What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary

If you only have seven days to spend in Egypt, you’re going to have to start working hard. Fortunately, if you’re happy to go sightseeing, you can see an incredible amount in just one week. From unmissable historical sites like the pyramids, tombs and ancient temples, to natural wonders, including world-class diving, canyons and a climb of Mount Sinai (Moses Mountain), this itinerary will guarantee you the trip of a lifetime. 

If you need to ask about what to see in Egypt in 7 days. We will give every traveler a wonderful week in all the beautiful cities of Egypt, such as Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria. 7 days in Egypt is a great way to spend a week exploring Egypt’s amazing history and culture.

The Great Pyramids of Giza, the Saladin Citadel in Cairo, the Egyptian Museum, Khan Al-Khalili Market, the Catacombs, the Pompey Column, the Qaitbay Citadel, the Karnak Temple Complex, the Abu Simbel Temple, the Philae Temple, the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and you. I’m going to Luxor, which has nearly a third of the world’s monuments.

You will enjoy day tours to Luxor, the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu, and Aswan tours where you will see beautiful temples and archaeological sites, as well as the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings which are visited by millions of tourists who experience Egypt in 7 days. The best way to make your 7-day Egypt tour even more magical is to take a cruise on the Nile River through Upper Egypt or do fun water activities like snorkeling and diving in the Red Sea.

Here we leave you some of the most recommended about what to see in Egypt in 7 days with the best reviews to spend a few days in Egypt:

It depends on what you like best, of course, and on the time you have, which isn’t a lot but it’s not rare. A week in Egypt is ideal, and your trip will be unforgettable. Every traveler on one of our seven days in Egypt itinerary will stay in the most comfortable and unique hotels, eat in the best restaurants, and tour the best roads.

“Suggested itinerary for what to see in Egypt in 7 days:

Day 1: Cairo sightseeing (One of What you can See in Egypt in 7 days) 

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with traffic and chaos that will blow your mind. You will be impressed no matter what you see or what we tell you. It is interesting to see and feel.

What to do in Cairo for a day?

The other big question is this. On your first day in Cairo, we advise you to visit some of the city’s most important museums.

The Egyptian Museum: The Egyptian Museum includes a unique collection of more than 120,000 works of art dating back more than 3,500 years.

Saladin Al-Ayyubi Citadel: Saladin Al-Ayyubi Citadel is a castle built in 1176 AD, and from that time until 1860 AD it was the seat of government for a long time. You can also see the beautiful Muhammad Ali Mosque located in the castle. In the 1830s, the Mehmed Ali Mosque was built to look exactly like the Turkish Blue Mosque. It is called the “Alabaster Mosque” because it is made entirely of alabaster.

The Egyptian National Museum: The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is located in the center of Old Cairo, in the city of Fustat, which was the first capital of Egypt at the beginning of the Islamic era. Each traveler will be able to see a different number of artifacts that have been around for more than 4,500 years.

Khan Al Khalili Market: One of the oldest and most beautiful streets in the Middle East. It was built by the Fatimid Empire along with the city of Cairo in 970 

Day 2: Giza (another one of what to see in Egypt in 7 days)

Then move to Giza, where the three most famous pyramids in the world are located: the Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

The Three Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Valley Temple can be found within the Giza pyramid complex dating back to 2400 BC. The “Great Pyramid” of King Khufu is one of the monuments that can be found on the plateau.

This structure, which is 147 meters high and required approximately 2,300,000 stone blocks to build, is considered one of the oldest and largest monuments in the entire world.

The Magic Sphinx: The Great Sphinx was built to be the protector of the complex, and is also believed to be one of the oldest monuments in Egyptian history.

Valley Temple: Valley Temple is the place where the ancient Egyptians performed the famous mummification process.

Then visit the Saqqara area, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser is located. This pyramid is of great importance because it was the first model for all the pyramids that came after it. Then there was Memphis, the city of Memphis was the ancient capital of Egypt and was also a very important center throughout Egypt’s history, and the Dahshur Pyramids are attractive because their tops are oval. In the same area there is the Red Pyramid, which was given this name due to the color of the stones that make up it.

