From Pyramids to Castles: Epic 2-Week Adventure Through Cairo and Prague

The key to making this seemingly mismatched itinerary work is thoughtful planning. I recommend dedicating 7-8 days to Cairo and 6-7 days to Prague, with a travel day in between. Fall offers the perfect window for both destinations—Cairo's blistering summer heat subsides to manageable temperatures in October and November, while Prague enjoys crisp, golden days before winter's chill sets in.

For flights, I scored a surprisingly affordable multi-city ticket through Turkish Airlines with a brief layover in Istanbul between Cairo and Prague. This routing often proves more economical than two separate round-trips and eliminates backtracking. Set fare alerts about 4-5 months in advance using flight tracker to catch price drops—I managed to snag tickets for just under $750 per person.

Packing for these contrasting destinations requires strategy. Cairo demands modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees while providing protection from heat and sun, while Prague's fall weather calls for layers and walking shoes for cobblestone streets. I lived out of my trusty travel backpack which has accompanied me from Andean mountain trails to Mediterranean coastal towns. Its multiple compartments allowed me to organize warm-weather and cool-weather clothing separately, and its carry-on size meant no waiting at baggage claim during my tight connection in Istanbul.

Cairo is a magnificent chaos—a city where ancient monuments stand defiantly amid a sprawling modern metropolis of 20 million souls. Begin your adventure with two days exploring the Giza Plateau, but with a twist: after visiting the Great Pyramid and Sphinx in the early morning (arrive by 7:30 am to beat both crowds and heat), venture beyond to the overlooked Pyramid of Menkaure and the fascinating Solar Boat Museum. On day two, hire a driver to take you to Saqqara and Dahshur, where you'll find the Step Pyramid of Djoser (the world's oldest stone monument) and the distinctively-angled Bent Pyramid—often with barely another tourist in sight.

Spend day three at the Egyptian Museum, but don't rush. When I visited last fall, I dedicated six full hours to explore its treasures, including the breathtaking Tutankhamun collection. The museum's recent reorganization has improved the flow, though labels remain minimal—bring a good guidebook or hire a guide for context. The museum cafe offers a surprisingly decent lunch and welcome air conditioning.

For days four and five, dive into Islamic Cairo. The medieval streets around Al-Azhar Mosque and Khan el-Khalili bazaar transported me back centuries. While guidebooks often recommend a quick morning visit, I spent two full days here, discovering hidden caravanserais (merchant inns), sampling street foods like koshari and ta'ameya, and chatting with shopkeepers over countless tiny glasses of mint tea. Don't miss the Al-Muizz street with its restored medieval buildings, especially magical around sunset when the limestone facades glow golden.

Reserve your sixth day for the often-overlooked Coptic Cairo, where churches and synagogues reveal Egypt's religious diversity. The Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue sit atop Roman ruins, creating a physical timeline of Cairo's layered history. I found a small family-run restaurant nearby called Felfela that serves traditional Egyptian dishes without the tourist markup.

On your final Cairo day, take a breather at Al-Azhar Park—an oasis of greenery offering panoramic city views—before ending with a sunset felucca ride on the Nile, where the ancient river provides a peaceful counterpoint to the city's intensity.

The transition day between Cairo and Prague offers a fascinating cultural whiplash that's part of the adventure's charm. My flight departed Cairo in the evening, allowing for a final morning visit to my favorite Cairo coffee shop, Kafein, where I journaled my observations while watching the city pulse around me. The contrast between leaving Cairo's sensory overload—the calls to prayer, persistent vendors, and perpetual honking—and arriving in Prague's ordered, Gothic beauty creates a delicious cultural dissonance that makes you appreciate both worlds more deeply.

Use the travel day to mentally shift gears by reading about your next destination. I devoured a short history of Prague on the flight, which helped me understand the layers of history I was about to encounter. If your connection allows, a quick shower in an airport lounge can work wonders for your mood after the long journey—I've found the travel towel indispensable for freshening up during transit days.

Expect some jetlag with this itinerary. Cairo operates on Eastern European Time while Prague follows Central European Time, but the greater adjustment comes from the dramatic shift in pace and environment. Give yourself permission to sleep in the first morning in Prague—the city's magic actually intensifies in the evenings when day-trippers have departed.

One unexpected bridge between these seemingly disparate destinations: both Cairo and Prague have been shaped by rivers that served as their lifeblood. The Nile and Vltava have different characters—one ancient and storied, the other romantic and winding—but both offer similar respite from urban intensity. Consider how water has shaped civilization in both locations, from the Nile's annual floods that created Egyptian agriculture to the Vltava's bridges that unified Prague's distinct neighborhoods.

While Cairo overwhelms with ancient grandeur, Prague seduces with architectural harmony spanning Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau styles. Begin your Prague adventure by getting oriented with a leisurely stroll across Charles Bridge (ideally at dawn before the crowds) and through Old Town Square, where the Astronomical Clock has marked time since 1410.

For your second day, tackle Prague Castle, but with insider savvy. Purchase tickets online to avoid queues, and arrive when it opens. The castle complex is actually a collection of buildings, with St. Vitus Cathedral as its crown jewel. I spent hours mesmerized by the cathedral's stained glass, particularly Mucha's stunning Art Nouveau window. After exploring the castle, wander down through the picturesque Malá Strana district, stopping at a hidden gem I discovered—Vojanovy Sady, Prague's oldest garden where peacocks roam freely among medieval fruit trees.

