Things to Do in Egypt: Our 4-Day Cairo and Giza Itinerary

We took a flight from Kuweit to Egypt, Cairo, on our trip around the Middle East and we spent there 4 nights. When planning things to do in Egypt, we decided we’d focus on Cairo and Giza. Back then, we were traveling only as a couple and I want to present our point of view from that period. However, I will try to update any important info about places we’ve visited — highlighting if something changed since that time — and share our thoughts on traveling with kids to Egypt. Hope you’ll enjoy!

Things to Do in Egypt: Our Top Cairo and Giza Highlights

We managed to see 7 attractions during our 4-night stay in Egypt. All of these attractions are located in Cairo and Giza. We had 3 full days and the sightseeing was pretty intense. I can still remember how tired we were after getting back to our hotel :) We just laid our heads on the pillows and fell asleep immediately. The days were fully packed with attractions and I can honestly say that we made the most of our trip. Here are our TOP 7 things to do in Egypt that we can really recommend:

The Giza Pyramids — Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Of course, the Giza Pyramids are the most important thing to see on a trip to Egypt. The Pyramids are not overestimated at all — they made a huge impression and it is the place you want to take your time exploring. They are the only remaining wonder of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

When we saw them we just kept imagining how it was possible to build them at that time. Although we took a guide from our hotel, we didn’t get to know much about the Pyramids from her. She gave us only 30 minutes to explore the pyramids and then offered to take us to see the “real attractions” of Giza — namely a local perfume shop and a papyrus factory.

So we ended up exploring the Pyramids alone — we told her we wanted to stay as long as we needed and refused to visit the spots she mentioned. In the end she was just sitting in the car with our hotel driver for the whole time we were sightseeing. So here is an important word of warning for you: if you decide to take a guide, make sure you agree on the plan beforehand. Later in the post I will tell you more about how the situation with her ended.

But back to the Pyramids — it is good to book a driver who takes you there and waits for you so that you don’t have to worry about how you will get back. There were many tourists exploring the Pyramids, but it wasn’t a surprise for us considering the scale of the attraction. There were also many locals trying to sell something and make a living. We knew about it before our trip, however, they weren’t nearly as pushy as we expected them to be. They could take no for an answer and could even speak some Polish when they heard us talking. I think they can probably say some words in every existing language :)

The Sphinx: What to Expect Up Close

After visiting the Pyramids we headed to see the Sphinx straight away. Our driver took us by car but it was a very short ride from the Pyramids. As you can see in our photos, you can explore the Sphinx from quite a short distance. There is not much to walk around compared to the Pyramids, but still not too much either. We decided to sit there for some time and enjoy the view (just to mention: our guide was again waiting for us in the car).

As you drive up, the Sphinx can easily get lost next to the giant pyramids, making it seem much smaller than expected. But the moment you stand right in front of it, all doubts disappear. It’s still deeply impressive, which proves that size isn’t everything when it comes to ancient wonders.

Egyptian Museum Cairo: Is It Worth Visiting?

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square was the one we visited on our third day — this time only with our hotel driver waiting for us outside. This museum isn’t huge and it’s possible to see everything inside. However, it is important to mention that there is no air conditioning inside and it can get very hot.

The biggest highlight of this museum is Tutankhamun’s golden mask. It is very impressive — made of solid gold and weighing just over 10 kg, I won’t deny that we spent half an hour staring at it :) It’s forbidden to take photos of the mask, so I really hope that was long enough to remember every single detail for the rest of our lives :)

In the Egyptian Museum we also saw mummies. There are only a couple of mummies there, tightly wrapped in original linen bandages, and we could take photos of them. Apart from that, the museum is full of stone sarcophagi covered in endless lines of hieroglyphs. Every single inch of stone is packed with symbols, eyes and birds. It’s overwhelmingly beautiful and it can be great fun to try figuring out what ancient Egyptians had on their mind. Worth mentioning are also: The Golden Treasures of Yuya and Thuya, the Animal Mummies Room (we could even see a crocodile), and The Wooden Statue of Ka-Aper — a statue with rock-like crystal eyes.

National Museum of Egyptian Civilization: How It Compares to the Egyptian Museum

On the second day we visited the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, but this time with a proper tour guide — with a capital T. I promised I would explain what happened with our guide from the Pyramids. After getting back to our hotel we complained about her, because she really didn’t do her job. We simply told the truth and requested another guide for the next day’s attractions: the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, Cairo Citadel and Coptic Cairo. The hotel staff seemed very concerned about the issue and promised they would pick a trusted guide this time — and luckily, that’s what they did.