Days 3: Alexandria ( what to see in Egypt in 7 days)

Alexandria is one of the places to see in Egypt. Here’s what to do in Alexandria in one day:

Alexandria National Museum: The museum is located in the palace of Governor Al-Saad Basili, which was built in 1926. It is a white Italian palace and was a meeting place for the upper class of Egyptians in Alexandria. The museum is divided into three floors, and on each of them a period of history is narrated.

Library of Alexandria: In 1987, a new library was designed to honor this knowledge and cultural center. The new Library of Alexandria was promoted by UNESCO and supported financially by other countries. It was opened in 2002.

Archaeological Site of Kom el-Dikka: This is an archaeological excavation of a residential area from the Greco-Roman era. Through excavation, parts of this neighborhood can be distinguished: baths, cisterns, some villas, and even a small amphitheater. Secret: If you stand in the middle of the amphitheater and talk, you’ll see its excellent acoustics.

Pompey’s column: The column is located in the Alexandria Archaeological Park. In this place was the Temple of Serapius, a sanctuary for the worship of Serapis. Serapis was a Greek-Egyptian god declared by Ptolemy I as the patron of Alexandria and the official god of Egypt and Greece. The column is made of red granite from Aswan and is about 30 meters high.

Qaitbay Citadel: Qaitbay Citadel is a defensive fortress built in the 15^th century (very modern if we compare it to all the monuments we are talking about). It is located on the island of Faroe in the harbour. In 1477, Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qayt Bey ordered the construction of this castle as part of his defense project against the ottoman Empire, which was threatening the country.

Days 4: Luxor (what to see in Egypt in 7 days)

Luxor is one of the stops that you should include in your itinerary through Egypt because it is one of the most interesting places in the country. It has many sites, temples, tombs and museums where you can expand your knowledge of ancient Egypt.

What can you see in Luxor?

Karnak Temple: In its day, the Karnak temple became the most important religious complex in Egypt. It was the largest temple in the country and was expanded over the years and different pharaohs made their modifications and added new buildings and small temples dedicated to other gods.

Luxor Temple: which is located in the heart of the city, is the Luxor Temple. The temple was dedicated to the god Amun Ra, the god of the sky, the sun, and the origin of life. Just like Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple also contains buildings from different periods ordered by different pharaohs and constructions dedicated to different gods.

Valley of the Kings: Visiting the Valley of the Kings is one of the things you can do in Luxor without a doubt. It is one of the most impressive places in Luxor and Egypt. An entire valley between the mountains is full of tombs carved into the rock. Pharaohs were buried here during the New Kingdom era when Egypt’s capital was Thebes (now Luxor).

Hatshepsut Mortuary Temple: Hatshepsut is considered one of the best temples in Egypt. It is very close to the Valley of the Kings, and is part of the Nile Cruise activities, so it is undoubtedly one of the essential things to do in Luxor.

It Is a completely different temple from the others, divided into three levels and dedicated to Hatshepsut, the only woman to rule alone for 21 years. Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple was carved from stone and surrounded by mountains.

The Colossi of Memnon: Although it is colossi, it goes unnoticed and is surrounded by many temples and tombs in Luxor. But these two giant stone statues are one of the must-see things in Luxor on your way through the city. They represent Pharaoh Amenhotep III sitting with his hands on his knees and looking at the Nile River.

On your day in Luxor, wake up early and watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings. It’s something you’ll never forget. When you’re ready, board the ship on the Nile River, which will be your home for the next few days.

Days 5&6 Aswan ( what to see in Egypt in 7 days)

Aswan is considered one of the best tourist places that attracts many tourists. It include historical landmarks and you can also enjoy the pure Nile River and charming landscapes. It also include bazaars to buy Pharaonic and Nubian gifts. There are many things to do in Aswan and many places to visit during your vacation.

Let yourself go, spend days wandering from temple to temple, and in the afternoon, there is nothing better than swimming in a pool and looking at the scenery on both sides of the Nile. The best thing about doing it this way, even if you’re not a very organized traveler, is that you don’t have to worry about logistics. Almost all visits come with a guide, which you’ll appreciate in a country with so much history.

