The Timeless Charm of Cairo: Why Tourists Should Extend Their Stay

From the timeless Pharaonic Pyramids of Giza to the historic walled city of Old Cairo with its ancient cobbled streets and well-preserved structures dating back to the 9th century, from the sacred Cavern in Coptic Cairo, where the Holy Family found refuge during their escape to Egypt, to the intriguing ‘Church that moved,‘ from the hidden histories of Muhammad Ali and his dynasty to the Citadel constructed under the rule of Salah al-Din (Saladin), Cairo is a city so enchanting that one could reside here for a lifetime and still not uncover all its captivating charms.

Ready to experience the treasures of Cairo without the stress of planning?  Let’s exchange some emails and work together to create your perfect itinerary.

I know many foreigners living here who have never explored and haven’t a clue about the treasures they regularly drive past.  Following the debacle that began on January 25, 2011, I personally spent the better part of a year—indeed, two years—walking the streets of Cairo without the benefit of Google Maps, finding and researching treasures I never knew existed, and many of the stories associated with those places are extremely difficult to unearth.  Yet I still barely scratched the surface of what is Cairo.

After several years of on-and-off researching, I had only just organized our first tour of some of the new sites in 2019 for a guest who was happy to be my test subject, and then in 2020 the world shut down.  It is only now that I can return to showing those sites.  Indeed, I haven’t had time yet to write about many of them or even put the tours to those amazing places on the website, but they are coming.

Sadly, many of our guests have only a limited stay of two or three nights in Cairo.  Moreover, a significant number of our guests are visiting Egypt for the first time.  To ensure they can make the most of their visit, discover the essential attractions, and truly relax on their trip, I have put together a special introductory 3-night Cairo itinerary

Basic 3 night Cairo Itinerary

All tours include the egyptologist guide, car/driver and entry tickets.  To maximise the use of your time in Cairo, you could perhaps arrive in the afternoon or evening.  Trying to cram in a tour in the afternoon after travelling from early morning can be just to draining, especially in the chaos of Cairo.

Recommended Extra Tours in Cairo:

Want to add extra tours or customize your days?  Just send me an email and I’ll help you design the most memorable Cairo experience.  I will help you to get better value for your money by combining visits to more than one site per day.   It is not the number of sites that are included in a day that can be tiring – it’s more the scheduling of the wrong sites into the same day that leaves tourists exhausted and frustrated.

If you wish me to quote you for hotels in Cairo – the following are the main ones I deal with.

  • Steigenberger in Tahrir Sq.
  • Marriott in Zamalek
  • Sofitel El Gezira
  • Ritz Carlton
  • Hilton Nile Tower

This is just the suggestion for the most basic of Cairo sightseeing – lets chat about your preferences and interests, and what you can see in the time you have in Cairo.  I am happy to work with you in creating your best experience.

To avoid duplication and because 99% of our guests also take our accommodation at Mara House, in addition to our Tours in Luxor and Cairo, you will find guest comments on our 3-night itinerary in Cairo on the Mara House Luxor page


Mara - Mara House Luxor

Meet Mara

Hi, I’m Mara — the heart behind Mara House Luxor.
Over twenty years ago, I came to Egypt on an ordinary tour. It was enjoyable… but while it was not a deep, soul-stirring journey, I felt like I had come home. So I returned — and over time I created the kind of memorable experiences for you that I should have had first time.

What makes me different?
I don’t just want you to see Egypt — I want you to feel it, but even I am still learning. Through my blog and in person, I tell the stories behind the stones, so you can imagine the real people who once lived here, walked these temple floors, and shaped this extraordinary land. No made-up tales, no polished-over legends — just truth, heart, and a little magic.

Together with my small Egyptian team, I create honest, personal, unforgettable journeys — whether you’re here for a few days at Mara House or travelling across the country with us.

If you’d like help planning a meaningful and worry-free stay in Egypt, just drop me an email — I respond personally:
📧 maraegypt@gmail.com