Coptic and Islamic Cairo Tour

Mosque of Mohamed Ali & Hanging Church
From
$40
Per Person
  • Duration 7 Hours
  • Tour Type Private
  • Country Egypt
  • Runs Daily
  • Group Size Private

Tour Details

Cairo Citadel and Khan El Khalili tour

Explore Cairo’s religious heritage up close on the Coptic and Islamic Cairo tour. In one day, you visit historic places of worship and walk through busy market streets.

Start with the Cairo Citadel, where you see the Mohamed Ali Mosque. You also visit the Sultan Hassan Mosque and the Ibn Tulun Mosque.

Next, head to Coptic Cairo, home to the Roman Fortress of Babylon. You visit the Hanging Church, the Church of St. Sergius (Abu Serga), and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Have lunch at a local restaurant in Old Cairo. After that, head to Khan El Khalili to look around its traditional stalls and feel the lively street energy.

As one of our Egypt Day Tours, this Cairo day tour suits guests who want to experience Cairo’s history, culture, and religious roots. Book with Aten Tours today and spend time in the city’s historic center.

Itinerary

Day1

Private Coptic and Islamic Cairo tour

Your Egyptologist guide meets you at your hotel in Cairo or Giza in the morning to begin your Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo tour. The day starts inside the Citadel of Saladin, begun around 1176 AD by Salah Al-Din, where you’ll walk through the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, with its Ottoman-style dome and minarets inspired by the mosques of Istanbul.

From the Citadel, you’ll see two more landmarks of Islamic Cairo: the Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrasa, often called among the finest examples of Mamluk architecture in the city, and the Ibn Tulun Mosque, built in the 9th century and the oldest mosque in Cairo to survive in its original form.

Your guide then takes you into Coptic Cairo, starting at the Roman Fortress of Babylon, begun under Emperor Trajan. The Hanging Church sits directly above its old gatehouse.

Nearby, the Church of St. Sergius (Abu Serga) is built over the cavern where tradition holds the Holy Family rested during their time in Egypt, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, in Fustat, one of Old Cairo’s oldest neighborhoods, is one of the oldest Jewish sites still standing in the city.

Lunch is at a local restaurant in Old Cairo, followed by Khan El Khalili, one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East, before you’re driven back to your hotel in Cairo or Giza.

Inclusions/Exclusions

Inclusions
  • Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza, with no need to arrange your own transport to Old Cairo and back.
  • A private, air-conditioned vehicle for up to seven hours.
  • An English-speaking Egyptologist guide with you at every stop, from the Citadel of Saladin to Khan El Khalili.
  • Entrance fees for the sites on the itinerary, already included in the price.
Exclusions
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities for your guide and driver (customary in Egypt)
  • Beverages during meals
  • Anything not listed under Included

Notes

Dress code: Mosques and the Hanging Church both have modest dress requirements. Women should bring a scarf to cover their hair before entering the Alabaster Mosque (scarves are usually available to borrow on-site, but bringing your own saves time). You'll remove your shoes before entering mosque prayer halls.

Physical requirements: Expect a fair amount of walking and some uneven ground cobblestone streets in Old Cairo, stone stairs at the Citadel, and narrow, crowded lanes in Khan El Khalili. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes make the day easier. Let your guide know in advance if mobility is a concern; some of the older sites don't have ramps or elevators.

Itinerary flexibility: The order of stops can shift slightly depending on prayer times at the mosques (non-Muslim visitors aren't able to enter during prayer) and traffic between Islamic and Coptic Cairo. Your guide manages this in real time; it doesn't change what you see, just the order you see it in.

Families and children: The tour suits most ages, though the pace and amount of walking are worth considering for very young children. Mention ages when you book so your guide can plan realistic breaks.

Before you go: Prayer-time closures vary by season; it's worth confirming with your guide the morning of your tour rather than relying on a fixed schedule. 

Price per person

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From $40
Group Size Price
Single $140
2-3 Person $80
4-6 Person $50
7-10 Person $40

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All FAQ About Egypt Tours

A: The tour runs seven hours, starting with hotel pickup in the morning and ending with drop-off back at your hotel in Cairo or Giza. It runs daily and can start at a time that suits your schedule.
 

Yes. Alongside the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, the itinerary includes the Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrasa and the Ibn Tulun Mosque, the oldest mosque still standing in Africa.

Islamic Cairo refers to the medieval city built under Muslim rule, home to sites like the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque. Coptic Cairo is the older, Roman-era district around the Fortress of Babylon, home to Egypt's oldest churches, including the Hanging Church, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. This tour visits both in one day.

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant in Old Cairo is included in the tour price. Beverages during the meal are not included.

Yes. Shopping time at Khan El Khalili is available on request — let your guide know when you book so it's factored into the day's schedule.

The tour includes a private guide, hotel transfers, historic mosques, Coptic churches, Khan El Khalili, and lunch at a local restaurant.
 

Yes, the private Coptic and Islamic Cairo tour includes an Egyptologist guide and comfortable private transportation throughout the experience.
 

You can visit the Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque, Ibn Tulun Mosque, Hanging Church, Abu Serga, and Ben Ezra Synagogue.
 

Yes, the Cairo Citadel and Khan El Khalili tour visits the historic Citadel before continuing to Cairo’s famous traditional bazaar.
 

Yes, the Hanging Church and Khan El Khalili tour combines Coptic Cairo’s historic sites with time to explore the famous bazaar.
 

The Coptic and Islamic Cairo tour is a full-day experience covering Cairo’s major Islamic and Coptic landmarks before returning to your hotel.
 

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