Cairo Itinerary in 3 Days

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a perfect starting point to immerse yourself in the country's culture and, above all, to discover the fascinating history of Ancient Egypt. Here, you will find just steps away from the Great Pyramids, as well as wonderful natural beauty.
Here are all our tips for organizing a 3-day itinerary in Cairo.

Start your day in Cairo by visiting one of the most important museums in Egypt, a true institution in the Egyptian capital: the Egyptian Museum. It is located in Downtown Cairo, accessible by metro M1 and M2, with the main stop being Anwer El-Sadat Station (Get directions).

The Egyptian Museum, along with the Pyramids, is one of the reasons why people decide to visit Cairo. It is the most comprehensive museum on Ancient Egypt, and here you can truly take a step back in time. Among the most important collections is certainly the one housing the artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun. Feel free to take your time and dedicate the entire morning to it!

Visiting time: 4 hours
See also: What to see at the Cairo Egyptian Museum

Plan your visit: to avoid queues at the ticket offices, buy the online entry ticket. If you are particularly interested in the visit, we recommend joining a private guided museum tour.

To reach this stop: 20 min by taxi (Get directions).

In the early afternoon, head to one of the most important sites in Islamic Cairo, the Old City, the oldest area of the capital. We are talking about the Cairo Citadel. The best way to reach it is to take a taxi which will get you there in 20 minutes.

The Cairo Citadel, or Salah Al-Din Al-Ayoubi Castle, is an ancient Egyptian fortress that was built by Saladin in the distant 12th century for defensive purposes against the Crusaders. Today, it resembles a small town, housing mosques and historic buildings, as well as several museums. We recommend you stroll through its palaces and along the walls, enjoying the view.

Visiting time: 1.5 hours

Book the complete tour: If you want to delve deeper into the historic center of Cairo, join a guided tour of the citadel.

To reach this stop: 10 min by taxi (Get directions).

Just 10 minutes by taxi from the Citadel, you will reach one of the most famous mosques in the city, the Sultan Hassan Mosque, or Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan.

Built between 1356 and 1363 at the behest of Sultan Hassan, from whom it takes its name, it is undoubtedly one of the most important monuments in Cairo. It is also open to the public and visitors, not just to people of the Muslim faith. Upon entering, you can visit some of its wonderful rooms and admire the beautiful mosaic floors.

Visiting time: 30 min

You are visiting a sacred place: It is important to respect local traditions in every country. So bring something to cover your shoulders, avoid wearing short pants or tank tops.

To reach this stop: 15 min by taxi (Get directions).

After visiting the Mosque, hop back into a taxi and in just 15 minutes reach one of the most beautiful parks in the city: Al-Azhar Park.

This park is the green lung of downtown, a true meeting point and a tranquil oasis away from the city's traffic and chaos. But above all, as you stroll through its tree-lined avenues and gardens, you will enjoy spectacular views of the city! So keep your eyes open and your camera ready to capture some photos.

Visiting time: 1 hour

Take a break with a view: Inside the park is the Masraweya Cafe, featuring a wonderful terrace with a view of the city. Stop here to have a drink and enjoy the scenery. Get directions

To reach this stop: 5 min by taxi (Get directions).

Now that the day is winding down, we recommend visiting one of the most beautiful mosques in Cairo: the Al-Azhar Mosque. The visit will not take too much time. Additionally, it is located just 5 minutes by taxi from the park.

This mosque, like the Sultan Hassan Mosque, is partially open to everyone for visits. It was founded by the Fatimids in 970 AD, and today it houses the headquarters of the namesake university. Enter to admire its wonderful inner courtyard and architecture.

Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 10 min on foot (Get directions).

Finally, end this day at one of the most beautiful places to visit in Cairo, its spectacular market, the Khan el-Khalili suq. It is very easy to reach, located just a 10-minute walk from the mosque.

This Khan el-Khalili bazaar is the heart of the Old City. Here you will be overwhelmed by colors, sounds, and scents. In every corner, you will find little shops and stalls selling everything, including street food. This is also the perfect place to buy a souvenir, but beware, be prepared to bargain! If they see you are a tourist, they will likely raise the price.

Visiting time: 1 hour

Spend the evening here: Khan el-Khalili is full of little eateries and is one of the nightlife districts. Stop for dinner at Saheb El Sa'ada, a theater with an attached restaurant where you can attend traditional dance and music performances, then immerse yourself in its atmosphere.

Dedicate this second day to discovering Ancient Egypt, starting with the archaeological sites of Saqqara and Memphis and then arriving at the spectacular Giza Necropolis. We recommend joining a tour from Cairo , with transportation and a guide included. The kilometers to cover for this day are quite a few, so it's best not to drive on your own.

