5 days in Cairo & Giza
A realistic day-by-day plan with start times, how long to allow, and travel estimates between stops.
This 5-day plan covers Pyramids of Giza, Grand Egyptian Museum, Nile Dinner Cruise, Islamic Cairo and more. It starts around 9am, keeps two main things per day with a proper lunch, and leaves the evening for food or a show. Travel times are estimates from the distance between stops.
Day 1
Pyramids of Giza, Grand Egyptian Museum & more
- 09:00
Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx
3 h
Entering the Great Pyramid needs an additional ticket and is not for claustrophobic people. Allow at least three hours.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 5 min on foot
Grand Egyptian Museum
3 h
Opening arrangements and booking rules have changed in recent years, so check the current details before you go.
- 19:00
↓ About 65 min by metro or taxi
Day 2
Islamic Cairo & Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
- 09:00
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ Next door
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Day 3
Saqqara
- 09:00
Saqqara & Memphis
Full day
It is often combined with Dahshur's Bent and Red Pyramids, which are much quieter than Giza.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Zamalek
An island in the Nile with cafés, galleries and embassies; a calm base.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Day 4
Explore Cairo
- 09:00
Morning in Islamic Cairo
The historic core, with mosques and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Giza
Beside the pyramids, with some hotels overlooking them.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Day 5
Day trip: Alexandria Day Trip
- 08:30
- 19:00
Evening back in Cairo & Giza
Dinner near your hotel. After a full day out, keep the evening easy.
The route on a map
Pins follow the order of the plan. Click a pin for details.
Best time to visit Cairo & Giza
The most comfortable months with manageable crowds are Oct. These are broad seasonal patterns, not forecasts.
- JanMildCrowds: peak
- FebMildCrowds: peak
- MarWarmCrowds: peak
- AprWarmCrowds: peak
- MayHotCrowds: busy
- JunHotCrowds: quiet
- JulHotCrowds: quiet
- AugHotCrowds: quiet
- SepHotCrowds: quiet
- OctWarmCrowds: busy
- NovMildCrowds: peak
- DecMildCrowds: peak
Best months Peak crowds and harsh weatherBars show how busy it is: taller means more visitors.
5-day Cairo & Giza questions
Is 5 days enough for Cairo & Giza?
Three days. This plan fits the main sights into 5 days at a comfortable pace, with a lunch break each day.
Can I change the order of the days?
Yes. Group days by neighbourhood if your hotel is far from a sight, and swap any day if opening hours (many museums close one day a week) or the weather requires it.
What should I book before I go?
Book Pyramids of Giza, Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara first – they use timed entry or sell out.