Here are some ideas for a perfect Egypt itinerary that provides four to 10 nights of family adventure. I will help you take advantage of every minute to get to know this fascinating country, whether you have only a long weekend or two weeks to explore.
After three weeks in Egypt — with nine days on a well-planned Trafalgar tour — I’ve gotten to know a little bit about the country. This article is aimed to help families, particularly those with younger children, plan a realistic itinerary no matter how much time they have in the country.
EGYPT ITINERARY 1: THE 3N / 4 DAY LONG WEEKEND TRIP TO CAIRO, EGYPT
Depending on where you live, it’s not necessarily practical to spend four days in north Africa. If you live in Milan or Brussels, however, jump onto one of the low-cost carriers like Aegean serving Cairo. Focus your long weekend on exploring Cairo and the town of Giza, site of the famous Pyramids of Giza, located 20 miles south.
Day by Day Breakdown of Your Four-Day Cairo Egypt Itinerary
Cairo has landed on the international budget circuit as a fun city with great cuisine, amazing attractions, cheap beer and inexpensive hotels. Spend a couple of days to enjoy its highlights. Here are our favorites for culture lovers.
Day One in Cairo: Tour The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The city’s most famous attraction is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (EMC), known as The Egyptian Museum since its opening in 1901. This is the place where Howard Carter and other excavation leaders of his era deposited the ‘extra’ archeological finds that their home institutions did not want. The grand building seen on Tahrir Square is the fifth repository for national antiquities since 1835, when Egypt, under Viceroy Muhammad Ali Pasha, first attempted to halt the flow of ancient treasures to foreign museums. Kids will be shocked to see a vintage museum without video screens, air conditioning or the educational signage we now take for granted. Fans of old stones will love it.
Alternate Day One: Tour GEM, the Ultimate Collection for Museum Lovers in Giza
The priceless finds from Tutankhamun’s Tomb (the boy king’s gold mask and sarcophagus) are moving to GEM, the Grand Egyptian Museum, opening in Giza in late 2024. GEM is currently the largest museum complex in the world. When it opens fully to the public, the air-conditioned, state-of-the-art displays of lesser-known Egyptian antiquities will certainly rival the EMC. Yet we know that fans of ancient Egypt will want to see both collections.
Whichever museum you choose, spend as much time as you want, have lunch (both museums have cafes on the grounds) and spend the afternoon at your hotel pool.
Day 2 in Cairo: Guided City Tours
Day two, get a feel for the new Cairo, a city of 23 million residents. Cairo is hard to get around so you’ll appreciate a guide and vehicle to help you see as many Cairo cultural attractions and neighborhoods as possible. Start your Cairo city tour among the souks and vendors selling produce, crafts and, you know, tube socks and underwear out of fabric stalls. Roam among the tented booths on car-free lanes.
Be sure to visit the city’s major religious sites, such as Hassan Mosque, the ancient Citadel and the tranquil Alabaster Mosque made entirely of the translucent stone. The Hanging Church of Saint Mary is one of the oldest in the world and a great site of Christian pilgrimage. Inside the chapel, look down to see how the church is suspended over an older ruin beneath it.
Day 3 in Cairo: NEMC is the Most Civilized Way to Understand Egyptian Civilization
NEMC, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, houses select antiquities in a modern, air-conditioned space with gardens, cafes, shops and digital signage. The fun kids’ section called Kemet is a separate-admission space devoted to activities for ages 6-12. Look into supervised programs such as crafts, stories, a playroom, and movies if you’re traveling with young children.
Families will enjoy themed display cases illustrating Egypt’s civilization from prehistory to current events. Don’t miss the 35,000-year-old Nazlet Khater Skeleton, which is at the center of the prehistoric exhibits. Egyptians put the tools of daily life into tombs so even common people could take them to the afterlife. That’s how we know how women used cosmetics, how doctors operated with surgical tools, how the baker ground flour.
