Tours/Cairo/Private Coptic& Islamic Cairo Tour with Citadel & Khan el-Khalili
Private Coptic& Islamic Cairo Tour with Citadel & Khan el-Khalili
4.9(125)Cairo6–8 hours
VIATOR5.0(34)TRIPADVISOR4.9(91)
+6 photos
At a glance
Duration
6–8 hours
Price from
$60 / person
Location
Cairo, Egypt
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 125 reviews
Languages
EN, ES
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
GEM Explore Egypt
Description
Step into Cairo’s fascinating history on a private guided journey through its Islamic, Coptic Christian, and Jewish heritage. Visit the impressive Saladin Citadel, Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifai Mosques, and explore the historic churches of Coptic Cairo.
Discover the Hanging Church and Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, as well as the historic Ben Ezra Synagogue, offering a fascinating insight into Cairo’s diverse religious heritage.
Continue to Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, one of Cairo’s most famous historic markets, and experience its lively atmosphere, traditional shops, and local crafts.
Enjoy a comfortable private experience with air-conditioned transportation, convenient pickup and drop-off, and an experienced professional guide. The tour offers a flexible start time and personalized service. Entrance fees and lunch are included when the corresponding option is selected at booking.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
8:00 AM and 9:00 AM
Next available
Sun, Oct 11
Adult (ages 13–65)
$60
Child (ages 6–12)
$30
Infant (ages 0–5)
Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $90.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Tour Options
Car+Guide+Fees +Lunch
Car+Guide+Entry Fees+Lunch : All-inclusive Car+Guide+Entry fees to the mentioned sights +Lunch.
Pickup included
Car+Guide Only
Car+Guide Only
Pickup included
Car+Guide+Entry Fees
Car+Guide+Entry Fees
Pickup included
Itinerary
Citadel of Saladin
Admission included60 min
Our Gem Explore Egyptologist will pick you up at your requested location to start your journey in Cairo heading to the largest Islamic Monument Cairo Citadel ,Called Also Saladin Citadel, Dates back to the eleven century and was built by the great warrior Saladin and his minister. The Citadel contains 13 fortified towers, contains 7 mosques, Citadel was the seat of government and the residence of its rulers for more than 700 hundred years, what a chance to know the modern history of Egypt. Then it will be the time to visit one of the Islamic wonders here is Mohammed Ali Mosque.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali
60 min
The Mosque of Mohammed Ali Basha or the Alabaster Mosque ( Ottoman Mosque, its minarets are very unique and high (86m), the domes inside are plated with gold, walls outside and inside is alabaster !! The Mosque has been completed and finished in 1848 AD.
Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
Admission included60 min
Then, the tour continues by visiting Islamic Cairo. It is the area that holds the greatest and most famous Islamic monuments. The place was founded by Amr Ibn Al-A'as by 640 AD. The Islamic Cairo tour starts by visiting Mosque-Madrassa of Al Sultan Hassan. The Mosque was built between 1356 and 1363 AD by order of Al Sultan Hassan-An-Nassir; it is known as and architectural wonder by its fascinating size and Mamluki Islamic designs. The tour then continues by visiting AL Rifa'ei Mosque, which was built with more of a modern design in the nineteenth century to complement its fourteenth century neighbor.
30 min
The Mosque is located in Citadel Square, adjacent to the Cairo Citadel. Now, it is also the royal mausoleum of Muhammad Ali's family. The building is located opposite the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan. The Mosque Been Completed and finished in 1912. Beside the royal family you will see as well the tomb of the last Shah of Iran Mohammed Reza pahlavi !!
Coptic Cairo
30 min
After Lunch break you will start another journey With your Tour Guide through Cairo to one of the most religious places called Coptic Cairo. Coptic Cairo is apart from Old Cairo contains the Pabylon Fortress , Hanging Church , Greek Church of St. George , Saints Sergius and Bacchus and many Coptic churches around. It is believed in Christian tradition that the holy family stayed at the site of saints Sergius and Bacchus church to be a way from the roman army , with your guide you will know a lot more and learn about the Christianity in Egypt .
The Hanging Church
45 min
Around Fort Babylon, Egyptian Christians’ oldest churches were built. In addition to being the destination of pilgrimage for people of different religions all over the world, this area holds ruins of the Roman fortifications and several churches, a visit to Hanging Church.
Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus
45 min
The tour continues by visiting Church of St Sergius and Bacchus, Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church is traditionally believed to have been built on the spot where the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus Christ, rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. They may have lived here while Joseph worked at the fortress. The church is of significant historical importance, and in fact, it is where many patriarchs of the Coptic Church were elected.
Synagogue Ben Ezra
45 min
The tour continues by visiting Ben Ezra Synagogue, The Ben Ezra Synagogue is situated in the Fustat part of Old Cairo, Egypt. According to local folklore, it is located on the site where baby Moses was found.
This was the synagogue whose geniza or store room was found in the 19th century to contain a treasure of forgotten, stored-away Hebrew, Aramaic and Judeo-Arabic secular and sacred manuscripts.
Al Emam Al Hussein Mosque
Pass by
Nearby Khan Elkhalili, is located one of the most sacred Islamic sites in Egypt, this mosque is the reputed burial place of the head of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed. the mosque has been renovated recently. Opportunity to take nice photos.
Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar
60 min
Then, the tour continues by visiting Khan El-Khalili Bazaar. The Bazaar is in the historic center of Cairo; It was established as a center of trade in the Mamluk era. The Bazaar has various products of all kind and shapes; not limited to Silver, Copper, Brassware, Gold and Leather Goods.
What's included
Included
Bottled water
Lunch ( if you picked up the option)
Entry Fees ( if you picked up the option)
Pick up &Drop of to your accommodation in Cairo or Giza
Not included
Out-of-Range Pickup: +$15 per person for Airport,Airport Hotels, New Cairo, Nasr City & Heliopolis.
Gratuities
Pickup Locations & Times
Guide will be waiting in the lobby holding sign with company name on it .
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
125 reviews
5
118
4
5
3
1
2
0
1
1
How it compares in Cairo
Starting price $60 is 20% above the typical $50 for tours of similar length in Cairo
Excurgo comparison of 9,639 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Private Coptic& Islamic Cairo Tour with Citadel & Khan el-Khalili lasts about 6–8 hours. The itinerary has 10 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $60 per person for this Cairo experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $90. There are 3 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 6–12 pay from $30, adults from $60. Infants go free.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Guide will be waiting in the lobby holding sign with company name on it . Pickup points include Pyramids Island, Richard Pyramids Inn Hotel.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 8 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 125 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by GEM Explore Egypt.
Reviews(125)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
G
GeorgeK1627
October 8, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Day trip to Islamic and Coptic Cairo
Zika our guide was. Super efficient and kind!
Operator response
hank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt
M
mainT1193PL
October 7, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Nice day
Aya was very informative and allow us all the time we need.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt
9
979mannanm
October 4, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent organisation
Wow, what can I say? It's so great to have Abeer as a guide. She is passionate and explained everything we went through on the tour. Guys, this is a must-do tour; it covers both Islamic and Christian history and major monuments, with deep knowledge.
I loved the lunch; it was a good choice.
Ihab was our driver, and he did not let us wait more than 1 minute and drove the car safely.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt
M
Margaret_M
October 2, 2026 · via Viator
Great for religious history context
Great introduction to religious history of Egypt. Visit to 3 different historically significant mosques and 3 Coptic Christian Churches and 1 synagogue provided further depth of the changes from 30 BC to 600AD and beyond. Our driver Ibrshim and guide Neelofsr??? Were great.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt
X
X4005KGelenab
September 29, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful
I would repeat with Mohamed (the driver) and Basma (guide). They have been very patient, affectionate, and have taught us many things, even what was not included in the booking. A delight and a pleasure.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt
E
Esmeralda_M
September 28, 2026 · via Viator
Cultural tour
🇲🇽 We had an absolutely amazing experience on the Coptic & Islamic Cairo tour with Anan! She was an outstanding tour guide from beginning to end and made the entire experience unforgettable.
Anan was extremely knowledgeable about the history, culture, and significance of every place we visited, including the Citadel, the beautiful Coptic churches, and Khan el-Khalili. She explained everything in a way that was interesting, easy to understand, and really brought the history of Cairo to life.
What made the experience even better was how friendly, patient, and welcoming Anan was throughout the entire tour. She made sure we were comfortable, answered all of our questions, and took the time to make sure we truly enjoyed each location.
She was also great at helping us get amazing pictures and knew the best locations and angles for photos. She went above and beyond to make sure we captured memories that we will have forever.
If you are visiting Cairo and looking for an excellent tour guide, I highly recommend Anan. She made our day special, and we are extremely grateful for the wonderful experience. Thank you, Anan, for an unforgettable tour of Coptic & Islamic Cairo! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt
G
Gary_S
September 27, 2026 · via Viator
Wonderful experience
Very interesting and informative to see the sights of Cairo. From the citadel, to the mosques, churches and markets.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt
S
Shimboadventures
September 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Private Coptic& Islamic Cairo Tour with Citadel
My husband and I recently did this tour, and found it to be great. Our guide Mohammed Elshemei was wonderful. He is very knowledgeable and gave us great insight into all the places we visited. Our tour ran very smoothly, our driver was great too and kept us safe in the busy traffic. We booked 3 tours with this company over 3 days, and felt lucky to have had Mohammed as our guide for all of them. He really gave us a personalised, detailed tour and looked after us extremely well.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt
D
DayTrip01872562495
September 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Coptic Cairo
We did this tour and 2 other tours from this company. We were lucky enough to have the same guide for all 3 tours, his name was Mohammed elshemei (egyptologist) ,he was so amazing and made our experience one we will never forget. The drivers were always on time and got us around safely. Highly recommend.
James
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt
S
Sonal_S
September 25, 2026 · via Viator
Fun tour.
Our tour was excellent. Our guide Amany was excellent. She was knowledgable, flexible and fun to be with. I recommend her highly. We wanted to try Khosary, Egyptian vegetarian dish, she took us to very known local place and have it packed to be taken to a cafe at Khan El Khalili market, where we had it with Egyptian tea watching crowd passing by.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your amazing review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience with our team. Your happiness is what inspires us every day! ❤️🇪🇬 We hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable Egyptian adventure! Gem Explore Egypt