Cairo

Airport transfer to Zamalek via Uber(45 minutes)

Download Uber or Careem before landing — far cheaper and safer than negotiating with taxi drivers at arrivals

Late lunch at Zooba(1 hour)

Modern Egyptian street food in Zamalek — try the taameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans, not chickpeas) and ful medames, around 150-200 EGP per person

Sunset walk along the Nile Corniche(1.5 hours)

Stroll from Zamalek across Qasr El Nil Bridge — the lion statues at each end are a Cairo landmark. Street vendors sell roasted sweet potatoes and corn in season

Pyramids of Giza(3 hours)

Entry 200 EGP (~$6.50). Open 8AM — be at the gate by 7:45AM. Enter the Great Pyramid interior (extra 400 EGP) if you're not claustrophobic. Walk to the panoramic viewpoint behind the pyramids for the classic three-pyramid photo

Great Sphinx of Giza(45 minutes)

Included in the Giza Plateau ticket. Best photographed in the morning with east-facing sunlight. The Valley Temple next to it is often overlooked but worth exploring

Lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge(1.5 hours)

Rooftop restaurant with direct pyramid views — grilled meats and mezze, around 300-500 EGP per person. One of the best lunch views on earth

Grand Egyptian Museum(2.5 hours)

The massive new museum near the Giza Plateau housing 100,000+ artifacts including Tutankhamun's complete collection. Entry approximately 600 EGP. Allow time for the grand staircase and the atrium with the Ramesses II statue

Al-Azhar Mosque(45 minutes)

Founded in 970 AD, one of the oldest mosques and universities in the world. Free entry. Climb to the rooftop for views over Islamic Cairo's minaret-studded skyline. Modest dress required, shoe removal at entrance

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar(2.5 hours)

One of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East, dating to 1382. Haggle confidently — start at 30-40% of asking price. Best for brass lanterns, spices, papyrus art, and perfume oils. Walk past the main tourist stalls to find better deals in the back alleys

Mint tea at El Fishawy Cafe(30 minutes)

Operating since 1773, allegedly the oldest cafe in Cairo. A glass of mint tea costs 30-50 EGP. The mirrored interior and the flow of shisha smoke are pure atmosphere

Al-Muizz Street walk(1.5 hours)

The most beautiful street in Cairo — a 1 km pedestrian stretch lined with 9th-15th century mosques and palaces. Start at Bab Zuweila gate and walk north. The Qalawun Complex is the architectural highlight

Coptic Cairo walking tour(2 hours)

Take the metro to Mar Girgis station. Visit the Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa), Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Church of St. Sergius — where the Holy Family allegedly sheltered. Most sites are free; Coptic Museum entry 100 EGP

Lunch at Abou Tarek(45 minutes)

Cairo's most famous koshari restaurant on Champollion Street downtown. Egypt's national dish — rice, pasta, lentils, and crispy onions in tomato sauce — costs just 40-60 EGP. The place is always packed, which is exactly the sign you want

Rest at hotel(2 hours)

Cairo is intense — take a breather during the hottest part of the afternoon

Nile felucca ride at sunset(1.5 hours)

Traditional sailboat cruise. Negotiate 200-300 EGP for a 1-hour ride from the Corniche near Garden City. Bring snacks and drinks — the boat is basic. Watching Cairo's skyline glow orange from the water is one of the city's great pleasures

Saqqara Step Pyramid(2 hours)

Egypt's oldest stone pyramid, built around 2670 BC by architect Imhotep. Entry 200 EGP. Recently reopened for interior visits after 14 years of restoration. The surrounding tombs have vivid painted reliefs showing daily life in ancient Egypt

Memphis Open-Air Museum(45 minutes)

The ancient capital of Egypt, now a small museum around a colossal fallen statue of Ramesses II. Entry 80 EGP. Quick stop but the alabaster sphinx and statue scale are impressive. 5 km from Saqqara

