Cairo Private Day Tours: Discover Islamic and Coptic Cairo

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Coptic Cairo is a part of Old Cairo which encompasses the Babylon Fortress, , the Hanging Church, the Greek Church of St. George and many other Coptic churches and historical sites. It is believed in Christian tradition that the Holy Family visited this area and stayed at the site of Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga).[ Coptic Cairo was a stronghold for Christianity in Egypt until the Islamic era, though most of the current buildings of the churches in Coptic Cairo were built after the Muslim conquest of Egypt in the 7th century.

   30 min

2. Discover the allure of the Hanging Church (El Muallaqa, Sitt Mariam, St Mary) located on Shar'a Mari Girgis Street in Cairo, Egypt. This architectural masterpiece, also hailed as the Suspended Church, holds significant importance in Egyptian Christian history. Its striking features include an elevated position, intricate wooden motifs, and a breathtaking interior adorned with biblical frescoes and ornate icons. Immerse yourself in the serenity of this sacred site while gaining insights into the cultural and religious heritage of Egypt. A visit to the Hanging Church promises an enchanting experience that will leave a lasting impression.

   1 h

3. The Ben Ezra Synagogue (Hebrew: בית כנסת בן עזרא‎, Arabic: معبد بن عزرا‎), sometimes referred to as the El-Geniza Synagogue (Hebrew: בית כנסת אל גניזה‎) or the Synagogue of the Levantines (al-Shamiyin),[1] is situated in Old Cairo, Egypt. According to local folklore, it is located on the site where baby Moses was found.[2] This was the synagogue whose geniza or store room was found in the 19th century to contain a treasure of abandoned Hebrew, Aramaic and Judeo-Arabic secular and sacred manuscripts. The collection, known as the Cairo Geniza, was brought to the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England at the instigation of Solomon Schechter. It is now divided between several academic libraries, with the majority being kept at the Cambridge University Library.

   30 min

4. Discover the majesty of the Abu-Sergah & St. Barbara Church, an iconic historical landmark that stands as a testament to Egypt's rich Coptic heritage. Immerse yourself in the captivating aura of this ancient church, renowned for its intricate architectural details and fascinating religious significance. Located in the heart of Cairo, this sacred site invites visitors to explore its hallowed halls and take a step back in time. Uncover the secrets of Abu-Sergah & St. Barbara, and embark on a journey that seamlessly blends spirituality, history, and artistry.

   30 min

5. Al-Rifa'i Mosque is located in Midan al-Qal'a, adjacent to the Cairo Citadel. Now, it is also the royal mausoleum of Muhammad Ali's family. The building is located opposite the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, which dates from around 1361, and was architecturally conceived as a complement to the older structure.

   30 min

6. The Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan is a monumental mosque and madrasa located in the historic district of Cairo, Egypt. It was built between 1356 and 1363 during the Bahri Mamluk period, commissioned by Sultan an-Nasir Hasan

   30 min

7. The Citadel of Cairo or Citadel of Saladin is a medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo, Egypt, built by Salah ad-Din and further developed by subsequent Egyptian rulers. It was the seat of government in Egypt and the residence of its rulers for nearly 700 years from the 13th to the 19th centuries

   1 h

8. Then Continue your day tour to Islamic Cairo that was Founded in 641 A.D By the First Muslam leader Amr Ibn Elas Over there in Islamic Cairo you will be able to Visit and Enter the Following Mosques `Masjid` Amr Ibn Elas Mosque that was built in 642 A.D By the Muslim leader Amr Ibn Elas at El FUSTAT area

   30 min

9. Khan el-Khalili is a famous bazaar and souq in the historic center of Cairo, Egypt. Established as a center of trade in the Mamluk era and named for one of its several historic caravanserais, the bazaar district has since become one of Cairo's main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike.

   1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 258 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Amazing Guide

  This was an amazing opportunity to learn about the history of Islamic Mosques, Coptic Orthodox churches and their history. Mahmoud Solomon was a great guide. He is very knowledgeable and welcomed my questions and curiosity. I came away with a basic understanding of the history and the important figures who played a pivotal role in forming its foundations. Mahmoud tailored the activities to my interests and went the extra mile by pointing out the best vantage points for photos. He took photos for me with my phone. This was very helpful as I was solo.

  Krista_WOctober 2026via Viator

• 3Guided tour of Islamic & Coptic Cairo

  I am unsure if the the tour on Sept 6, 2026 itself was not good or it was the circumstances leading to it. The tour operator (EMO Tours) was great and made sure it all worked out. However I spent the first hour communicating with my tour operator rather than the tour. The guide was not the greatest. Though I had high anticipation for Coptic cairo, he showed mostly Islamic Cairo. I had to tell him that we wanted to see Coptic Cairo. He only had one church on his list. After communicating with my liason, we did see a few more churches. All in all, I think my expectations might have been too high and it wasn't what I thought it was. I wouldn't fault the tour operator but likely the guide was not as experienced.

  Surekha_SSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Great day in Cairo

  Mizo was incredible he is one of the best tour guides ever, he is so funny and passionate about his work, he explains history through the human experience not through dates and boring facts. I loved visiting the churches, the Mosques I was not too excited about however they were actually beautiful and so interesting to learn about . I love the respect Mizo showed for the churches. I needed to buy a special gift at the church and he made sure I got what I wanted and also let me stay longer and enjoy the atmosphere

  Jake_TSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Great guide and great tour

  The sites are beautiful. My guide Haidy was very knowledgeable and we shared some great laughs . We had a sing along to Celine Dion and Whitney Houston on the way back to my hotel. Perfect way to end the day.

  Sandy_KAugust 2026via Viator

• 5Citadel tour

  Amir took us to the Citadel and other three mosques me and my family learned a lot and had a great time. He speaks very well Spanish and knows a lot about the history of the city. Very recommended

  FarAway62109715879August 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Amazing tour, definitely...

  Amazing tour, definitely a less visited gem in Cairo. We enjoyed the guide as well who provided personalized touches to the day to make it great

  Muyang_YJuly 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Cairo

• Its from-price is 83% below the median of the 1157 city tours we list in Cairo.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 11 of 1157.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Cairo

Cairo is Egypt's sprawling capital on the Nile, where the Pyramids of Giza meet medieval mosques, busy bazaars and the treasures of the pharaohs.

On the western edge of the city, the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx rise from the desert plateau, with the step pyramid of Saqqara and the ruins of Memphis further south. Cairo's great museums, the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square and the vast Grand Egyptian Museum beside the plateau, hold artefacts spanning thousands of years.

Top-ranked sights in Cairo: Egyptian Museum (Museum of Egyptian Antiquities), Saqqara (Sakkara), Khan El-Khalili.

See all 10229 experiences in Cairo