Cairo City Day Tour
Citadel, Islamic Cairo, Coptic Cairo & Egyptian Museum
About this tour
One full day covering the Saladin Citadel, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, ancient Coptic churches, and the treasures of the Egyptian Museum.
What you'll see in Cairo
The Citadel was begun by Salah al-Din (Saladin) in 1176 to defend the city and served as the seat of Egypt's rulers for centuries. On its summit stands the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, completed in 1848 in Ottoman style and nicknamed the Alabaster Mosque for its stone cladding. In Coptic Cairo you visit the Hanging Church, built above a gatehouse of the Roman fortress of Babylon, and nearby churches linked by tradition to the Holy Family's stay in Egypt. The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, opened in 1902, holds statues, coffins and objects from every era of pharaonic history. Khan el-Khalili, a market since the fourteenth century, closes the day.
How the day runs
After pickup from your hotel, the order of visits is planned around traffic and opening times. A common plan begins at the Egyptian Museum in the morning, when it is calmest, then moves to Coptic Cairo in the old quarter south of downtown. Lunch is included, after which you drive up to the Citadel for the mosque and the views over the city. The afternoon ends with free time in Khan el-Khalili for browsing, coffee or shopping before you are driven back. It is a full day of around nine hours, and Cairo traffic can stretch drive times, so we keep the schedule flexible.
Good to know
Because the day includes a mosque and churches, dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered for everyone, and women should bring a light scarf for the mosque. Shoes come off inside the mosque. Mosque visits pause during Friday midday prayers, and churches are busier on Sunday mornings, so we adjust the route on those days. Photography rules at the museum change from time to time, and your guide will explain the current policy. In the bazaar, bargaining is normal and expected; your guide can help with prices but there is no obligation to buy anything.
Egyptian Museum and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Many of the best-known Tutankhamun objects have been moved from the Tahrir museum to the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids. The Tahrir building still holds an enormous collection, including Old Kingdom statuary, royal coffins and objects from daily life, and its historic galleries are worth seeing in their own right. If seeing Tutankhamun's treasures is your main goal, tell us when booking; we can discuss pairing the Grand Egyptian Museum with your Giza day instead, so you get the most out of your time.
What's Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking tour guide
- Lunch
Not Included
- Entry tickets to sites
Pricing
- 1 Person: USD 70 total
- 2 Persons: USD 100 total
- 3+ Persons: USD 120 total
Prices marked per person are per person; all others are the total for that group size.
Entry tickets not included
Frequently Asked Questions
Are museum and site tickets included?
No. Entry tickets are excluded, including the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel and any paid areas. The churches of Coptic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar are generally free to enter. We confirm current ticket prices when you book, since they are set by the authorities and change periodically.
What should I wear for the mosque and churches?
Choose loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Women are asked to cover their hair inside the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, so a scarf is useful, and everyone removes shoes at the entrance. Comfortable walking shoes that slip off easily make the day simpler.
Does this tour include Tutankhamun's treasures?
Not in full. Most of Tutankhamun's famous collection is now displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, while this tour visits the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. If Tutankhamun is a priority, mention it when booking and we can suggest how to fit the Grand Egyptian Museum into your trip.
How much is the tour?
Prices are a group total for the whole day: $70 for one traveler, $100 for two, and $120 for three or more. That covers the private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide and lunch. Entry tickets and tips are extra.
Other Day Tours
- Giza Pyramids, from USD 70
- Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshour, from USD 70
- Bike Tour to the Pyramids, from USD 30 per person
- Dinner with Pyramids View, from USD 35 per person