Dahshur Pyramids(1.5 hours)

The Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid — you can enter the Red Pyramid for free and usually have it to yourself. The descent into the burial chamber is steep and humid but an incredible experience without Giza's crowds. Entry 60 EGP

Dinner at Sequoia(1.5 hours)

Upscale Nile-side restaurant on the northern tip of Zamalek island. Excellent grilled seafood and mezze with views. Mains 250-500 EGP. Reserve ahead for a terrace table

Free morning — sleep in or explore Zamalek(2 hours)

Wander Zamalek's quiet streets lined with art galleries and bookshops. Grab a coffee at Left Bank on Abu El Feda Street — one of Cairo's best specialty coffee spots

Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square)(2.5 hours)

Houses over 120,000 artifacts including Tutankhamun's golden mask. Entry 200 EGP, mummy room extra 180 EGP. The Royal Mummies Hall alone is worth the visit. Note: many top pieces have moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum

Walk through Downtown Cairo(1.5 hours)

The Khedivial district around Talaat Harb Square has gorgeous Belle Époque architecture from the early 1900s. Stop at Groppi café — once Cairo's grandest tearoom, still charming. Browse the bookshops on Mohamed Mahmoud Street

Dinner at Felfela(1 hour)

A Cairo institution since 1963 on Talaat Harb Street. Traditional Egyptian food in a quirky jungle-themed interior — stuffed vine leaves, grilled kofta, and molokhia. Mains 120-250 EGP

Breakfast at your hotel or Andrea El Mariouteya(1 hour)

If time allows, Andrea on the Mariouteya Canal is a legendary Egyptian breakfast spot — ful, eggs, fresh bread, and tea in a garden setting. About 150 EGP per person

Last-minute shopping(1.5 hours)

Pick up spices, Egyptian cotton products, or alabaster souvenirs. The shops around Khan el-Khalili or the more fixed-price boutiques in Zamalek are good options. Airport gift shops are overpriced — buy in the city

Airport transfer(1 hour)

Allow 1.5-2 hours travel time to Cairo International Airport. Cairo traffic can be brutal, especially during rush hours (7-10AM, 4-8PM). Book your Uber well in advance or arrange a hotel transfer

Airport transfer to Zamalek via Uber(45 minutes)

Download Uber or Careem before landing — far cheaper and safer than negotiating with taxi drivers at arrivals

Late lunch at Zooba(1 hour)

Modern Egyptian street food in Zamalek — try the taameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans) and ful medames, around 150-200 EGP per person

Sunset walk along the Nile Corniche(1.5 hours)

Stroll from Zamalek across Qasr El Nil Bridge — the lion statues at each end are a Cairo landmark. Street vendors sell roasted sweet potatoes and corn

Pyramids of Giza(3 hours)

Entry 200 EGP (~$6.50). Be at the gate by 7:45AM. Enter the Great Pyramid interior (extra 400 EGP) if you're not claustrophobic. Walk to the panoramic viewpoint for the classic three-pyramid photo

Great Sphinx of Giza(45 minutes)

Included in the Giza Plateau ticket. Best photographed in the morning light. The Valley Temple next to it is often overlooked but worth exploring

Lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge(1.5 hours)

Rooftop restaurant with direct pyramid views — grilled meats and mezze, 300-500 EGP per person

Grand Egyptian Museum(2.5 hours)

The massive new museum near the Giza Plateau housing 100,000+ artifacts including Tutankhamun's complete collection. Entry approximately 600 EGP

Al-Azhar Mosque(45 minutes)

Founded in 970 AD, free entry. Climb to the rooftop for views over Islamic Cairo's minaret-studded skyline. Modest dress required

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar(2.5 hours)

Dating to 1382. Start at 30-40% of asking price when haggling. Best for brass lanterns, spices, papyrus art, and perfume oils

Mint tea at El Fishawy Cafe(30 minutes)