The sixth gallery, downstairs and truly spectacular, houses the Royal Mummies. Take all the leaders at the G7 and mummify them, put them in a room, and you feel that tremendous power of ruling the world in one space. This collection of the intact remains of 17 ancient Kings and 3 ancient Queens of Egypt is respectfully displayed with excellent signage. See the neat gray hair on the mummified skull of Pharaoh Ramses II, who lived to be 92 and had 100 children. Some Queens have the curly hair of African ancestors, confirming their Black roots.
Day 4 in Cairo: Head Out Early to Giza
With only one day in Giza, we suggest you book a full day escorted Giza tour. This tour includes transportation and a guide to experience the Great Pyramids and Sphinx. If there’s time, your tour will visit the ancient capital of Memphis and the original pyramid tomb at Saqqara before returning to Cairo.
EGYPT ITINERARY 2: 4N / 5DAY CAIRO AND GIZA FAMILY ADVENTURE
Want to mix and match your Egypt experience? Two or three nights in Giza is a perfect finale to a two or three-night stay in Cairo. We recommend the fabulous Marriott Mena House, Cairo at the foot of the Great Pyramid of Khufu as your home base. It’s easy to book a guide and driver through the hotel to see the other major sites south of Cairo.
Day 1 and 2: Choose Among the Top Cairo Attractions
Enjoy the attractions that Cairo has to offer, including the brand new GEM Museum. Even though GEM is located in Giza, we think it’s best to save your time in Giza for the pyramids and antiquities left in place.
Day 3 of Your Egypt Itinerary, From Cairo to Giza: Top Giza Attractions
Arrive early in Giza and start sightseeing, a big advantage since you’ll beat the bus tours from Cairo. Take extra time to explore all three pyramids at Giza. There are camel rides, ATV rides, horseback riding, hot air balloon tours and other options. Ask your guide to help you negotiate prices for each optional activity unless you’re with an escorted Giza tour.
Inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu
Don’t miss the chance to buy a separate ticket to go inside the Great Pyramid, the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You’ll climb up a rather steep, polished stone slope (with footholds added for safety) to see where the sarcophagus of the Pharaoh Khufu was hidden. It’s like walking up a very small elevator shaft and walking back down single file; not for the claustrophobic.
Do the Camel Ride at Pyramids of Giza
Of the many options to spend extra money admiring the pyramids, I say do the camel ride. It cost us about US$15 for 20 minutes. Camels will take you around to the other side of the pyramid where you get a stunning panoramic view of those triangles in the distance. Save another US$1for the savvy camel driver with all the latest Instagram and TikTok tricks. It’s your Lawrence of Arabia moment.
How Best to See the Great Sphinx: At Night Among the Pyramids
The monumental Sphinx is a 65-foot-tall sculpture resembling a reclining feline with a human head. The human likeness is thought to be that of Pharaoh Khafre, who ruled approximately 2,500 B.C., and was buried in the second pyramid built at Giza. The striking limestone figure, more than 240 feet long, appears to be guarding his tomb. At present, scaffolding covers the Sphinx while it’s undergoing repairs.
The best way to appreciate it is during the evening Pyramids Sound & Light Show. Reserved seats are set up opposite the Sphinx, providing a direct view to meet his gaze. Colorful lights and the dramatic historical narration add another dimension not seen during the daytime.
Day 4 in Giza: Exploring Egypt’s First Capital at Memphis and the Step Pyramid
Nothing can top seeing the Great Pyramids of Giza in real life, so some say you should save them for last. But when you stay in Giza, you’ll want to see them first. The pyramids are just one part of Memphis and its Necropolis, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Memphis was the capital of Egypt’s Old Kingdom dating to 3000B.C. Little has been excavated of what may Egypt’s oldest and largest temples, tombs and sculptures but it’s well worth seeing. However, the site is not as impressive as elsewhere in Egypt.
