Should you visit Cairo or Luxor when visiting Egypt? TikTok Egyptology enthusiast shares his verdict (and it’s a question of pyramids versus temples, and your tolerance for traffic jams)
Should I visit Cairo or Luxor?
This question is asked “ten times a day,” according to Sam Mayfair, an Egyptology enthusiast and TikTokker.
To answer, the traveler produced a video in which he explains that it is a battle between pyramids and temples, hectic and relaxed, old and new(er), north and south…
Read on for his verdict on both locations.
Which one would YOU most like to visit? Vote in our poll.
CAIRO
Egyptology enthusiast and TikToker Sam Mayfair produced a video answering the question: Should I visit Cairo or Luxor in Egypt? He is pictured above at the Giza pyramid complex near Cairo
Sam told MailOnline Travel that Cairo (above) is ‘one of the most densely populated cities in the world’, adding that the city is also extremely ‘fast-paced’ and ‘never sleeps’
Sam explains that Cairo is busier than Luxor and that you should be wary of scammers.
But the historical attractions are older. And it is pyramid central.
Sam notes that “most of the pyramids you want to see are in Cairo.”
There are three main pyramids, all located within the Giza pyramid complex. It is home to the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is over 4,500 years old and over 450 feet (137 m) high, as well as the smaller Pyramid of Khafre (448 ft/136 m) and the Pyramid of Menkaure (200 ft/60 m).
Cairo can serve as a base to travel to the Bent Pyramid, which is an hour’s drive away. Sam is pictured above exploring the interior of the structure
The Step Pyramid at Saqqara is easily accessible from Cairo
One of Cairo’s non-pyramid attractions is the Cairo Citadel, a medieval Islamic fortress
Inside the 4th-century Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Cairo
Cairo can also serve as a base for traveling to the pyramids at the Saqqara and Dahshur necropolises, both less than an hour’s drive from the city. Visitors can explore several ancient pyramids at these sites, including the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Bent Pyramid.
Visitors to Cairo can also admire fascinating artifacts from the pyramid era at the Egyptian Museum, Sam said.
Sam points out that there are other wonders of the past in Cairo that have nothing to do with the world of the pharaohs. There is “historical diversity,” he says in his video, with Christian sites and Islamic attractions to explore.
Examples include the 4th-century Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus and the Citadel of Cairo, a medieval fortress from the Islamic era.
What the postcards don’t convey is how hectic and crowded Cairo is. It’s home to 22 million people – and they’re crammed together.
Sam told MailOnline Travel that Cairo is ‘one of the most densely populated cities in the world’, adding that the city is also extremely ‘fast-paced’ and ‘never sleeps’.
He described the traffic as “organised chaos” and said “everyone likes to honk” and that visiting the city requires “a bit more planning”.
He said, ‘You can arrange tours to take you places. But there’s always traffic and crowds to get through.’
Visitors should also remain alert.
As we previously reported, Sam encountered scammers while visiting the Giza pyramid complex, including scammers arriving on camels and scammers offering him “gifts.”
But he said, ‘You don’t really have the same problems anywhere else. [in Cairo].
LUXOR
Sam explains that Luxor, which is 313 miles south of Cairo, is more relaxed and has “beautiful temples and tombs.” Above is the entrance to the Karnak Temple complex
Popular Luxor Temple complex, which was built between 1390 and 1353 BC.
Sam explains that Luxor, 500 kilometres south of Cairo, is quieter and has “beautiful temples and tombs”, most of which date from the New Kingdom period of Egypt (1550-1070 BC).
The most famous temple site is the Karnak Temple Complex, the largest temple complex in the world. It covers 200 hectares and consists of a mix of temples, pylons, chapels and other historical buildings.
Another popular complex is the Luxor Temple, which was built between 1390 and 1353 BC and features large courtyards, statues and an avenue of sphinxes that once connected the temple to the Karnak complex.
For your tomb selection, the choice is virtually endless. There are hundreds to visit. Although most will want to tick off the Valley of the Kings. It is one of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites, serving as a royal burial site for pharaohs and high officials. The most notable tomb on the site is that of Tutankhamun.
A popular way to see the sights of Luxor is via a Nile cruise. The ‘great thing’ about this, says Sam in his video, is that ‘everything is pretty much arranged and sorted for you’
Most visitors will want to tick off the Valley of the Kings (above). It is one of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites. The most notable tomb on the site is that of Tutankhamun.
A popular way to see the sights of Luxor is via a Nile cruise.
The “beauty” of this, Sam says in his video, is that “everything is pretty much arranged and sorted for you.”
He adds: ‘You’re taken to a new location every day in a relaxed way. You just get off the boat, go explore and come back, usually for a bar or a meal.’
Sam told MailOnline Travel that people in Luxor are ‘more relaxed’ than in Cairo, which further enhances the ‘chilled out’ atmosphere.
CONCLUSION
Sam says both cities are “worth visiting,” noting that if you visit Egypt, chances are you’ll see Cairo anyway, as it’s a transit point for most travelers.
It just depends on how long you want to stay in a certain place.
If you can, Sam recommends spending 10 days exploring both cities in total. However, he told MailOnline Travel: ‘You can’t see everything in that time, just the highlights.
‘If you can’t see everything, you may have to decide what your priorities are, what you want to see, and what part of ancient Egypt looks interesting.’
When do you need to come here?
Sam said: ‘I would personally avoid June, July and August because of the extreme heat.’
Are there any other Egyptian cities worth visiting?
Sam said: ‘Aswan, the last major city in Egypt in the south, is also an interesting place and is usually one of the stops when you take a cruise on the Nile.’