Most cruises from Luxor to Aswan take 5 days/4 nights Nile Cruise, and cruises from Aswan to Luxor take only 4 days/3 nights. The best thing to do is make sure you know where each person is taking you and what type of boat.

What you can see in Aswan?

Philae Temple: Eight kilometers south of Aswan is a temple complex on the island of Agilkia, which was originally on the island of Philae. The main building in the complex is the Ptolemaic temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, which is located in the center of the island. There are other small buildings around it built by different pharaohs at different times, so it is difficult to determine the exact date of the Philae complex.

Abu Simbel Temple :  is a complex of two ancient Egyptian temples that were carved out of the rock on the west bank of the Nile during the rule of Ramses II (1279-1213 BC). Situated in Nubia, 285 km south of Aswan, near the modern border between Egypt and Sudan. The Temple was stir from its original place so as not to disappear under water due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Abu Simbel is popular for its colossal statues of Ramses II and Nefertari and its sun celebration on October 22 and February 22.

The Unfinished Obelisk of Aswan: It is located about 600 meters southeast of the Nubian Museum, in the middle of an old quarry. In the Eighteenth Dynasty, during the reign of Hatshepsut, this obelisk was built, which was later abandoned without being completed. It is considered the tallest obelisk in ancient Egypt. It is 40 meters long and weighs 1,200 tons. It is made of red granite that made highlights Aswan. Because of the obelisk, this quarry is now an open-air museum.

Aswan Museum: Located in the southeast of Elephantine Island. It was opened in 1912. This museum displays artifacts that were rescued from the flooding of the Nile after the construction of the Aswan Dam. In the 1990s, it was expanded to display other objects found on Elephantine Island, in addition to other exhibits showing the daily life of the city, and its cultural and religious development over the centuries.

The Monastery of San Simeon: The monastery, which emerged at the end of the 6^th century or the 7^th century, was initially made up of caves with paintings. It became important in the 9^th century and some constructions were made. In the 10^th century, it had 1,000 monks. It was enlarged in the eleventh century and lost importance. Its main buildings are well preserved.

The Aswan Necropolis of Qubbet El Hawa: Qubbet el-Hawa is a 130-metre-high rocky mountain located in front of the modern city. This mountain contains three rows of 80 tombs of nobles dating back to the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, the New Kingdom, and the Greco-Roman Empire. Most of the tombs date back to the twenty-sixth and twenty-second dynasties.

Nubian Village: It is a site of colorful houses where you can experience the life and legacy of Nubian culture.

The Nubian Museum: The museum was opened in 1998 and was designed by architect Mohammed Al-Hakim. It is a building from a collection of 5,000 pieces that illustrate the history and culture of Nubia, in addition to some antiquities that were saved from the flooding of the Nile after the construction of the High Dam. The Fatimid cemetery in Aswan, which extends between the Nubian Museum and the unfinished obelisk quarries. The oldest cemetery dates back to the 9^th century. There are some well-preserved small buildings with vaulted ceilings, but most of the tombs are in poor condition.

Activities in Aswan

Aswan is full of activities that can be done during the day or at night. This city has its own character and is famous for its tranquility, unlike the ancient historical cities of Egypt. Some of their activities; 

Felucca in Aswan: Ride the Nile River by felucca to one of Aswan’s islands, enjoying the view of the Nile at sunset or the shop. 

Wandering around Aswan Market: It is one of the tourist places in the city. In addition to Nubian products, there are other traditional Egyptian products such as spices, clothes and souvenirs.

Sound and Light Show in Philae: It is a beautiful show in Egypt, where the gods and goddesses tell their stories and myths, in addition to the famous myth of Isis and Osiris that happened in Philae.

Day 7: Departure day 

By ending what you can see in Egypt in 7 days you should flight to Cairo then go to Cairo international Airport to travel to your destination.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: FAQs

 

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for a First-Time Visitor?

For a first-time visitor, the “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” should include Cairo, Giza, Luxor, and Aswan. This itinerary covers iconic landmarks such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, the Valley of the Kings, and a Nile River cruise.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for History Enthusiasts?

If you are a history enthusiast, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” would include the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and the ancient city of Thebes, with a focus on archaeological sites.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for a Cultural Experience?