The first stop is Saqqara, an important Egyptian necropolis located about 27 km from Cairo (Get directions). It is the necropolis of the Old Kingdom, a burial site that houses a large number of tombs and mastabas, including the step pyramid of Djoser. Less than 10 km from Saqqara is the city of Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom from 2700 BC to 2200 BC. Here you will be able to visit the ancient ruins of the city and admire its most famous monuments, which include the colossal statue of Ramses II (lying down inside the Memphis Museum) and the alabaster Sphinx.

Visiting time: 4 hours
See also: Must-see in Egypt: cities, attractions, and recommended itineraries

To reach this stop: 50 min by car (Get directions).

After visiting Saqqara and Memphis, with the tour from Cairo you will reach one of the most famous attractions of the Egyptian capital: the spectacular Giza Necropolis. It is about a 50-minute drive from Saqqara, during which you can enjoy the desert landscapes outside the window.

The Giza Necropolis is famous as it is where you can find the Sphinx and the spectacular Pyramids. Specifically, you will be able to admire the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Pyramid of Khufu, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Truly unmissable!

Visiting time: 4 hours

On your last day in Cairo, dedicate the morning to visiting another interesting and important museum of the Egyptian capital: the Coptic Museum. It is located in Downtown Cairo and is served by metro line M1, with the reference stop being Mar Girgis (Get directions).

This museum houses an important archaeological and artistic collection, tracing the history of various civilizations, such as the Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and Byzantine. Inside you will find works of art, manuscripts, statues, and various artifacts. But not only that: the museum is worth a visit just for its spectacular architecture and gardens.

Visiting time: 3 hours

Take the opportunity to visit the Old Cairo Bazaar: this bazaar is just a few steps from the museum and is filled with stalls of all kinds. Always remember to bargain if you want to shop!

To reach this stop: 1 min on foot (Get directions).

Just about 10 meters from the Coptic Museum is another unique attraction: the Hanging Church, or The Hanging Church.

Also known as the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin of Cairo, this place is actually little known but is truly a wonder. Inside, you can admire icons in Greek Orthodox style and other artworks.

Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 15 min by car (Get directions).

After discovering the unique Hanging Church, enjoy a few hours of relaxation in nature. Then reach the Orman Botanical Garden, located just 15 minutes by car from the Church.

This is a wonderful botanical garden, a true oasis of greenery, where you can stroll among palms, bamboo, conifers, roses, cacti, and succulents, cross bridges over ponds, and simply take a break from city traffic.

Visiting time: 2 hours

To reach this stop: 10 min by car (Get directions).

Finally, conclude your last day by admiring the city from above. Therefore, head to the district of Zamalek, an island located on the Nile River. At its southernmost point is the Cairo Tower.

The Cairo Tower, or Cairo Tower, was built between 1961 and 1965 and, at 187 meters, is one of the tallest towers in Africa. Take the elevator to the observation deck. From here, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the entire city!

Visiting time: 1 hour

Decide how to spend your last evening: Zamalek is one of the nightlife districts. You can spend the evening here if you wish, stopping for dinner at the Tree Lounge Cairo Tower restaurant, but we recommend concluding your trip in style by joining a dinner cruise on the Nile with entertainment!

Alternatively, you can dedicate this last day to an excursion in the surroundings. Having devoted the second day to a dive into Ancient Egypt, for this third day we recommend discovering the natural beauties surrounding Cairo. In particular, the spectacular Wadi El Rayan Natural Reserve. The kilometers to be traveled are many and you will need to cross part of the desert, which is why it's best to join a guided tour from Cairo , with transportation, a guide, lunch, and activities included.

Wadi El Rayan is a true oasis in the desert. During the desert safari from Cairo, you will have the opportunity to go sandboarding on the sand dunes, take a camel ride, and visit the spectacular lake of the reserve, whose waters change color depending on the light of the day. You will also be able to reach spectacular viewpoints, such as one from Mudawara Mountain.

Visiting time: 10 hours

Cairo is definitely an affordable destination. It's also very easy to get there: from New York City, there are direct daily flights to Cairo International Airport (compare flights). To reach your hotel, we recommend using the private airport transfer service.

With only 3 days available, the best solution is to stay downtown: we recommend choosing Downtown Cairo. From here, you can easily access the various neighborhoods and attractions of the city. To get around, you will need to use a taxi, as walking alone is impossible. For a first approach to the city, we recommend participating in a personalized full-day tour with a local guide. You can also spend very little on food, averaging between $5.00 and $10.00 per meal.