The 5 best day trips from Cairo

Nestled on the banks of the timeless Nile, Cairo is a city that pulsates with vibrant energy and an intriguing blend of ancient history and modern allure. While the capital of Egypt is teeming with iconic museums and fascinating sites, venturing beyond its borders unveils a world of hidden treasures. Here are the five best day trips from Cairo.

#1 Explore the Pyramids of Giza and the tombs of Saqqara

The only survivors among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza (called al-Ahram in Arabic) are the most famous symbol of Egypt. Among other best things to do in Egypt are the Step Pyramid and the decorated tombs of Saqqara, all accessible on an easy day trip from central Cairo.

You will need a full day to tour Giza, Memphis, and Saqqara. It can be worth spending some time trying to understand the importance of the locations on the west bank before seeing the sites themselves. It is also important to plan your visit. If you want to enter the Great Pyramid of Khufu, for example, you need to get there early, as numbers are restricted (tickets are sold from 8 am each day).

The most striking aspect of the Pyramids of Giza is their size. But even with all the facts and figures, it is still hard to believe that these ancient structures remain in such a good state of preservation.

Saqqara lies on the desert plateau about 3km (1.75 miles) west of Memphis. This vast cemetery, which spans a period from the 27th century BC to the 10th century AD, is possibly named after Sokar, the god of the burial sites.

A welcome addition to the site is the modern Imhotep Museum, which opened in 2006 in an attempt to redistribute many of the treasures in the Egyptian Museum to more relevant locations.

How to get to the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara

• From central Cairo, take a taxi or use a ride-hailing app like Uber or Careem. The trip to Giza takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.
• For Saqqara, it’s easiest to hire a driver for the day or join a guided tour, as public transport doesn’t go all the way to the site. It’s about an hour southwest of central Cairo.
• Avoid arriving by public minibus, unless you’re confident navigating chaotic local stops and walking the final stretch in desert heat.
• Many accommodations in Cairo can arrange day tours that cover Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis in one go – an efficient way to see it all without logistical headaches.
• Get there early, especially for the Great Pyramid. Entry tickets sell out fast, and it gets sweltering by midday.

#2 Seek out the Black and Bent Pyramids of Dahshur

The peace and quiet beauty of the palm groves around Dahshur, 35km (22 miles) south of Cairo, has attracted many of the cap’s professional class, who have built rural retreats here. The most pleasant time of year to visit the site is mid-winter, when a lake forms within an artificial embankment below the Black Pyramid.

Built of brick but unused by Amenemhet III (1842-1797 BC), one of Egypt’s most colourful kings, the dark colour that gives it its name arises from the fact that it has been systematically stripped of its original white limestone covering. The view of the pyramid across the lake is one of the most charming in Egypt, and well worth the drive from Cairo. This is one of the best tours in Egypt.

There are two other 12th Dynasty pyramids here, another from the 13th Dynasty, and a third not yet identified. Most striking, however, are two 4th-Dynasty pyramids, built by Snefru (2613-2589 BC). The southernmost of the two is the third-largest pyramid in Egypt and is easily distinguished, standing about 300 metres further into the desert, beyond the Pyramid of Amenem-het III, not only by its bulk but by its shape, which has led to it being called the Bent Pyramid.

The 54-degree slope of its sides changes halfway up to an angle of 43 degrees, for reasons that may be rooted in religious symbolism, or may simply be because it had to be finished in a hurry. In 2019, the Bent Pyramid was opened to the public for the first time since 1965. You can now climb down a 79-metre (260ft)-long tunnel to reach two inner chambers.

How to get to Dahshur

• The easiest way to reach Dahshur is by private car or taxi. The drive from Cairo takes around an hour.
• Ride-hailing apps like Uber or Careem don’t always serve the Dahshur area reliably, so confirm with your driver before setting off.
• There’s no direct public transport to Dahshur. The closest you’ll get is the town of Badrashin, but from there, it’s a long and uncertain walk or a pricey local taxi ride through desert roads.
• Many day tours from Cairo include Dahshur as part of a package with Saqqara and Giza. This is the most hassle-free way to see all three pyramid sites in one day.
• Go early or late in the day for the best light and fewer crowds – and bring water and sun protection. There’s little shade on site.

#3 Explore the ancient city of Memphis

The most important of Cairo’s predecessors was the city of Memphis, founded by Narmer (also known as Menes), traditionally regarded as the first king of the 1st Dynasty, and said to have been the first to unite both Upper and Lower Egypt. The city was built on land reclaimed from the Nile in about 3100 BC and lies 24km (15 miles) by road south of Cairo on the western side of the Nile. If you’re planning an Egypt itinerary that digs into the country’s ancient roots, Memphis is a must-see stop just outside the capital.