Operating since 1773, allegedly the oldest cafe in Cairo. Mint tea 30-50 EGP. Pure atmosphere with mirrors and shisha smoke

Al-Muizz Street walk(1.5 hours)

A 1 km pedestrian stretch lined with 9th-15th century mosques. Start at Bab Zuweila gate and walk north. The Qalawun Complex is the highlight

Coptic Cairo walking tour(2 hours)

Metro to Mar Girgis station. Visit the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Church of St. Sergius. Most sites free; Coptic Museum 100 EGP

Lunch at Abou Tarek(45 minutes)

Cairo's most famous koshari on Champollion Street. Egypt's national dish costs just 40-60 EGP. Always packed — a good sign

Nile felucca ride at sunset(1.5 hours)

Negotiate 200-300 EGP for a 1-hour ride from the Corniche near Garden City. Bring snacks — the boat is basic

Saqqara Step Pyramid(2 hours)

Egypt's oldest stone pyramid, built around 2670 BC. Entry 200 EGP. Recently reopened for interior visits. Surrounding tombs have vivid painted reliefs

Memphis Open-Air Museum(45 minutes)

Ancient capital of Egypt with a colossal fallen Ramesses II statue. Entry 80 EGP. 5 km from Saqqara

Dahshur Pyramids(1.5 hours)

The Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid — enter the Red Pyramid for free and usually have it to yourself. Entry 60 EGP

Dinner at Sequoia(1.5 hours)

Upscale Nile-side restaurant on Zamalek island. Grilled seafood and mezze with views. Mains 250-500 EGP. Reserve a terrace table

Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square)(2.5 hours)

120,000+ artifacts including royal mummies. Entry 200 EGP, mummy room extra 180 EGP. Many pieces have moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum but the building itself is historic

Walk through Downtown Cairo(1.5 hours)

The Khedivial district around Talaat Harb Square has Belle Époque architecture. Stop at Groppi café. Browse bookshops on Mohamed Mahmoud Street

Coffee at Left Bank(45 minutes)

One of Cairo's best specialty coffee spots on Abu El Feda Street in Zamalek

Dinner at Felfela(1 hour)

A Cairo institution since 1963. Traditional Egyptian food in a jungle-themed interior. Mains 120-250 EGP

Late breakfast at Cairo Kitchen(1 hour)

Laid-back Egyptian café in Zamalek — excellent shakshuka and fresh juices. About 150 EGP per person

Zamalek gallery walk(2 hours)

Browse the contemporary art galleries on Brazil Street and Hassan Sabry Street. Zamalek Art Gallery and Safar Khan Gallery are standouts. Free entry

Gezira Sporting Club walk or Cairo Opera House grounds(1 hour)

Walk around the southern end of Zamalek island past the Opera House grounds. The Cairo Tower (Entry 200 EGP) offers panoramic views but the queue can be long

Dinner cruise on the Nile(2.5 hours)

Nile Maxim or Pharaohs offer dinner cruises with Egyptian music and belly dance shows. From 500-800 EGP per person including a buffet dinner. Book through your hotel

Bibliotheca Alexandrina(1.5 hours)

The modern successor to the ancient Library of Alexandria. Stunning tilted-disc architecture by the sea. Entry 70 EGP. Open Sun-Thu 10AM-7PM. The antiquities museum inside is excellent

Lunch at Fish Market (Kadoura)(1 hour)

Choose your fish from the display case and have it grilled — an Alexandria tradition. Kadoura on the Corniche has been doing this for decades. About 200-350 EGP per person

Citadel of Qaitbay(1 hour)

15th-century fortress built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the Seven Wonders). Entry 60 EGP. The sea views from the ramparts are worth the visit

Alexandria Corniche walk(1 hour)

Stroll along the 20 km Mediterranean waterfront. Stop at any café for fresh sugarcane juice (5-10 EGP). The Montaza Palace gardens are at the eastern end if you have time

Wadi El Hitan (Valley of the Whales)(2.5 hours)

