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Cairo has a lot to do, and it is no doubt a great place to base yourself on your trip to Egypt, but I highly recommend you also take some time for a weekend trip from Cairo. There is so much to see around the rest of the country. From spots along the Nile where you can go underground exploring ancient temples and tombs, to pyramids you never knew existed — get out there and explore! Here are five awesome weekends trips from Cairo for you to add to your Egypt itinerary. Have so much fun!
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Alexandria
Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, with a population of nearly 4 million. It sits on the north coast, up tight against the Mediterranean. Alexandria, Egypt’s Mediterranean jewel, is a coastal city steeped in history and culture. Its ancient roots are showcased in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Citadel of Qaitbay, while its stunning shoreline offers relaxation and seafood delights. Alexandria seamlessly blends the old and the new, making it an exciting spot to spend a weekend.
How to Get from Cairo to Alexandria
To get from Cairo to Alexandria my friend and I took the bus. We used the company Go Bus which left from Tehrir Square. Tickets can be booked directly on the English version of their website (my link above brings you directly to the English, but if you find yourself on the Arabic site, switch the language rather than using an auto translator like Chrome). The trip on the bus takes three hours each way and tickets can be as little as 80EGP ($5.11) depending on the time you choose.
Where to Stay in Alexandria
We stayed in an Airbnb just east up the coast from the downtown area of Alexandria. That meant we had to take an Uber any time we wanted to get in or out of town, but Ubers are the best way to get around in all of Egypt and are very, very affordable.
If you do want to find a hotel, I’d recommend checking out the Miramar Boutique Hotel which has beautiful, grandly appointed rooms, a beautiful sea view, and continental breakfast.
What to Do in Alexandria
I headed straight for Alexandria, almost as soon as I’d arrived to Egypt, before seeing much of anything in Cairo. That was only because I landed on a Friday and my teacher friend wanted an excuse to escape for the weekend.
Alexandria is very sleepy compared to Cairo. But it is right on the Mediterranean and it is quite lovely in its quietness. Unfortunately, despite being waterfront, there aren’t swimmable beaches in the city — though there are plenty of waterfront cafes, a laid back promenade, and some rocky bits of the coastline where you can watch the waves crash below you. Cleopatra beach is a nice spot for rocks and waves but if you want a beach in the area where you can swim, go to El Maamoura Beach which is about 19 kilometers east up the coastline.
Sticking to Alexandria, make sure not to miss the Citadel of Qaitbay. It’s a waterfront fortress that’s definitely worth exploring — my friend and I spent a bit of time wandering around and snapping photos. We also did a lot of eating and drinking tea along the water, just choose a spot you like and grab a table. There is one particular cafe we visited which I highly recommend for its grand, colonial style decor and vibes Trianon cafe.
Discover more to do in Alexandria:
The Desert
I don’t think you should leave Egypt without a visit to the desert. I find deserts odd in their beauty. Because they are just planes of eternal sameness, but… beautiful. The Sahara is the desert you’ll find close to Cairo. Spotted throughout the desert are oases, especially hugging the Nile river valley. We went to the town of Fayoum to access the desert.
How to Get from Cairo to the Desert
I went with my friend who was living in Cairo also with a larger group of his friends — it ended up being about eight of us so we all booked onto a private tour with We Know Egypt. I highly recommend this agency, my friend used them regularly for his trips to the desert during the years he lived in Cairo and I had a great experience with them. They are locally run and pick you up from Cairo in private cars. We had two cars and two drivers. They drive out took us about an hour and a half from Cairo.
Where to Stay in the Desert
Again, I’d recommend just booking your desert tour as a package deal. We stayed in pre-setup tents in the desert. Not glamping, but borderline comfortable enough. Meals were included as was all of the driving, touring the desert, and entertainment.
If you’re not into the idea of camping, have a look at the town of Fayoum which is near Qarun Lake, these two spots are gateways to the desert and are an easy area to stay for day trips in. Check out Queen Hotel Fayoum in Fayoum village. There you’ll be able to enjoy simple but comfortable rooms and a continental breakfast. Alternatively, to stay lakeside, Mangrove Camp Fayoum is a gorgeous glamping choice which is a nice compromise between luxury and roughing it out in the desert.
What to Do in the Desert
My weekend in the desert was lovely. We got dropped off from our drive in from Cairo at Sobek Lodge in Tunis Village – a tranquil oasis where we had a drink and a lounge. We then got picked up by Egyptian men in jeeps and taken out into the desert. We drove around, had some Egyptian whiskey (tea), and watched the sun set. One of the men almost lost his jeep as it slid down into a crevice between dunes (a show for the tourists? perhaps) but being boys who grew up amongst that sand, the two of them got it out quickly.
