There’s nothing like a luxe trip to the Egyptian desert to disrupt your routine and broaden your horizons. This year, the country’s capital, Cairo, expanded its educational tour of the soon-to-be opened Egyptian Museum, becoming a must-visit city for art and history aficionados, including yours truly. Ahead, an editor’s guide to a weekend in Cairo—what to see, where to eat, and where to stay.
Khan el-Khalili bazaar
What to see
The Egyptian Museum: The museum, which is not fully opened as of August 2023, is home to a collection of over 120,000 ancient artifacts—the biggest collection of Egyptian antiquities in thee world. For now, it is offering tours of the gigantic open-air lobby; while the collection outside is not as broad as the one inside, the area is filled with large sculptures and historic artifacts.
Old Cairo: The historic area is Cairo’s oldest part of town and one of its most cultural. Among other things, it houses ancient religious buildings from the country’s three major faiths—Islam, Christianity, and Judaism—remains of Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo, and Roman-era structures that have been preserved.
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Al-Qarafa, or City of the Dead: You cannot miss Egypt’s necropolises. Though they are, in fact, burial grounds housing thousands of tombs, they are also incredible to see. The lands include grand, colorful, elaborate mausoleums honoring prominent members of society, next to more humble graves in a variety of architectural styles, built to look like small houses, for fallen members of the community.
Khan el Khalili Bazaar: Another must-see, the vibrant bazaar is the place to feel the vibration of the city, get to know the culture, and shop. I ended up purchasing a hand-crafted brass tea kettle that now decorates my New York City kitchen. (Pro tip: practice your haggling.)
Lotus Garden: To shop for the most pure essential oils and perfume oil blends, go here.
Pyramids of Giza: Of course, don’t skip the pyramids. I highly recommend hiring a private guide for the educational part of the tour, and later, why not enjoy the view while on a camel ride in the desert?
Where to eat
Tianma: This elegant hotspot flaunts a quality asian-fusion menu and specialty cocktails. Every evening at sunset guests can also enjoy a champagne sabering ritual.
139 Pavilion: Ideal for a lunch or dinner next to the Pyramids of Giza. (Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card members can earn 6X on eligible purchases and $300 annual dining statement credit.)
Naguib Mahfouz Cafe: Located inside the bazaar, this dinner spot offers traditional Egyptian food–including the absolute best lentil soup.
Where to stay
The St. Regis Cairo: For a five-star luxury experience—either short- or long-term—choose the St. Regis Not only do the suites, dining rooms, and lounge areas have full views of the city, but the resort also boasts award-winning restaurants, the chain’s iconic tea service and Bloody Mary ritual, and a dreamy spa to relax after a long day of touring the pyramids.
JW Marriott Hotel Cairo: This hotel provides a similar level of luxury and sophistication as the St. Regis, and thanks to its expansive pool, water park, and fun daytime activities, it is a great fit for those traveling with kids.
More affordable yet chic options include: The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa, Katameya Dunes, Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino, Le Méridien Cairo Airport, and Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel. (Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card members can get free room upgrades and other perks, $100 luxury property credit, and earn 6X on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties.)
Rosa Sanchez is the senior news editor at Harper’s Bazaar, working on news as it relates to entertainment, fashion, and culture. Previously, she was a news editor at ABC News and, prior to that, a managing editor of celebrity news at American Media. She has also written features for Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue, Forbes, and The Hollywood Reporter, among other outlets.
