Things to do in Qaroun
Explore top experiences
Top 10 attractions in Qaroun
Khan el-Khalili
Khan el-Khalili is a famous open-air market in Cairo, dating back to the Mamluk era in the 14th century. It was built by the then-emir Djaharkas el-Khalili on the site of a Fatimid royal tomb, from which the market takes its name. Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, it remains a popular shopping area for both locals and tourists from around the world. As you walk through the market, the narrow alleys are lined with shops selling gold and silver jewelry, copperware, spices, perfumes, and souvenirs. The market preserves stone gates left from the reconstruction by Sultan al-Ghuri in the early 16th century. The intricate Mamluk-style stone carvings on the gates are a direct testament to the market's historical heritage. Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz once used an alley in the market as the setting for his novel, adding a layer of literary depth to the place. Vendors enthusiastically solicit customers, and the sounds of trading fill the air. Even if you don't plan on shopping, wandering between the historic buildings and small shops, soaking in the aroma of spices and the buzz of voices, is a unique experience in itself.Egypt · Cairo
Nile
The Nile River is the mother river of Egypt. In the Cairo section, tourists usually choose to swim the Nile River at night, not only to enjoy the city night view of Cairo, but also to watch the wonderful belly dance or Sufi dance performance. There are many choices of cruise ships. At the docks on both sides of the Nile River in downtown Cairo, you can see a variety of cruise ships of different grades. The price ranges from 10 Egyptian pounds to one or two hundred Egyptian pounds. The more famous ones are Pharaoh Cruise and luxury dinner cruises ( MaximDinnerCruise), sailing cruise (FeluccaCruise), etc. Lively night cruises There are parades during the day and at night. Usually, there are belly dances, Sufi dances and other performances on board during night cruises, which are very lively. You can book night tours at your hotel and get lower group rates. The Pharaoh cruise ship's retro Pharaoh-style hull is very characteristic. There are four cruises a day at 14:30 (lunch cruise), 16:30, 20:00 (dinner cruise), and 22:00 (dinner cruise). Reservations are required. Accept credit card payment, the reference price is 200 Egyptian pounds per person. Tel: 02-35701000, 02-35702645 Address: 138ElNilSt.Giza, Giza official website: http://www.thepharaohs.com.egEgypt · Cairo
Hanging Church
Hanging Church is a prominent Coptic Orthodox church in Coptic Cairo. It is believed to have been founded in the 3rd century and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The church is built on the site of the south gate of the ancient Roman Babylon Fortress, with its nave suspended above the fortress passageway, hence the name "Hanging." Ascending the steps from the street, passing through the pointed stone arch and iron gate, you will see the 19th-century twin-tower facade, with courtyard walls adorned with biblical motifs. The interior of the church has a rectangular basilica layout, with a wooden vaulted roof shaped like Noah's Ark. The sanctuary is divided into three parts, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, and Saint George, respectively. The wooden iconostasis in front of the altar is inlaid with ebony and ivory, decorated with geometric patterns and cross motifs, and topped with a series of icons depicting Jesus, the Virgin Mary, angels, and the apostles. The marble pulpit is supported by several slender columns, which symbolize Jesus and the twelve apostles; one black basalt column represents Judas, who betrayed Jesus, a design feature that is quite unique among Coptic churches. The sanctuary features a glass floor, through which you can look down at the ruins of the Roman fortress beneath your feet, intuitively experiencing the unique nature of the church's suspended construction. Starting from the 11th century, the church served as the long-term residence of the Coptic Pope, holding an important place in the history of the Coptic Church.Egypt · Cairo
Coptic Cairo
Coptic Cairo is situated on the ruins of the Babylon Fortress, built during the Roman period, and serves as the historical heart of Coptic Christianity in Egypt. Although the area is compact, it is densely packed with several ancient churches, a synagogue, and Coptic Museum, all of which can be easily visited on foot. The Hanging Church within the area is built above the gatehouse of the Babylon Fortress's south gate, with its nave suspended over the passageway, hence its name. The Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga) is said to be built over the cave where the Holy Family took refuge when they fled to Egypt; visitors can descend into the crypt, which is an important site for Christian pilgrimage. The Church of St. Barbara is renowned for its ancient icons and the relics of Saint Barbara. In addition to the cluster of churches, the Ben Ezra Synagogue is also located here. It is one of the oldest surviving synagogues in Cairo and, together with the surrounding churches, bears witness to the unique history of religious coexistence in this area. Coptic Museum houses a vast collection of early Christian art treasures, including textiles, icons, manuscripts, and stone carvings, making it an essential place for understanding Coptic art. The area's deep, stone-paved alleyways are dotted with old book stalls and small souvenir shops, and strolling through them offers an atmosphere quite distinct from other parts of Cairo.Egypt · Cairo
