Overview
Cairo earned its historical title as the "City of a Thousand Minarets" through centuries of religious co-existence and architectural patronage across pharaonic, Roman, Christian, and Islamic eras. Operating with private air-conditioned transport and dedicated Egyptologist guidance, this 7-to-8-hour tour bridges Cairo's two most famous historical districts into a seamless full-day route. The journey begins in Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo)—located inside the ancient Roman Fortress of Babylon—to explore the 4th-century Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa), built above a Roman gatehouse. Guests visit the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga), constructed over the subterranean crypt where the Holy Family took refuge during their journey through Egypt, as well as the historic Ben Ezra Synagogue. In the afternoon, the tour ascends to the Citadel of Saladin atop Mokattam Hill to examine the 19th-century Ottoman-style Mosque of Muhammad Ali (the Alabaster Mosque) and take in sweeping views of the Cairo skyline. Continuing into Islamic Cairo, guests explore the monumental Mamluk architecture of Sultan Hassan Mosque and Al-Rifa'i Mosque before finishing with a guided walkthrough of the medieval 14th-century Khan el-Khalili market and Al-Mu'izz Street. Trip information Duration: Full Day Schedule: Daily Tour location: Cairo and Giza Pickup location: Your hotel in Cairo or Giza Tour type: Private
Why You Will Love This Trip
- Tour Coptic Cairo's ancient landmarks inside the Roman Fortress of Babylon walls.
- Visit the 4th-century Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa), suspended over ancient Roman gatehouses.
- Explore the subterranean crypt at Abu Serga Church, where the Holy Family took refuge in Egypt.
- Discover the medieval fortifications of Saladin's Citadel and the Ottoman-style Alabaster Mosque.
- Marvel at the grand scale of Mamluk architecture inside the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan.
- Walk the 14th-century merchant lanes of Khan el-Khalili bazaar with a licensed Egyptologist guide.
Detailed Itinerary
Stop 1: Pickup in Cairo or Giza (08:30)
Collection from your hotel in a private air-conditioned vehicle. The day runs chronologically, from Roman and Coptic Cairo in the morning to the medieval Islamic city in the afternoon.
Stop 2: The Roman fortress of Babylon and the Hanging Church (09:00)
Enter the Coptic quarter through the Roman towers, then the fourth-century Hanging Church, suspended over the fortress gate with its wooden floor built across the gap and a marble pulpit resting on thirteen pillars.
Stop 3: St Sergius and Bacchus and Ben Ezra Synagogue (10:00)
The crypt beneath Abu Serga is traditionally identified as a shelter of the Holy Family in Egypt. Ben Ezra Synagogue nearby is where the Cairo Geniza was discovered, a document cache that rewrote the history of the medieval Mediterranean.
Stop 4: The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As (11:00)
The first mosque built in Egypt and in all of Africa, founded in 641 AD, still in daily use and rebuilt many times over.
Stop 5: Lunch (12:30)
An hour's break at a local restaurant between the two quarters.
Stop 6: The Citadel of Salah El Din and the Alabaster Mosque (13:45)
The twelfth-century fortress on the Mokattam spur, with the nineteenth-century Ottoman-style mosque of Muhammad Ali inside it and the best daytime panorama over the city.
Stop 7: Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i mosques (15:15)
Two enormous mosques facing each other across a narrow lane, one Mamluk and one modern imitation of it, which makes the comparison unusually direct.
Stop 8: Al-Muizz Street and Khan El Khalili (16:00)
Walk the densest concentration of medieval Islamic architecture anywhere, ending in the bazaar with tea at El Fishawy if you want it.
Stop 9: Return transfer (17:30)
Back to your hotel. Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required in the mosques and churches; women should carry a scarf for their head.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Licensed professional Egyptologist guide fluent in your selected language.
- Standard entry tickets to the Citadel of Saladin, Muhammad Ali Mosque, and Sultan Hassan Mosque.
- Free entrance to Coptic Cairo churches (Hanging Church, Abu Serga, Ben Ezra Synagogue).
- Freshly prepared lunch at a local restaurant (beverages excluded).
- Bottled drinking water provided in the vehicle throughout the day.
- All mandatory government taxes, site parking fees, and service charges.
Excluded
- Entry passes for specialized internal museums within the Citadel complex (when applicable).
- Personal beverages during lunch.
- Personal market purchases, textiles, and spices at Khan el-Khalili.
- Gratuities for the guide, driver, and site attendants (baksheesh).
Prices by Group Size
Every amount is the USD price for one traveler, not the total booking price. Choose the row that matches your group size.
| Travelers | Price per traveler |
|---|---|
| 1 Traveler | $215 per travelerTotal for 1 traveler: $215 |
| 2 Travelers | $132 per travelerTotal for 2 travelers: $264 |
| 3 Travelers | $125 per travelerTotal for 3 travelers: $375 |
| 4 Travelers | $120 per travelerTotal for 4 travelers: $480 |
| 5 Travelers | $120 per travelerTotal for 5 travelers: $600 |
| 6 or More Travelers | $120 per travelerFrom $720 total for 6 travelers |
We will confirm the date, availability and final price by email or WhatsApp before booking.
Pricing Information
The final price depends on travel date, availability, category and traveler count. Currency conversions are estimates updated from the central rate setting.
Children Policy
Child rates depend on age, room occupancy and the hotel or cruise policy. Send each child age for a confirmed quote.
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