Visiting Egypt for the first time is an immersive journey into the cradle of ancient civilization, where the timeless wonders of the Pharaohs unfold against a backdrop of mystique and grandeur. From the iconic pyramids of Giza, standing as a testament to human ingenuity, to the ancient temples of Luxor and the bustling markets of Cairo, every step unveils layers of history, culture, and the vibrant tapestry of daily life along the Nile. The air is infused with the scent of spices, and the bustling streets resonate with the calls to prayer, creating an atmosphere that resonates with both antiquity and the pulse of modern society. Whether cruising down the Nile, exploring the Valley of the Kings, or marveling at the Sphinx, Egypt casts a spell on first-time visitors, inviting them to uncover the mysteries of an unparalleled historical legacy.

My hope is that you find this blog post helpful in your travel planning to Egypt.

Full 7-day Egypt Itinerary

Cairo, Egypt

Cairo, the bustling metropolis on the banks of the Nile, is a city where ancient wonders coexist with the vibrancy of contemporary life. Dominated by the iconic pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, Cairo's skyline reflects the enduring legacy of the Pharaohs. Beyond these ancient marvels, the city's lively markets, such as Khan El Khalili, offer a sensory feast with vibrant colors, intricate textiles, and the scent of exotic spices. Modern Cairo boasts a dynamic cultural scene, from its historic Islamic architecture to the Egyptian Museum's treasures, ensuring that every corner tells a tale of the city's rich and multifaceted history.

If you’re like a lot of travelers who come to Egypt, you will likely be flying into Cairo for the start of your trip. For starters, some coming to Cairo might be overwhelmed at first by everything going on around them. It is a hectic city with a lot of people all bustling about throughout the day and evening. I know for myself, I love cities with a lot of energy but my first few hours walking around took some getting used to.

I recommend two days in Cairo if you are only here for seven days. If you are here for 10 or 14 days, I’d highly recommend spending even more time than just two days in Cairo.

(Check out my in-depth Cairo blog, including the best areas to stay in, places to eat, things to see, and more.)

Here are my top recommendations for things to do in Cairo:

• Cairo Tower, a soaring landmark along the Nile, graces the city's skyline with its sleek design, offering panoramic views of Cairo's historic treasures, from the ancient pyramids to the bustling metropolis below. Bonus tip: if you’re feeling hungry or thirsty after you’ve been to the top, one floor below the top viewpoint, there’s a cafe. We stopped to grab a sandwich and coffee and admire the sweeping views of Cairo.

• Zamalek, an upscale island district in the heart of Cairo, exudes an air of sophistication with tree-lined streets, elegant villas, and a blend of cultural institutions, chic boutiques, and waterfront cafes along the Nile, making it a charming and vibrant oasis in the bustling Egyptian capital.

• Museums: Cairo boasts an array of captivating museums, with the Egyptian Museum standing as a treasure trove of Pharaonic wonders, showcasing artifacts like the golden mask of Tutankhamun. The Museum of Islamic Art, nestled in the heart of Cairo, offers a rich collection of Islamic artifacts spanning centuries, providing a nuanced glimpse into the intricate artistry and cultural heritage of the Islamic world.

• Mohamed Ali mosque is perched at the top of a hill in Cairo with incredible views of the city. This mosque in Cairo was designed by the same architect who designed the famous Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

• Al-Azhar Park might not be on many other travel blogs you read about for Cairo, but this was one of my favorite places to go to when I was in Cairo. It’s a quiet, beautiful park that allows you a bit of peace surrounded by a bustling major metropolis. You get grand views of the Mohamed Ali mosque, as well as other neighborhoods of Cairo.

• Khan el-Khalili is a large bazaar and souk in the historic center of Cairo. This is where we did a lot of our souvenir shopping because there are many stands to try to bargain with to get the best price. This street is also right near the oldest street in Cairo, Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi.

  For more recommendations for your visit to Cairo, check out my Cairo-specific blog here.

Giza, Egypt

Giza, an iconic archaeological site on the outskirts of Cairo, is home to the legendary pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx, standing as a testament to the ancient brilliance of Egyptian civilization. The Great Pyramid, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, dominates the landscape, inviting awe and contemplation as visitors marvel at the precision and grandeur achieved by the architects of antiquity. The Giza Plateau not only preserves the mystique of the Pharaohs but also offers panoramic views of the sprawling city of Cairo, creating a timeless intersection of past and present against the backdrop of the sun-drenched Egyptian desert.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

If you’re limited on the time you have in Egypt, I’d recommend you sign up to do a tour of the pyramids. Even if you have plenty of time visiting Egypt, having a guide is a great way to take the hassle out of getting around to the different pyramids, and you likely will have a guide well-versed about the history of the pyramids and will be able to answer all the questions you have about them. Having a guide might also deter some of the people trying to sell you things when you're at the pyramids, and they will be there to provide tips about making the experience more enjoyable.

You can easily find many tours on Airbnb Experiences, Viator, GetYourGuide, social media, and more. There's no shortage of finding a tour guide to take you to the pyramids - a private tour guide isn't that much more expensive either. My friend and I did a private full-day tour (Cairo: Female-Guided Pyramids, Bazaar, and Museum Tour), which included pick up and drop off from our hotel, an Egyptologist tour guide, a visit to Khan El Khalili Bazaar, lunch, admission to the pyramids and sphinx Area, and Egyptian Museum for $50 a person.