City Of The Dead Cairo Egypt(Northern Cemetery)
City Of The Dead Cairo Egypt(Northern Cemetery) is located at the foot of the Mokattam Hills, east of the old city of Cairo and north of the Cairo Citadel, across the street from Al-Azhar Park. It is the section of the sprawling, multi-km Islamic necropolis known as the City of the Dead that lies north of the citadel. It rose to prominence during the Mamluk period in the 14th and 15th centuries, when sultans and dignitaries built mausoleums here to escape the crowded city, leaving behind clusters of tomb complexes famous for their stone-carved domes and minarets. The Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Qaitbay is a prime example and has even appeared on the Egyptian 1-pound banknote. The mausoleums of Barsbay and Faraj ibn Barquq, as well as the Qurqumas and Inal complexes further north, are also classic remnants of Mamluk architecture. Unlike typical cemeteries, most tombs here are built in the style of residential houses. A family's sarcophagi are enclosed within a tomb house featuring walls, a gate, and a courtyard, with rooms inside for mourning and for caretakers to stay. From a distance, it looks like a low-rise, gray residential neighborhood. Even more unique is that many residents still live in the cemetery area today. These include families who have been entrusted with guarding the tombs for generations, as well as residents who moved in due to the city's housing shortage. Small shops and schools are scattered throughout the alleys. During religious holidays, it is common to see Egyptian families bringing food to their family tomb houses to gather and pay their respects. This daily life of the living and the dead living in the same city is a rare sight elsewhere. When visiting, you can first get an aerial view from the Cairo Citadel or Al-Azhar Park to see this complex of tomb houses stretching to the foot of the Mokattam Hills. The cemetery area is large with intersecting alleys. For a walking tour, it is recommended to focus on the area around the Qaitbay complex or follow a guide who knows the route. Before entering the tomb house area to photograph residents or the interior of the tombs, it is advisable to obtain their consent first.Egypt · Cairo
Islamic Cairo
Islamic Cairo is the medieval heart of Cairo. Since the Fatimid period, the area has been continuously built up through the Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman eras, with mosques, religious schools, caravanserais, and old residences lining the streets. Unlike many preserved historic districts, the monuments here remain interwoven with residents' daily lives—prayer, trade, and social visits all take place among buildings that are hundreds of years old. It is a genuinely living old city with a character completely different from modern Cairo nearby. Exploring centers on Al-Muizz Street, which runs through the old city. Walk from the northern Bab al-Futuh to the southern Bab Zuweila, passing Fatimid-era city gates, the Ottoman-style Suhaymi House, and stretches of Mamluk architecture. In the southern section, on one side the Al-Azhar Mosque was founded around 970 CE, and its affiliated institution remains one of the oldest centers of Islamic learning today. On the other side, the lanes of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar are densely packed with shops selling copper lamps, spices, perfumes, and shisha. The old city is mainly pedestrian, and the main street restricts motor vehicles during the day. Walking from the northern gate through the bazaar and then toward Al-Azhar, allow half a day to a full day to explore at a relaxed pace. You must remove your shoes to enter mosques, and clothing should cover shoulders and knees. Women should bring a headscarf. The market and narrow alleys are crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings. Look up for the honeycomb-like muqarnas and openwork stone carvings on the entrance portals, as these details are what make the old city's architecture so captivating.Egypt · Cairo
The Cave Church
