Egypt Half Day Hiking Route to Old Cairo

In this hiking route, you will start from City View Hotel, a 3-star hotel located across from Egyptian Museum at Al Tahrir Square. The hotel is a convenient landmark for independent travelers as it is also close to Sadat metro station at a distance of 250 meters.

First, you will walk about 4 minutes to Sadat metro station and take Metro Line 1 bound for Helwan Station. Finally get off at Mar Girgis Station after passing four stops. The ticket is EGP3. If you are a lady traveling alone, it is recommended to take the women-only carriage.

At the exit of Mar Girgis Station, you will find the Hanging Church, a 3th-century church famous as one of the oldest churches of Egypt. It is open from 09:00 to 16:00 every day and free to the public. Built on the south gate of the Babylon Fortress, the church looks like hanging in the air from a distance. A one-hour visit is enough for you to enjoy the exquisite designs of this Basilica-style church. Nearby the Hanging Church, you will see Ben Ezra Synagogue, the most ancient Jewish temple in Cairo. It is also free to visitors. Should you wish to explore its historical significance and unique structures, you can pay a 1-hour visit here, which is enough for you to enjoy.

The next stop, Coptic Museum, is situated at the east of Ben Ezra Synagogue. There are rich exhibitions showing the history and culture of Copts collected in this museum. As a major part of Coptic Cairo, Coptic Museum is famous as a must-see destination for travelers to learn about Coptic Christians. It is open from 09:00 to 17:00 per day with an entrance fee of EGP100. The audio guide is also available at EGP10.

After visiting Coptic Museum, you will walk east to Mari Gerges Street by way of Babylon Fortress, and then head north about 100 meters to reach St. George's Church, which is open from 09:00 to 17:00 for free. Entering its iron gate, you will find the church by going up the right stairs, or you can walk left to visit the peaceful graveyard, of which the elegant carvings is also recommended to have a look, if you don't mind.

Next, you will proceed to Foustat Traditional Crafts Center, at which you will arrive by walking north about 300 meters along Mari Gerges Street and turning right to walk 400 meters along El-Imam Malik Street. Foustat Traditional Crafts Center is open from Sunday to Thursday at 09:00 to 18:00. And it is free to visit. Here you will see dexterous craftsmen indulge in there creation, meticulously and quietly, without any commercialized promotion. In a tranquil atmosphere, free from tiresome hawkers, you will see lots of beautiful handicrafts and witness how they are made by watching the processes such as preforming, carving, inlaying, and etc.

After the visit, you can backtrack to Mar Girgis Station: First, take Metro Line 1 at Mar Girgis Station bound for New El-Marg, upon arrival at Sadat Station, you can walk back to City View Hotel. There are many nice restaurants and café nearby that may meet your needs for a decent lunch or dinner. We wish you have enjoyed this hiking!