When visiting Egypt, spending at least two days in Cairo is a must. This bustling capital of Egypt holds many amazing sites to explore and has a long and rich history. You will want to spend several days here as part of your Egypt itinerary, and it is a good city to base yourself in to take many day trips. Looking to save some money? Check out this post to see how you can visit Egypt using points!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
History of Cairo
The history of Cairo dates back to its founding in 969 by the Fatimid dynasty. Throughout the years, it grew to be a major cultural and economic hub and served as the seat of power for many rulers.
Empires such as the Ayyubids, the Mamluks, and the Ottomans spend time ruling Cairo. It also became a center of Islamic learning, culture, and trade.
Later in the 18th and 20th centuries, Cairo played an important role at the forefront of Egypt’s independence from British rule. It gained its independence in 1952. Present-day, it is one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East, with over 20 million people, blending ancient landmarks with modern architecture.
Visa for Egypt
In order to visit Egypt as a US Citizen (and many other countries), you need a visa to enter. I recommend buying one through iVisa prior to visiting so it will be one less thing you have to worry about.
Alternatively, you can buy a visa on arrival at the Cairo Airport. Once you reach the arrivals hall before customs, there are a ton of bank windows with signs pointing to them that say “visa.” You can buy a visa at any of these. It costs $25 USD.
When to Spend Two Days in Cairo
Cairo is a large city with many people living there. Therefore, during the summertime, it can get very hot, so you will want to avoid visiting during that period if possible. Alternatively the winter season brings nicer weather but also the massive amounts of crowds.
Therefore, the best time to spend two days in Cairo is during the shoulder seasons: fall and spring. During this time, the weather will be slightly cooler and less crowded. Prices for hotels will also be cheaper.
How to Get to Cairo
Cairo has one major airport: Cairo International Airport. You can get a flight here from many places in the world. In general, you will most likely pay $700+ from the United States. However, you can also visit Egypt using points to save some money on airfare.
Transportation in Cairo
There is not a ton of public transportation to get around Cairo. However, Uber and taxis are widely available. I recommend using Uber as it is very cheap and affordable. Plus, it is nice not to have to negotiate a rate.
To get to and from the airport, I recommend booking a Cairo Airport Transfer or Cairo Airport Private Transfer just for ease of travel. It is less stressful already having someone to pick you up at the airport. Alternatively, you can grab a taxi or Uber to your hotel.
Where to Stay in Cairo
There are multiple areas to stay in Cairo; it just depends on what type of experience you want and where you would like to be located. On our first night, we stayed at the Le Meridien Cairo Airport since we would fly out early the next morning. This hotel is attached to the airport so it is very convenient for early flights.
We opted to stay in Giza at the Marriott Mena House so we could be close the pyramids. The Hilton Pyramids Golf is another good option in Giza. If you want to stay in Old Cairo, I recommend the Ramses Hilton, Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences, the Marriott Hotel, the Intercontinental Cairo Semiramis, or Hyatt Regency Cairo West.
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Cairo hotels here! You can also always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
What to do During Two Days in Cairo
Day 1: The Pyramids of Egypt
Today will be spent exploring Giza and the pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo.
The Pyramids of Giza
Cost: 540 EGP or $17.50
The highlight of any two days in Cairo will be a visit to the pyramids of Giza. We opted to book a tour that took us to the Pyramids, Sakkara, and Memphis. It was nice to have the same driver and guide with us all day and to not have to think about any details.
Alternatively, check out this Pyramids of Giza, this female-guided Pyramids tour, or this Pyramids of Giza private tour. You could also book a Pyramids photographer if you want more professional-looking photos.
The Pyramids of Giza were royal tombs built for three different pharaohs, supposedly. The largest of the pyramids is the Great Pyramid. It is estimated to have 2.3 million blocks. Today the pyramids are a major tourist attraction of Egypt that everyone wants to see.
It costs about $17.50 to get inside the complex and another $25 if you want to go inside the Great Pyramid. In addition, you can add a few other sites to your ticket. I recommend adding the Mars Ankh Tomb, which costs $4 to go inside. In the evenings, you can also watch a Pyramids light show.
You can easily spend an entire day of your two days in Cairo exploring the pyramid complex, but for the sake of this itinerary, plan to spend half a day or the morning exploring.
Pizza Hut at the Pyramids
Cost: $
After spending the morning exploring the pyramid complex, head out of the sphinx entrance/exit to the Pizza Hut across the street. This is an awesome, inexpensive place to grab lunch that has amazing views of the Pyramids. Note that you must eat at the Pizza Hut and not the KFC if you want views of the pyramids.
Memphis
Cost: 150 EGP or $5
After lunch, head to Memphis, the first capital of Egypt, founded in 3100 BC. This area was the capital of the Old Kingdom and home to many temples. Present-day, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an open-air museum.
You can book this tour to take you there, or you can Uber or take a taxi there. Plan to spend no more than an hour exploring the complex. Note that many of the items do not have signs, so there is little explanation as to what each item is.
Sakkara
Cost: 450 EGP or $14.50
Next up, during your two days in Cairo, stop at Sakkara (also spelled Saqqara), one of the ancient burial grounds with pyramids located near Memphis. It is mostly known for the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is considered one of the earliest pyramids constructed.
