EGYPT – Amazing Things To See In Cairo In A Day!

Welcome to Egypt, the land of the famous pyramids! Spending a day in Cairo offers a unique and exciting experience. From the towering temples of Karnak to the cryptic tombs of the Valley of the Kings, adventure awaits in the desert’s golden sands.

My mum and I embarked on an unforgettable journey to Hurghada, Egypt. We immersed ourselves in this captivating country’s vibrant culture and stunning landscapes. Although we stayed in Hurghada, we couldn’t resist visiting the pyramids! So, we spent a day in Cairo and Luxor from Hurghada, complete with flights and a private guide, to experience the excitement firsthand.

In this blog, I’ll share the top attractions to explore during your day in Cairo. Prepare for an adventure filled with history, culture, and unforgettable memories!

If you want to go on a solo trip but are unsure where to start, the Female Solo Travel Ebook covers everything you need to know for an epic solo adventure!

Quick Links

Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links. If you purchase any cool products or experiences through these links, I may earn a little something as a thank you. There is no extra cost to you, promise!

Day Tours In Cairo

A full-day tour is a perfect way to explore Cairo in a single day. Most tours have knowledgeable guides who will accompany you and ensure your safety as you visit the main attractions. For a more personalized experience, opt for a private guided tour focusing on your interests and pace.

If I had visited Egypt as a solo traveller, I would have chosen the Female Guided Tour for my day in Cairo. This tour is specially designed for solo female travellers, couples, and families, offering a comfortable and enjoyable experience with a female guide.

Other Day Tous

Start the day at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, a big museum with lots to take in. It has an enormous collection of mummies, coffins, old belongings, and stones. The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities also has the most extensive collection of Pharaonic antiquities worldwide and is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East.

Entrance to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities

Although there were many tour groups inside, the museum was relatively unbusy, as it was spacious. Our guide was brilliant, pacing herself through her knowledge and stories of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities while looking at the many exhibits.

Displays inside the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities

My favourite display was the silver and gold tombs belonging to Tut-Ank-Amun. However, pictures were prohibited, so I couldn’t capture these impressive tombs. Take it from me: Both were extraordinary to witness!

We spent 75 minutes exploring the museum’s two floors. It is easy to lose track of time, so spend your time wisely and see everything in proportion. Once we had seen enough of the museum, we headed for lunch in a restaurant on the River Nile.

More featured collections inside the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities

Visit the restaurant at Pier 88, situated on the River Nile, offering breathtaking views of the river while surrounded by boats. Whether taking a stroll or hopping aboard a boat cruise, Pier 88 provides a glimpse into the vibrant heart of Eygpt’s culture and history; include it on your list of things to see.

Immerse yourself in the sights and flavours of this iconic riverside restaurant, allowing the atmosphere to speak volumes.

Pier 88 restaurant and the delicious desserts they served

We had the opportunity to do a boat cruise on the River Nile; however, as we had this already included in our other tour, a trip to Luxor, we declined. But I recommend doing a boat tour on the River Nile on your day in Cairo; it’s such a bucket list thing to experience as it is one of two of the longest rivers in the world!

Also, if you’re spending the evening in Cairo by the River Nile, you should check out the dinner cruise with evening entertainment. Now that looks super fun and has epic reviews!

Great Pyramids Of Giza

Prepare to be blown away by the pyramids. These epic structures are like giant sandcastles in the desert but way cooler! Some pyramids were built around 4,500 years ago, and speculations on how they were formed are still debated today. It’s such a mystery; the rocks are humungous!

You’ll see the pointed structure in the distance fifteen minutes before reaching the pyramids. Arriving at the pyramids is such a SURREAL experience. I now understand why there are many theories about how they were formed!

My mum and I celebrated witnessing the pyramids

Standing in front of the pyramids was quite something. Like most people, I had only seen them in pictures, but to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World up close was a true dream turned into reality, and it was a big tick on my bucket list of things to see in the world.

Remember to bring some petty cash as an entry inside the pyramid is omitted and costs £3 – £14, depending on which one of the pyramids you choose. According to our guide, the two are similar, so we opted for the second pyramid for £3.

The entrance to this pyramid is underground, with steep steps leading down to the centre. Given its compact interior, those with claustrophobia may find this experience less enjoyable. However, you don’t get to complete your bucket list of things to see in the world every day. So, go for it!

There was little to see inside the pyramid, but touching the walls and being able to claim you’ve been inside a pyramid is pretty cool. Also, using your phone’s flash on your camera while taking pictures is forbidden, so switch your flash off.

Once you reappear outside, you can take a thrilling ride on the camels or horses to cruise around the pyramids. Did you know there are nine pyramids located in this area? Try to spot them as you roam around these iconic pyramids on your new mode of transport.

Horses and camels to take you around the pyramid

Great Sphinx Of Giza

Near the pyramids, the Great Sphinx of Giza is one of ancient Egypt’s most renowned and recognizable statues. It resembles a lion with the head of an Egyptian King and was created to guard the pyramids.

Admire the Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza represents a powerful sun god, Ra-Horakhty. Some say it guards the pyramids, while others think it has mystical secrets beneath its paws. The Great Sphinx of Giza looked epic with the pyramid backdrop; what amazing things to see, ey?

Travelling alone but feeling nervous? The How To Travel Solo Ebook has tips for planning safe, confident, and unforgettable adventures!

Papyrus Arts & Crafts in Cairo

Eygpt is famously home to some fantastic papyrus arts and crafts made from papyrus plants. The papyrus plant can make many items, such as sails, cloth, mats, cords and paper. Watching how they used the papyrus was pretty cool; this should definitely be on your list of things to see in your day in Cairo.

Here are the easy step-by-step instructions on how they use the papyrus; it was fun to witness:

Step-by-step of how to make papyrus paper

We also admired the artwork on the walls, which offered opportunities to barter and purchase. It was fascinating to see the art on the paper change once the lights were off, so it was like two paintings in one.

There are a few shops in Egypt that sell government-approved oils. These oils are popular in Egypt and are used mainly for rubbing into the skin. However, as the oils don’t contain alcohol, they can also be applied in other ways, such as diffusing and inhaling, to clear blocked throats and chesty coughs.

We chose to purchase a pretty cool pack of four oils, which we loved the smell of. Back in the UK, the scents lasted 6-8 hours at any given time.

This was all we had time for during our day in Cairo, but we were super pleased to see the best of it! We returned to the airport to catch our flight to Hurghada.

A tiny plane to fly us from and back to Hurghada

That’s A Wrap!