Egypt had been at the top of my bucket list for ages, but I was worried about traveling there solo, especially as a woman. For my first trip to Egypt, I opted for a stopover in Cairo, basing myself in the city to see the highlights, including the Pyramids. On a return visit, I spent eight nights traveling across the country, experiencing all the major highlights!
While the pyramids tend to steal the show, those are just one of Egypt’s many wonders. To truly dive into Ancient Egypt, it’s essential to get down to the Valley of the Kings (typically via a flight).
However, if you are on a limited timeframe and want a “sampler platter” of Egypt—like yours truly—you can still see the pyramids of Giza, explore Cairo, and make a day trip to Alexandria all in just a few days!
Ready for an unforgettable adventure?
Here’s my 5-day Egypt itinerary for Cairo and the pyramids!
If you’re looking to explore Egypt for longer, don’t miss my Ultimate 10-Day Egypt Itinerary!
When to Visit Egypt
I spent five days exploring Egypt in the spring soaking in as much as I could of Cairo, the Giza complex, and Alexandria (up the northern coast).
The weather in Egypt is warm year-round, but summers are extremely hot, so I’d recommend avoiding a visit from June to August. Before you go, read up on the best time to travel to Egypt.
Where to Stay in Cairo
On my first trip to Egypt, I used Cairo as my base and stayed there the entire time. I booked a room at the Ritz in Cairo, but there are a lot of other super cool hotels.
The Best Hotels in Cairo
- The Nile Ritz-Carlton
- Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza
- St. Regis Cairo
- Marriott Mena House (pyramid view rooms)
Guides in Egypt
As a solo female traveler, I actually prefer to travel and do most things on my own. However, I have found, that in certain places, I get SO MUCH MORE when I hire a guide that knows the local area! For Egypt, this was crucial as there’s such a rich history. I definitely recommend getting a guide, however, not all guides are created equal.
You can check out my essential tips for your trip to Egypt here and get my guide information!
Al-Azhar Park - Citadel View Alain Le Notre
Day 1 – Old Cairo and Coptic Cairo
While Egypt is primarily a Muslim country, it has a rich Christian history, and Coptic Christians have maintained their own unique traditions for centuries. Coptic Christians share some similarities in traditions and liturgy with Eastern Orthodox churches of Eastern Europe.
To experience Coptic Cairo, you will want to go to Abu Serga Church and the Hanging Church.
They are beautiful sites that are central to Egyptian Christian life. While the Jewish community is smaller, you will also want to be sure to make time to see one of Cairo’s most beautiful synagogues: Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Old Cairo (Masr al-Qadima) was, in my opinion, the most beautiful part of the city.
Obviously, the buildings are older, so you have more unique architecture vs modern Cairo’s big modern buildings.
If you have a local guide with you, ask them about this area. There are so many nooks and crannies to explore. Old Cairo has seen such a complex history over the past 1000+ years, that you can barely scrape the surface in a short visit.
Wherever your day takes you, watch the sunset from Al-Azhar Park to get a stunning view of Old Cairo. It is one of the most picture-perfect views of the city. It feels like you’re in the movie Aladdin!
Also, it’s also a great place to grab a bite to eat!
We had lunch on the terrace of Citadel View restaurant and the views are amazing. The park is also quite big and beautiful to stroll around.
Helpful Tip:
Giza Complex
Day 2 – Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara
The trip from Cairo to Giza is roughly a 20-minute drive, but traffic can be insane, so be sure to schedule extra time as a buffer. My advice? Get over to Giza early in the day, as close to the time it opens, to avoid the crows.
The Giza complex is open from 8 AM to 4 PM from October to March and from 7 AM to 6 PM from April to September, so plan accordingly.
Giza is where you will see the Sphynx and the ancient pyramids. While the Sphynx has a designated viewing area, the best photos are from the dirt plot before you enter the ticketed area. Here, you’ll get a full-frontal view of the Sphynx and the Great Pyramid behind it.
For the pyramids, there’s a more “open” concept to visiting. There are countless spots for great photos, but the one place I would avoid is the entrance to the Great Pyramid. There are hoards of tourists, for obvious reasons.
