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Cairo is a huge metropolis near the Nile River and the seat of one of history’s most legendary empires. It is well-known for its unsurpassed historic sites, delicious cuisine, warm desert atmosphere, and magnificent hotels.
Its architecture was influenced by Roman, Ottoman, and Arab styles. Like other cities, Cairo is a place of contrasts where the ancient and contemporary coexist.
Most travelers fly into the Cairo International Airport near Old Cairo. Most prominent cities across the world provide direct flights to Cairo.
The city also provides visitors with a variety of hotel choices to fit their interests and budget. You can select a guesthouse, hostel, or mid-range hotel in Cairo from among the many Cairo hotels for an affordable stay. For a posh accommodation option, you can find a boutique hotel or premium condominium.
Some areas to choose to stay in are Downtown Cairo, Zamalek, Old Cairo, Gezira, and the northern suburbs, which are near prominent landmarks.
Without at least 4 days in Cairo, a journey to Egypt would not be complete. It can be difficult to know where to start in a city like Cairo. We can guide you through several significant locations on this 4-day itinerary while also letting you enjoy this bustling Egyptian metropolis.
Itinerary For 4 Days in Cairo
Day 1: Visiting Egyptian Museum and Other Places
Begin your Cairo visit by going to the Egyptian Museum on the first day. The entry fee for foreign visitors is LE 200. The Egyptian Museum, which has the largest collection of Pharaonic artifacts in the entire world, is the oldest museum renowned for preserving archaeological collectibles in the Middle East.
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The museum presents a huge collection ranging from the Predynastic Period and various Intermediate Periods to the Greco-Roman Era in different sections. Each area featured priceless relics and treasures related to significant events and people from that period.
Some of the famous pharaohs you can learn more about are Khufu, Menes, Achthoes, Djoser, Mentuhotep, Ramses, Hatshepsut, Shoshenk I, Tutankhamen, and Nephrites I. The Rosetta Stone, a key tool in the understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphics, is one of the most intriguing exhibits.
The other attractions include Tutankhamun’s Gold Mask, the Statue of Khafre, the Statue of Djoser, the Statue of Amenhotep IV, the Wooden Statue of Ka-Aper, the Limestone Head of Hatshepsut, the Triad of Menkaure, and the Mummies of the Pharaohs.
After visiting the Egyptian Museum, you can visit other important landmarks like the Museum of Islamic Art, Sultan Hassan Mosque, and Cairo Tower, in addition to shopping in the Middle Eastern souq (bazaar). When returning, do not miss the Nile River cruise to enjoy a great dinner.
Day 2: Exploring the Great Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are certainly Egypt’s top tourist destination and its national symbol. Among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Giza Pyramid Complex is the only surviving historical structure.
These burial temples of the 4th dynasty are located on the Giza Plateau right on the outskirts of the city and have long puzzled scholars and historians. The complex includes three large pyramids, temples, the Sphinx, tombs, and other structures. The Pyramid of Khufu, which stands 139 meters tall, is the largest.
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Visitors can enter its interior through its cramped passageways. You can find only a simple burial chamber with an empty coffin at this place. The Pyramid of Menkaure and the Pyramid of Khafre are the other pyramids. Visitors can have a stunning view of all the pyramids from a viewpoint towards the rear of the complex.
The Solar Boat Museum is located just behind the Great Pyramid and showcases one of the ritualistic solar barges that were discovered there and carefully restored to its former splendour. Take a humorous kissing picture by strolling to the Great Sphinx of Egypt.
Before going back, you can also stop at the Queen Khentakaws’ Tomb, the Central Field of Mastabas, and the Valley Temple of Menkaure.
Day 3: Visiting the Citadel of Saladin
Start your third day in the morning at the Saqqara. Though less spectacular than the Pyramid of Giza, the Saqqara Step Pyramid, constructed during the Third Dynasty, is Egypt’s earliest pyramid. The step pyramid, which served as a prototype for the pyramids, was constructed for Pharaoh Djoser.
You can also explore the neighboring places, such as King Teti’s Funerary Complex, the Tomb of Kagemni, and the Tomb of Mereruka, after seeing the Step Pyramid. Next, you can visit the Citadel of Saladin, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to experience Islamic culture. The Muhammad Ali Mosque, built in the 19th century and unquestionably the most striking structure in the citadel, is the main attraction for most visitors.
The mosque was modeled by Yousuf Bushnak, an Istanbul-based Turkish architect, and its work started in 1830. The mosque does not look white, for it is covered in sand, which covers the mosque so quickly during storms.
Day 4: Delving into Coptic Cairo
You will be touring Coptic Cairo on the last day and you will find Egypt to be a nation with a Christian majority during the period of the Pharaohs’ downfall and the birth of Islam.
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The Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Church, also called the Hanging Church, is the first destination on your list. The Hanging Church, one of Egypt’s oldest churches, was constructed atop the gates of a former Roman stronghold.
After that, visit the Coptic Museum to see the collections of artifacts related to Coptic Christians. The oldest known copy of the Book of Psalms is among the exhibits, which feature stunning masonry and Christian symbols.
Nevertheless, the building itself is the true draw of the museum. Its numerous stained glass windows, ornately decorated ceilings, and eye-catching windows steal the show.
Next, proceed to the St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church from the Coptic Museum. The interior of this cathedral is the most spectacular in Coptic Cairo, with lots of gold work, lovely murals, and a vaulted central dome.
The Ben Ezra Synagogue, Cairo’s oldest synagogue, is well worth a quick visit. It is located at the end of the lane. You can stop for once to visit the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque before leaving Coptic Cairo. It was the first mosque to be constructed in Africa.