The Cave Church, also known as the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, is located within the cliffs of Mokattam Mountain, southeast of Cairo, Egypt. At the foot of the mountain lies a settlement of Coptic Christians who make their living by recycling and sorting garbage, known as "Garbage City." Legend has it that in the 10th century, the Fatimid Caliph, citing the belief that "faith can move mountains," ordered the then-Coptic Pope to move Mokattam Mountain within a few days. While praying, the Pope received a revelation from the Virgin Mary and found the one-eyed tanner, Saint Simon. Under his leadership, the people prayed together, and the mountain rose in response. Saint Simon then disappeared without a trace, and later generations built the church here to commemorate him. Today, the church complex is carved directly into the natural caves of the mountain, with multiple chapels connected to each other, and its scale is quite notable in Cairo and even the entire Middle East. The Saint Simon Hall, built into the cave, features circular seating surrounding a central pulpit and can accommodate thousands of people at once. The cave walls and rock pillars are adorned with numerous reliefs depicting biblical stories; scenes such as the Nativity of Jesus, the resurrection of Lazarus, and Samson can all be found on the rock walls, creating a sharp contrast between the rough rock surface and the intricate carvings. The high, vast dome of the cave has natural acoustics, and if you encounter a choir service, the sound echoing off the rock walls makes for a particularly special experience. It is worth noting that the final stretch of the road to the church passes through the narrow streets of "Garbage City." The environment along the way is chaotic, which contrasts sharply with the openness and tranquility inside the church. Many travelers consider this part of the journey a memorable highlight of their entire itinerary, so it is recommended to reserve enough time to experience it slowly. Every year, a large number of Coptic pilgrims make a special trip here, and it is also a window to understanding Coptic Christian culture in Egypt.Egypt · Cairo
Al-Azhar Mosque
Al-Azhar Mosque is located in the Islamic district of old Cairo and was founded around 970 CE, almost simultaneously with the founding of Cairo. The name "Al-Azhar" is said to derive from the title of Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet of Islam, meaning "the radiant." In Egypt, when people speak of "Al-Azhar," they often refer to both the mosque and the institution: it is both a place of worship and a classroom for preaching and teaching, with a tradition of scholarship that has continued since the end of the 10th century. Today, Al-Azhar University operates independently, but while strolling through the mosque, you may still encounter scholars and students engaged in study circles. Highlights within the mosque can be explored starting from the courtyard: the marble-paved central courtyard, the keel arches on the arcades, and the carved stucco retain the appearance of the Fatimid period; the stone columns in the prayer hall were taken from old buildings dating from the Pharaonic to the Coptic eras, leveled at the base and reused by later generations; the multiple minarets surrounding the mosque belong to different eras, including the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. Among them, the twin-topped minaret built by Sultan al-Ghuri has a unique style and is a highly recognizable landmark on the old city skyline; several gates, such as the "Barbers' Gate," are also worth a closer look when entering or exiting. The mosque faces Al-Hussein Square and is within walking distance of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, making it suitable to include in a walking tour of the old city. When entering, clothing must cover shoulders and arms, women are advised to bring their own headscarves, and shoes must be removed before entering the hall. If you visit during prayer times, especially the Friday congregational prayer, it is best to wait quietly outside or postpone your visit. Outside of prayer times, it is generally open to visitors from all countries.Egypt · Cairo
Amr ibn al-As Mosque
Amr ibn al-As Mosque is located in the Fustat area of Old Cairo. It was founded in the mid-7th century by the Arab general Amr ibn al-As, who led the army into Egypt, and is considered the landmark beginning of the Islamic era in Egypt. When this mosque was built, the city was still called Fustat—the old capital of Islamic Egypt. In terms of age, it predates the Cairo of today by more than 300 years. Before the rise of the Al-Azhar Mosque, it was the center of Islamic education and scholarship in Egypt for hundreds of years. The original structure has been lost to centuries of war and reconstruction. The current mosque largely dates from multiple renovations since the late 18th century, but the layout of an open courtyard with arcaded colonnades still follows the form of early Islamic mosques: the central courtyard is spacious and airy, and the prayer hall features rows of stone columns supporting a wooden roof. Along the south wall, you can still see old wooden lintels said to date back to the 