Looking to make the most out of just one day in Cairo?
Then you’ve come to the right place!
Cairo is full of great things to do and see and it can be impossible to decide which attractions are best to visit, especially when you have such little time in the city to explore.
The Egyptian city has so much history and culture to uncover, and it would be a shame to miss out on it all together if you find yourself in Egypt.
This post will give you a packed itinerary for your short visit to Egypt’s capital city and give a full rundown of all the top things you should know as a tourist visiting Cairo.
Is It Possible To See Cairo In One Day?
Yes, it is definitely possible to see Cairo in just one day, although you will have quite a condensed experience.
Cairo is full of history and culture, offering a vibrant mix of ancient and modern sites and attractions. While many people immediately think of the Ancient Egyptians when they hear “Cairo”, there is so much more to the city’s history and its more recent events and ways of life can be just as interesting to learn about as the past.
If you plan your itinerary well, then you’ll have time to visit some of the city’s most iconic sites and get a great insight into the heritage and life of Cairo’s civilians, past and present.
While a single day in the city won’t give you much time to explore any of the attractions in-depth, you will still be able to get a glimpse of its essence and charm and leave Cairo with some great memories.
As the city has so much history and culture to learn about, you could easily spend weeks in the city and not run out of things to see or do.
The ideal length of time you should spend in Cairo is 3-5 days as this would give you more time to explore not only the top tourist attractions but you’ll also have time for a couple of day trips a little further afield and be able to explore some of the city’s more niche sites.
But as I’ve said, you can definitely see a lot of Cairo’s top landmarks in just 24 hours – just make sure to be well-rested and prepared for a busy day!
Things To Do In Cairo In One Day
The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Even with just one day in Cairo, there is one location that you simply can’t miss out on.
The Pyramids of Giza are among Egypt’s most iconic monuments, drawing millions of visitors each year. When you think of Egypt, these ancient structures are likely the first things that come to mind and it would be a big shame to skip over the landmarks just because you have a short amount of time in the city.
The Great Pyramid – the biggest of them all, is a bit of a historical marvel with archaeologists and historians still confused about its construction. It has also been listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Alongside it are the Pyramid of Menkaure and the Pyramid of Khafre. Though smaller, they are equally impressive. Built as tombs for the Pharaohs of their time, these pyramids are filled with ancient treasures.
Make sure to stop by the Sphinx too – another iconic and unmissable landmark by the Pyramids.
As Giza is only a short journey from Cairo and there are a number of guided tours on the market that include transfers to and from the site, it’s a no-brainer that the Pyramids should be on your itinerary. After all, no trip to Egypt would be complete without a visit to the Pyramids of Giza!
The Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is definitely worth a visit, even if you only have a short amount of time in the city, as it is the largest museum in all of Africa, allowing you to discover the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world.
The museum is home to everything from Tutankhamun’s sparkling treasure to real mummy remains, statues and intriguing examples of hieroglyphics. Every glass case contains a glimpse at the past and you’re guaranteed to leave the museum with a head full of ancient history knowledge.
As the museum is so huge, it can be quite daunting trying to figure out where to start and what to see, especially if you’re trying to stick to a tight itinerary. A couple of top highlights that you’ll definitely want to make time for though include Tutankhamun’s death mask and the mummified animal remains.
Museum admission is very cheap at just $8 per person, making it a very affordable addition to your one-day Cairo itinerary.
Cairo Tower
Cairo Tower is an iconic landmark in the Egyptian capital and offers some breathtaking panoramic views across the city.
At 187 m tall, the tower is located on Gezira Island in the Nile River and provides a stunning 360-degree vantage point of Cairo’s beautiful skyline and sprawling urban landscape. Make sure to look out for the Pyramids of Giza in the distance and the Saladin Citadel!
Cairo Tower was constructed in the 1960s to resemble a lotus flower, and its impressive design even includes a revolving restaurant at the top, giving a unique dining experience.
Tickets for the tower have different fees depending on if you want to be guided, your nationality and age factors but start as low as 70 EGP ($1.50 USD) for non-Egyptian citizens, making it a very affordable but worthy addition to your one-day itinerary.
