If you are looking for a two-day itinerary to Cairo you are in the right place.
Cairo is the capital of Egypt – a chaotic, 22 million people city. It attracts tourists every year, majorly thanks to the presence of the infamous Pyramids of Giza, just a short drive away. A stop to Cairo is a must in every Egypt trip if you want to have a full-on Egyptian experience: both the modern-day life and the ancient historic side.
Before we dive into this two-day itinerary to Cairo, make sure to read my post on 15 things to know before your trip to Egypt.
SAVE IT FOR LATER
When to go.
As the whole of Egypt, Cairo has a warm climate all year round. During summer you should expect very hot and sunny weather throughout the day. In winter, the weather is warm during the day (around 20 degrees) and chillier in the evenings. As such, winter is considered by most the best time to travel to Egypt. However, keep in mind that winter is also the most crowded period.
How to get around.
A few choices are available when it comes to getting around. You can choose to use public transport – Cairo has a subway and several minibuses. You can choose to visit the city and its surrounding by going with guided groups. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi/driver.
For a two-day itinerary to Cairo I would recommend the latter. You will have more flexibility in organising your day and don’t forget that local drivers can be a source of knowledge! There are many advantages to hiring a driver:
- Flexibility. you won’t have to rely on timetables and restricted routes.
- Time-saving. A driver knows what the best route is to get wherever you want to go. In Cairo’s heavy traffic, this can be a life-changer.
- Useful tips. Having a local driving you around can be useful when it comes to recommendations or suggestions. If you want to eat at a good restaurant or you don’t know what to visit next: ask them!
- Good price. Hiring a driver for multiple journeys/days can save you so much money. As you know, you must bargain on the price of the ride. You will be more likely to obtain a great price if you promise to hire them for other drives.
Two-day itinerary to Cairo: 1st day.
Morning: The Pyramids of Giza.
To kick-off your Cairo trip, start from the Pyramids of Giza, you won’t be disappointed! It should take you around all morning to visit the entire complex – it is pretty big.
These pyramids are the most famous place in Egypt – it’s no surprise that they also are one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
They have been constructed some 4,500 years ago and they are the final resting place of the pharaohs that have commissioned them. The complex featured the three massive iconic pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the mysterious Sphinx as well as other subsidiaries smaller pyramids and other buildings.
To visit the site, you can walk, or you can ride a camel or a horse. If you choose the latter, remember to make sure that the animal you are riding is healthy and well-fed – as unfortunately there are many cases of animal abuse. You can hire a guide, or you can visit it on your own – everything works!
Afternoon: Cairo city highlights.
After a busy morning at the pyramids, I suggest you take the afternoon to stroll around Cairo and take the opportunity to see the city’s highlights.
Here is a list of the top things to see in Cairo:
- Muhammad Ali Mosque
- Khan el-Khalili souq
- Coptic Cairo
- Al-Azhar Mosque
2-day itinerary to Cairo: 2nd day.
Morning: Egyptian Museum.
IMPORTANT: as of today (February 2021), the Egyptian Museum is still situated in Tahrir Square in central Cairo. However, the Egyptian government is planning to move it next to the Giza Pyramids complex by the end of the year. More information here.
As you may know, this is the most important museum when it comes to Egyptian history. Here you will find a multitude of artefacts from different historic periods. You will also find everything that was inside Tutannkhamon’s tomb – included his famous funerary mask!
I would recommend having a guide, as the museum can be quite chaotic and overwhelming at first. Also, you won’t find many information boxes next to the objects, so it’s easy to miss important stuff.
Afternoon: pyramids of Saqqara & Memphis.
What? There are other pyramids that I can visit?
The answer is: absolutely. Egypt is home to between 118 and 138 pyramids. Of course, the Giza ones are the most famous. However, they are not the oldest! This record is held by the pyramids of Saqqara. The famous pyramid of Djoser is thought to be the oldest complete stone building complex known in history.
Also, don’t miss Imhotep museum, just at the entrance of the Saqqara site.
Saqqara was the burial ground for the ancient capital: Memphis. Memphis is situated in a rural area just 10 minutes drive from Saqqara. Here you will find a multitude of remains that you can visit. What you can’t miss are the statue of Ramesses II (a 10 metres high granite statue!) and the open-air Memphis museum.
Ok guys, this was my guide for a two-day trip to Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Now the only thing left to do is for you to try it out and – as usual – to let me know how it went!
Also, if you liked this itinerary, don’t forget to let me know and to share it with your friends 🙂
