Cairo: Old Coptic Churches & St Simon Cave Church Private Tour

Summary

Walk ancient Coptic streets then climb Mokattam for St Simon’s Cave

You’ll wander Old Cairo’s ancient churches with a local guide who knows every story behind each stone, step into hidden crypts where history lingers, then drive up Mokattam Mountain to see St Simon’s vast Cave Church carved by Cairo’s Zabbaleen community. Expect honest moments—sometimes noisy or raw—but always real connections with people and place.

What’s the experience like?

We were already winding through Old Cairo’s narrow lanes when our guide, Hany, pointed to a crumbling stone arch and said, “That’s part of the Babylon Fortress—older than most of this city.” I could smell bread baking somewhere, mixed with incense from a nearby church. The Hanging Church felt almost weightless above us, perched on those old Roman towers. Inside, it was cool and dim; someone whispered a prayer in Coptic. It made me pause longer than I expected. There was this little mosaic of Mary and Jesus—tiny gold tiles catching the dusty light—and I thought about how many people must have stood right here over the centuries. 

After that we ducked into Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, where Hany explained the Holy Family supposedly hid for three months. He showed us the crypt—low ceiling, rough stone walls, faint echo when you speak. I tried to imagine Joseph worrying about breakfast or Mary humming to herself in this dark space. Then we crossed over to Ben Ezra Synagogue (I totally mispronounced it; Hany just smiled), and he told us about Moses and the old Jewish community in Cairo. The stories sort of blurred together in my head after a while—so much happened in these few blocks.

The drive up Mokattam Mountain was bumpy and loud—honking horns, kids waving from alleys in what people call ‘garbage city.’ You can’t really prepare for that part: piles of plastic bottles everywhere, but also families chatting on doorsteps like any neighborhood. Then suddenly you’re at St Simon’s Cave Church. It’s enormous inside—a real cave carved out by hand by the Zabbaleen community in the 1970s. Our voices bounced off the stone walls; it smelled faintly of dust and candle wax. Hany told us about St Simon moving the mountain (I didn’t quite get all the details), but standing there with sunlight slanting through holes in the rock ceiling—I don’t know, it felt peaceful somehow. We sat quietly for a minute before heading back down.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Coptic Cairo and St Simon Cave Church

• Pickup from Cairo or Giza hotel
• Visit Babylon Fortress
• See the Hanging Church
• Visit the Holy Crypt Church
• Explore Ben Ezra Synagogue
• Visit St Simon the Tanner Monastery Cave Church

Top questions

How long does the Old Cairo & St Simon Cave Church tour take?

The tour typically lasts half a day, including hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cairo churches tour?

Yes, private hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Cairo or Giza hotels.

What sites are visited during this Coptic Cairo tour?

You visit Babylon Fortress, Hanging Church, Saints Sergius & Bacchus Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and St Simon Cave Church on Mokattam Mountain.

Is lunch provided on this day trip?

Lunch or a felucca boat ride is included depending on your booking option.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

Yes, all entry fees are covered so there are no extra costs during your visit.

Is this private or group tour?

This is a private tour with your own Egyptologist guide and vehicle.

Can children join this Coptic churches tour?

Yes, children can join as long as they share with two paying adults.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Cairo or Giza by private car with an Egyptologist guide leading you through Old Cairo’s historic churches and synagogues—all entry fees covered—and either lunch or a felucca boat ride before returning comfortably to your hotel at the end.