We ate and drank (bring your own booze if you want it) and slept under the stars (ok we were in a tent) and woke in the morning and did it again — the trip was one night with a pretty full day on both sides. On our way back into Tunis we stopped at Qarun Lake where some went for a swim to cool off from the heat.
And before heading back into Cairo we walked around Tunis village and found some of the famous, very local pottery shops.
Discover more to do in the desert near Qarun Lake:
West of the Nile
What I’m talking about here is not actually outside of Cairo, but it definitely gets you out of the dense hustle of the city and could be a very nice weekend getaway without having to put in a lot of time or effort.
How to get West of the Nile
To get to this area you don’t actually have to leave Cairo so all you’ll have to do is order an Uber. Keep in mind that the trip may look short on the map but with traffic it might be quite long time wise.
Where to Stay West of the Nile
There aren’t a huge number of options for accommodation out here. And what is available is mostly guest houses – I’d recommend looking at Seror Guest House, which is very close to the horseback riding in the area and looks out on pyramids (not the great pyramids) and offers comfortable lodging and excellent service.
What to Do West of the Nile
I’m not recommending you go out to the middle of nowhere Cairo for no reason whatsoever. There are horses out here. And it’s where I went horseback riding. You can read more about the specific spot I went and how to book with them here.
But I promise you it’s a lovely area — and a really undiscovered area. Even if you just need a night’s escape from the bustle of Cairo, this is an awesome option that doesn’t require some epic road trip through Egypt. It’s just a place to relax in the quiet of the desert nights, amongst pyramids and quiet.
Discover more to do on the Nile:
Hurghada
Hurghada is a town located on the Red Sea coast in Egypt. Hurghada is quite popular among tourists for its stunning beaches, coral reefs, and lovely scenery.
How to get from Cairo to Hurghada
Flying from Cairo to Hurghada International Airport is the most convenient option and only takes about 1 – 1.5 hours.
Alternatively, taking a bus takes around 6 – 8 hours depending on traffic. If you like road trips, you can also consider renting a car to drive to Hurghada. This trip will take about 4 – 5 hours.
Where to Stay in Hurghada
Stay at the Steigenberger Aldau Beach Hotel, located in Sakkala — the downtown area of Hurghada. This hotel not only offers a central location but also a beautiful, vast outdoor pool and gorgeous rooms. You can also book all-inclusive stays here.
What to do in Hurghada
Hurghada has gorgeous coral reefs and rich marine life. It is a must-do in your 7 days Egyptian itinerary. You can go snorkeling to explore the Red Sea or take part in other water activities like windsurfing, kiteboarding, or parasailing.
Visit El Dahar, the old town of Hurghada, to explore its traditional markets (souks). Here you can buy local handicrafts, spices, and other gifts.
You can also go on a desert safari from Hurghada to witness the majestic Egyptian deserts. Go quad biking if you are seeking adventure or take a boat trip to Giftun Islands for a fun day at the beach.
Recommended By: Lavina D’Souza, Continent Hop
Discover more to do in Hurghada:
Luxor
Luxor is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Egypt. It is highly recommended to spend at least two days in Luxor in order to see the city as well as to explore the Valley of the Kings.
How to Get from Cairo to Luxor
Getting to Luxor is very easy, with plenty of daily flights run by Egypt Air, from Cairo. You can also take the night train from Cairo, which will arrive in Luxor in the morning and take about ten hours. The train is comfortable and dinner is included in the price of the ticket which is about $90 for a bed in a shared cabin.
Where to Stay in Luxor
A great place to stay in Luxor, if you are not on a cruise, is the Sofitel Winter Palace. The hotel is housed in a 19th century building and is nothing short of stunning. The entire estate is grand and the rooms are lavishly decorated. The outdoor pool is a great escape from the heat.
What to Do in Luxor
Luxor is divided between the East and the West of the Nile. The city itself is in the east. Here you will find the Karnak Temple and the Luxor Temple. Plan to take your time to explore them as they are both quite big. Start your second day with a hot air balloon flight at sunrise. Then, head over to the Valley of the Kings, on the West Bank of the Nile. The ticket you’ll get there includes access to three different tombs, which you can choose from the ones open on the day you visit (there are a total of 63 tombs on the complex). To see Tutankhamun’s tomb you have to pay extra. On the West Bank don’t miss the Temple of Hatshepsut — the woman who ruled as a king.
Recommended by: Joanna Davis, The World in My Pocket
Discover more to do in Luxor:
There is so much to do in Egypt, and as you can see, it’s not all just in Cairo! Enjoy exploring more of the country on a weekend away. I’d love to hear where you went and what you thought of it. And if you have any questions, always feel free to stick them in the comments. I was pleasantly surprised by my time in Egypt and I hope you will be too!