I also highly recommend starting your tour at 7 a.m. By starting an hour earlier, we were about 45 minutes to an hour ahead of most of the big tour groups at each place we went to. It made the day feel a bit more relaxed, and at times like we had the pyramids or restaurant to ourselves.

Luxor, Egypt

Luxor, often referred to as the "world's greatest open-air museum," is an enchanting city on the banks of the Nile that showcases the remnants of ancient Thebes. Renowned for its awe-inspiring temples, including Karnak and Luxor Temple, the city unfolds as a living testament to the grandeur of Pharaonic architecture. The Valley of the Kings, nestled on the West Bank, preserves the elaborate tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, while the majestic Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon add to the city's rich historical tapestry. Luxor, with its timeless wonders, invites visitors to step back in time and immerse themselves in the splendors of ancient Egypt. Two days will go by very quickly, so here are a few recommendations for your time in Luxor.

• Luxor Temple

• Karnak Temple

• Valley of the Kings

• Valley of the Queens

• Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

• Medinet Habu

• Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III

• Get up early to see the hot air balloons over Luxor

Similar to visiting the pyramids in Giza, I recommend getting a guide to take you around to all of the places you really want to see in Luxor. The Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple are the easiest to walk to if you’re staying on the east side of the Nile in Luxor, but the other places I mentioned are around 45 minutes away from the main part of Luxor. Having a guide allows you to also learn more about each of these places more so than if you went on your own.

Hot tip: similar to the pyramids tour, starting your tour at 7 a.m. gives you the chance to be some of the first visitors to some of these temples and monuments. We got to Karnack Temple around 7:30 a.m. and only us and a few other tourists (plus a camera crew filming a show with Channel 4 in London) were walking around the temple.

Getting to Luxor from Cairo: There are a few ways to get to Luxor from Cairo. We took a one-hour plane ride because given the limited time we had, we thought it was worth the extra cost to fly, but you can also take an overnight train, which we had heard mixed reviews about but is certainly the more affordable option.

When we were in Luxor, we stayed at the Hotel Pavillon Winter Luxor. This hotel shares the same grounds and pool with the famous Winter Palace Luxor, which has seen famous guests over the years, including Sir Whiston Churchill, Jackie Kennedy, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and Agatha Christie, who wrote Death on the Nile. I’d stay at this place again the next time I’m in Luxor. The gardens are breathtaking and the pool relaxing after long days of exploring.

Hot Air Balloons, Luxor

Luxor is also known for its hot air balloons that take off early in the morning. We didn’t go in the balloons but we did get up early to see the hot air balloons over Luxor. I couldn’t recommend this more! It’s quite peaceful in the morning and getting to see the hot air balloons across the Nile while the sun slowly creeps over the horizon to light up the valley, there’s nothing quite like it.

Aswan, Egypt

Aswan, a serene city nestled along the Nile in southern Egypt, is a captivating blend of natural beauty and historical richness. Framed by the picturesque Nile River, Aswan boasts the High Dam, an engineering marvel, and the Philae Temple, a magnificent temple complex relocated to its current island setting. The Nubian villages along the riverbanks, the tranquil Elephantine Island, and the vibrant bazaars add layers to Aswan's charm. With its stunning landscapes and ancient wonders, Aswan offers a tranquil escape and an opportunity to explore Egypt's southern treasures.

Getting to Aswan from Luxor: The two most popular ways to get to Aswan from Luxor are by train or private car. Hiring a private car might cost you around $100 - 200 USD but will get you there in around three or four hours in a comfortable car. We decided to save money and take the train, which cost around $2 per ticket USD. The train takes three hours, BUT the trains in Egypt are known not to be on time a good portion of the time. We waited about an hour and a half for the train to arrive after it said it would.

Aswan is nice because it’s a bit of a slower pace and less touristy than Luxor, but still has plenty to do in two days. Here are a few recommendations for your time in Aswan.

• Philae Temple

• Aswan Botanical Garden

• Unfinished Obelisk

• Nubian Village

• Felucca Ride on The Nile

• Desert Nile Aswan viewpoint

If you’re hoping to see the Philae Temple and a Nubian Village, I recommend getting a tour guide for both. They can help with transportation to and from your hotel and docks to get on a boat to take you to each place.

The Philae Temple was my favorite temple to visit when I was in Egypt. It’s located on this small island in the Nile River. It was located on another small island but because of the rising water levels, it was moved piece by piece to a new island with higher ground back in 1971. You can only reach this temple by boat.

You can also visit a Nubian Village, located along the banks of the Nile. The Nubian villages are painted with bright colors and inhabited by Nubians. They speak their own Nubian Languages and have specific traditions that are different from the rest of Egypt. Their origin goes back to Sudan when they traveled to south Egypt for farming around the Nile. I recommend getting a guide to take you to the village and teach you about the history of the Nubian people and villages.

Abu Simbel

You can also turn your second day into a long day trip to Abu Simbel, a three-hour drive from Aswan, so it can be done in a day, but know you’ll spend quite a bit of time in a car in one day. If you have a few extra days, it might be worth staying the night here, so you can get up early to see the Abu Simbel Temples.

I hope you found this blog to be helpful for the planning stage of getting ready to go to Egypt. Overall, there are so many amazing places to visit in Egypt that we did not have the chance to visit, but in case you have any interest, I added a few spots that I've read are well worth visiting someday.

• Abu Simbel

• Lake Nasser

• Edfu

• Esna

• Sharm El-Sheikh

• Alexandria

• Siwa Oasis

• Hurghada