UNESCO World Heritage site with 40-million-year-old whale fossils in the open desert. Entry 30 EGP for Egyptians, 100 EGP for foreigners. The desert landscape is otherworldly. 80 km beyond Fayoum city on a rough road

Lunch at a Fayoum lakeside restaurant(1 hour)

Lake Qarun has several restaurants serving grilled tilapia caught from the lake. Simple but fresh. Around 100-200 EGP

Tunis Village pottery workshop(1.5 hours)

A charming artisan village known for its pottery studios. Watch potters at work and try your hand at the wheel. Small pottery purchases from 50-200 EGP

Return to Cairo(2 hours)

The drive back is scenic through agricultural land. Stop at a roadside stand for fresh fruit — Fayoum is famous for its figs and olives

Egyptian cooking class(3 hours)

Join a class at Taste of Egypt Cooking or a similar local provider (from 800-1,200 EGP). Learn to make ful medames, molokhia, stuffed vine leaves, and ta'meya from scratch. You'll eat everything you cook for lunch

Free afternoon(2.5 hours)

Rest, swim at your hotel pool, or revisit a favorite spot. Good time for last souvenir shopping

Evening street food walking tour(2.5 hours)

Walk through downtown Cairo sampling street food: sobia (coconut milk drink), shawarma on Talaat Harb, liver sandwiches near Ataba, and finish with konafa (cheese pastry in syrup) from El Abd bakery. Budget 200-300 EGP for the whole crawl

Saladin Citadel(2 hours)

The medieval fortress complex dominating Cairo's skyline. Entry 200 EGP. The Muhammad Ali Mosque (alabaster mosque) inside has sweeping city views from its courtyard. The Military Museum and Police Museum are also inside. Allow time for the panoramic viewpoint

Sultan Hassan Mosque(45 minutes)

One of the largest and finest medieval mosques in the Islamic world, directly below the Citadel. Entry 100 EGP. The sheer scale of the interior court and the hanging lamps are breathtaking

Lunch at Hadramaut(1 hour)

Yemeni restaurant near the Citadel serving mandi rice and grilled meats — some of the best value hearty food in Cairo. About 100-200 EGP

Northern Cemetery (City of the Dead) walk(1.5 hours)

A living neighborhood among medieval tombs and mausoleums. The Qaitbay and Barsbay funerary complexes are architecturally stunning. Go with a knowledgeable guide or pre-researched route. Respectful, quiet behavior is essential — people live here

Baron Empain Palace(1 hour)

A striking Hindu temple-inspired palace built in 1911, recently restored and opened to the public. Entry 100 EGP. The Cambodian Angkor Wat-style architecture is unlike anything else in Egypt

Walk through Heliopolis(1.5 hours)

Stroll along Orouba and Baghdad Streets to see the Basilica church (a miniature Hagia Sophia), the Heliopolis Palace Hotel (now the presidential palace exterior), and the Korba district with Art Deco buildings

Lunch at Tikka Grill(1 hour)

Popular Heliopolis restaurant for Egyptian grilled meats and oriental dishes. Mains 150-300 EGP. The mixed grill platter is the move

Afternoon at Al-Azhar Park(2 hours)

A beautifully landscaped 30-hectare park in Islamic Cairo with views over the old city and the Citadel. Entry 20 EGP. The lakeside café is a peaceful spot for tea. Designed on the Aga Khan's initiative atop a centuries-old rubbish dump

Morning free time(2 hours)

Sleep in, pack at leisure, or do final shopping. The Maadi Saturday Market (if timing aligns) has excellent crafts and organic produce

Revisit Giza or explore inner pyramid tombs(2.5 hours)

Use a second Giza visit to explore the smaller Queens' Pyramids, the workers' tombs (free entry, incredible painted reliefs), and the Solar Boat Museum (400 EGP). Far less crowded on a second visit

Farewell dinner at Zitouni at Four Seasons Nile Plaza(2 hours)

