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The top weekend getaways from Cairo

Here are the top weekend escapes near Cairo, ranging from bizarre beaches to waterfalls and sand dunes.

Cairo is a great city to visit and explore because of its rich heritage and culture, but it may get a little boisterous and packed at times, which can be overwhelming. Notwithstanding that feeling, it’s reassuring to remember that Cairo has many things for tourists to explore. 

Here are the top weekend escapes near Cairo, ranging from bizarre beaches to waterfalls and sand dunes. The Egyptian city has more attractions than to include in a traveler’s schedule, and many more intriguing sights extend out in all directions from Cairo. You can stay at Cairo hotels that offer the best and most awe-inspiring facilities you will cherish forever. 

Giza and Saqqara
The Pyramids of Giza, as the only remaining marvel of the ancient world, garner the most attention from visitors though Egypt’s earliest pyramid is just a little further south of the city. If you want to spend a whole day exploring pharaonic burial sites, start with the Giza Necropolis after breakfast and stroll around the Khafre, Menkaure, and Khufu pyramids.

Menkaure, the largest and most intriguing pyramid, has three levels. You can even travel to the desert from there in search of an iconic photo opportunity with all three pyramids.

Alexandria 
The city of Alexandria, located 180 kilometers from Cairo, is one of the most captivating tourist destinations that draw visitors from all over the world. Some of the attractions here are Pompey’s Pillar, Al-Montazah Palace, New Library of Alexandria, Citadel of Qaitbay, Alexandria National Museum, Pharaonic Anfushi Tombs, and several more. 

If you prefer relaxation instead of a tour, take a stroll down the promenade, enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, until you are at the Al-Montazah Palace. You can relax in its gorgeous royal gardens and relish your favorite dishes from Alexandria’s best seafood eateries.

Dahshur to Memphis
Before traveling to Memphis to witness Egypt’s old capital during the Old Kingdom, you can be at the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, which are so-called for their distinguishing features. Memphis is generally compared with pharaonic Egypt by history aficionados, and most pyramids found surrounding Cairo were built when Memphis was the seat of authority. What remains of the historic city is an intriguing sphinx and open-air museum.

The Desert
You can never leave Egypt without visiting the deserts. They seem strangely beautiful. Perhaps, they are nothing more than levels of unending sameness, but they are. In the desert, you can stay in pre-set-up tents. It’s not glamping, but it’s close to it.

If you don’t want to camp, consider staying at the Byoum Lakeside Hotel, which is not immediately in the desert but has easy access to it. The property is located on the banks of Qarun Lake, a big lake in the vicinity. You can find a lot of modern conveniences here, including a pool.

Al Fayom
Egypt is famed for its beautiful sand dunes, and while most oases are far from Cairo, Fayoum is only a one-and-a-half-hour short drive, which makes it convenient for a weekend getaway. Fayoum has everything, whether you choose a historic, exciting, or tranquil vacation. You can choose a desert safari; go mountain climbing, hiking, trekking, or sandboarding; camp in the desert, explore the ancient ruins, stargaze at the Milky Way, enjoy watching lovely lakes, or observe Wadi Al-Rayan’s waterfalls. It does not matter what you choose to do, you will treasure the experience all your life.

Ras Sudr
Ras Sudr, known as a kitesurfing hotspot, is the closest thing to Sinai, barely a 3-hour drive from Cairo. Ras Sudr is a famous location for kitesurfing enthusiasts across the world due to its low-lying seas and consistently blowing winds. Its lovely beach shoreline makes it ideal for families, friends, and couples alike. Nonetheless, Ras Sudr magnetizes a large number of people who are interested in observing various types of migratory birds.

West of Nile 
Though there are various possibilities for short vacations across Egypt, several are farther away. For instance, Nile tours will take you much farther north than Aswan. There’s enough to see and do around the nation, but if it fits into your schedule, a weekend excursion from Cairo is a terrific way to explore more.

Ain Al-Sokhna
This is another popular weekend retreat for Cairo inhabitants because of its proximity to the city, which is just a half-hour ride by car. It may get crowded at times because people visit the place for a respite from Cairo’s rush and bustle. Nonetheless, Ain Al-Sokhna is well-known for its coastlines and magnificent mountain vistas, as well as it is also a popular fishing location. All of this and more makes it an ideal escape for couples, families, and friendship groups seeking a peaceful and quiet place.

Ain El Sokhna (literally “hot spring”), an activities resort with stunning beaches and sunshine, appeals to both leisurely sun lovers and adrenaline seekers, with lots of snorkeling, windsurfing, diving, sailing, kitesurfing, and boat trips. Being the recent Red Sea project, the clean beaches here are less congested than at Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheik, both of which may be packed with beachgoers during peak time, making Sokhna a popular destination for Egyptians looking for tranquility.

North Coast
Guests from Arabia and Europe are coming to this strip of unspoiled shoreline, where the temperature is much warmer than in the major Red Sea coast resorts during summer. A Hellenistic-Roman town was founded when building Marina Town in El-Alamein in 1986. Since then, this place has been an outdoor museum.

You can find a lot of nightlife in this part of White Med. The Egyptian elites have started considering the recently developed beach towns of Sidi Abdel Rahman, Porto Marina, and Marassi as unique locations to spend weekends and engage in their favorite water-based activities in the Mediterranean Sea.

Cairo is known for several luxurious five-star hotels and villas, ready to host visitors looking to get away from the bustle of overloaded mass tourist favorites. These Cairo hotels take care of their guests by providing world-class facilities and amenities to cherish. 

The Cairo airport features regular flights from neighboring Egyptian cities, the Arab nations, and the Levant, as well as daily flights from the capitals of Europe and North Africa. There are also direct flights from Beijing, Guangzhou, Mumbai, New York, Bangkok, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Washington, and Mumbai, New York.

How about getting a taste of the elite Cairo, Egypt’s capital?

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TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific editorial team has an experience of over 35 years in B2B travel journalism as well as in tourism & hospitality marketing and communications.

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