Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo worth booking?
Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo is a 4-hour experience in Giza, Egypt, from $20 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 12 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (12)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $20 per person
Visit El Mokattam Mountain Cave Church, or the Monastery of St Simon, on a private tour that also explores the magnificent churches of Coptic Cairo. You’ll see some of Cairo’s most important Christian sites, including the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, the Church of Saint Barbara, and the Hanging Church, while going beyond sightseeing for a glimpse of ‘garbage city,’ a fascinating Cairo neighborhood that most visitors overlook entirely.Private tour ensures personalized service Included lunch and entrance fees mean no extra tour costs Enjoy the comfort and security of traveling by private vehicle with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo.
What you get
About this experience
Visit El Mokattam Mountain Cave Church, or the Monastery of St Simon, on a private tour that also explores the magnificent churches of Coptic Cairo. You’ll see some of Cairo’s most important Christian sites, including the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, the Church of Saint Barbara, and the Hanging Church, while going beyond sightseeing for a glimpse of ‘garbage city,’ a fascinating Cairo neighborhood that most visitors overlook entirely.Private tour ensures personalized service Included lunch and entrance fees mean no extra tour costs Enjoy the comfort and security of traveling by private vehicle with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo.
What's included
Included
- Tour guide
- Pickup and drop off
- Private tour
- Entrance fees
- Local Lunch koshry or shawarma or chicken (if booked all inclusive)
- Comfortable & private car
- Bottle of water
Not included
- Tipping
What you'll see and do
Coptic Cairo
At the requested time, pick up from the hotel by your guide to start your half-day tour of Old Cairo, also known as Coptic Cairo, which means Christian Cairo. It has been recognized as a holy place because some of its locations were visited by the Holy Family, where the spiritual impact of their presence is still strongly felt. Although their stay was brief, the Governor of what was then Fustat, enraged by the tumbling down of idols at Jesus' approach, sought to kill the Child. However, they took shelter from his wrath in a cave above which, in later years, the Church of Abu Serga (St. Sergius) was built. This church, together with the entire area of the Fort of Babylon, is a destination of pilgrimage not only for Egyptians but also for Christians from around the world. An air of piety and devotion pervades the whole district.
60 minutes here · Admission included
St Simon the Tanner Monastery
The Coptic Orthodox saint associated with the story of the moving of the Mokattam Mountain in Cairo, Egypt, during the rule of the Muslim Fatimid Caliph al-Muizz Lideenillah (953–975), while Abraham the Syrian was the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Coptic Church of St. Barbara
Saint Barbara Coptic known in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Great Martyr Barbara, was an early Christian Lebanese and Greek saint and martyr. Accounts place her in the 3rd century in Heliopolis Phoenicia, present-day Baalbek, Lebanon. There is no reference to her in the authentic early Christian writings nor in the original recension of Saint Jerome's martyrology
60 minutes here · Admission included
The Hanging Church
The Hanging Church is named for its location above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortress, the Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo); its nave is suspended over a passage. The church is approached by twenty-nine steps; early travelers to Cairo dubbed it "the Staircase Church". The land surface has risen by some six metres since the Roman period, so the Roman tower is mostly buried below ground, reducing the visual impact of the church's elevated position.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Synagogue Ben Ezra
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. The collection, known as the Cairo Geniza, was brought to the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England at the instigation of Solomon Schechter. It is now divided between several academic libraries, with the majority being kept at the Cambridge University Library.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
All inc & elkhalily market
Pickup included : Tourguide Bottle of water Lunch Private car Shopping tour Pickup included
All inclusive
Pickup included : Tourguide Driver Car Lunch Bottle of water Private car Shopping tour Pickup included
Car driver Tourguide
Pickup included : Tourguide Driver Car Bottle of water Expect Lunch Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 22 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Kemet Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not stroller accessible
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent
Great tour to visit Cave Church as it opens in the morning, drive right up to the church instead of walking through garbage city. Enjoyed exploring Coptic Cairo and learned a lot. Reham amazing guide, Basem excellent driver. Highly recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Dear valued customer, thank you so much for taking the time to write us a review. We’d love to see you soon again. Best regards, Kemet Tours
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful day out
Reham was a fantastic guide to our day looking at Coptic Cairo. She was very knowledgeable and helpful sharing information. We had a lot of fun too and would recommend this trip (particularly with Reham and Ahmed (driver))
Response from the operator: Dear valued customer, thank you so much for taking the time to write us a review. We’d love to see you soon again. Best regards, Kemet Tours
via Tripadvisor
Coptic Cairo/Old Cairo Tour
SOMAYA was an excellent guide! She was very knowledgeable and helpful the entire time! Please book with her if you’re interested in enjoying an experience in Cairo!
Response from the operator: Dear valued customer, thank you so much for taking the time to write us a review. We’d love to see you soon again. Best regards, Kemet Tours
via Tripadvisor
Cairo Tour
Betti our tour guide and Aeasem our driver were both excellent! Courteous, knowledgeable and very informative. For a wonderful day rouring Cairo they are your best option. Actually booked another day of touring with them because we were so pleased ! A+++
Response from the operator: Dear valued customer, thank you so much for taking the time to write us a review. We’d love to see you soon again. Best regards, Kemet Tours
via Tripadvisor
Book Somaya!
Somaya was a phenomenal tour guide! She had a great energy and was warm and welcoming as soon as we were in the car. She was full of knowledge and flexible when we wanted to switch up a few things on our tour. She was also so sweet and made sure we felt comfortable everywhere we went. I highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Dear valued customer, thank you so much for taking the time to write us a review. We’d love to see you soon again. Best regards, Kemet Tours
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $20 to $80
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Kemet Tours, who run 7 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.4 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Kemet Tours runsWhy this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Giza.
How much does Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo cost?
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Prices start at $20 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Giza usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Giza is not rushed.
Is Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Giza, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Giza can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Giza and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Giza within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Giza?
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On Outty we rank every Giza experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel, ATV Bike, Shopping & Dinner Cruise, ViP Private Tour Giza Pyramids,camel ride , inside 3rd Pyramid, Giza Pyramids VIP Private Tour ATV Camel Inside Pyramid & Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Giza?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Giza?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo?
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Included: Tour guide; Pickup and drop off; Private tour; Entrance fees; and Local Lunch koshry or shawarma or chicken (if booked all inclusive). Not included: Tipping. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 12 listed pickup locations in and around Giza. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not stroller accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Giza. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo?
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Across 12 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Cave Church of Saint Simon and Hidden Churches of Old Cairo?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including All inc & elkhalily market, All inclusive, Car driver Tourguide. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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