Sakkara also served as a necropolis for the Ancient Egyptians and contains many tombs and other structures dating back to that period. It is a great way to gain insight into ancient Egyptian beliefs, especially if you do not have time to visit Luxor.
There are several items you can add to your Sakkara ticket. I recommend adding the following options to your ticket.
- Pyramid of Djoser: 220 EGP/$7 -This allows you to go inside the main pyramid of Sakkara. This is worth it if you want to go inside of a pyramid, as it is MUCH cheaper than going inside the Great Pyramid in Giza.
- Mereruka Tomb: 150 EGP/$5 -The Mereruka Tomb is the largest and most elaborate tomb at Sakkara. Mereuka was a high-ranking official during his time. The tomb is mostly known for its banquet scene, which has a ton of detail.
- Serapeum Tomb: 270 EGP/$9 -This ancient burial site dates back to the New Kingdom. It contains massive underground burial chambers for bulls.
Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring the Sakkara complex. You can also get here via tour, taxi, or Uber.
If you have more than two days in Cairo, you can spend one day at the Great Pyramids and then another day taking this Sakkara, Memphis, and Dahshur tour to see more of what the area has to offer.
Day 2: Old Cairo
Today, you will spend time exploring Old Cairo and the surrounding area. This area contains multiple museums dedicated to Egyptian history and remnants of the period of Egyptian Muslim rule. You can check out this audio tour or Historic Walking Tour if you would like more of a background as you are exploring. If shopping is more your thing, check out this shopping tour.
The Egyptian Museum
Cost: 450 EGP or $15
For your first stop on your second of two days in Cairo, opt to visit the Egyptian Museum. Founded in 1902 by Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, this museum is home to over 120,000 Egyptian items. The most notable of items is the collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures, such as his golden death mask.
Other items of interest are a couple of mummies, jewelry, hieroglyphic tablets, and statues. Most of the items are not labeled and do not include a placard with information, so hiring a private guide is helpful if you want to learn a more in-depth background. You can easily spend anywhere from an hour to half a day here, so plan your time accordingly!
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)
Cost: 500 EGP or $16
Next up, visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. This museum showcases the cultural heritage of Egypt throughout its history and officially opened to the public in 2021. Its collection of over 50,000 artifacts spans over thousands of years of history. If you want a more in-depth experience, plan on hiring a private guide to enhance your experience.
While much smaller than the Egyptian Museum, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is known for housing over 20 royal mummies. These mummies include many ancient Egyptian pharaohs, their wives, and other members of the royal family. The mummies are displayed in chronological order and each has a plaque with information about the person.
Seeing the mummies may not be for everyone, so keep that in mind before visiting. I honestly got queasy seeing a couple of the mummies, and there were a LOT of mummified bodies to look at.
The Old Citadel
Cost: 450 EGP or $15
After spending the morning exploring the two museums, head to the Old Citadel to learn about a different side of Cairo. If you are interested in shopping, also check out this Citadel and Bazar tour.
The Cairo Citadel is a medieval Islamic fortification that is a significant historic site. Salah ad-Din built this area in the 1100s, and it is known for its impressive architecture and amazing views of the city.
The focal point of the citadel is the mosque of Muhammad Ali. Inside, it is very ornately decorated and known for its many lights inside and the large domes and minarets covered in alabaster. Also inside the citadel are multiple museums and a variety of other buildings. You could easily spend a half day exploring the area.
Cairo Tower
Cost: $18
The Cairo Tower is known for being a prominent landmark of Cairo. It stands over 600 feet and offers panoramic views of the city from its observation decks. While we did not go inside of it, it is impressive to look at as you drive by.
Dinner at Felfela
Cost: $$
One of the best places to eat during your two days in Cairo is at Felfela. This delicious restaurant has delicious vegan and Egyptian dishes. The atmosphere is very cozy, and the meal will take some time, so keep that in mind when visiting! Also, note that you can only pay with cash so make sure you have enough money before arriving. If you want something else to do after dinner, check out this Cairo night tour.
More Than Two Days in Cairo
Looking for other things to do in Cairo? Check out these alternative tour options.
- Pyramids and Egyptian Museum tour: If you do not want to visit Memphis and Saqqara, this tour gives a good overview of Ancient Egypt.
- Alexandria day tour: Alexandria shows the Roman influence in Egypt and is a fantastic day trip option from Cairo.
- Snorkeling Cruise: For those who like snorkeling, you may enjoy this snorkel tour.
- GEM and King Tut exhibit: The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open soon. It is supposed to have more artifacts than the Egyptian Museum and has a bridge that takes you directly to the pyramids. Right now, you can visit the entrance hall and see an exhibit on King Tut.
- Felucca ride on the Nile: A felucca is a popular boat to head out on the Nile on.
- Dinner cruise on the Nile: If you want an easy way to grab dinner and a cruise down the Nile, this option is for you!
Final Tips for Two Days in Cairo
Spending two days in Cairo is a fantastic part of an Egypt itinerary. You can see so many amazing things and take in the history of all of Egypt. Make sure to also spend time in Aswan and Luxor. If you have the time, I recommend spending time in Jordan or Israel in conjunction with your trip to Egypt.
