Cairo
Pyramids, the Nile and 5,000 years of story — history walks out of the textbook.
Seeing the pyramids changes something. Photos don’t capture the scale. But Egypt isn’t just Giza — 5,000 years of temples along the Nile, world-class Red Sea diving, the Sahara, Coptic churches, Alexandria. The tourist hustle is tiring, but you’ll tell the stories for life.
Best time to visit
October–April is ideal: daytime 20–28°C, cool nights. November–February is most comfortable. May–September hits 40°C+ in the desert — walking the pyramids is punishment. Ramadan in 2026 is late Sept — some restaurants close by day, but it’s a unique cultural experience. Luxor and Aswan (south) run 5–8°C warmer year-round. Red Sea diving is great all year, best visibility March–May and Sept–Nov.
How many days?
8–12 days for the classic route. Cairo 3 days (Giza + Egyptian Museum + Islamic Cairo), Luxor 2 (Karnak, Valley of the Kings), Aswan 1–2 (Philae, felucca), Nile cruise 3–4 days (Luxor–Aswan — train works too). Adding the Red Sea (Hurghada/Dahab)? Tack on 3–4 more. Pyramids + Nile only: 7 days is enough.
What to see
Must-do: Giza Pyramids + Sphinx (go early — desert hits 40°C by noon), Egyptian Museum (Tutankhamun room), Karnak Temple + Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Philae Temple and Abu Simbel in Aswan (3-hour ride, worth it). Felucca sunset on the Nile. Under-the-radar: Saqqara Step Pyramid (older than Giza!), Alexandria catacombs, Siwa Oasis. Dahab = diving + chill, Hurghada = more package-y.
Food & drink
Koshari (rice-pasta-lentils-fried onion — signature Egyptian dish, $1), ful medames (fava-bean breakfast), molokhiya (green soup, often with chicken), mahshi (stuffed peppers), kofta (spiced meatballs), taamiya (Egyptian falafel — made with green fava). Sweet: um ali (milk pastry). Drinks: hibiscus tea (karkade), Stella beer. Bottled water only — never the tap.
Getting around
Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor/Aswan are super convenient (EgyptAir — 1 hr, $60–100). Overnight train Cairo–Luxor is 10 hrs (sleeper $80). In-city Uber/Careem is everywhere and dirt cheap. Cairo Metro exists but gets packed. Ask the price before any taxi ride — meters are rarely used. Abu Simbel via tour or flight. Nile cruises are booked as all-inclusive packages.
Things to watch out for
Someone says “welcome” and starts snapping photos — they’ll ask for baksheesh. After buying your ticket, ignore anyone claiming an area is “special access” for extra cash. The scams are small but constant. Pyramid camel rides: agree on price up front, fixed, no extras. Women aren’t required to cover but long sleeves/skirt feel more comfortable on the street. E-visa online is $25 (faster than airport queue). Bring USD/EUR cash — ATMs aren’t always reliable.
Budget estimate
Economy: $30–45/day (hostel, koshari, local transit). Mid: $70–110/day (3★ hotel, mixed restaurants, transport). Luxury: $200–400/day (5★ + Nile cruise). A 3-night Nile cruise all-inclusive runs $300–600/person (luxury $1,200+). Giza + Luxor + Aswan + cruise for 10 days = $1,000–1,500 (flights excluded). Flights from Europe: €250–400 direct to Cairo. Baksheesh culture is heavy — tip cleaners, porters, guides extra.