Private Tour

Private Half-Day Tour to Old Cairo Churches & St. Simon Monastery

Overview

Available languages

German

English

Italian

French

Spanish

4 hours

Mobile ticket

Step back in time and explore the spiritual heart of Cairo on this unforgettable Half-Day Tour to Old Cairo Churches and St. Simon Monastery. Travel with your expert guide through Coptic Cairo, home to some of the oldest Christian churches in Egypt. Visit the iconic Hanging Church, suspended above a Roman fortress gate, and the sacred Abu Serga Church, believed to have sheltered the Holy Family. Admire the rich history and stunning architecture of the Ben Ezra Synagogue, a treasure of Jewish heritage. Then, venture to Mokattam Mountain to discover the extraordinary St. Simon the Tanner Monastery, carved into the rock with breathtaking biblical carvings and home to one of Cairo’s largest churches. Along the way, immerse yourself in fascinating stories, cultural insights, and hidden gems that most tourists never see. This is more than sightseeing—it’s a journey through faith, history, and local life that you’ll never forget.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

St Simon the Tanner Monastery

Embark on a unique journey to the St. Simon Monastery, a hidden gem in Cairo’s Mokattam Hills. Your drive takes you through Garbage City, a bustling, labyrinthine community where the Zabbaleen, Cairo’s informal garbage collectors, live and work. The streets are lined with stacks of recycled materials, vividly showcasing their remarkable recycling system. Though unconventional, the scene is one of resilience, ingenuity, and industry, offering a glimpse into a way of life unlike any other. As the road ascends the Mokattam cliffs,the transformation is striking. Upon reaching the Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner, you’ll be greeted by its awe-inspiring amphitheater, carved into the mountain, capable of hosting over 20,000 worshippers. The monastery is adorned with intricate carvings of biblical scenes etched into the rock, and its serene ambiance contrasts sharply with the lively chaos of Garbage City below. This tour offers a profound blend of human perseverance and spiritual tranquility.

1 hour • Admission Included

Coptic Cairo

Your guide will take you to the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, known as Abu Serga, one of the oldest and most revered churches in Egypt. Located in the heart of Coptic Cairo, this sacred site dates back to the 4th century and is famously believed to have sheltered the Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus—during their flight into Egypt. Step inside to admire its simple yet beautiful basilica design, wooden ceiling, marble columns, and ancient icons. Descend into the crypt, where tradition says the Holy Family rested, and feel the spiritual atmosphere that draws pilgrims from around the world. Your guide will share captivating stories about the church’s history, its role in early Christianity, and the Coptic heritage of Egypt. This visit offers a rare opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history in one of Cairo’s most peaceful and meaningful landmarks.

30 minutes • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Entry/Admission-St. Sergius and Bacchus

Bottled Water

Entry/Admission- Cave Church

Entry/Admission- Hanging Church

Entry/Admission- Ben Ezra Synagogue

Entry/ admission of St. Simon Monastery

Air-conditioned vehicle

Hotel Pickup & drop-off

Egyptologist guide

Entry/ admission of St. Barbara Church

Gratuities

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

French, Spanish, Italian…etc

Languages Besides English
Pickup included

Private Half-Day Tour to Old Cairo Churches & St. Simon Monastery

English language only
Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

12 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Tour of Religious Sites
celeste o,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This is an excellent tour for anyone interested in religious sites. The tour of the Coptic quarters and the Cave church were fascinating. In addition, visiting “garbage city” was an experience I will never forget. Hosny is a cheerful and insightful guide. He is eager for questions and will make your trip enjoyable.
Amazing experience!
wenisilvianij,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had an incredible tour with Hosny today! He is extremely knowledgeable, kind, and respectful. He was so patient while I took photos and very accommodating throughout the entire experience. I felt well taken care of and truly enjoyed the tour. Highly, highly recommend!
He showed the cave where the holy family stayed
josied779,,Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We visited Coptic churches and Hosny explained each churches how the family of Jesus traveled to Egypt and moved from one place to another He showed the map route they took
Tour of the Coptic Churches
577gianr,,Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Hosni is, like many Egyptian tour guides extremely knowledgable and a big asset. However, his charisma, care, and kindness are unmatched. Thanks to him, I had a wonderful time on my tour.
Great day with Hosni
NYEIRE,,May 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had a FABULOUS day with Hosni Could not have asked for a better, or more knowledgeable Would highly recommend him as a guide!
Insightful and Inspiring Tour with Hosni
kevinhE8432GH,,May 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Hosni led a fantastic tour of Egypt’s Coptic churches—deeply knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the history and faith. The Hanging Church and St. Sergius were highlights. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to explore Egypt’s Christian heritage!
Coptic Cairo — a must see!
birishanz,,May 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour of Coptic Cairo was a lovely experience filled with beauty, history, and expert guidance. We were picked up very early and everything ran smoothly. The driver was courteous and professional, and we felt safe and comfortable on the drive through busy Cairo. The sites themselves were absolutely stunning—rich with history and architectural splendor. Each stop, from the Cave Church to the Hanging Church, offered lovely photo opportunities that truly captured the spirit of Coptic Cairo. We had an excellent guide in Hosni. His depth of knowledge was impressive, sharing not just historical facts but fine details and stories that brought the sites to life. The pace of the tour was perfect—not rushed, yet efficient—allowing us to fully absorb each location without feeling hurried. The guide was enthusiastic and passionate, often encouraging us to book additional tours to get the most of Cairo, but we were limited on time during our stay. Overall, this tour offered great value for the experience we received. It was a perfect blend of education, exploration, and comfort.
Half-day Coptic Church Tour with Hosni
Dream215421,,Apr 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our flight was delayed for 3 hours and Hosni, our guide was able to move the pickup time for us. Hosni was very friendly. He explained very well of the places we visited. He’s willing to answer any questions we have and asked if there’s anything he can help us to have a good experience with this tour. We had a good time.
Excellent Tour of Old Cairo Churches
teresacA9228FM,,Jan 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Hosni was very professional and his expertise and knowledge was superb! My husband and I were on a planned tour with Globus but the churches were NOT part of their tour. Fortunately we were able to stay another day and book this fabulous half day tour. We were impressed and blessed.
An excellent Cairo Tour
racehorsePU,,Jan 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Hi we had already met Hosni and enjoyed his tour so much that we booked him again to take my wife and I on this Cairo tour. We are a retired couple from the UK really interested in the culture and history of the places we visit. Hosni has excellent English and an in depth knowledge of all things Cairo so he was able to keep us entertained and informed. He listened carefully to what we wanted and adjusted the itinerary to meet our needs including dropping us at the airport at the end of the tour, and focusing on the things of real interest for us. He comes with decent Transport and good drivers. This is a 5 star experience and I hope others will take the opportunity to use his services.