Cave Church & City of the Dead Tour: Explore Hidden Cairo
Take a deeper look into the soul of Egypt with our exclusive Cave Church & City of the Dead Tour. This journey takes you off the beaten path to explore the massive Cave Church of Saint Simon in Cairo, passing through the fascinating Garbage City and the historic City of the Dead. While these sites might not be on the standard tourist itinerary like the Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum, they offer a profound insight into the authentic life, resilience, and history of the city. If you are looking for unique, off-the-beaten-track sightseeing that tells the real story of Cairo, this tour is for you.
Tour Snapshot
| Duration | Approx. 5-7 Hours |
|---|---|
| Type | Private Cultural / Off-Beaten Track |
| Key Attractions | Cave Church, Garbage City, City of the Dead |
| Availability | Daily |
Itinerary:
Your Nile Empire tourist guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin your Cave Church & City of the Dead Tour. We start by ascending Mokattam Mountain to visit the famous Monastery of St. Simon “The Tanner”. This complex features seven cave churches carved into the mountain’s limestone heart. The main cathedral is the largest in the Middle East, boasting an amphitheater with a seating capacity of 20,000. It is a breathtaking sight that contrasts sharply with the traditional religious architecture seen on our Tour to the Egyptian Museum, Citadel, and Coptic Cairo.
To reach the church, we pass through the “Garbage City” in Cairo, known locally as “Manshiyat Naser”. This neighborhood is home to the Zabbaleen (Garbage Collectors), a community of mostly Coptic Christians who have sustained themselves since the 1930s by acting as Cairo’s unofficial sanitation crew. They created a highly efficient recycling system, sorting the city’s waste and feeding organic compost to their pigs. It is a side of life very different from the royal history you witness during a Giza Pyramids and Civilization Museum Tour.
Next, we descend to visit The City of the Dead (Al-Qarafa), an ancient Islamic necropolis located below the Mokattam Hills. Unlike a standard cemetery, this is a living community where people live alongside the tombs of sultans and saints. It offers a quiet, spiritual atmosphere distinct from the bustling markets you might experience on a Tour to El Moez Street and Khan El Khalili Bazaar. After exploring these unique sites, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
If you are short on time but want to see these hidden gems, this trip can be customized similar to our Cairo Layover Tour from Cairo Airport. At the end of the day, we will head back to your hotel. For a relaxing end to your evening after such an intense day, we recommend unwinding with a Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River.
Ready to see the unseen? Book your Cave Church & City of the Dead Tour today and discover the other side of Cairo!
Experience Highlights: Two Hidden Worlds
| Feature | Garbage City (Manshiyat Naser) | City of the Dead (Al-Qarafa) |
|---|---|---|
| Community | Industrious Zabbaleen (Recyclers) | Families Living Among Tombs |
| Key Landmark | St. Simon Cave Cathedral | Ancient Mamluk Mausoleums |
| Atmosphere | Busy, Unique Urban Life | Quiet, Historic, Spiritual |
Inclusions & Exclusions
| ✅ Included | ❌ Excluded |
|---|---|
| All transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle. | Any Optional Tours not mentioned. |
| Pick up services from your hotel & return. | Entrance fees to all the mentioned sites. |
| Private Egyptologist guide. | Tipping. |
| Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. | |
| Bottled water during your trip. | |
| All taxes & service charges. |
The Faith of the Cave Church
The Monastery of Saint Simon is a testament to unwavering faith carved directly into the bedrock of the Mokattam Mountain. The cavernous walls of the main cathedral, adorned with intricate carvings of biblical stories, create a natural acoustic marvel. Stepping inside, one feels a sense of awe not just at the scale, but at the dedication of the community that transformed a mountain into a sanctuary. It stands as a beacon of hope and resilience overlooking the sprawling city below. If you appreciate such unique geological formations, you might also enjoy exploring the desert landscapes on a Quad Bike Tour at Giza Pyramids.
Life Among the Tombs
The City of the Dead is often misunderstood by outsiders. Far from being a scary or morbid place, it is a place of deep history and coexistence. For centuries, the caretakers of these tombs built homes attached to the mausoleums of pashas and historical figures, creating a unique urban fabric where the living and the dead share the same space. Walking through its streets, you witness magnificent Mamluk architecture blending seamlessly with the daily rhythms of local life. This experience offers a silent narrative of Cairo’s past, quite different from the grand temples seen on a Luxor Full Day Tour.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cave Church & City of the Dead Tour
What is the Cave Church of St. Simon?
The Cave Church, or the Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner, is the largest church in the Middle East. It is carved into the limestone of the Mokattam Mountain and features an amphitheater that can seat up to 20,000 worshippers.
Where is the Garbage City located?
Garbage City, locally known as “Manshiyat Naser,” is a settlement located to the southeast of Cairo at the base of the Mokattam Hills. It is the route one must take to reach the Cave Church.
Who are the “Garbage People” mentioned in the tour?
They are the Zabbaleen, mostly Coptic Christians who immigrated to Cairo in the 1930s. They are affectionately known as the “Garbage People” because they sustain themselves by collecting and recycling Cairo’s waste, living in the neighborhood known as Garbage City.
What can I do in the evening after this tour?
Since the tour typically ends in the afternoon, you have a wonderful opportunity to experience Cairo by night. We highly recommend attending the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show for a magical storytelling experience under the stars.
How much are the entrance fees to the sightseeing listed in the itinerary ?
Entrance fees in Egypt generally range from EGP 200 to EGP 1500 (4 USD to 30 USD), depending on the site, and all major attractions accept credit card payments or online booking.
You can learn more details by reading the following article: Egypt Attractions Entrance Fees Guide.
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Included
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Not Included
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Maps
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