Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 57 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon. worth booking?
Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon. is a 4-hour experience in Cairo, Egypt, from $18 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 57 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (57)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $18 per person
In the morning pick up from your hotel in Cairo and visit the Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church of Zabbaleen. It is located in the Mokattam Mountain, a short drive through the so called “Garbage Cit
What you get
- Tour guide
- Entry/Admission - Old Cairo.
- Entry/Admission - Cave Church
- Entrance fees
- Pick up services from your hotel & return
- Local Lunch.
About this experience
In the morning pick up from your hotel in Cairo and visit the Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church of Zabbaleen. It is located in the Mokattam Mountain, a short drive through the so called “Garbage City’ – a large population of garbage collectors or Zabbaleen that live there. First, we visit Saint Simon the Tanner Hall and St. Mark’s Church. This huge cave was discovered in the year 1974. The upper story is the St. Simon the Tanner Hall with seating capacity of 2000 people for spiritual meetings, The walls are decorated with many wonderful pictures engraved on the rocks representing scenarios from the Bible. Then we continue and visit the Cathedral of Virgin Mary and St. Simon the Tanner, then you will visit Old Coptic Cairo to explore the old Coptic Churches and the oldest synagogue of Ben Ezra and the place where Moses the prophet lived in it for a while, After the tour transfer back to your hotel.
What's included
Included
- Tour guide
- Entry/Admission - Old Cairo.
- Entry/Admission - Cave Church
- Entrance fees
- Pick up services from your hotel & return
- Local Lunch.
- All transfers by modern air conditioned vehicle from your hotel in Cairo
Not included
- Any extras
- Tipping
What you'll see and do
Cave Church
Our tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby at 09:00 AM, then transfer to visit the Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church of Zabbaleen, that dates back to the ten century AD for Saint Simon the tanner, It is located in the Mokattam Mountain, and it is cut in the native rock of the mountain to be the biggest Church in Egypt and the middle east, a short drive through the so called “Garbage City’ – a large population of garbage collectors or Zabbaleen that live there.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Coptic Cairo
Then you will go to Old Coptic Cairo it is one of the oldest areas in Cairo the stronghold of the Christianity, it is so holy place since it witnessed the holy family existence during their journey in Cairo to visit the Hanging Church of virgin Marry that built on the top of Babylon fort, then you will visit Saint George Church that built in the name of Saint George in the tenth century by Coptic scribes then you will see the Cavern Church of Sergious and Bakhus the two roman martyrs and Ben Ezra synagogue the oldest one in Cairo then you will have lunch at nice restaurant then you will be transferred back to the hotel.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 720 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Egypt Royal Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 57 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
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
57 verified traveler reviews for Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon.. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very enjoyable trip
I had a most enjoyable morning with Amira,she was very kind and knowledgeable.The guide at St simon’s Monastery was also very interesting and intensely passionate about his religion with many story’s and tales to tell. I would certainly recommend this trip.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your review & we hope to see you again.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience
Hala the Sugar Queen was an awesome guide! She took the time to really explain everything and took good care of the group. Thank you so much 😊
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your review & we hope to see you again.
via Tripadvisor
Hammad my guide and Abdula my driver, make the tour a wonderful experience, knowledge and kindness. Great tour!
Great! Highly recommend a different view of Cairo!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your review & we hope to see you again.
via Tripadvisor
Great private tour in Cairo
Great tour. Hannah was a very accommodating tour guide. She asked what things we were missing and made sure to accommodate them into the tour. We did not feel rushed. We learned a lot of history and saw some fascinating sites of old Cairo.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your review & we hope to see you again.
via Tripadvisor
Disappointed expec
I recently booked a private tour of a Coptic Church in Egypt and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience with the guide, Amira. Since this was a private tour, I expected a personalized, professional, and informative experience. Instead, she was frequently on her phone and did not seem engaged. When discussing the history and significance of the church, her explanations were limited and lacked depth, which was especially disappointing given the importance and sacred nature of the site. The tour also felt rushed. I did not feel that I received the full experience or adequate time to properly appreciate and learn about the church, which was frustrating, especially for a private tour. Her behavior felt unprofessional as well. She seemed more focused on encouraging me to purchase items from local shops rather than providing a meaningful tour. Even after I clearly stated that I was not interested in buying anything, she continued to push the matter, which made the experience uncomfortable. Overall, the private tour did not meet expectations. I hope this feedback is taken seriously so future visitors receive the knowledgeable, attentive, and respectful service that such a historic and sacred place deserves.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We truly value all reviews, as they help us continuously improve our services. We are genuinely sorry to hear that the experience did not fully meet your expectations. Providing a professional, engaging, and informative private tour is always our priority. We would also like to clarify that Amira is one of the most experienced and highly rated guides in our team, and she has consistently received excellent feedback from many guests. For this reason, your comments were taken very seriously and have been carefully reviewed internally. Regarding shopping stops, we would like to emphasize that our tours do not require or obligate any purchases. Our guides are instructed to always respect guests’ preferences. If you felt any pressure at any point, we sincerely apologize, as this does not reflect our company standards. Your feedback is important to us, and we will continue working to ensure that every guest receives the attentive, respectful, and enriching experience they deserve—especially when visiting such meaningful and historic sites. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future for a much better experience.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $18 to $84
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon.: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cairo.
How much does Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon. cost?
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Prices start at $18 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cairo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon. 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 Cairo is not rushed.
Is Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon. worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 57 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cairo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon.?
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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 Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon. suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 4-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon.?
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Around 20 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 Cairo 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 Cairo and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tour to Old Coptic Cairo & the Cave Church of St. Simon. 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 Cairo 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 Cairo?
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On Outty we rank every Cairo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include All-in-One Giza Tour, inside Pyramid, sphinx, Camel ride & lunch, VIP Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx Tour –Inside the Pyramids&More, Best of Cairo Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx and Grand Museum Tour. 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 Cairo?
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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 Cairo?
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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.
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