On day three, dive into Prague's Jewish history in Josefov, the preserved Jewish Quarter. The Old-New Synagogue (Europe's oldest active synagogue) and the hauntingly beautiful Old Jewish Cemetery reveal stories of persecution and resilience. Nearby, the Spanish Synagogue's Moorish interior provides an unexpected connection to the Islamic architecture you experienced in Cairo.

Reserve day four for exploring Prague's less-visited neighborhoods. I spent a fascinating morning in Vyšehrad, the city's other castle complex, where fewer tourists meant I could linger in the cemetery where Czech luminaries like Dvořák and Mucha rest. In the afternoon, I wandered through Vinohrady, a residential neighborhood with stunning Art Nouveau buildings and local cafes where I could practice my embarrassingly limited Czech phrases with patient baristas.

For your fifth day, embrace Prague's artistic side. The National Gallery's collection at the Veletržní Palace houses an impressive array of Czech and European art, including Mucha's Slav Epic and works by Picasso and Van Gogh. Later, explore the quirky public sculptures by David Černý scattered throughout the city—from the rotating Kafka head to the upside-down horse in Lucerna Passage.

On your final full day, take a day trip to either Kutná Hora (home to the macabre Sedlec Ossuary decorated with human bones) or the picturesque castle town of Český Krumlov. Both are easily accessible by train, and I used my travel camera to capture the stunning medieval architecture and countryside views. The compact size meant I could slip it into my jacket pocket between shots, unlike the bulkier DSLR I lugged through Egypt.

One of the most delightful aspects of this dual-destination journey is the dramatic shift in culinary experiences. In Cairo, I embraced street food with cautious enthusiasm (a mild case of traveler's tummy is almost a rite of passage). The working-class dish koshari—a hearty mix of rice, lentils, pasta, and spicy tomato sauce topped with crispy onions—became my lunchtime staple, especially from Abu Tarek near downtown. For breakfast, I'd seek out fuul (stewed fava beans) and ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans instead of chickpeas), often served with baladi bread still warm from wood-fired ovens.

Cairo's coffee culture surprised me with its richness. Beyond Turkish-style coffee (called ahwa in Egypt), I discovered soothing sahlab—a warm, creamy orchid-root drink topped with nuts and cinnamon—perfect for chilly evenings. For dinner, I alternated between local koshary joints and slightly more upscale restaurants like Zooba and Felfela, where I could sample classics like molokhiya (jute leaf stew) and hamam mahshi (stuffed pigeon).

Prague presented an entirely different gastronomic landscape. Heavy, hearty dishes dominate Czech cuisine—perfect for cool autumn days. Traditional svíčková (marinated beef with bread dumplings and cream sauce) and guláš (goulash) warmed me after hours of walking Prague's cobblestone streets. I discovered a cozy restaurant called Lokál that serves tank-fresh Pilsner Urquell alongside perfectly executed Czech classics at reasonable prices.

Beyond traditional fare, Prague surprised me with its emerging food scene. I splurged on one memorable dinner at Field, a Michelin-starred restaurant offering modern interpretations of Czech ingredients. Their beetroot variation—prepared five different ways on one plate—changed how I think about this humble root vegetable.

Don't miss Prague's café culture, a tradition dating back centuries. I spent rainy afternoons at Café Louvre (once frequented by Kafka and Einstein) and Café Savoy, nursing excellent coffee and sampling Czech pastries like větrník (caramel-glazed choux) and koláče (fruit-filled pastries). To document these culinary adventures, I used my travel journal to paste in menus, sketch memorable dishes, and note favorite flavors—a delicious souvenir that cost less than most refrigerator magnets.

This itinerary bridges dramatically different cultures, making it both challenging and rewarding. In Cairo, patience becomes your greatest asset—things rarely run on schedule, and what might seem like chaos often conceals its own functional logic. I learned to add buffer time to every plan and embrace the Egyptian concept of bukra inshallah (tomorrow, God willing), which reflects a more flexible approach to time than most Westerners are accustomed to.

Dressing appropriately in Egypt requires modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for both men and women. I packed several lightweight, loose-fitting outfits that respected local customs while keeping me cool. Women may want to carry a scarf for impromptu mosque visits or for areas where more coverage feels appropriate. In Prague, practical walking shoes became my priority—those picturesque cobblestones are murder on ankles if you're wearing anything less supportive.

Language presents different challenges in each location. In Cairo, learning a few Arabic phrases opened doors to warmer interactions, though English is widely spoken in tourist areas. My pronunciation attempts often elicited smiles, but the effort was invariably appreciated. In Prague, Czech is notoriously difficult, but younger Czechs often speak excellent English. Still, learning basic greetings and 'thank you' (děkuji) demonstrates respect.

Money management requires different strategies in each country. In Egypt, cash is king—I withdrew moderate amounts of Egyptian pounds from ATMs as needed and kept small denominations handy for tips (baksheesh) and small purchases. Credit cards work in hotels and upscale restaurants but aren't universally accepted. Prague, conversely, is increasingly cashless, though having some Czech crowns remains useful for smaller establishments and markets.

Internet connectivity varies dramatically between destinations. In Cairo, I relied on a local SIM card purchased at the airport (bring an unlocked phone) for affordable data. Prague offers excellent connectivity with EU roaming options or widely available WiFi. My portable wifi proved invaluable in Egypt, allowing me to connect multiple devices while navigating the sometimes labyrinthine streets of Islamic Cairo.