Pyramid of Menkaure
Smallest of the three main Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.
Morning · 1 hr 30 minDay 1
The Giza plateau from morning to dusk
Pyramid of Khafre
Smooth-sided pyramid in Giza, Egypt.
Morning · 1 hr 30 min
Great Pyramid of Giza
Oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis; one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.
Entry to the interior is limited and often sells out early; sort the separate ticket first and take the descent in the cooler morning air.
Afternoon · 1 hr 30 min
The Great Sphinx
Ancient Egyptian monumental sculpture.
Evening · 1 hr 30 minOne ticket covers the plateau; entry to the Great Pyramid is a separate, limited booking, so settle that first. Water and sun protection matter even in November.
Day 2
Two museums and an evening mosque
Grand Egyptian Museum
Museum located in Giza, Egypt.
The Tutankhamun galleries are the centre of the collection; the older objects run in chronological order, so two hours pass quickly.
Morning · 2 hr
Egyptian Museum
Museum in Cairo.
Older, denser and less labelled than the Grand Egyptian Museum; arrive with a few specific pieces in mind and move from there.
Morning · 2 hr
Tahrir Square
Public town square in Downtown Cairo, Egypt.
A working square at the heart of downtown; the time here is short, so treat it as a pause between the two museums.
Afternoon · 45 min
al-Azhar Mosque
Mosque in Islamic Cairo, Egypt.
The courtyard is at its quietest in the evening. Cover shoulders and knees, and leave shoes at the entrance.
Evening · 45 minStart at the Grand Egyptian Museum, then move across to Tahrir; the two museums sit far apart, so the square makes a real pause between them.
Day 3
Saqqara, early mosques and the citadel
Pyramid of Djoser
Archeological site in Egypt.
The step pyramid is the centre of the wider Saqqara necropolis; the site spreads well beyond the pyramid itself, so a little extra time rewards.
Morning · 1 hr 30 min
Mosque of Amr ibn al-As
Mosque in Egypt.
The first mosque built in Egypt; a plain, early building and a calm stop between Saqqara and Ibn Tulun.
Morning · 45 min
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
Mosque in Cairo, Egypt.
Climb the spiral minaret for a wide view over Islamic Cairo; the mosque itself is a calm, open space worth a slow walk.
Afternoon · 45 min.jpg?width=800)
Cairo Citadel
Medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo, Egypt.
Arrive late enough to watch the light change over the city; the view from the walls is the reason to be here at dusk.
Evening · 1 hr 30 minSaqqara lies a drive south of Cairo, so set off early; the afternoon mosques and the citadel bring the day back into the city.
Good to know
Which pyramid can you go inside at Giza?
The Great Pyramid of Giza. Interior entry is a separate, limited ticket beyond the plateau pass, so it is worth booking or buying first thing in the day.
What is the difference between the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Egyptian Museum?
The Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza plateau holds the Tutankhamun collection in chronological galleries. The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir holds the older, historic collection in an early 1900s building.
What do you need to visit mosques in Cairo?
Covered shoulders and knees, and shoes removed at the door. A light scarf helps in a warm day; quiet, modest behaviour is expected inside.
Is Cairo worth visiting in November?
November is mild and comfortable, with lighter crowds at the main sites and evenings that suit the mosques and the citadel views built into this trip.
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