The Biblical Tour:

Coptic Museum

6 Houses of Worship

Khan Khalili Bazaar

All of our tours are private tours. This means you are not herded into industrialized tourism and large groups of people you do not know. We believe in personalized service.

Start your tour with the Coptic Museum. The Coptic Museum in Cairo, Egypt, houses the world's largest collection of Coptic Christian artifacts, showcasing the history of Christianity in Egypt from its beginnings to the present day. Established in 1908 by Marcus Simaika, it features a wide array of items including stone carvings, textiles, manuscripts, and metalwork, reflecting the evolution of Coptic art and culture.

Who are the Coptic Christians?

The Coptic Orthodox Church is the Christian church founded in Egypt by St. Mark the apostle.  He is regarded by the Coptic hierarchy as the first of their unbroken 118 patriarchs.  He was also the first Egyptian martyr. The Copts played an essential role in the whole Christian world, especially during the first five centuries.

Be prepared:  dress modestly and be prepared to don on a scarf when entering religious sites.  There is great tolerance for those not familiar with customs of the Orthodox Church, the wearing of head scarves or veils still remains a revered tradition.  No, you do not have to cover from head to toe with only your eyes showing.  Make your own fashion statement with a scarf and enjoy the adventure into history.

The Hanging Church

Also referred to as the Suspended Church or Al-Moallaqa in Arabic. It's situated in Coptic Cairo, a part of Old Cairo that houses numerous churches and historical sites like the Babylon Fortress and the Coptic Museum. History: The church was originally built in the 7th century and was substantially rebuilt in the 9th century. Significance: It's one of the oldest churches in Egypt. Known for its beautiful interior, which includes a marble pulpit, screens, and numerous icons. One of the oldest icons dates back to the 8th century It was built on the southern gate of the Roman Fortress. It is a unique church and has a wooden roof in the shape of Noah's ark.

Church of Abu Serga

Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, also known as Abu Serga, is one of the oldest Coptic churches in Egypt, located in Old Cairo. It is traditionally believed to have been built on the spot where the Holy Family rested during their flight into Egypt. Abu Serga is dedicated to the two Saints Sergius and Bacchus who served as soldiers in the Roman Army. To make it easier for people to pronounce, the names of the two saints were combined and the church was named "Abu Serga" as a short form and a more memorable name. They were faithful followers of the Lord Jesus and eventually suffered martyrdom in Syria in 296 during the reign of the Roman Emperor Maximinus. Their relics are partly kept in Abu Serga and others are buried in Syria.

The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George

Erected upon the northern tower of the Fortress of Babylon and echoes its rond shape. The church dates back to the 10th century (or earlier). The current structure was rebuilt following a 1904 fire, construction was finished in 1909. The church can be reached through a flight of stairs and is crowned by an impressive dome. St George Church was built to honor Saint George who was a Palestinian conscript in the Roman army and was executed in 303 by Emperor Diocletian for practicing Christianity and is also rumored to have slain a dragon!  That dragon may have been a crocodile St. George encountered while stationed with the Roman army in Libya.

Tradition has it that St. George was kept in a prison close to the church and martyred there.

A convent is attached to the church, it is not open to visitors.

 

The Church of St. Barbara

The story of St. Barbara

Her father was a wealthy pagan named Dioscorus, who wanted to marry her off to a Persian prince. However, St. Barbara converted to Christianity at the age of 16, When Dioscorus discovered she was a Christian, she fled to the wheat fields to escape him. When she was found, she was imprisoned in a tower and tortured. The tower was burnt down, but St. Barbara remained alive.  She was eventually martyred and executed by her own father, who was immediately struck by a bolt of lightning and was burned to death.  She is known as the Saint of Fire, and is the patron saint of miners and firefighters in France.

Ben Ezra  Synagogue

The Synagogue of Ben Ezra was originally a church. However, it needed to be sold to pay the annual taxes imposed on the church by the government in 882 A.D. The synagogue is named after Abraham Ben Ezra who bought the church for a sum of 20,000 dinars. The basilican structure with a nave and two aisles is still recognizable. The synagogue has become famous for its Geniza, an archive of ancient Jewish manuscripts, comprising thousands of rare manuscripts.

After 10 years of reconstruction the Synagogue has reopened.

The Cave Church - St. Simon

The crown in this tour is a visit to the Cave Church St. Simon,  also known as the Monastery of Saint Simon, is a remarkable church carved into the Mokattam Mountain in Cairo, Egypt.  It is something you must see to truly appreciate it, one of the best kept secrets in Egypt.   It's one of the largest churches in Egypt, with a seating capacity of around 20,000 - yes you read that right.

Khan El Khalili

You end your tour Khan el-Khalili, Egypt's most famous bazaar and souq  located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, near the Medieval walled city of the Saladin Citadel.  It was built on the old burial site of the Fatimid Caliphs, who founded Cairo in the 10th century. Trading in the souk dates from the 14th century, but its elaborately-carved monumental gates and grid-like alleyways were constructed in the 16th century under Egypt's last powerful Mamluk ruler.  A vibrant open-air bazaar is a treasure trove of Egyptian culture, with bustling streets filled with local artisans and vendors.

A complete contrast to the desert calm of Egypt's ancient monuments, this historic souk is well worth a visit to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Cairo. Just remember - like the rest of the capital city, it is a labyrinth of chaotically competing sounds, sights and smells - let's yourself go, take a deep breath and enjoy!

This tour includes one hour of shopping.

We don't believe in pressure, we believe in service.  Most people will want to pick up souvenirs, you are under no obligation to buy anything, you can window shop with no pressure.  If you have something specific in mind, let us know, if we can be of help we are at your service.  If you wish to pre order cartouches, papyrus etc and have them delivered to you that can be done.  Visit From Cairo with Love to place your order.  Tell us in the special instructions box that you have a tour with Leader and you want it delivered to your location in Cairo the day of your tour. As an extra bonus we'll refund the shipping charges.

Booking/Procedure FAQ

Once you have booked and paid for your tour you will receive a detailed receipt from us.  If we have any questions we will contact you via email, please check your spam folder in case we end up in there.  We highly recommend you read our policies regarding cancellations or changes.  We also like to confirm/make contact the day before with a phone call or email, to avoid any confusion.

We will pick you up at your hotel or designated location and return you to the same point. Generally speaking, we will be in the hotel lobby with your group name on a sign. We prefer to contact you the day you arrive to confirm pick up points etc. We want to make this experience hassle free with no surprises - and then your adventure begins.

Cairo Weather & Helpful Hints

Always wear comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking.  Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.  Not wheelchair accessible.

During the hot months wear light colored cotton and linen clothing. Stay hydrated! Wide brim hats or visors help with the sun. Sunglasses and sunscreen are always in fashion. In the cooler months dress in layers. Evenings can get chilly.