3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Tour: Pyramids, Museum & Felucca Ride

Summary

Explore Ancient Egypt: Giza Pyramids, Alexandria Sights & Nile Felucca

If you want to see Egypt beyond postcards—walk inside ancient tombs, haggle for spices at Khan El Khalili, float down the Nile on a felucca at sunset—this tour packs it all into three days with real local flavor.

What’s the experience like?

The first morning kicked off with a quick coffee at the hotel—Egyptian coffee’s got this earthy kick to it that really wakes you up. Our guide, Hossam, met us right in the lobby. He’s lived in Giza his whole life and seems to know every shortcut through Cairo traffic. We zipped over to the Giza Plateau just as the sun started burning off the early haze. The Great Pyramid of Khufu loomed ahead—bigger than I’d pictured from photos. There’s this dry, sandy smell in the air and camels groaning nearby. Hossam pointed out tiny details on the stones that most people walk past. We wandered around Chephren and Mykerinus pyramids too, plus those six smaller queen pyramids tucked off to one side. After snapping a few photos (the light’s best before noon), we drove out to Sakkara. The Step Pyramid there is rougher than Giza but feels older somehow—less crowded too. Lunch was simple falafel and tahini at a roadside spot where locals eat. By afternoon, Dahshur’s Red and Bent Pyramids stood almost empty except for a couple of stray dogs napping in the shade.

The next day started with the Egyptian Museum downtown. It’s busy, but our guide whisked us past the lines and straight to Tutankhamun’s gold mask—honestly, it glows under those lights. The museum smells faintly musty, like old paper and stone. Afterward, we headed up to Salah El-Dien Citadel for views over Cairo’s sprawl; you can hear the city humming below while inside Mohamed Ali Mosque it’s quiet and cool. Lunch was at a family-run restaurant near Tahrir Square—try their molokhia soup if you’re feeling adventurous. Later, Khan El Khalili bazaar was a maze of narrow lanes packed with brass lamps, spices, and shopkeepers calling out prices in Arabic and English. I picked up some cardamom coffee from a tiny stall (the owner insisted I taste before buying). By evening, we were back at our hotel with tired feet but full bellies.

On day three we drove north to Alexandria—about three hours with a quick stop for mint tea halfway there (the roadside café had cats lounging everywhere). First stop: Kom El Shoqafa catacombs. It’s cooler underground and oddly quiet except for our footsteps echoing on stone stairs. Our guide explained how Egyptian and Roman art blend together down here—you’ll spot carvings of Anubis wearing Roman armor if you look close. Lunch was fresh seafood by the harbor; grilled mullet is a local favorite. The new Alexandria Library is sleek glass and white stone—totally different vibe from Cairo’s old buildings—and inside it’s all sunlight and hushed voices. Last up was Qaitbay Citadel on the Mediterranean coast; salty wind whipping around as we walked along ancient walls where the lighthouse once stood.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, Dahshure

• Visit Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, Mykerinus, and queen pyramids
• Visit Sakkara Step Pyramid
• Visit Dahshur Red and Bent Pyramids

Day 2 — Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Khan El Khalili

• Visit Egyptian Museum
• Visit Salah El-Dien Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque
• Lunch at traditional restaurant
• Visit Khan El Khalili Bazaar

Day 3 — Alexandria Tour

• Visit Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
• Lunch at traditional restaurant
• Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina
• Visit Qaitbay Citadel

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with kids?

Yes! Kids are welcome as long as they're with an adult. Just let us know if you have any special needs or dietary requests.

What should I wear for visiting mosques or religious sites?

It's best to dress modestly—cover shoulders and knees for both men and women. A scarf for women is handy when entering mosques.

Are meals included? What about vegetarians?

Lunch is included each day at local restaurants. Vegetarian options are available—just mention your preference when booking.

How long is the drive from Cairo to Alexandria?

It usually takes about three hours each way by air-conditioned vehicle, with a short break along the route.

What’s included

This private tour covers all main entrance fees, guided visits with an expert Egyptologist, comfortable air-conditioned transport throughout your trip—including hotel pickup and drop-off—and daily lunch at trusted local spots. You'll also enjoy a relaxing felucca ride on the Nile in Cairo.