Saqqara, another masterpiece of architectural design. is the first monumental building constructed of stone. Take a close look at the Pyramid of Djoser, also called the Step Pyramid because of its design. The work of the brilliant royal architect, Imhotep, it was the first attempt to build a peaked tomb that would elevate a pharaoh closer to the Afterlife. The Step Pyramid is made up of sandstone blocks that diminish in size as they rise, with a chamber carved out to hold the sarcophagus. The final pyramid was faced in smooth limestone blocks to reflect the light. Don’t miss the secret Mummification Chamber where the pharaoh was worked on prior to being sealed in his sarcophagus.
PERFECT EGYPT ITINERARY 3: ONE WEEK EGYPT TOUR WITH NILE CRUISE
Families who can spare more time have the option of taking a Nile Cruise, typically four or seven nights depending on your chosen itinerary. The seven-night cruise does stop at more sites along the Nile, but younger children may get restless. That means some of you will have to plan a longer return trip.
One Week Egypt Itinerary: Day 1 and 2: Fly into Cairo and Onwards
There are two main embarkation points for Nile cruises, Luxor and Aswan. The historic port of Luxor is a lively tourist town just a 3-hour drive or quick flight from Cairo. The variety of its temple complexes and the extraordinary tombs discovered in the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens makes it an essential stop on your Egypt tour. The new port at Aswan, a small city that developed with the Aswan Dam in southern Egypt, is an 11-hour drive or 1.5-hour flight from Cairo.
Spend Days 3-6 of Your One Week in Egypt on a Nile Cruise
The Nile River flows south to north, so many visitors prefer to sail from Aswan to Luxor. Others prefer to see the historic progression from the ancient temples found at Luxor to the restored ones in Aswan.
Even farther south, at Abu Simbel on the shores of Lake Nasser, visit the antiquities the world helped to rescue from flooding caused by the Aswan Dam. On most four-day cruises, the half-day trip Abu Simbel trip (including flights) costs nearly $400 per person. We figured we might only get here once, so we sprang for it and found the engineering marvels just fascinating. If you don’t get there, read about the enormous rescue effort that elevated these antiquities to higher ground for preservation.
This weeklong itinerary with a four-day Nile Cruise allows you to spend the night in either town (Luxor is more interesting, Aswan more modern) before or after embarking on your cruise.
Why a Nile Cruise Makes for a Perfect Egypt Itinerary
As full of wonder as Egypt is, a Nile cruise is a highlight for several reasons.
- A Nile cruise exposes visitors to the daily life of Egyptians who live by the river.
- You’ll get to appreciate this desert country’s historic source of water and of life.
- During the hot months, the Nile’s cooling breezes are a welcome relief.
- Many of Egypt’s top attractions are located along the banks of the Nile, and a cruise is a convenient and comfortable way to see them.
- The Temple of Amun Ra and the other antiquities in Luxor, plus the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, are monumental sites. You deserve the best guides – typically employed on cruise ships — so you can see as much as possible.
- Making a river cruiser your home base means no packing and unpacking as you move around the country.
- A river cruiser is very intimate yet social. Discover new friends at the ship’s pool or bar as you unwind from the day’s sightseeing.
- We traveled aboard the Livingstone Amwaj, a lxurious, three-story river boat made of dark teak wood. Our air-conditioned cabin did not have a window that opened or a balcony, which was acceptable in the heat of the Egyptian summer. However, in the cooler winter months, a river view balcony would be a plus.
EGYPTIAN ITINERARY 4: 10-12 DAYS FOR A GUIDED TOUR WITH NILE CRUISE
In June 2024, we joined a well-organized, nine-day group tour with Trafalgar Tours, “Best of Egypt.” It cost about $3,300 a person (land only), including a four-night Nile Cruise aboard the luxury river cruiser, Amwaj Livingstone, and flights within the country. We researched many more expensive options run by museums and alumni associations and were delighted with our choice. The Trafalgar Tour was terrific value for the quality hotels, delicious meals, expert guides, and enormous amount of learning we experienced.
