Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts.

On a hilltop above the city is the medieval Citadel fortress, site of Muhammad Ali Mosque, an Ottoman landmark. It overlooks the Islamic Cairo neighborhood, whose zigzagging streets feature significant architecture like the 10th-century Al-Azhar Mosque and massive Bab Zuweila gate.

It’s also home to the buzzing Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the Museum of Islamic Art. Highlights of the Coptic Cairo area include the Roman-era Fortress of Babylon, Hanging Church and Coptic Museum, which displays antiquities of Christian Egypt.

After dark, social life thrives in countless ahwas, or coffeehouses.

48 hours in Cairo: Day 1

Soak up the antiquities of ancient Egypt, from monumental pyramids to royal mummies.

Giza Pyramids

Start with the Giza pyramid complex, and spend up to 3 hours exploring ancient Egypt’s deserts, history, and museum. Continue on to the Egyptian Museum, which is a mere 30 minutes away from your first stop by car. There explore the extensive collection of Egyptian artefacts covering 5,000 years, including Tutankhamun’s treasures.

Egyptian Museum

Finally, end your day visiting the Khan el-Khalili, which is only a 15 minute drive away from the Egyptian Museum. Revel inside Egypt’s largest souk in the bazaar district selling souvenirs and crafts plus jewellery, clothing and spices.

Khan el-Khalili

48 hours in Cairo: Day 2

A day exploring the mosques and museums in and around the Citadel, Cairo’s medieval fortress.

Begin with the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan,  a vast mosque and educational institution with unique architectural features and opulent interiors. Time spent to visit its entirety will only take up to 30 minutes.

Mosque Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

After a ten minute drive, get to the Cairo Citadel; an imposing fortress and wall built by Saladin in the 12th century as protection against the Crusaders.

Citadel of Cairo

From there you can also visit the Al-Gawhara Palace. This museum & former palace features the throne of a prominent leader and other historical pieces.

The Royal Palace

The Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which is less than 5 minutes by foot from your previous destination, is also worth a visit. This grand, 19th-century mosque in Cairo’s iconic Citadel is lavishly decorated with Islamic motifs.

Finally, end your day’s visit with the Egyptian National Military Museum. The Egyptian military’s official history museum offers exhibits on the pharaohs to modern day. An hour in this museum is enough to soak up the history and beauty of the region.

Military Museum