From the banks of the River Nile to the Mediterranean Shores

Morning: Spend time with the Pharaohs at the 5,000-year old Great Pyramids and discover where royal life began with a tour of its interiors, before visiting the Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum. While at the Pyramids, choose to travel around the wonder by camel or horseback. Then take a trip to the Grand Egyptian Museum – the world’s largest – and marvel at the treasures of King Tut and an astounding collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities, totaling over 160,000 items (currently in soft opening, official opening late 2023).

Tip: On your way back, witness papyrus creation first-hand and even ask the artist to paint your name in hieroglyphics, or discover the alluring scents of handmade fragrances that are encased in handcrafted glass bottles and finished with authentic designs.

Afternoon: Before leaving the Pyramids, enjoy lunch at Khufu Restaurant and marvel at the magical backdrop. Then, just steps from the Hotel, sail down the world's longest river on a sunset felucca ride, as Cairo’s most iconic landmarks become the backdrop for your trip.

Tip: To enhance the experience, why not order a picnic basket from the Hotel concierge?

Evening: Stroll through Moez Street, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s 1,000-year-old market. From historical architecture to colourful handcrafted souvenirs and authentic nooks, experience the essence of Old Cairo before visiting the authentic Naguib Mahfouz, the best place to savour Egyptian cuisine while surrounded by heritage.

Morning: Explore the many religious traditions of Old Cairo, while touring spectacular historic buildings, including the Muhammad Ali Mosque, the Hanging Church (with the largest collection of Coptic Christian artifacts in the world), as well as the Jewish Synagogue.

Afternoon: Visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization – the only museum in Egypt showcasing the different historical periods of Egypt and housing 22 royal mummies from the ancient kings and queens of Egypt, including King Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut.

Evening: Spend a night at the Cairo Opera House, home to the largest international and national names, with first-class productions of ballet, operatic and symphonic works.

Morning: Uncover the modern Royal era at many of Cairo’s fascinating museums and palaces. From the masterpieces at Princess Aisha Fahmy Palace and the luxurious Manial Palace and Mohamed Aly Palace that tell the story of botanical eloquence and architectural grandeur, to the Abdeen Palace and Baron Palace, spend the morning delighting in unforgettable stories from Cairo’s more recent past.

Evening: For art lovers, take in the paintings and sculptures at the must-see Zamalek Art Gallery – just 15 minutes from the Hotel. On your way back, embark on a night tour of downtown Cairo to explore the many stories behind the historic buildings and their rich architecture.

From the banks of the Nile in Cairo, let our Four Seasons concierge team arrange a trip with a personal guide to discover the other side of the Nile at Luxor and Aswan. Whether on a day trip or a full cruise to both destinations, discover the mysteries of these ancient cities that are home to one-third of the world’s historic monuments.

Morning: Visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a historic archaeological site that dates back to the second century and is the world’s largest Roman cemetery, consisting of three levels cut into the rock. One of the seven wonders of the Middle Ages and holding over 300 mummies, it was dug at a depth of 35 metres (114.8 feet), with walls depicting scenes from ancient civilizations. Marvel at Pompey’s Pillar, an ancient landmark that rose above the ruins of the city in the form of a 30-metre (98-foot) stone Roman monument. Then visit The Roman Amphitheatre, built in the fourth-century BC and home to the remains of the ancient city of Alexandria during the Roman Period.

Afternoon: Embark on a tour of where the legendary Pharos Lighthouse once stood – the Citadel Qaitbay. The 15th-century landmark is a naval museum with lookout towers and a unique collection of weapons. Then for a panoramic culinary experience, visit the Greek Club and enjoy authentic cuisine with picturesque views of the Mediterranean.

Evening: Take in the Cathedral of Evangelismos, built in 1847 by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, Hierotheus II of Alexandria, with imposing aesthetics composed of intricately-designed depictions of biblical events on stained glass that invoke emotions of splendour. 

Morning: Journey back to the Royal era at the Royal Jewelry Museum. With hand-painted masterpieces in the form of gilded ceilings and mosaics, the museum is filled to the brim with display boxes showcasing the personal belongings of King Farouk and the Royal Family. Visit the National Museum of Alexandria, which holds more than 1,800 archaeological pieces exhibited chronologically from one floor to the next. The pieces narrate the story of Alexandria through different ages, with a focus on Prehistoric and Pharaonic times, as well as the Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras with artefacts raised during underwater excavations.

Afternoon: A must-see landmark is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, one of the world’s most important cultural centres, with space for over eight million books and a main reading room that covers 220,000 sq. ft. (2,368 sq. m.) The impressive complex is home to four museums, 15 permanent art galleries, a planetarium and a manuscript restoration laboratory.

Evening: Spend time at the Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas Mosque, Alexandria’s largest mosque composed of four great domes, a colonnade of elongated arches, eight monolithic granite columns and a tall minaret – all influenced by Egypt's arabesque architecture. Then marvel at The Cathedral Saint Mark (aka Morcosia), founded in 42 AD by Saint Mark, one of the 70 disciples chosen by Jesus Christ to bring Christianity to the world. It’s the oldest church in Africa and features beautifully lit icons, sculptures and mosaics.