If you simply circle the pyramid clockwise, you’ll be able to get some snaps with less or even no other people.
Then, be sure to drive further out so you can get a nice distant vantage point for a view of the entire pyramid complex.
I’d recommend exploring Giza until you are ready for lunch then head to Saqqara, the Ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Pyramids of Giza
How To Get Amazing Photos at the Pyramids of Giza
Saqqara Entrance
Saqqara is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the first pyramid ever built! You should only need about an hour here.
Again, listening to a quick podcast or watching a short documentary on the pyramid (before you go) will make this visit a LOT more interesting.
After your visit, you will have the evening free to relax or head out for a taste of Cairo’s nightlife. Alternatively, you could head back to Giza for a camel ride at sunset (which I opted for)!
Can one really get too much of the pyramids?
Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
Day 3 – Egyptian Museums and the Citadel
Start the day by visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which has (partially) opened and now houses many of Egypt’s most treasured artifacts, including those from King Tutankhamun, also known as the ‘Boy King.’
You don’t want to miss the museum. It even has views of the Pyramids!
If you have time, you can visit both the Grand Egyptian Museum and the The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in one day to get a complete picture of Egypt’s rich history.
I’ve been obsessed with Egyptian history since I was a child so seeing ancient artifacts was a serious dream come true! I can’t wait to return and immerse myself in all of the ancient Egyptian goodness!
NOTE: The royal mummies that were once at The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities have been permanently moved to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), where they are displayed in the dedicated Royal Mummies’ Hall. If you have time for a third museum, go for it!
Next up: The Citadel of Salah El-Din is located in the heart of the city center as well and it is a must-see. It’s a medieval Islamic-era fortification and it’s seriously impressive!
While you’re at the Citadel, you won’t want to miss Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha (located within the Citadel)—it’s got incredible views and is well worth the visit.
Alexandria
Day 4 – Alexandria Day Trip
Alexandria, a Mediterranean port city, is the second-largest city in Egypt. It is about a 2.5-hour drive from Cairo and is well worth the trip. Alexandria has a rich Roman history and a stunning location.
Here, you can visit the Roman catacombs, explore the temple complex, and visit the Pompey’s Pillar.
I’m especially fascinated by the Library of Alexandria! It existed long ago and was the greatest accumulation of human knowledge in history before it was destroyed, housing some of the most important recordings of human history and research. Today we have no idea what happened to it—where the scrolls went, or where it was located…
DUN DUN DUN!
While it’s not the “original” ancient Library of Alexandria. There is a new library in Alexandria that is worth visiting!
Day 5 – Khan el Khalili Souk and Departure
The Khan el Khalili Souk is a popular stop for visitors. For me, stopping at papyrus and rug shops with my guide felt *too* touristy. The sales staff made me feel pressured to buy something in these shops and I just wasn’t in the market for either.
If you ARE looking for rugs or papyrus, but want to skip the tourist trap, this is the perfect place. You’ll also find a ton of other local handicrafts and souvenirs while getting to experience a local souk.
Giza Complex at Sunset
Optional Things (If You Have Time)
I didn’t do much in the evenings as I was traveling alone and only hired a guide for my day trips.
So, if you want to explore Cairo more in your free evenings, there is a light show at the Giza Pyramids that is meant to be quite cool.
And a Felucca Boat Ride will take you on a gorgeous trip down the Nile.
Read More: The Ultimate 10-Day Egypt Itinerary
10 Tips for Your First Trip to Egypt
Before you start packing, don’t miss my 10 Tips for Your First Trip to Egypt!
Read More
Are you planning a trip to Egypt soon? Tell me in the comments below!
My husband and I will be on a Middle Eastern Cruise April 2020. So appreciative of your info on the pyramids and other Egyptian treasures. We cannot wait for this bucket list trip of a lifetime. We live in Virginia, USA
How awesome! I hope you have such a wonderful adventure 🙂 I’ve got some more Egypt guides coming up soon, so keep an eye out 🙂
Hi! I am planning a trip to Egypt for the fall. Can you tell me where you purchased your pith helmet from? So cute!!
Hi Monica! Thanks so much 🙂 I actually got it there at a little touristy shop, so I’d imagine you’ll be able to find them during your trip!