9th-century expansion, which are rare ancient relics within the mosque. The entire mosque has few decorations and emphasizes space, giving it a simple, austere character that is distinctly different from the later mosques in Cairo, which are filled with domes and tall minarets. It remains a place for daily worship for believers and is generally open to visitors outside of prayer times. You must remove your shoes to enter, clothing should cover shoulders and arms, women should generally bring their own headscarves, and it is best to avoid peak prayer times such as the Friday congregational prayer. Within walking distance outside the mosque are the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo, the Babylon Fortress, and The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Many tourists combine this old city area, where various religious sites are adjacent, into a half-day or one-day walking tour. In the early morning or evening, when the light slants into the courtyard and the arcades cast layered shadows, it is also a great time for photography.Egypt · Cairo
Synagogue Ben Ezra
Synagogue Ben Ezrais located in the Coptic area of Old Cairo and is one of the oldest synagogues in Egypt, now open to the public as a museum of Jewish history. Legend has it that its predecessor was the Coptic Church of St. Michael, which existed as early as the 9th century before being used by the local Jewish community. It has since undergone multiple destructions and reconstructions, and the current structure is a reconstruction from the late 19th century. The synagogue is named after the 12th-century Jewish scholar Abraham ben Ezra. The prominent medieval scholar Maimonides once lived nearby, worshipped here, and managed the affairs of the Jewish community in Egypt, adding a rich layer of history to the site. The exterior of the synagogue is simple and understated, but the interior is a hidden gem: golden geometric and floral patterns cover the ceiling, black and white striped arches support the hall, and chandeliers echo the galleries, creating a sharp contrast between the ornate, delicate decorations and the exterior. A well-known story about this place occurred in the late 19th century, when hundreds of thousands of documents in Hebrew and other languages, dating from the 6th–19th centuries, were discovered in the synagogue's genizah. Known in academia as the "Cairo Genizah," these documents record the trade and daily life of the medieval Mediterranean world. Most are now housed in the Cambridge University Library and are invaluable materials for studying medieval history. In the backyard of the synagogue, there is also the "Well of Moses," which is said to be associated with the story of the infant Moses. It is not far from the Hanging Church and other Coptic churches, making it suitable to include in the same walking route.Egypt · Cairo
Experiences you can't miss in Qaroun
Featured Cultural experiences in Qaroun
View all Cultural experiences
4.9/5
· 66 reviews· 1.1k bookedFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
35 consecutive positive reviews
FromPKR 26,892.85
5.0/5
· 1 review· 24 bookedBook now for tomorrow
FromPKR 41,519.66
4.6/5
· 10 reviews· 82 bookedFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromPKR 26,892.85
5.0/5
· 1 reviewBook now for tomorrow
FromPKR 41,519.66
5.0/5
· 1 reviewBook now for tomorrow
FromPKR 37,262.34
FromPKR 39,981.91
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
10% off
Limited-time sale
FromPKR 13,270.27PKR 14,744.75
5.0/5
· 1 reviewFree cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
FromPKR 22,264.17
Featured Outdoor experiences in Qaroun
View all Outdoor experiences
Instant confirmation
Book now for today
FromPKR 69,199.43
![Faiyum oasis 1-day tour [Lake Qarun + meteorite landscape valley + Wadi Hitan National Park museum]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0350g12000t9lul4k8477_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromPKR 51,717.01
FromPKR 6,206.05
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
FromPKR 43,177.96
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
FromPKR 44,559.67
5.0/5
· 1 reviewFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromPKR 55,201.47PKR 58,106.82
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromPKR 28,057.03PKR 29,533.72
Featured City sightseeing in Qaroun
View all City sightseeing
FromPKR 38,444.13
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
FromPKR 32,124.42
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
FromPKR 29,015.61
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
FromPKR 42,141.70
FromPKR 20,759.83
FromPKR 69,987.59
Free things to do in Qaroun
Khan el-Khalili
Egypt · CairoNile
Egypt · CairoHanging Church
Egypt · CairoCoptic Cairo
Egypt · CairoCity Of The Dead Cairo Egypt(Northern Cemetery)
Egypt · CairoIslamic Cairo
Egypt · CairoThe Cave Church
Egypt · CairoAl-Azhar Mosque
Egypt · CairoAmr ibn al-As Mosque
Egypt · CairoSynagogue Ben Ezra
Egypt · Cairo
