Welcome to Cairo, a city bursting with ancient history alongside a young population.
Cairo is a city where thousands of years of history collide with a vibrant, fast-moving modern culture. Stand in awe before the Pyramids of Giza, home to the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, and step inside one of the world’s newest and most ambitious cultural institutions, the Grand Egyptian Museum. Between the ancient monuments, you’ll find children playing football, dreaming of becoming the next Mohamed Salah, traffic that somehow continues in organised chaos, and street food stalls serving Arab favourites – koshari, anyone?
The capital is best known for its monuments to the dead – the pyramids were built as tombs, after all – but Cairo is well and truly alive. The country is home to more than 120 million people, and up to 60 percent of the population is under 30 years old. It’s loud and proud of its heritage, and every street corner tells a story. Here’s how to spend 24 hours in Cairo.
Breakfast at Khufu’s
Dining with a view doesn’t get more iconic than Khufu’s. Start your 24 hours in Cairo at this top restaurant. Located within the Giza Plateau, the restaurant offers uninterrupted views of the Pyramids of Giza, which rise from the desert with quiet authority. The restaurant claimed the top spot on the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list. Despite the award, we managed to secure a table for the following week, walk-ins were arriving on our visit, and the prices are (still) reasonable. Open for breakfast and lunch, the menu celebrates Egyptian cuisine with a refined twist. Start the day off in style with the Khufu’s Breakfast Platter. Choose an outdoor table – we could not stop staring at the pyramids throughout our meal. While the area is buzzing with tourists and stray dogs, the restaurant is a peaceful place in which to soak up one of the world’s most extraordinary settings. Warning: an entry ticket is required to enter the Giza Plateau, and allow extra time for the shuttle bus on the grounds.
Where: Nazlet El-Semman, Al Haram, Giza Governorate 12512, Egypt
When: Daily 9am to 4pm
Contact: https://khufus.com
Morning at The Great Pyramids of Giza
Believe the hype. Nothing prepares you for the moment The Great Pyramids of Giza first come into view. When we caught our first glimpse of their towering peaks between the buildings, we shrieked with excitement. Arrive early, before the heat and crowds build up, and take those wish-you-were-here photos. The recently upgraded entrance has transformed the visitor experience, with far fewer ticket touts outside. While it’s possible to do it yourself, a guide brings the site to spectacular life. It’s one thing seeing the pyramids, but it’s another going inside. Venture inside the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, The Great Pyramid of Khufu. Built around 2560 BC, it was the tallest man-made structure for 3,800 years. We felt like Indiana Jones as we navigated the sometimes steep, sometimes small, but always hot passageways. Round it off with the Great Sphinx, and learn about the myths and mysteries of the Valley Temple.
Where: Al Haram, Giza Governorate 12512, Egypt
When: Daily 7am to 4pm
Price: EGP 350 students, EGP adults
Contact: https://egymonuments.com
Afternoon at Grand Egyptian Museum
Spend the afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum. The Grand Hall greets visitors with towering statues of pharaohs and gods, including a colossal figure of Ramses II. Spanning over 500,000 square metres, the museum is packed with some 100,000 artefacts and covers more than 5,000 years of history. Make a beeline for the blockbuster attraction: the complete collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures. For the first time since the tomb’s discovery in 1922, more than 5,000 of Tutankhamun’s objects are displayed together. The display allows visitors to immerse themselves in the boy king’s life, death and legacy. The museum also exhibits the two oldest wooden boats in the world. Grab a bite at the lively food hall, which is home to 30 North, Bitter Sweet, Beano’s Café, Dolato, Ladurée, Mandarine Koueider, Ratio’s Bakery and Zooba. For those keen to take home a stylish souvenir, check out Azza Fahmy’s jewellery by the celebrated Egyptian designer, and OKHTEIN’s sculptural handbags designed by Egyptian sisters Aya and Mounaz. Ambitious and awe-inspiring, the Grand Egyptian Museum isn’t just a place to see Egypt – it’s a place to experience it, and it will be one of your highlights while you spend 24 hours in Cairo.
Where: Alexandria Desert Road, Kafr Nassar, Al Haram, Giza Governorate 3513203, Egypt
When: Sunday to Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 6pm, Wednesday and Saturday 9am to 9pm
Price: From EGP 1,200
Contact: https://gem.eg
Discover Historic Cairo
Let’s see how much you can squeeze into your 24 hours in Cairo. Step into one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a historic district that dates back to the Arab conquest of Egypt in 641 AD. Wander along Al-Muizz Street, which feels like an open-air museum, and explore the hustle and bustle of the 14th-century Khan el-Khalili market. Visit the Citadel of Saladin, a stone fortress built in the 12th century and home to the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Lose yourself in a maze of medieval mosques, grand gates, traditional markets and hidden courtyards.
Where: Salah al-Din, al-Ayyubi, Saladin, Cairo Governorate 4252360, Egypt
Evening at Eastown District New Cairo
After a day of experiencing old Cairo, it’s time to experience new Cairo. The cool kids of Cairo can be found at Eastown District New Cairo, also known as EDNC. EDNC comes alive at night – and you should, too. The area has received the seal of approval from celebrity favourite Nobu, which is set to welcome the country’s first Nobu Hotel and Nobu restaurant. If you’re looking to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing, book a treatment at the nearby NEV Spa, browse the luxury boutiques and dine at one of the many restaurants. Ahwet Mehnna is a top, trendy spot – the menu draws inspiration from Lebanon, with a beautiful setting and freshly prepared dishes.
Where: New Cairo 1, Cairo Governorate 4728114, Egypt
Contact: @ednc_bysodic
Spend the night in luxury
The capital offers accommodation for all budgets. The Hilton Cairo Grand Nile boasts old-world glamour, with a sprawling site offering restaurants to suit every taste and spectacular views of the River Nile. When only luxury will do, book Marriott Mena House, Cairo, and wake up to views of the pyramids. New hotels include Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile, which marks the brand’s largest hotel in the world, and Giza Palace, which has joined The Leading Hotels of the World collection. While you may have only spent 24 hours in Cairo, you’ll have seen a lifetime of wonders. Welcome to a city where the past and present truly collide. Long live Cairo.