Let me be clear with you from the start. Cairo is hardly a city for the faint at heart. It’s a city where historical ruins jostle with oriental bazaars and a pharaonic legacy finds its way through neon malls. It’s a place with striking contrasts – where overcrowded slums sit at the borders of lavish neighborhoods, a 5000-year old capital that has long been a dream for many adventurous travelers.
Dubbed as “the city of a thousand minarets”, Cairo is a city that is always thriving, a city filled with raw vigor, frenetic experiences, and a high-speed collision of sensory experiences – lights, sounds, and smells.
The smell of the shisha, the sound of the adan coming from minarets that pierce the sky, the overwhelming traffic, the different amalgamation of colonial-era architecture, British colonial architecture, and Turkish art deco, and ancient structures together all make it a must visit bucket list destination.
As an Egyptian myself, I can tell you one thing: Cairo elicits all but indifference from visitors. If you’re coming to Egypt, Cairo is where your journey will begin. And luckily for you, 48 hours in Cairo is more than enough to take full advantage of everything that Cairo has to offer.
Day 1
Morning
Start your day by heading straight to Zamalek, one of Cairo’s most lavish neighborhoods by the Nile. Bustling with elegant townhouses and filled with embassies from around the world, Zamalek is a great introduction to Cairo. It’s calmer than the rest of the city, with traffic calmly whizzing in between its tree-lined streets. Have a traditional Egyptian breakfast at Eat & Barrel and indulge in a heartily indulgent meal – whether you choose ful medames, falafel or tomatoes, and cheese with a side of oriental mint tea.
Afternoon on
Walk over to the Tahrir Square, one of the most famous squares in the Middle East – the place that witnesses the 2011 revolution, a central meeting place for all young adults and now a beacon of one of Egypt’s most iconic times. The remnants of the protests are no longer found, but the square still remains a symbol bearing the power of the people in 2011.
You’ll probably spend around 15-20 minutes at the square, taking pictures, and learning about its history if you’re with a tour guide. Once you’re done, walk over to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, one of the most prominent and largest museums in the entire region.
Trust me on this one – you need an Egyptologist in tow. You’ll find tour guides by the ticket counter, and it will take your whole experience to another level. The museum houses over 120,000 pieces in a collection that takes you on a journey through the ancient Egyptian period. The collection is nothing short of spectacular with artifacts dating back to 7,000 years ago. The only downside is that there are absolutely no cameras allowed inside.
Fun fact: In Egypt, there’s a rule that if there isn’t an identical replica of an artifact anywhere in the world, then the artifact cannot leave Egypt. That pretty much means that most of the artifacts you see are the only ones in existence and have been taken care of for thousands of years.
The highlight of your visit will be Tutankhamen’s collection on the second floor is one of the most popular collections in the entire world. Tutankhamen himself wasn’t all that as a king – in fact, he was used as a puppet king throughout his ruling period. However, what has made him one of the most popular pharaohs and kings were his tombs. It’s one of the very few tombs in the world that can be found in its full form. You’ll find everything he was buried with including:
- His burial mask
- Differential burial caskets
- Different sarcophagi
- An incredible collection of gold and stone jewelry
- Clothing, shoes and furniture pieces
Head over to the infamous Koshary Abou Tarek, a top local favorite serving one dish: koshary. What is koshary you ask? It’s carbs. On carbs. On more carbs. And well, add some more carbs to that as well. I’m talking pasta, rice, risotto, lentils and tomato sauce all in one. With some delicious toppings too – garlic water (yum!), chili paste, fried onions. The whole deal.
Honestly, it’s without a doubt one of Cairo’s most flavorful dishes. After, head over to one of the nearby juice shops and order a traditional mango sorbet
Evening
It’s time to indulge yourself in the epitome of oriental Egyptian experiences. Your first evening will be spent amidst the hustle and bustle of Khan el Khalili, a vibrant traditional souk that seems with trinkets, , and antiques of every size, color, and price. While you’re there, make sure you visit el Fishawi Café, a 100-year-old café with sepia-seemed architecture. It has long been the meeting place for Egyptian literary giants like Naguib Mahfouz. Grab some karkade or mint tea, get a shisha on the side and you could easily consider yourself an Egyptian at that point!
Once you’ve had your caffeine & shisha mix, allow yourself some time to get lost through the nooks and crannies of Khan el Khalili and Muizz Street.
The one thing you need to know about Muizz Street is how it comes to life after sunset. You’ll be walking amidst some of Cairo’s oldest and grandest buildings – architecture that dates back to long-gone dynasties, gorgeous complexes and a plethora of Islamic monuments. It wasn’t called “world’s largest open-air museum of Islamic monuments” for no reason!
