Day Tour to Coptic Cairo and The Cave Church of Samaan El-Kharaz

Your personal guide will accompany you to explore the city’s historic churches, beginning with the Hanging Church and St. Sergius Church. You will then visit the Church of St. George, the Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo, and the Greek Church of St. George, along with many other significant Coptic churches and historical sites. It is believed that the Holy Family visited this area and stayed at the site of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga). After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll continue to the Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church, located in the Mokattam Mountain. The drive will take you through the “Garbage City,” a community predominantly made up of the Zabbaleen, who are known for collecting and recycling waste.

The Monastery of Saint Simon is deeply linked to a famous miracle in Coptic tradition: it is believed that, in the 10th century, a bishop prayed for the removal of a mountain blocking access to the city. After Saint Simon’s prayers, the mountain miraculously moved, clearing the way for the community. The cave church was subsequently carved into the mountain as a place of worship, and it remains one of Egypt's most awe-inspiring religious sites, known for its carved pillars and beautiful murals. The surrounding area is home to the Zabbaleen community, whose dedication to faith and recycling has transformed the area into a unique and vibrant cultural space.