Splurge on your last evening — Egyptian fine dining with Nile views. The mezza spread and slow-cooked lamb shoulder are outstanding. Budget 800-1,200 EGP per person. Reserve ahead

Pyramids Sound & Light Show(1 hour)

Evening spectacular projecting the history of the pharaohs onto the Pyramids and Sphinx. Tickets 300 EGP. Shows start after sunset. Somewhat cheesy but genuinely moving when the Sphinx 'speaks.' Check the language schedule — English shows most common

Final breakfast(1 hour)

Enjoy a full Egyptian breakfast at your hotel or at Andrea El Mariouteya — ful, eggs, fresh bread, and tea. About 150 EGP per person

Last-minute shopping or revisit(1.5 hours)

Fixed-price shops in Zamalek for last-minute gifts: Nomad (leather goods), Azza Fahmy (jewelry), or Fair Trade Egypt on El Mansour Mohamed Street

Airport transfer(1.5 hours)

Allow 1.5-2 hours to Cairo International Airport. Avoid peak hours (7-10AM, 4-8PM). Book Uber in advance or arrange a hotel transfer. Arrive 3 hours before international flights

Airport transfer to Zamalek via Uber(45 minutes)

Download Uber or Careem before landing — far cheaper than airport taxis

Late lunch at Zooba(1 hour)

Modern Egyptian street food. Taameya and ful medames, 150-200 EGP

Sunset walk along the Nile Corniche(1.5 hours)

Stroll from Zamalek across Qasr El Nil Bridge — lion statues are a Cairo landmark

Pyramids of Giza(3 hours)

Entry 200 EGP. Be at the gate by 7:45AM. Great Pyramid interior extra 400 EGP

Great Sphinx of Giza(45 minutes)

Included in Giza ticket

Lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge(1.5 hours)

Rooftop with pyramid views. 300-500 EGP

Grand Egyptian Museum(2.5 hours)

100,000+ artifacts including Tutankhamun's collection. ~600 EGP

Al-Azhar Mosque(45 minutes)

Founded 970 AD. Free. Rooftop views

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar(2.5 hours)

Since 1382. Start at 30-40% asking price

Mint tea at El Fishawy Cafe(30 minutes)

Since 1773. Mint tea 30-50 EGP

Al-Muizz Street walk(1.5 hours)

1 km pedestrian stretch with 9th-15th century mosques

Coptic Cairo walking tour(2 hours)

Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue. Coptic Museum 100 EGP

Lunch at Abou Tarek(45 minutes)

Cairo's most famous koshari. 40-60 EGP

Nile felucca ride at sunset(1.5 hours)

200-300 EGP for 1-hour ride from Garden City

Saqqara Step Pyramid(2 hours)

Egypt's oldest stone pyramid (~2670 BC). 200 EGP

Memphis Open-Air Museum(45 minutes)

Colossal Ramesses II statue. 80 EGP

Dahshur Pyramids(1.5 hours)

Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid. 60 EGP

Dinner at Sequoia(1.5 hours)

Nile-side on Zamalek. Mains 250-500 EGP

Egyptian Museum(2.5 hours)

Entry 200 EGP, mummy room 180 EGP extra

Walk through Downtown Cairo(1.5 hours)

Khedivial district. Groppi café. Talaat Harb Square

Coffee at Left Bank(45 minutes)

Specialty coffee in Zamalek

Dinner at Felfela(1 hour)

Since 1963. Egyptian food. Mains 120-250 EGP

Late breakfast at Cairo Kitchen(1 hour)

Shakshuka and fresh juices. 150 EGP

Zamalek gallery walk(2 hours)

Contemporary art on Brazil Street. Free

Cairo Tower or Opera House grounds(1 hour)

Cairo Tower 200 EGP for panoramic views

Dinner cruise on the Nile(2.5 hours)

Nile Maxim or Pharaohs. 500-800 EGP including dinner

Bibliotheca Alexandrina(1.5 hours)

