Egypt · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in Cairo – a ready-made itinerary
Cairo is huge, loud and full of traffic, and its sights sit in separate districts far apart. Day one covers Giza with the pyramids and the large museum, day two Islamic Cairo with the Citadel and Khan el-Khalili, day three Coptic Cairo and Downtown. Between districts you take a taxi or the metro; within a district the stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- Pyramids of Giza, Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque, Hanging Church, Great Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum
- Where to stay
- Zamalek, Downtown, Giza
- Getting around
- Cairo is big and traffic is heavy, so allow time between districts.
- Best time to go
- October to April is the most pleasant, with warm days and cooler evenings.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Cairo
14 places you should not miss in Cairo – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
Pyramids of GizaThe three great pyramids on the plateau at the edge of the desert. Early in the morning it is cooler and the light is softer.Day 1
Great SphinxThe Sphinx sits below the pyramids by the valley temple. From the terrace in front you see it with the Pyramid of Khafre behind.Day 1
Grand Egyptian MuseumThe large museum near the pyramids, with finds from the age of the pharaohs. Check the official site beforehand for which areas are accessible.Day 1- Cairo TowerThe tower on Gezira Island in the Nile. From the top you look over the river and the city, and on clear days as far as the pyramids.Day 1
Citadel and Muhammad Ali MosqueThe medieval fortress on a hill above the old city. The mosque with its slender minarets defines Cairo's skyline.Day 2
Sultan Hasan MosqueOne of the largest medieval mosques in the world, right below the Citadel. The tall courtyard with its four halls is strikingly calm.Day 2- Al-Muizz StreetThe historic main street of the old city, lined with mosques, mausoleums and old merchant houses. You see the most on foot.Day 2
- Al-Azhar MosqueOne of Cairo's oldest mosques and still a centre of Islamic learning. Cover shoulders and knees; you take off your shoes at the entrance.Day 2
- Al-Azhar ParkA large park on a hill at the edge of the old city. At sunset you look over minarets and domes to the Citadel.Day 2
- Hanging ChurchThe church is built over a gate of the old Roman fortress, hence the name. Inside are wooden ceilings and old icons.Day 3
- Ben Ezra SynagogueAn old synagogue in the narrow lanes of the Coptic quarter. The famous Cairo Geniza, with thousands of old documents, was found here.Day 3
- Coptic MuseumTextiles, manuscripts and stonework from Egypt's Christian history, in a building with fine wooden ceilings.Day 3
- Mosque of Amr ibn al-AsEgypt's first mosque, rebuilt many times, with a wide courtyard full of columns. A few minutes' walk from the Coptic quarter.Day 3
- Egyptian MuseumThe long-established museum in Downtown, with statues, sarcophagi and grave goods spanning millennia. The old building is a piece of history itself.Day 3
Day 1
The pyramids and Giza
Pyramids of Giza
The three great pyramids on the plateau at the edge of the desert. Early in the morning it is cooler and the light is softer.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pyramids of Gizaabout 5 min on foot
Great Sphinx
The Sphinx sits below the pyramids by the valley temple. From the terrace in front you see it with the Pyramid of Khafre behind.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Great SphinxTaxi to the museum, about 10 min.
Grand Egyptian Museum
The large museum near the pyramids, with finds from the age of the pharaohs. Check the official site beforehand for which areas are accessible.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Grand Egyptian MuseumTaxi to Zamalek, about 45–60 min depending on traffic.
Cairo Tower
The tower on Gezira Island in the Nile. From the top you look over the river and the city, and on clear days as far as the pyramids.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cairo Towerabout 2.4 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Dinner in Zamalek
The leafy district in the north of the island has cafés and restaurants for every budget, many on quiet side streets near the Nile.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Dinner in Zamalek
Day 2
Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili
Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque
The medieval fortress on a hill above the old city. The mosque with its slender minarets defines Cairo's skyline.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosqueabout 10 min on foot
Sultan Hasan Mosque
One of the largest medieval mosques in the world, right below the Citadel. The tall courtyard with its four halls is strikingly calm.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Sultan Hasan MosqueTaxi to Khan el-Khalili, about 15 min.
Lunch in Khan el-Khalili
The old bazaar with lanes full of lamps, spices and copperware. Around it are simple eateries and tea houses for a break.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Lunch in Khan el-Khaliliabout 5 min on foot
Al-Muizz Street
The historic main street of the old city, lined with mosques, mausoleums and old merchant houses. You see the most on foot.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Al-Muizz Streetabout 5 min on foot
Al-Azhar Mosque
One of Cairo's oldest mosques and still a centre of Islamic learning. Cover shoulders and knees; you take off your shoes at the entrance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Al-Azhar MosqueTaxi to Al-Azhar Park, about 10 min.
Al-Azhar Park
A large park on a hill at the edge of the old city. At sunset you look over minarets and domes to the Citadel.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Al-Azhar Park
Day 3
Coptic Cairo and Downtown
Hanging Church
The church is built over a gate of the old Roman fortress, hence the name. Inside are wooden ceilings and old icons.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Hanging Churchright next door
Ben Ezra Synagogue
An old synagogue in the narrow lanes of the Coptic quarter. The famous Cairo Geniza, with thousands of old documents, was found here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Ben Ezra Synagogueright next door
Coptic Museum
Textiles, manuscripts and stonework from Egypt's Christian history, in a building with fine wooden ceilings.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Coptic Museumabout 10 min on foot
Mosque of Amr ibn al-As
Egypt's first mosque, rebuilt many times, with a wide courtyard full of columns. A few minutes' walk from the Coptic quarter.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mosque of Amr ibn al-AsMetro (Line 1) from Mar Girgis to Sadat, about 15 min.
Lunch in Downtown
Between the 19th-century buildings there are plenty of simple places for koshari, the national dish of rice, pasta, lentils and tomato sauce.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Lunch in Downtownabout 10 min on foot
Egyptian Museum
The long-established museum in Downtown, with statues, sarcophagi and grave goods spanning millennia. The old building is a piece of history itself.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Egyptian Museum
Good to know
Best time to go
October to April is the most pleasant, with warm days and cooler evenings. From June to August it gets very hot – visit Giza early in the morning. During Ramadan the daily rhythm changes, and the dates shift every year.
Getting around
Cairo is big and traffic is heavy, so allow time between districts. The metro is fast and links Coptic Cairo with Downtown; Giza and the old city are easiest by taxi or ride-hailing app. Within the old city and the Coptic quarter you get around on foot.
Where to stay
Zamalek
A quiet, leafy district on the Nile island, with cafés and restaurants. A good base for your first days in Cairo.
Downtown
Central, lively and on the metro. Close to the Egyptian Museum and quick to reach the old city.
Giza
Close to the pyramids, some places with a view of the plateau. Handy for early visits, but far from the centre.
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More on Cairo in our blog: How many days in Cairo? Plans for 2–7 days
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Cairo: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Cairo?
The must-see sights in Cairo are Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo Tower, Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque and Sultan Hasan Mosque. This plan links 14 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for Cairo?
For the pyramids, the old city and Coptic Cairo, yes. A fourth day leaves room for Saqqara and Memphis or a slower day by the Nile.
What should I wear in Cairo?
Light and covered: covering shoulders and knees is usual in the city, and mosques and churches are strict about it. Women need a scarf for the head in some mosques.
What should I sort out before the trip?
Check entry requirements and travel advice with your government's official travel advice before you go. Also check whether your trip falls in Ramadan.
When is the best time to visit the pyramids?
As early in the morning as you can. It is cooler, the light is better and there are fewer people on the plateau.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: KennyOMG, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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