Getting back to the National Museum — that was an incredible experience and I simply have to focus on the best part: the Royal Mummies Hall. The pharaohs’ mummies here are completely unwrapped, and their preservation is simply mind-blowing. They still have teeth, skin and even fingernails! For me the funniest — and most astonishing — part was one queen’s hair: it was so thick and perfectly preserved on her head that I genuinely started questioning if her hair game was better than mine after 3,000 years :) Unfortunately, the Royal Mummies Hall was also a place where taking photos was forbidden.

Our guide was very professional and dropped fun facts left and right. I want to mention the craziest story about mummies he told us. Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, mummies were so common and wood was so scarce that people sometimes burned mummies instead of firewood to stay warm during cold desert nights. Imagine surviving thousands of years just to end up as someone’s firewood! The phenomenon is called Mummy Mania.

Apart from mummies we could see: The Prosthetic Toe — an ancient artefact; The Nazlet Khater Skeleton — a male skeleton from over 35,000 years ago; Gold of Ramesses II. And a big plus: this museum is very modern and equipped with air conditioning.

Which Egyptian museum is better?

Cairo Citadel: Tips for Visiting

We didn’t spend much time at the Cairo Citadel and I think that more or less 1.5 hours is enough. At the time of our visit it was not crowded at all, so we got the impression that this is probably a less visited sight in Cairo. But we enjoyed it a lot — the views of the Egyptian capital’s chaotic skyline were fantastic. The Mosque of Muhammad Ali, also known as the Alabaster Mosque (due to the walls being covered with alabaster), was beautiful and felt surreal with its low-hanging lanterns.

I want to mention that before entering the mosque we had to take off our shoes and cover up — meaning I had to put on a traditional abaya, a long robe with a hood. Having explored mosques in other countries, the rules of covering up were the same but luckily in most places they lend you an abaya for free, and it was like this here as well.

Coptic Cairo: A Hidden Gem Worth Visiting

The Coptic Cairo makes an impression of a completely different world. The area is quiet and feels like a stone labyrinth of narrow alleys lined with framed pictures and beautiful icons. For believers, this place holds incredible spiritual power. We visited the Church of Abu Serga there. It is built directly over the cave where the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus) hid for 3 months during their escape to Egypt. We could stand in the exact spot where they found shelter, which felt unbelievable.

This is another place in Cairo that was not packed with tourists and exploring it felt very peaceful. Entering Coptic Cairo and the Church was free of charge.

Nile Dinner Cruise Cairo: Is It Worth It?

We also booked a Nile dinner cruise one evening. By the time we boarded it was already dark. The cruise featured an open buffet, so we could grab a plate and select our food. There was a variety of dinner options as well as some desserts. Then we headed back to our table and enjoyed the show. The show included belly dance, some singing, and the Tanoura dance, which we simply loved. The dancer was spinning continuously for a really long time, which was very impressive. It seemed easy for him and he didn’t get dizzy the entire time. He had a brightly coloured skirt that flared out and looked heavy. Watching him dance was hypnotizing, while the Egyptian music created a unique atmosphere.

Although we were tired after a long day of sightseeing, we admit that joining the cruise was totally worth it. It started in the evening and we were back at the hotel somewhere around midnight. We booked our cruise through the hotel and our driver took us both ways, so we didn’t have to worry about getting there.

Where to Stay in Cairo: Our Hotel With Pyramid View

We stayed at the Nine Pyramids View Hotel in Giza, which is currently rated 7.0 on Booking.com. They offer a pick-up from the airport, the food was tasty, the room was clean, and, most importantly: we had a balcony with a view of the Pyramids! It is a budget option for those who want to embrace and enjoy the view of the pyramids as much as possible.

It was amazing to wake up, open the curtains in the morning and welcome the new day looking at the Pyramids. Evenings were even better — we used to make hot tea, eat something sweet and sit on the balcony watching the sunset and listening to the call to prayer by the muezzin. We could also frequently see jumping heads from behind the buildings — people riding on camels — and all of it together created a unique atmosphere we will never forget.

If you are not looking for a budget option and the view of the Pyramids from your hotel matters to you a lot, the most popular option is the Marriott Mena House. However, if you are not too picky and want to save money, the hotel we chose is a good option. The only mishap during our stay was with our first guide, but the hotel staff were helpful and things improved after our complaint.

Cairo Itinerary 4 Days: How We Planned Our Trip

First of all, our visit to Egypt was part of a broader journey through the Middle East in October 2022. We went on a mini-trip that took us from Thailand through several incredible destinations before heading back.

Our complete route looked like this: Thailand → Bahrain → Kuwait → Egypt → Jordan → UAE → Thailand

You can check out the map of our route below:

In Egypt, our first day was the arrival day and we didn’t really have time to see anything, so we just walked to the nearby shop and stayed at the hotel to get some rest.

On our second day we visited the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, and then after dinner we ordered a car via the Careem app and headed to the local supermarket — seeing the chaotic traffic, the buildings, the streets on the way there was an attraction in itself.

