Should I visit Cairo or Luxor?

This is the question that Egyptology enthusiast and TikToker Sam Mayfair says he’s asked ‘ten times a day’.

To answer, the traveller produced a video in which he explains that it’s a battle of pyramids versus temples, hectic versus laid-back, old versus new (er), north versus 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 that answers the question: Should I visit Cairo or Luxor in Egypt? He’s 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 it’s also extremely ‘fast-paced’ and ‘never sleeps’

Sam explains how Cairo is busier than Luxor and that there are scammers to watch out for.

But the historical attractions are older. And it’s pyramid central.

Sam remarks that the ‘majority of the pyramids you want to see are located in Cairo’.

There are three main pyramids, all located at the Giza pyramid complex. It’s home to the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is more than 4,500 years old and stands over 450 feet tall (137m), as well as the smaller Pyramid of Khafre (448ft/136m) and the Pyramid of Menkaure (200ft/60m).

Cairo can serve as a base from which to travel to the Bent Pyramid, which is an hour’s drive away. Sam is pictured above exploring the structure’s interior

The Step Pyramid in Saqqara can be reached easily from Cairo 

One of Cairo’s non-pyramid attractions – the Citadel of Cairo, a medieval Islamic-era fortification

Inside Cairo’s 4th-century Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church

Cairo can also serve as a base from which to travel to the pyramids in the Saqqara and Dahshur necropolises, both less than an hour’s drive from the city. Visitors can explore several ancient pyramids at these locations, such as the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Bent Pyramid. 

Visitors to Cairo can also gaze upon fascinating artefacts from the time of the pyramids, notes Sam, at the Egyptian museum.

Sam stresses that there are other wonders of the past in Cairo unrelated to the world of pharaohs – there’s ‘historical variety’, he says in his video, with Christian sites and Islamic attractions to discover.

These include the 4th-century Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church and the Citadel of Cairo, a medieval Islamic-era fortification.

What the postcards don’t convey is how hectic and busy Cairo is. There are 22million people living there – and they’re packed in tight.

Sam told MailOnline Travel that Cairo is ‘one of the most densely populated cities in the world’, adding that it’s also extremely ‘fast-paced’ and ‘never sleeps’.

He described the traffic as ‘organised chaos’ and said ‘everyone loves honking’, with a visit there needing a ‘bit more planning’.

He said: ‘You can arrange tours to take you to places. But there are always traffic and crowds to get through.’

Visitors will also need to keep their wits about them.

Sam encountered scammers while visiting the Giza pyramid complex, as we’ve previously reported, from hustlers approaching on camels to scammers offering ‘gifts’.

But he said: ‘You don’t really have the same issues at any other locations [in Cairo].’

LUXOR

Sam explains that Luxor, which lies 313 miles to the south of Cairo, is more laid-back and is home to ‘beautiful temples and tombs’. Above is the entrance to the Karnak Temple Complex

Popular complex Luxor Temple, which was erected between 1390 and 1353 BC

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Sam explains that Luxor, which lies 313 miles to the south of Cairo, is more laid-back and is home to ‘beautiful temples and tombs’, most of which are associated with the New Kingdom period of Egypt (1,550-1,070 BCE).

On the temple front, the most famous site is the Karnak Temple Complex, the largest temple complex in the world, which covers 200 acres and comprises a mix of temples, pylons, chapels and other historical buildings.

Another popular complex is Luxor Temple, which was erected between 1390 and 1353 BC and features large courtyards, statues and the avenue of sphinxes, which once connected the temple to the Karnak complex.

For your fix of tombs, the choice is practically endless. There are hundreds to visit. Though most will want to tick off the Valley of the Kings. It’s one of Egypt’s most significant archaeological sites, serving as a royal burial site for pharaohs and high-ranking officials. The most notable tomb at the site is that of Tutankhamun.

One popular way to see the attractions in Luxor is via a Nile River cruise. The ‘beauty’ of this, Sam says 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’s one of Egypt’s most significant archaeological sites. The most notable tomb at the site is that of Tutankhamun

One popular way to see the attractions in Luxor is via a Nile River 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 transported in a relaxing way every day to a new location and you simply hop off the boat, go and explore things and come back, usually to a bar or a meal.’

Adding to this ‘relaxing’ atmosphere, Sam told MailOnline Travel that the people in Luxor are ‘more laid-back’ compared to those in Cairo.

CONCLUSION 

Sam says that both cities are ‘worth visiting’ and notes that if you visit Egypt it’s likely that you’ll see Cairo anyway, as it’s a transit point for most travellers.

It’s all a question of how long you want to linger each place. 

If you can, Sam recommends spending a total of 10 days exploring both cities. But, he told MailOnline Travel: ‘You can’t see everything in that time, only the highlights.

‘If you can’t fit it all in, perhaps you have to decide what your main priorities are, what you want to see and which part of ancient Egypt looks interesting.’

When should you visit? 

Sam said: ‘I would personally avoid June, July and August due to extreme heat.’

Are there any other Egyptian cities worth visiting? 

Sam said: ‘Aswan, Egypt’s last big city to the south is also an interesting place and is usually one of the stops if you take a Nile river cruise.’