The Cairo Tower is open daily from 9 am to midnight meaning it can be easily slotted into your itinerary at any point during your one-day trip to Cairo.
Khan el Khalili Bazaar
Khan El Khalili Bazaar in Cairo is made up of a maze of narrow streets and busy market stalls, attracting visitors from all over the city to its impressive range of products. When you arrive at the bazaar, you’re guaranteed to experience sensory overload with a huge mix of sights, sounds and smells to take in.
Khan El Khalili has been an attraction to both locals and tourists for centuries, offering a vast selection of textiles, spices, souvenirs and jewelry, much of which is made locally.
But the bazaar is so much more than a shopping place, giving an insightful cultural experience, particularly when it comes to food and drink. There is an abundance of traditional cafes with teas and Egyptian snacks on offer – which make a great pit-stop mid-shop.
The vendors at Khan El Khalili will be eager to entice you to their stall, share their stories and sell you some produce, but don’t just accept their first price! Haggling is a key skill that you’ll need for this experience, and if you’re good enough, you’ll be able to secure yourself some great bargains.
Don’t be afraid to ask for lower prices or walk away if you aren’t interested in what the seller is showing you, bargaining is part of the culture in Egyptian souks!
Felucca Ride
A felucca ride on the Nile River is a great way of experiencing some of the top landmarks in the city, giving you a great vantage point all around.
Even if you don’t have much time in Cairo, short felucca rides will give you a great introduction to many top attractions and allow you to see more of the city than you would have on foot.
Feluccas are traditional Egyptian sailboats which are used to navigate the Nile River comfortably and safely. They are typically managed by locals and taking a trip on one of these boats is a great cultural experience as well as a sight-seeing opportunity.
There are plenty of felucca tour options around Cairo, starting from very affordable prices but an evening trip is recommended as the city lights sparkling within the water are very beautiful, and the activity would be a great way to round off your day in Cairo.
Cairo One Day Itinerary
In order to maximise your time in Cairo, you’ll need to make sure to get up early, as this will also help you to beat the crowds. Leave for Giza at around 8 am, either on a guided tour, by private car or using public transport and a taxi.
Assign a few hours to explore the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure and the Sphinx, making sure to take plenty of photographs for your memories.
By late morning, make the journey back to central Cairo to visit the Egyptian Museum, allowing you to learn more about what you have seen at Giza and see some of Egypt’s most fascinating historical collections, including Tutankhamun’s treasures.
By now you should have worked up an appetite so make your way to the spectacular Cairo Tower to enjoy a delicious lunch at the revolving restaurant at the top. While you eat, you’ll take in some breathtaking views of the city and beyond.
Next, head to Khan El Khalili Bazaar to explore the historic souk that is still bustling with crowds. Spend a few hours wandering through the busy market, haggling for souvenirs, and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. Take a break at one of the traditional cafes for some herbal tea and snacks.
End your day with a relaxing felucca ride on the Nile River. Head to the riverside as the sun begins to set to catch a traditional boat for a spot of sightseeing.
Relax and enjoy the peaceful and beautiful views of Cairo from the water, before heading back to your accommodation for the evening to enjoy an authentic Egyptian food dinner.
Getting Around Cairo
The best way of getting around Cairo is by using taxis and Uber. While you can certainly hire a car, even the most confident drivers would struggle in Cairo as the traffic is normally chaotic and other drivers have little regard for the rules of the road.
Taxis offer the same comfort as driving and is the most efficient way of getting around the city, not to mention it is also very cheap. Uber is very widespread too and has advantages in that it is a lot more familiar and easier to use.
Cairo does have a pretty good metro system if you’d rather opt for public transport but it doesn’t cover the whole city. To use the metro, you pay for tickets within a certain zone and some tickets are also dependent on the number of stops that you pass through.
An advantage of the metro is that it is available every day from 5 am to 1 am, allowing you to access the city for the majority of the day and night, however, it isn’t as safe as getting a cab, especially at night time.