The third day of our stay was packed with the following things to see in Cairo: the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Cairo Citadel and Coptic Cairo. It took the whole day and we didn’t have energy to go anywhere in the evening. Instead we spent a peaceful evening on our balcony watching the Pyramids and talking.

On our fourth day we went to the Egyptian Museum and in the evening we enjoyed the Nile dinner cruise.

The fifth day was departure day — after breakfast we went to the airport in Cairo. Back then there was only the Cairo airport, but right after our trip in 2022, the new airport in Giza was opened. So keep that in mind when planning your stay — which airport you fly from may depend on where you’re based in the city.

Egypt as a Couple vs Egypt With Kids: Our Honest Thoughts

Our trip took place in 2022, one year before our son was born, so we were still travelling only as a couple. Back then the days were fully packed with attractions and we could see really a lot in one day. Honestly, I can’t imagine planning exactly the same itinerary with a toddler. We would probably have to spend more days to see everything we saw, or skip some attractions.

I also think that we wouldn’t pick Egypt as our destination with a toddler — there is so much to see, we are not really the all-inclusive type and usually want to make the most of wherever we go. In our opinion it would be much better to see Egypt with kids of school age — they will remember more from the trip, they can learn many important facts from the history of Egypt that would be useful at school, and way easier to remember than learning by heart from a book.

Another reason why we would be a bit scared to take very small children to Egypt is the famous “Pharaoh’s Revenge”. I have a strong stomach and was happy to avoid it during our stay, and for Paweł it was only a mild reaction to the change of bacterial flora. So we can say that we both came out of it in one piece. But we would be a bit scared to risk it with babies and would probably prefer to wait until they are a bit older.

Is Egypt Safe to Visit? Our Experience

I don’t want to offend anyone or paint Egypt as a very dangerous place, but I need to mention one thing we really didn’t like. It sometimes didn’t feel safe to walk the streets because of some local men’s attitude. They didn’t do anything physically, but the way they look at foreign women can be very concerning. As a woman, I felt uncomfortable far too many times and sometimes the behaviour was inappropriate even while we were walking together as a couple. That can be quite exhausting.

FAQ: Things to Do in Egypt

How many days do you need in Egypt?

If you are planning to see only Cairo and Giza like we did, 4 nights give you enough time to cover the main attractions without feeling too rushed. That said, the days were fully packed and we were exhausted by the end of each one — so if you are travelling with kids or prefer a slower pace, I would add at least 1-2 more days.

Is Egypt safe for tourists?

In our experience, Egypt is safe in terms of crime, but as a woman I did feel uncomfortable at times due to unwanted attention from local men — even while walking as a couple. It wasn’t physically threatening, but it was something we didn’t expect and it happened frequently enough to mention. Go prepared for it and you will be fine.

Is the Egyptian Museum worth visiting?

Absolutely — especially if you want to see Tutankhamun’s golden mask up close. Just be prepared for the heat as there is no air conditioning inside. We would recommend going in the morning before it gets too warm. And bring patience for the mask — you will want to stand there longer than you think :)

What is the Tanoura dance?

Tanoura is a traditional Egyptian Sufi dance where the performer spins continuously for a very long time — it is hypnotizing to watch. The dancer wears a brightly coloured, wide skirt that flares out as he spins. We saw it during our Nile dinner cruise and it was honestly one of the highlights of our entire trip.

Is a Nile dinner cruise worth it?

Yes, we would recommend it. You get an open buffet dinner, a great show with belly dance, singing and Tanoura dance, all while sailing on the Nile at night. We booked through our hotel and had a driver both ways, which made everything easier. It ended around midnight, so factor that in if you have early plans the next day.

Can you visit Egypt with kids?

It depends on the age. We wouldn’t personally take a toddler there — the days are intense, the heat is real, and Pharaoh’s Revenge is something we wouldn’t want to risk with a small child. We think Egypt is better suited for kids of school age — they will appreciate the history, remember the experience, and it will actually mean something to them.

What is the best time to visit Egypt?

We visited in October and the temperatures were very manageable for sightseeing, especially compared to the summer months when Cairo can be extremely hot. October-November and March-April are generally considered the best times to visit — warm but not overwhelming.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Egypt

There are so many interesting things to do in Egypt and we are very happy and satisfied with our trip. There is nothing we would do differently. I am sure we made the most of our stay: our days were fully packed with attractions. Our 4-day Cairo itinerary was well planned and even if we would have liked to see more during such a short time, it wouldn’t have been possible physically.

We learned a lot about the history of ancient Egypt thanks to our second guide. The first guide was probably the biggest mistake of our trip, but we are glad we didn’t follow her to a local perfume shop and a papyrus factory — that would have been a huge waste of time.

Have you ever visited Egypt, or is it on your bucket list? And if you’ve been — did Pharaoh’s Revenge get you? :)