The Benefits of An Escorted Egypt Tour for Families
For our first Egypt family trip, we joined an escorted Trafalgar Tour. No planning was required between landing at Cairo International Airport and our departure. Trafalgar’s route was well organized to maximize time at each site. We started most days at 6am to beat the summer heat. We spent afternoons at leisure.
Guide Amira Hosny, a noted Egyptologist, motivated our group through long, hot days with her expert and entertaining storytelling. Even better, our questions were answered with a smile.
Interestingly, our amiable group of 16 ranged in age from 8 to 77. It included a multi-generational family from Texas on a six-week Middle Eastern tour, two best girlfriends with tween and teen daughters from Chicago, a Brooklyn millennial between jobs and a Florida middle school history teacher on sabbatical.
Why Trafalgar’s Best of Egypt Itinerary Is Successful
Trafalgar and their experienced land operators, Spring Tours Egypt, provided comfortable, air-conditioned buses with a toilet. Luggage and hotel checkin were handled easily and promptly.
The Egyptian Tourism Police provided a safety officer to accompany every group. Everyone felt safe despite war ranging in a nearby country.
Our sightseeing narration was delivered through a Whisper headset system, so guests could turn it on or off at will. Trafalgar also arranged a visit to a local house where we learned a lot about present day Egypt.
Altogether, the structure, guidance, hotels, meals and activities made our Egypt adventure feel like an all-inclusive resort.
WHICH EGYPT ITINERARY IS PERFECT FOR YOU? 4, 5, 7 OR MORE NIGHTS IN EGYPT
To sum up our sample Egyptian itineraries, we looked at a 3N/4D Egypt visit based in Cairo. Anyone who can squeeze a bit more time should extend it to four-days to allow for a few nights in both Cairo and Giza.
It’s possible to plan an visit Egypt Itinerary on a brief 5N/6D tour that could include an overnight in Luxor or Aswan plus a Nile River cruise. Even more relaxing for the family, however, would be to spend a week. You will have time to spend a night in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan; enjoy a four-night Nile River cruise; and spend your last night in Giza relaxing at the foot of the pyramids.
Trip Planning Resources for Your Egypt Trip
Even if you book an escorted tour like we did, you will want to plan your travel carefully. Keep these tips in mind.
The best times of year to visit Egypt
- The “winter” (October to February) is Egypt’s high season for cultural tourism because it’s cooler.Beach goers heading to Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh will find October, November, March and April the best months, with days averaging in the 80s.
- Expect peak pricing and peak crowds during the Western Christmas-New Year’s period.
- Egypt is almost all desert (scientists estimate up to 96%) and may remind sci-fi fans of “Dune.” Our two-week June visit ranged from 87 to 118 F depending on location.
- On the plus side for summer travelers, rates are lower and there are many fewer tourists around.
Where to Spend Your Free Time in Egypt
- Cairo is a must-see for families interested in nightlife. If that’s not you, make Giza, just 20 miles south, your home base.
- Choose one of Cairo’s moderately priced, full-service international hotels in the bustling neighborhood of Zamalek, an island in the Nile River.
- Parents and grandparents will find Giza a quieter, more relaxing base with easy access to many antiquity sites nearby.
- Alternatively, spend two nights in Cairo, then spend the last two nights in Giza. Both cities have superb museums and are good options to bookend any length Egypt trip.
Prepare for Your Trip
There is so educational and entertaining material about ancient Egypt to help kids prepare for the trip. Our favorite text is the new book, “Be A Scribe” by Michael Hoffen, written with professors Dr. Christian Casey and Dr. Jen Thum. This book by an extraordinary 16-year-old is the translation of a Middle Kingdom papyrus, “The Instruction of Khety.” In it, a father counsels his teen on the various occupations open to him. Each story reveals a new facet of life nearly 4,000 years ago. Michael Hoffen’s gift is in making his words relatable — indeed relevant — for any contemporary teen.