There are large areas of Cairo that are also walkable, and you shouldn’t be afraid of walking in the city, especially during the day. Cairo is largely a crime-free city, with lots of improvements over the last few decades to ensure increased tourist safety.
If you do choose to walk between attractions then just be sure to keep an eye on your valuables at all times, keeping bags to the front of your body and staying aware of who is around you, especially in large crowds.
Pick-pocketing is still a bit of a problem in Cairo, but not more so than in other large cities across the world. Just keeping an extra close eye on your belongings will limit your chances of being targeted and also prevent you from losing anything personal.
Where To Stay In Cairo
There are lots of great places to stay in Cairo, but the best areas to stay in is in Downtown Cairo and Zamalek, as these locations are very close to some of Cairo’s best tourist attractions and give you easy access to transport connections.
Here are a few of the best hotels in Zamalek and Downtown Cairo that you should consider for your one-night stay in the city:
The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino:
The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino is located in the heart of Cairo and offers luxurious accommodations in a historic palace setting. Situated on Gezira Island, the hotel provides stunning views of the Nile and easy access to Cairo’s cultural landmarks.
This 5-star rated hotel features elegantly decorated rooms, lush gardens, an outdoor pool, and multiple dining options.
Guests can enjoy some of the amazing amenities that the hotel has to offer such as a fitness center, spa, and casino. Click here to see the latest reviews and click here to see the latest rates.
The Nile Ritz-Carlton:
The Nile Ritz-Carlton in Downtown Cairo offers a blend of modern luxury and elegance with stunning views of the Nile River and the Egyptian Museum.
The hotel features elegantly designed rooms, multiple dining options, a luxury spa, and a rooftop pool. Every room has a TV, lavish bathtub and walk-in shower, giving a comfortable and relaxing touch to your stay.
From the hotel, guests can enjoy easy access to Cairo’s cultural attractions, making it an ideal choice for tourists, especially those who are only staying for a short time. Click here to see the latest reviews and click here to see the latest rates.
Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo:
The Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo is another fabulous 5-star hotel in Downtown Cairo that provides luxurious stays with stunning Nile River views.
The hotel offers beautifully designed rooms and suites, each featuring modern furniture, minibars and private balconies.
Guests can enjoy diverse dining options at the hotel’s restaurants, including Italian and Ottoman cuisine. Other leisure facilities at the hotel include a full-service spa, a rooftop pool, and a fitness center.
The Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo is located very close to the city’s main attractions, making it easy to catch an Uber to begin your day of exploration. Click here to see the latest reviews and click here to see the latest rates.
Conclusion
Cairo is an incredible city, full of history and culture and while one day in the city may seem like a very short amount of time, you can still explore many of the city’s biggest attractions.
With just one day in the city, you can get a great glimpse into its ancient history with visits to the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum.
You’ll also have time for some sightseeing with trips to The Cairo Tower and an evening felucca ride, allowing you to take in the skyline and see some of the city’s finest architecture. A trip to the Khan El Khalili Bazaar will give you an insight into the modern Egyptian culture and give you an opportunity to find a perfect souvenir to take home.
With a luxurious stay in one of Cairo’s best hotels to round off your evening, you’ll leave the city feeling refreshed after a busy day of exploring.
I hope you have an amazing day in Cairo and enjoy the city as much as I did!
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This is a great list and realistic! Spending one day in a big city with all this history can be challenging, but you made it doable. Thanks for sharing.
Super information! I’m saving your pin so I can come back to this and read it again in the future. Bucket-list Destination for sure!
Cairo has long been on my list, but it seems so daunting. I’m glad to read this post to see what can be accomplished in one day. It makes it seem more attainable!
This afternoon, my brother Sean said we should plan a family vacation to Egypt since he wanted to see all the things you mentioned in your post! So timely coming across your post. Saving this for when we’re ready to book our trip. Seeing the Sphinx, the pyramids and the museums are definitely bucket list travel items!
I’m hoping to visit Cairo soon and glad to know I can see the things on my bucket list in the one day – thought I do hope to be there a few more days.
Cairo is on my bucket list. Great information! 😀