COPTIC CAIRO
CITADEL
KHAN EL KHALILI

ITINERARY

Morning Pickup — Cairo or Giza Hotel
Your private Egyptologist and driver will meet you at your hotel to begin your full-day exploration of Cairo’s historical heart.

Stop 1 — Coptic Cairo
Egypt’s earliest Christian district, also called Old Cairo, centered around the ancient Roman fortress of Babylon. Within its narrow lanes and enclosed courtyards, churches and sanctuaries preserve the memory of Egypt’s first Christian communities, while the surrounding architecture still carries traces of both Jewish heritage and the city’s Roman foundation. The area forms one of Cairo’s most densely layered historic enclaves, where religious traditions, early urban life, and centuries of craftsmanship remain closely intertwined.

Highlights

• The Hanging Church — El Muallaqa
  A landmark suspended above the remains of a Roman gatehouse, marked by carved wooden screens, icons, and the traditional basilica layout that defines early Coptic architecture.

• The Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus — Abu Serga
  A sanctuary built above a crypt long associated with the resting place of the Holy Family, characterized by simple stone floors, vaulted aisles, and a layout that reflects Egypt’s earliest Christian communities.

• The Ben Ezra Synagogue
  A beautifully restored monument representing Cairo’s historical Jewish presence, known for its refined wooden interiors and its association with the Cairo Geniza manuscript discoveries.

Stop 2 — The Citadel of Salah El Din
Cairo’s great medieval stronghold, rising atop Mokattam Hill on the city’s eastern edge. A fortified complex overlooking the old urban core, with sweeping views across Cairo’s historic districts, minarets, and rooftops. Built in the 12th century as the heart of the city’s defense system, the Citadel stands today as one of Egypt’s most commanding architectural landmarks — a clear vantage point for understanding the scale, history, and layered structure of Islamic Cairo.

Highlights

• The Mohammed Ali Mosque
  An Ottoman-era landmark within the Citadel — alabaster-clad interiors, high domes, delicate lanterns, and a vast prayer hall framed by panoramic views across the city. A defining silhouette in Cairo’s skyline and a central monument of Islamic architecture.

• Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad
  The Mamluk royal mosque of the Citadel, built in 1318 and used for centuries as the sultans’ ceremonial Friday mosque. Distinguished by its green-tiled dome, carved stucco, and elegant minarets, it offers a direct link to Cairo’s medieval architectural core and the functional heart of the fortress.

Stop 3 — Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Cairo’s oldest and most atmospheric market — a labyrinth of narrow alleys lined with handmade crafts, jewelry, brass lamps, textiles, and fragrant spices. Historic cafés offering mint tea and Turkish coffee, long frequented by poets, merchants, and travelers. A setting dense with movement, color, and centuries of lived tradition.

Return Transfer — Cairo or Giza Hotel
After your visit, relax in your private air-conditioned vehicle on your way back to your hotel.