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- German
- English
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- French
- Spanish
Old Cairo holds a thousand years of faith in a few square miles, and this private day connects the Islamic and Coptic threads with an Egyptologist to guide you.
You climb to the Citadel of Saladin for the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali and the view across the city, then visit the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, one of the oldest and largest in Cairo, with its famous spiral minaret. In Coptic Cairo you step into the Hanging Church, suspended over a Roman gate, and round out the day at the Gawhara Palace, the 19th-century royal residence beside the Citadel.
All private, hotel pickup and drop-off included, at a relaxed full-day pace.
Ideal for travelers who want the medieval, Islamic, and Christian layers of Cairo in one focused day.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Please share your hotel name and address when booking. Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby at the scheduled pickup time. Modest dress recommended for Coptic and Islamic religious sites (covered shoulders and knees). Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Itinerary
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1Cairo Citadel
You climb to the Citadel of Saladin, the limestone fortress begun in 1176, and into the Mosque of Muhammad Ali at its center, its alabaster walls and twin Ottoman minarets crowning the skyline since the 1840s. Under the great central dome your guide explains the ruler who reshaped modern Egypt. From the terrace, Cairo spreads out below you to the pyramids on a clear day. Modest dress is needed inside the mosque, and shoes come off at the carpet's edge.
2 hours • Admission ticket included -
2Mosque of Ibn Tulun
You visit the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, built in the 9th century and one of the oldest and largest mosques in Egypt, its vast open courtyard ringed by simple pointed arches. The unmistakable feature is the spiral minaret, with an external staircase winding up the outside, modeled on the ancient ziggurats of Iraq. Climb it for a sweeping view over the rooftops. Far quieter than the Citadel, it is a favorite of architects and photographers alike.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
3The Hanging Church
Down in Coptic Cairo you reach the Hanging Church, so named because its nave is built over the gatehouse of the Roman fortress of Babylon and appears to hang above the passage. Parts date to the 7th century, and inside are inlaid screens, icons, and an ark-shaped wooden roof. Your guide walks you through the narrow lanes of the old Christian quarter around it, among the oldest churches in Egypt. Calm and shaded, it is an easy walk.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
4
You finish at the Gawhara Palace, built in 1814 beside the Citadel as the residence and reception hall of Muhammad Ali. Inside are gilded ceilings, period furniture, royal portraits, and a famous clock given by King Louis-Philippe of France. It offers a glimpse of how Egypt's 19th-century rulers lived, a different register from the ancient temples and a fitting end to a day spent moving through Cairo's many layers.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is smart casual May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Please note: pickup reconfirmation is required upon booking, please refer to voucher for further details
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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