People have travelled to Egypt on pilgrimage since ancient times, and the country remains important to Christians, Muslims and Jews. This page covers the main pilgrim routes and some practical tips.
Christian pilgrimage
- The Holy Family route: Coptic tradition names more than 20 places where Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus stayed. Popular stops are the Tree of the Virgin at Matariya, the crypt of Abu Serga in Coptic Cairo, the Church of the Virgin in Maadi, Gabal El Teir near Minya and the Monastery of Al-Muharraq near Asyut.
- St Catherine and Mount Sinai: the 6th-century St Catherine’s Monastery is built around the traditional site of the Burning Bush. Pilgrims climb Mount Sinai at night to see the sunrise from the summit. Monastery opening hours are short and change, and it is closed on Sundays and religious holidays, so check locally.
- Desert monasteries: the four monasteries of Wadi El Natrun, between Cairo and Alexandria, are still home to monks. The monasteries of St Anthony and St Paul, in the mountains near the Red Sea coast, are among the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. Both groups can be visited on a day trip, from Cairo or from Hurghada and Ain Sokhna respectively.
Islamic heritage
In Islamic Cairo, Al-Azhar Mosque, founded in the 10th century, and the Mosque of Al-Hussein opposite it are the religious centre of the old city. The area is especially lively in the evenings during Ramadan. Cairo also has the shrine mosques of Sayyida Zeinab and Sayyida Nafisa.
Moulids
Moulids are festivals for the birthdays of saints, held by both Muslims and Christians. They bring music, Sufi chanting, fairground stalls and huge crowds. The best known are the moulids of Al-Hussein and Sayyida Zeinab in Cairo, Sayyid Al-Badawi in Tanta, and Abu Al-Haggag in Luxor. Dates follow the Islamic or Coptic calendar and shift each year, so ask locally.
Etiquette
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Women should carry a scarf to cover their hair in mosques.
- Remove your shoes before entering a mosque, and avoid visiting during Friday midday prayers.
- Ask before photographing worshippers, monks or services. Photography is not allowed inside some churches.
Ramadan
During Ramadan, most Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Sites and shops stay open, often with shorter hours. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking openly in public during the day. After sunset (iftar), the streets fill with people. The dates move about 11 days earlier each year. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February, depending on the moon sighting.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: whc.unesco.org, whc.unesco.org, egymonuments.gov.eg, gov.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Egypt important for religious tourism?
Egypt is linked to Jewish, Christian and Muslim history, from the life of Moses to the Journey of the Holy Family, and has temples, synagogues, churches and mosques of great age.
What is the Holy Family route?
It is a pilgrimage route through the places in Sinai, the Delta, Cairo and Upper Egypt associated with the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, promoted since the start of the new millennium.
Where can I see Islamic monuments?
Cairo, known as "the City of a Thousand Minarets", has the richest concentration of historic mosques and Islamic monuments.
What should I wear when visiting religious sites?
Cover shoulders and knees at mosques and churches; women should also cover their hair inside mosques.