The ruins of Memphis surround the village of Mit Rahinah, which derives its name from a temple of Mithras built here under the Romans, long after the days of the city’s greatest glory, when the cult of Ptah was worshipped here at a temple adorned by huge statues. But even when power was transferred to Thebes, Memphis remained an important city.

Among the things to see at Memphis are the Alabaster Sphinx and one of Ramesses’ two colossi. The legs of this statue have been eroded, but the upper body, head and arms are beautifully carved and adorned with the king’s cartouche; the workmanship can be appreciated at close quarters. Start early and it's possible to visit both Memphis and Dahshur.

How to get to Memphis

• By car or taxi, Memphis is around a 45-minute drive from central Cairo. It’s best to go early to avoid traffic and midday heat.
• There’s no direct public transport to the site. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a microbus to Mit Rahinah, but you’ll still need to walk or catch a tuk-tuk from there.
• Private tours often combine Memphis with Saqqara and Dahshur in a half- or full-day itinerary – an efficient way to cover multiple sites.
• Bring cash for the entry ticket and small tips – card payment isn’t usually accepted here.
• Wear sturdy shoes – the ground around the ruins can be uneven, dusty, and hot.

#4 Chill out at Alexandria

A visit to Alexandria, even if only for a day, is the perfect counterbalance to the intensity of Cairo. With its string of beaches and Mediterranean outlook, Alexandria is much more laid-back and a good place to relax. Here, the Nile is no longer the lifeblood of the community; instead, the Mediterranean Sea and its maritime influences hold sway.

Even though it was an important centre of the Hellenistic civilisation and the capital of Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine Egypt for almost 1,000 years – making it the most renowned city of the ancient world after Athens and Rome – sadly there is very little left of the buildings and monuments that graced the city during these periods.

A good place to begin unravelling Alexandria’s past is the Alexandria National Museum, which is set in a fine Italian-style villa. The museum illustrates the city’s history with beautifully displayed and labelled artefacts from various eras.

The extensive excavations of Kom Al Dikka are worth visiting too. The main attraction is the small 2nd-century amphitheatre with marble terrace seating and well-preserved mosaic flooring, and some fine mosaic floors of a Roman villa.

Stay until sunset to photograph the Citadel of Qaitbay, a lighthouse constructed in 279 BC that's considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Just before dusk, the warm reds and oranges of an Alexandrian sunset turn the sandstone building the colour of rich honey.

How to get to Alexandria

• By train is the most popular and scenic option. Trains run regularly from Cairo’s Ramses Station and take around 2.5 to 3 hours. Opt for a first-class seat if available – it’s not expensive and far more comfortable.
• By car or taxi, the journey takes about 2.5 hours via the Desert Road or slightly longer on the more scenic Agricultural Road.
• Avoid taking a minibus unless you’re used to the local system – there’s no schedule, little comfort, and the route isn’t tourist-friendly.
• If you’re short on time, some tour companies offer day trips with hotel pickup and drop-off. These often include key sites like the Catacombs, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Qaitbay.
• Bring a jacket or light layer – the coastal breeze can surprise you, even in warmer months.

#5 Visit an oasis at Faiyum

Sprouting from the west bank of the Nile like a tender leaf, Faiyum (also spelt Fayoum), some 100km (62 miles) southwest of Cairo, is referred to by some as Egypt’s largest oasis. Others deny that it is an oasis at all, as it is fed not by springs but by the Bahr Yussef, an ancient Nile canal.

Faiyum’s greatest attraction is Lake Qarun. The western end, approaching through the villages of Sanhur and Ibshaway, is the more peaceful stretch. The village of Tunis, where artists from Cairo have built some beautiful houses, has a potters’ school and workshop started by the Swiss potter Evelyne Porret.

Past the eastern tip of the lake is Kom Aushim, or ancient Karanis. Dating from the Ptolemaic period are extensive ruins of a temple dedicated to the crocodile-headed god Sobek, a Serapis temple, and a later Roman temple to Zeus Amun. The Kom Aushim Museum is also here, displaying artefacts found in the Faiyum region, including a huge head of a Roman god, pottery, and coins.

How to get to Faiyum

• By car, it’s about a 1.5-2 hour drive from Cairo. The roads are paved, but signage can be erratic – download offline maps before you leave.
• Microbuses leave from Giza or El Mounib terminals, but they’re cramped and unpredictable. Don’t count on AC or fixed schedules.
• Best bet? Hire a driver for the day or book a tour that includes Lake Qarun and Tunis village. It gives you flexibility and cuts out the stress of navigating small roads and scattered sites.
• If you're planning to stay overnight, Tunis village has a few eco-lodges and charming guesthouses, but book ahead – weekends can fill up fast.
• Don’t forget snacks and water, especially if you're venturing out to Kom Aushim or the edge of Lake Qarun – facilities are scarce once you're out of the village areas.