For those seeking a cultural experience, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” might include a visit to local markets in Cairo, a traditional felucca ride on the Nile, and a trip to Nubian villages near Aswan to explore Egypt’s diverse cultural heritage.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary with a Nile Cruise?

“What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” with a Nile cruise includes starting in Luxor, visiting the Karnak Temple, cruising to Edfu and Kom Ombo, and finishing in Aswan to see the Philae Temple and the High Dam, offering a mix of relaxation and sightseeing.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for Adventure Seekers?

Adventure seekers might enjoy “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” that includes hot air ballooning over Luxor, snorkeling in the Red Sea near Hurghada, and exploring the desert landscapes of the Sinai Peninsula.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for Photography Lovers?

For photography lovers, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” should include sunrise at the Pyramids of Giza, sunset over the Nile in Luxor, the colorful bazaars of Cairo, and the stunning desert landscapes of the White Desert and Siwa Oasis.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for Relaxation?

If you’re looking for relaxation, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” could combine a few days exploring Cairo and Luxor’s historical sites with several days at a Red Sea resort like Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada, known for beautiful beaches and resorts.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for Families?

For families, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” might include the Pyramids of Giza, a visit to the Egyptian Museum, a leisurely Nile cruise, and a few days at a family-friendly resort in the Red Sea to enjoy both cultural and recreational activities.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for Food Lovers?

Food lovers might enjoy “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” that includes exploring Cairo’s street food, dining in traditional restaurants in Luxor, and trying fresh seafood in Alexandria, combined with visits to key historical sites.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary Including Alexandria?

If you want to include Alexandria, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” could start with the Pyramids of Giza and Cairo’s highlights, then head to Alexandria to explore the Catacombs, Qaitbay Citadel, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina before traveling to Luxor.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for a Luxurious Experience?

For a luxurious experience, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” might involve staying in top-tier hotels in Cairo, taking a luxury Nile cruise, and enjoying private guided tours of the Pyramids, the temples of Luxor, and the Aswan High Dam.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for Budget Travelers?

Budget travelers can follow “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” by focusing on affordable accommodations, using public transport, and visiting key attractions like the Pyramids, Karnak Temple, and the Egyptian Museum with budget-friendly tours and meals.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for Couples?

Couples might prefer “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” that includes romantic experiences like a sunset felucca ride on the Nile, a private tour of the Pyramids, and a few days relaxing at a beach resort on the Red Sea.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for a Short Trip?

If you have limited time, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” should focus on the highlights: 2 days in Cairo for the Pyramids and the Museum, 2 days in Luxor for the temples and the Valley of the Kings, and 2 days in Aswan or on a Nile cruise.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary Including the Desert?

“What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” could include a desert adventure by spending a day or two exploring the White Desert or the Sinai Peninsula, combined with visits to Cairo and Luxor for a mix of nature and history.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for a Diverse Experience?

For a diverse experience, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” might include a mix of historical sites like the Pyramids and Luxor’s temples, cultural experiences in Cairo’s bazaars, and natural wonders like the Red Sea or the Western Desert.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for Art and Architecture Lovers?

Art and architecture lovers should follow “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” that includes the architectural marvels of the Pyramids, the intricate carvings of the temples in Luxor, and the Hellenistic influences in Alexandria’s catacombs and museum.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for Exploring Off the Beaten Path?

For those interested in lesser-known sites, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” could include visits to the Fayoum Oasis, the Temple of Dendera, and the less touristy areas of Aswan, providing a unique perspective on Egypt.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary for a Spiritual Journey?

“What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” for a spiritual journey might include the ancient temples of Luxor and Karnak, a visit to the sacred sites of the Coptic Christians in Cairo, and a trip to Mount Sinai, believed to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary Including Luxor and Aswan?

If Luxor and Aswan are your main focus, “What To See in Egypt in 7 Days: Best Itinerary” could start with the must-see sites in Cairo, followed by extensive exploration of Luxor’s temples and tombs, and ending with a relaxing few days in Aswan, visiting the Philae Temple and taking a felucca ride on the Nile.