Modern successor to the ancient Library. 70 EGP

Lunch at Kadoura(1 hour)

Choose your fish from the display. 200-350 EGP

Citadel of Qaitbay(1 hour)

15th-century fortress on Lighthouse site. 60 EGP

Alexandria Corniche walk(1 hour)

20 km Mediterranean waterfront. Sugarcane juice 5-10 EGP

Wadi El Hitan (Valley of the Whales)(2.5 hours)

UNESCO site. 40-million-year-old whale fossils. 100 EGP

Lunch at a Fayoum lakeside restaurant(1 hour)

Grilled tilapia from Lake Qarun. 100-200 EGP

Tunis Village pottery workshop(1.5 hours)

Artisan village. Pottery 50-200 EGP

Egyptian cooking class(3 hours)

800-1,200 EGP. Ful medames, molokhia, stuffed vine leaves

Evening street food walking tour(2.5 hours)

Sobia, shawarma, liver sandwiches, konafa. Budget 200-300 EGP

Saladin Citadel(2 hours)

200 EGP. Muhammad Ali Mosque. Panoramic views

Sultan Hassan Mosque(45 minutes)

One of the finest medieval mosques. 100 EGP

Lunch at Hadramaut(1 hour)

Yemeni restaurant. 100-200 EGP

Northern Cemetery walk(1.5 hours)

Living neighbourhood among medieval tombs. Go with a guide

Baron Empain Palace(1 hour)

Hindu temple-inspired palace. 100 EGP

Walk through Heliopolis(1.5 hours)

Basilica church, Korba district Art Deco buildings

Lunch at Tikka Grill(1 hour)

Egyptian grilled meats. 150-300 EGP

Al-Azhar Park(2 hours)

Beautifully landscaped 30-hectare park. 20 EGP

Flight from Cairo to Luxor(1 hour)

EgyptAir or Nile Air. ~1,500-3,000 EGP one-way. Flights are frequent. Luxor Airport is 10 km from the East Bank hotels

Check-in at East Bank hotel(1 hour)

Sofitel Winter Palace (legendary, from 3,000 EGP/night) or Nefertiti Hotel (budget, from 800 EGP/night). Stay on the East Bank for temple access

Karnak Temple at sunset(2.5 hours)

Entry 200 EGP. The largest religious complex ever built — 2,000 years of pharaonic construction. The Hypostyle Hall with 134 massive columns is overwhelming. Go late afternoon when the light turns the sandstone gold

Dinner at Sofra Restaurant(1.5 hours)

Traditional Egyptian cuisine in a restored 1930s house. Mains 120-250 EGP. The rooftop has views over the Nile. One of Luxor's best restaurants

Early morning crossing to West Bank(15 minutes)

Local ferry 5 EGP or taxi across the bridge. Arrive by 7AM to beat heat and crowds

Valley of the Kings(2.5 hours)

Entry 240 EGP (3 tombs included). Tutankhamun's tomb extra 300 EGP. Ramesses VI tomb has the best preserved ceilings. The colours are breathtaking. No photography inside

Temple of Hatshepsut(1 hour)

Included in West Bank ticket or 100 EGP separately. The colonnaded mortuary temple of Egypt's greatest female pharaoh, carved into the cliff face at Deir el-Bahari

Colossi of Memnon(20 minutes)

Free. Two massive 18m statues of Amenhotep III at the entrance to the West Bank. Quick photo stop

Lunch at Marsam Hotel on the West Bank(1 hour)

Simple but good food with views. 80-150 EGP. The rooftop is peaceful

Evening Sound and Light Show at Karnak(1.5 hours)

200 EGP. Walk through the illuminated temple while the story of Thebes is narrated. More moving than the Giza version. Check language schedule

Morning felucca sail on the Nile(2 hours)

Negotiate 150-250 EGP for 1-2 hours. The Nile at Luxor is broader and calmer than Cairo. Sail past the West Bank with its temples and desert cliffs