Day 2
Morning
Your day will start at the wee hours of the morning. It’s time to visit the main highlight of your trip to Egypt; the Pyramids of Giza. A common misconception is that the Pyramids are a bit too far away from the center, but you’d be surprised to know that the Pyramids are right in the middle of the city Cairo. As in, it’s normal to be in your car every morning going to work with the pyramids to your left.
And one more thing.
There’s a Pizza Hutt with huge glass windows overlooking the Pyramids. Not even joking. Check for yourself!
If you’re visiting anytime from May – September, you will need to be armed with a lot of water, a lot of sun protection and a hat (or two). It gets quite hot. Hopefully, you would be visiting during cooler months so you can spend more time riding a camel around the pyramids (to get a gist of how the pyramids were actually built), staring in awe at their grandeur (they’re much bigger in real life), and learning all about their history.
And before you even ask – of course, you can get inside one of the pyramids. In fact, you can get inside the largest Pyramid towering 450 feet into the sky.
Needless to stay, if you’re claustrophobic, stay away. You’ll get to venture inside via a very steep, narrow passageway and you’ll have to crouch for a while until you ascent to the Grand Gallery chamber with an empty sarcophagus, enormous blocks of stones and a lot more
Being inside a 5000-year-old wonder of the world is an otherworldly experience to say the least. You’ll also get to walk around the Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum that showcases incredibly massive wooden boats dating back thousands of years
Afternoon
Have lunch at any of the nearby restaurants, relax for a bit after a hectic morning and get ready for yet another adventure. After all, you’re in Cairo for 48 hours! Visit the 7th-century Hanging Church, one of Egypt’s best architectural strongholds of Christianity. The church got its name because it used to “hang” over the water gate of Roman Babylon.
You’ll climb 28 steps before you enter a grand room and then you’ll enjoy the architecture, the stone carvings, the gorgeous patterns, and the Moorish architecture. Once you’ve gone inside, you’ll immediately get to experience the power of the religious mosaics all around. From ornate walls, and carved pillars, its ancient crypt that is believed to be a resting spot for Mary and Joseph, and a lot more.
Once you’re done, you’ll walk over to the Islamic side of Cairo. And that’s one of my favorite things about Cairo – the raw juxtaposition between Christianity and Islam. Churches and mosques stand side by side, and without the religious symbols, it’s hard to even tell them apart. You’ll be able to take in some of the best Islamic architecture at the Sultan Hassan Mosque that dates back to the 14th century, and perfectly combines the four different schools of Sunni thought in Islam.
Evening
End your night on a dinner cruise by the Nile with Egyptian folk artists, belly dancers swaying their hips to the rhythms of Egyptian music and good food and drinks. Or, if you’re looking for a more “chill” night, you can go directly to Café Riche, one of Cairo’s oldest restaurants and a favored spot for all of Cairo’s greatest minds.
Some things you really need to know before visiting Cairo:
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
Of course, the most common question anyone would have is whether or not it’s safe to travel to Egypt. The answer is Yes. That is not to say that Egypt hasn’t suffered the past few years with the multiple revolutions and protests, but in 2019, Egypt is the safest it has been for years.
Driving in Cairo
Obviously, don’t even think of driving in Cairo. Your trip to Egypt won’t be complete until you have a near-death experience while trying to pass the street. There are no traffic lights, everything is done through intuition, and people drive like they’re on a joy ride. It’ll take you a while to get used to it!
How to Get Around in Cairo
Uber is your best friend. It’s reliable, extremely cheap (a one hour trip will cost you around $12), and works like a charm. You also won’t need to try and figure out how to navigate the chaos of Cairo.
How to Dress in Cairo
If you’re visiting any of the mosques, make sure you have a long skirt/pants on, long sleeves, cover your neckline, and dress modestly. You’re not required to cover your hair. In general, Egypt is an Islamic country, and if you’re not on one of the beach resorts, then it’s preferable to wear long pants and sleeves anywhere you go.
Food in Egypt
Food is cheap, the quantities are huge, and you’ll soon get to realize why Egyptians are big on food. It’s a mixture of incredibly delicious food and very strong flavors.
The locals
Egyptians are very friendly people (sometimes too friendly) and they’ll always be willing to help no matter what. If you’re a woman, however, be cautious around strangers, and don’t engage in conversations with anyone you don’t know.
Ah, Cairo. It will take you a while to take it all in, and it will take you a while for the memory to crystallize after you’ve come back to your country. The ancient pharaonic legacy of Cairo mixed with its never-ending cosmopolitan buzz is enough to put Cairo on your top places-to-go list!
