Cave Church and Old Cairo Churches: Monastery of Saint Simon Full-Day Tour
From the Mokattam cliffs to the heart of Coptic history, a journey through two thousand years of faith.
This Coptic Cairo private tour takes you through two of the most historically layered Christian sites in the Middle East, combining the remarkable Cave Church of Saint Simon with the ancient churches and synagogue of Old Cairo in a single, well-paced half-day excursion.
The Monastery of Saint Simon, carved into the cliffs of Mokattam mountain, serves a congregation of more than 70,000 Christians each week and stands as one of the largest churches on the African continent. The surrounding neighborhood, known widely as Garbage City, is home to the Zabbaleen community, descendants of Upper Egyptian farmers who migrated to Cairo from the 1940s onward and built a remarkably self-sufficient recycling economy.
Old Cairo, known locally as Coptic Cairo, preserves a cluster of churches and a synagogue that date to the early centuries of Christianity in Egypt. The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, believed to stand over the site where the Holy Family rested during their flight into Egypt, and the Hanging Church, suspended over the gatehouse of a Roman fortress, are among the region's most significant religious landmarks.
A knowledgeable guide meets you at your hotel lobby and accompanies you throughout, providing historical and cultural context at each site before returning you to your accommodation by early afternoon.
Tour Highlights
Visit the Cave Church of Saint Simon, one of the largest churches in Africa, cut into the Mokattam mountain.
Explore Garbage City and learn about the Zabbaleen community's unique history and recycling culture.
Walk through the Hanging Church, suspended above the towers of a Roman fortress in the heart of Old Cairo.
Enter the Church of Abu Sergah, one of the oldest Christian churches in Egypt, dating to around 300 AD.
Discover the Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues in Egypt, with deep ties to the Jewish community of Cairo.
Travel with a private expert guide who provides historical context and local insight throughout the tour.
Enjoy a comfortable private transfer between all sites with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
Itinerary
Your guide meets you in the lobby of your Cairo hotel holding a sign with your name, then escorts you by private vehicle to the first stop of the day.
You arrive in the Mokattam district, passing through the neighborhood of the Zabbaleen, where you learn about the community's origins in Upper Egypt and their role in Cairo's informal recycling economy.
Carved into the cliff face of Mokattam mountain, this extraordinary open-air church accommodates tens of thousands of worshippers each week. Your guide explains the site's spiritual significance and its place within Egypt's Coptic Christian tradition.
Transfer to Coptic Cairo to visit the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Sergah), the Church of Saint Barbara, and the Hanging Church, each offering a distinct glimpse into early Christian architecture and history.
Within the same ancient enclosure, the Ben Ezra Synagogue represents the long history of Jewish life in Egypt and is associated with significant religious and archaeological discoveries.
Your private vehicle returns you to your Cairo hotel by approximately 13:00, leaving your afternoon free.
What Is Included
Included
- Private expert tour guide
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
Not Included
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Food and beverages
- Any site not listed in the itinerary
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Secure your private guided visit to the Cave Church and the ancient churches of Coptic Cairo. Places are limited on this private tour, so early booking is advised.
Book Now