Walk through Luxor Souk(1 hour)

The market street between Karnak and Luxor Temple. Less aggressive than Khan el-Khalili. Alabaster, cotton, and spices

Lunch at 1886 Restaurant at Sofitel Winter Palace(1.5 hours)

Victorian-era dining room where Howard Carter reportedly celebrated finding Tutankhamun's tomb. Set lunch ~400-600 EGP. Worth it for the history and grandeur

Luxor Temple at night(1.5 hours)

Entry 120 EGP. The avenue of sphinxes connecting to Karnak has been excavated. The temple illuminated at night is magical — the massive columns glow. Go after 7PM for the best atmosphere

Evening flight back to Cairo(1 hour)

Or stay one more night and fly back in the morning if energy allows

Walk through Zamalek(1.5 hours)

Browse the bookshops, galleries, and cafés you missed. Diwan Bookstore has English-language books about Egypt

Lunch at Le Pacha 1901 (floating restaurant)(1.5 hours)

On a boat moored on the Nile in Zamalek. Multiple restaurants on board. Mains 200-400 EGP. The Nile views are relaxing

Afternoon at leisure(3 hours)

Hotel pool, spa, or simply rest. You've covered enormous ground in Egypt

Revisit Giza or explore lesser-known tombs(2.5 hours)

Second Giza visit for Queens' Pyramids, workers' tombs (free, incredible painted reliefs), and Solar Boat Museum (400 EGP). Or visit the Serapeum at Saqqara (200 EGP) — underground tunnels with massive bull sarcophagi

Pyramids Sound and Light Show(1 hour)

300 EGP. Evening spectacular. The Sphinx 'speaks'

Dinner at Andrea El Mariouteya(1.5 hours)

Famous open-air restaurant near the pyramids. Grilled chicken and kebabs in a garden setting. 200-350 EGP. A Cairo institution since 1907

Drive to Rosetta (Rashid)(3 hours)

Hire a driver (2,000-2,500 EGP for the day). The drive through the Delta is flat green farmland with palm groves, water buffalo, and minarets

Walk through Rosetta(2 hours)

The town has remarkable Ottoman-era merchant houses with intricate brickwork — some of the finest domestic architecture in Egypt. The Rosetta Stone was found in Fort Julien nearby in 1799 (the stone itself is in the British Museum). Free to walk

Rashid National Museum(45 minutes)

Small museum with a replica of the Rosetta Stone and exhibits about the town's history. ~30 EGP

Lunch at a Delta restaurant(1 hour)

Fresh Nile fish, ful, and bread. The food in the Delta is simple and excellent. 100-150 EGP

Fixed-price shopping in Zamalek(2 hours)

Nomad (leather goods), Azza Fahmy (jewelry), Fair Trade Egypt. No haggling needed, curated quality

Lunch at Koshary Abou Tarek(45 minutes)

One more plate of Egypt's national dish. 40-60 EGP

Afternoon at Al-Azhar Park(2 hours)

Tea by the lake with views over the old city and the Citadel. 20 EGP. A peaceful final afternoon

Farewell dinner at Zitouni at Four Seasons(2 hours)

Egyptian fine dining with Nile views. Mazza and slow-cooked lamb. 800-1,200 EGP. Reserve ahead

Final morning walk(2 hours)

Return to your favourite spot — Islamic Cairo's quiet morning streets, the Nile Corniche, or the Zamalek galleries

Farewell Nile walk at sunset(1.5 hours)

Cross Qasr El Nil Bridge one last time. The Nile at sunset, with feluccas and the city lights coming on, is Cairo at its most beautiful

Final breakfast(1 hour)

Full Egyptian breakfast — ful, eggs, fresh bread, tea. 150 EGP

Airport transfer(1.5 hours)

Allow 1.5-2 hours. Avoid peak hours. Arrive 3 hours before international flights