options for getting around Cairo:
Taxi and Uber
You will find taxis everywhere in Cairo, but it can be tricky to enjoy the cheap prices that locals enjoy, so the best option for taxis is to ask the staff at your hotel to book a taxi for you at a fixed rate.
Uber is also popular, and it was my choice of transport after I figured the city out. There are many drivers around, so waiting times are a minimum, with prices being cheap. I also found the real-time tracker to be reliable.
Horse and Cart & Tuk Tuk
For more adventurous tourists, traveling through Cairo by Tuk Tuk or Hantour (horse cart) is an option, especially near the Pyramids, or the river Nile.
This is a more risky option, with notorious scams, chaotic traffic, and sustained use of animals in the heat, making it a choice many tourists avoid.
If you negotiate a fixed rate before entering the vehicles and only take a short ride, it may work out okay for you.
Metro or Train
The heavy traffic in Cairo and Giza can make traveling on the roads a long drawn-out process, which I experienced on my way to the pyramids. It took over an hour to travel to the ancient wonders, which is more than double some journeys.
The Metro in Cairo is extensive, and although it doesn’t cover the whole city, it is a viable option for all of the attractions on this itinerary.
Three Popular Areas Of The City Covered By The Metro
- Downtown Cairo (including Tahrir Square and Ramses Square).
- Giza (near Giza Station, but not directly to the Pyramids).
- Coptic Cairo.
I would not recommend you consider driving while you are visiting Cairo or any other Egyptian city. There are no rules on the roads, therefore, it is free for all. You are best off paying a little extra to allow a local to navigate the tricky roads for you.
There is an overground train that runs from Cairo to Giza, connecting Cairo’s Ramses Station (also known as Misr Station) with Giza Station. I traveled from Ramses Station when I used the sleeper train to Luxor, and it has good infrastructure for tourists.
The Best Time To Visit Cairo And The Pyramids
Egypt experiences warm temperatures all year round, which is awesome if you’re heading for the popular coastal destinations for a relaxing trip, however, when traversing the capital, the summer temperatures can make it an unbearable time to visit Egypt.
If you factor in exploring the open-air ancient sites in Giza, and the stuffy markets downtown, then being selective of the season you visit will improve your 3 days in Cairo.
Visiting between November and April will mean you can spend more time outside in Cairo, and walk more comfortably. Although the crowds will be larger in these months, early morning visits to the main tourist attractions will negate this.
3 Key Tips To Help You In Cairo
Here are the three main tips that I recommend for you:
- Ignore locals approaching you – My 3 days in Cairo were not enough, it took until the end of my time in Egypt to learn that ignoring the locals is the best way to avoid being scammed, or entering into unwanted situations.
- Stick to higher-end restaurants, and avoid ice and salad – Egypt is notorious for food poisoning, so you should be mindful when selecting where to eat and skip ice and salad for this trip!
- Use Uber for your trips – When I used taxis in Cairo, there was a language barrier and constant negotiation for the fare. My advice is to use Uber with its fixed rate, and real-time updates. The review system offers international visitors some protection from scams.
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Conclusion
Cairo is a city that blends ancient history, vibrant culture, and modern energy. In three days, you’ll see its highlights—from the Pyramids of Giza to the busy markets and the historical sites in Coptic Cairo.
This 3 days in Cairo itinerary gives you a solid mix of history, local life, and great views. You’ll explore ancient landmarks, bargain in the markets, and enjoy a meal by the Nile.
To make the most of your visit, plan ahead, use reliable transport, and be ready for the city’s fast pace. By the end of your three days, you’ll have a solid intro to Egypt’s wonders and be ready to explore more.
Recommended by Tom Henty of tomhentystravel.co.uk. Photos provided by Tom Henty.
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