A PERFECT EGYPT ITINERARY NEEDS OUR CAIRO CITY GUIDE
Cairo is a very large city, built during a time when people traveled by cart and horse-drawn carriage. You can, in fact, still see a few vendors pulling carts laden with vegetables in between motorcycles, rideshares and minivans. Let’s just say that drivers are not big on traffic lights or regulations.
That’s why we recommend Zamalek, an island in the Nile. It’s home to diplomats, ex-pats, professors and an international artsy crowd. This is where families will get a feel for contemporary Cairene nightlife and culture.
Where to Stay in Cairo – The Ramses Hilton or Heliopolis Hilton
The modern the Ramses Hilton is a top pick for its large pool area several stories above the heart of Zamalek. Families will love the adjacent playground and ice cream bar. Other hotel services include taxis, cash machine, a few souvenir shops, laundry, a business center and nine dining venues. Repeat travelers come back because of the Hilton’s extensive breakfast buffet. Look for international dishes and typical Egyptian items such as belilah, a wheat porridge served with several toppings, exotic fruits, vegetables, cheeses and spreads, freshly baked breads and more. (Encourage kids to make up their own breakfast plates with new foods and flavors.)
If you have early or late flights, the Hilton Heliopolis is closer to the airport. This contemporary, first-class hotel has an excellent Arabic restaurant, a large swimming pool, and one of Cairo’s largest outdoor Hookah (shisha to the locals) bars. The international crowd at most of Cairo’s large hotels makes them a fun and fascinating place and this is no exception. Another consideration with an airport hotel is being able to avoid the very hectic traffic.
Dining in Cairo Along The Nile
The riverfront, one of Cairo’s most pleasant places to walk, is not always easily accessible. That’s why we Ubered from the hotel to one of the brightly lit floating barges along the Nile Corniche. A few of these barges house “members only” casinos with restaurants on each deck. There are also nightclubs and often, a disco onboard, so loud music can pump out into the night air without disturbing residents.
We headed to a pale blue barge named Panache 1901, apparently the name of this cargo ship before it sank long ago in the Nile. Carlo’s Restaurant serves both Egyptian food and what Egyptian eateries call “Middle Eastern food.” Picture hummus and other spreads, pita bread, olives and chopped salads. Everything at Carlo’s was tasty. Tables of young women were having cocktails and passing around a shisha full of fragrant herbs. At our visit, the retractable roof provided shade from the hot sun, while we enjoyed Nile views and the occasional tiny wave. Book ahead and choose outdoor dining or sitting in air conditioning.
Dining in Cairo’s Zamalek Neighborhood
The neighborhood restaurant that you take out of town friends to is Abou el Sid. It’s tucked behind towering carved wood doors on a quiet side street of Zamalek, so be sure to have the address in Arabic and English for your driver. Inside, beaten copper chandeliers, stained glass, old portraits and leather-bound books add warmth and a world-weary charm to the place.
The classic Egyptian menu starts with a feast of mazza. Try fresh-baked bread with dips and cheeses, stuffed grape leaves, veal kebabs, the fava bean dip bessara or a mixed platter of everything. Fettah, crushed pita doused in delicious sauces follows, along with muammar, a baked rice dish flavored with beef and cream. Molokhia, an unusual vegetable soup made with jute mallow leaves, and koshari — a mix of rice, vermicelli, lentils and chick peas — are other homestyle specials.
Families also enjoy rooftop dining. Watch the sun set from hotels’ top level international bars and cafes. The glassed-in rooftop of the Ramses Hilton, Opia Lounge, overlooks the Nile Corniche. The menu is mainly light snacks but the view is well worthwhile. Dine on the early side because at 10pm the lights dim and the house DJ comes out to do his set.
Both the Sofitel Gezirah and the Intercontinental Semiramis have expensive Nile view cafes. These are larger and serve excellent Egyptian cuisine, international entrees, and extensive cocktail options.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
