Old Cairo & Khan El Khalili Bazaar Tour: Churches & Souks

Four churches and a thousand stalls: the layered Cairo in one afternoon

A private guided tour of Old Cairo visits the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Church of St. Barbara and Church of Abu Serga, then moves to Khan El Khalili bazaar to browse brass, copper, leather, silver and antiques. Hotel pickup and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a guide in your choice of language are included; the tour runs about four hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Old Cairo and Khan El Khalili Bazaar

• Pickup from hotel
• Visit Hanging Church
• Visit Ben Ezra Synagogue
• Visit Church of St. Barbara
• Visit Church of Abu Serga
• Explore Khan El Khalili Bazaar
• Transfer back to hotel

The Experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in a private air-conditioned vehicle. Your guide takes you to Coptic Cairo, the historic quarter where you visit the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Church of St. Barbara and Church of Abu Serga—sites that anchor the city's Christian heritage and predate modern Cairo itself. The Hanging Church sits partly suspended above a Roman fort; the Ben Ezra Synagogue holds centuries of Jewish history. Your guide walks you through each one, explaining what you're standing in front of and why it matters.

After Old Cairo, you move to Khan El Khalili, the bazaar that has supplied Cairo's craftspeople and collectors for generations. The stalls here specialize in brassware, copper work, perfumes, leather goods, silver, gold and antiques. You're not on a shopping schedule—the time is yours to browse, haggle or simply watch the bazaar work. The guide is there if you want context; otherwise you wander at your own pace.

The vehicle waits to bring you back to your hotel when you're ready. Bottled water travels with you throughout the day. If your hotel sits outside central Cairo—at the airport, in New Cairo, Sheikh Zayed City or another outlying area—that pickup and drop-off costs extra, so confirm your location when you book.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• private guide in your choice of language.
• entry to the four churches in Old Cairo.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• all service charges and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendly

Operated by Sun Pyramids Tours

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you want to set your own pace at each church and spend as much or as little time as you like at Khan El Khalili without waiting for a group. Choose the group tour if you prefer to share the cost and don't mind moving on a fixed schedule.

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Top questions

What churches will I see in Old Cairo?

The Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Church of St. Barbara and Church of Abu Serga are the four stops in Coptic Cairo. Each one is a working place of worship and a historical site; your guide explains their significance and what to look for inside.

How much time do I spend at Khan El Khalili?

Khan El Khalili is the second half of the tour, though the exact time you spend there depends on your pace and interest. The bazaar stays open throughout the day, and you're free to browse the brass, copper, leather and antique stalls as long as you want before heading back to your hotel.

Is this tour private or will I be with other people?

You can book a private tour with your own guide and vehicle, or join a group tour with a shared guide and transport. Both options include hotel pickup and drop-off; the private option gives you the flexibility to set your own rhythm at each stop.

What language will my guide speak?

The tour is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, French, Greek and several other languages. Choose your language when you book, and your guide will be a native or fluent speaker.

Does the tour include lunch or meals?

Bottled water is provided throughout the tour. Meals are not included, though Khan El Khalili has food stalls and small restaurants if you want to eat while you're there.

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible; all areas, surfaces and transportation are set up to accommodate wheelchairs. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller. The tour suits all physical fitness levels.