Half-day Tour in Churches of Cairo

Duration

5h

Max People

15

Min Age

6

Pickup

Hotel

Overview

Marvel at Cairo’s UNESCO-listed treasures on a small-group tour of the city’s historic churches. Explore Coptic Cairo and the famous Hanging Church; visit the Cave Church, the Church of Santa Barbara, and the Church of Saint Sergius; and learn more about Cairo’s rich religious history and heritage.


Departure and return

Departure details

  • Centrally located Cairo and Giza hotels
  • Due to the church services on Fridays and Sundays, the pickup time will be 10.00 am from Centrally located hotels on those days only.

Return Details

  • Returns to the original departure point

Accessibility

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Infants must sit on laps

Additional information

  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Friday due to morning prayers and mass pick-up time will be 10.00 am
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation policy

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Included/Excluded

  • Bottled water
  • Professional guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Entry/Admission - Hanging Church (El Muallaqa, Sitt Mariam, St Mary)
  • Entry/Admission - Church of St. Barbara
  • Entry/Admission - Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Mari Girgis)
  • Entry/Admission - Synagogue Ben Ezra
  • Entry/Admission - Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus
  • Entry/Admission - Cave Church
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities
  • Insurance
  • The extra charge of Pick up from the hotels and points outside the city

Tour Plan

Stop At: Coptic Cairo

Advancing through the alleyways of the old city, you’ll get the chance to visit the Church of Saint Sergius and the Church of Santa Barbara, before continuing to the Ben Ezra Synagogue and Saint Simon’s Church, which is carved into Mokattam Hills.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Hanging Church

You will be picked up by a professional guide, who will then drive you through the narrow lanes of Old Cairo to get to the southern fringes, where Coptic Cairo is located. Hanging Church of the Virgin Mary, located on top of the water gate. The church dates from the 7th century. It has magnificent dark interiors with cedar paneling, with wooden ark ceiling, and a marble pulpit supported by 12 pillars.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Church of St. Barbara

The church of St. Barbara is among the churches of Old Cairo of historic importance. It was originally dedicated to St. Cyrus and St. John who were worshipped for their healing powers. A small church at the northeastern corner of the building commemorates these two martyrs.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Coptic Orthodox Church

The Church of St. George is a Greek Orthodox church within the Babylon Fortress in Coptic Cairo. It is part of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St George under the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all of Africa. The church dates back to the 10th century (or earlier). The current structure was rebuilt following a 1904 fire, construction was finished in 1909. Since 2009, the monastery’s hegumen has had the rank of bishop with the title Bishop Babylonos.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Synagogue Ben Ezra

Originally a Coptic church was transformed in the 11th century into a Jewish synagogue. According to Jewish tradition, this is where the prophet Jeremiah preached in the 11th century while Copts believe it is the site where baby Moses was found in a basket.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus

In this church, it is believed that the holy family rested during their exile in Egypt. In the Chapel of the Convent of St, visitors wanting to be blessed can be wrapped in chains by the nuns.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Cave Church

The Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church, is located in the Mokattam mountain in southeastern Cairo. Seven churches and chapels are hidden within a series of caves inside the Monastery; the Virgin Mary and St. Simon Cathedral is the largest church. Inside the spacious caverns, beautiful engravings cover the walls, each representing stories from the Bible. St. Simon’s Hall, a large seating arena that accommodates 2,000 people for spiritual meetings, sits on the upper level.

The Monastery also includes an education center, an area for children, as well as a school for the deaf. Now considered one of the largest Coptic monasteries in Egypt, the grandeur of the churches hidden within the heart of the Mokattam Hills belie their relatively recent construction.

Duration: 30 minutes

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