Tourist Guide to Islamic Cairo Tour
Cairo, the capital city of Egypt is the best place to stay in Egypt and explore nearby places. The city is a treasure trove and centre for cultural attractions. Planning a one-day tour to visit the iconic symbol of Egypt, the Giza Pyramids, is easy from Cairo. Travellers can book a Nile River Cruise Ride or a felucca boat tour to sail along the Nile River and enjoy a magical sunset. Cairo exceeds the traveller’s expectations with its vibrant market streets and ancient mosques. Travellers can opt for the Nile River water activities while visiting the historic monuments in Cairo.
One of the remarkable activities to add to the Cairo travel itinerary or do while staying in the city is the Islamic Cairo tour. Various tour agencies and operators offer custom-made Islamic Cairo tour packages. Interested travellers can look for the package cost and inclusions. If not, travellers can take a self-guided walking tour to explore Islamic Cairo. Travellers can expect to visit various ancient mosques, markets and other historical monuments in Islamic Cairo. The tour will provide an array of insights about the history of the monument which eventually connects to the country and fascinates the travellers. Walking into the Islamic Cairo and exploring its mosques will be the best experience for travellers.
Islamic Cairo History
The area got the name “Islamic Cairo” because of the monuments, mosques, tombs and other buildings in the surrounding area which stand as a testimony to Islamic architecture. The official foundation date of Islamic Cairo is 969 AD. It was founded by the Fatimid caliphs and they turned the area into their capital and Islamic religious centre. The district is also known as Medieval or Fatimid Cairo because most of the monuments in the district were constructed in the medieval period during the Fatimid reign.
The Islamic Cairo has an entire market, second oldest university operating since 988 AD, ancient mosque, Fatimids burial site and several old buildings which date back to different periods. The rich history of the district and its monuments truly add a lot of significance to the places while visiting them.
Getting to Islamic Cairo
Taxi or Uber is a suggested transportation option for travellers to get to Islamic Cairo. The entire city is connected by the Cairo Metro system with Line 2. Travellers can choose the metro, a cost-effective transportation option to reach Islamic Cairo. The Islamic Cairo is situated near the Bab-Al-Shaaria station.
Getting around the district such as from one destination to another will be easy with Uber or a local taxi. Islamic Cairo is a busy and populated district, so walking will be the best choice to reach the monuments that are close to each other to skip the traffic and save some money and time. Getting around Islamic Cairo is much easier with group or private tour packages because they include transportation facilities. Walking is also challenging because of the crowds and traffic.
Exploring Islamic Cairo
The Islamic Cairo district is full of mosques and monuments and travellers can visit the most important sights in one day. Exploring the district in one day will be a packed schedule because there are so many monuments and an entire market for shopping. Dedicating one day might turn into a regrettable decision, so travellers are advised to spend at least two days exploring Islamic Cairo. Following are a few mosques and monuments to visit in Islamic Cairo.
The Cairo Citadel
The Cairo Citadel visit might take around 2 hours. The Saladin or Cairo Citadel was constructed around 1176-1183 AD by Salah ad-Din (Saladin). The citadel was originally built to protect the city from Crusaders which justifies the defensive structure of the citadel. Later, it turned out to be the Egyptian ruler’s residence and administrative centre for over 700 years. The citadel will be busy during the prayer times.
Al-Azhar Mosque
Al-Azhar Mosque was constructed during the Fatimid period. It also served as an Islamic religious and learning center. The courtyard of the mosque is supported by 300 marble columns and has a fountain, and the mosque's mihrab has the original Kufic inscription. The mosques have several madrasas and visiting the mosque takes 1 or 1.5 hours. The monument was built around 970 to 972.
Al-Azhar Park
Al-Azhar Park is the best place to pause the Islamic tour for a while and relax at the green field. The park is situated around 1 or1.5 Km from the Al-Azhar Mosque. The lake, fountains and garden offer a great place to connect with nature. The park also has a kid’s playground, museum and cultural centre. The must-visit sights of the park are the al-Azhar Garden and Ayyubid Wall.
Muizz Street
Muizz Street is an interesting and busy part of Islamic Cairo. The street is packed with ancient buildings and small shops. Back during the Fatimid dynasty, the streets and surrounding areas served as the economic centre. The street extends from Bab al-Futuh to Bab Zuweila which is around 1 Km. In 1997, the government took serious action to preserve and renovate the historic monuments, gates and places in Muizz Street.
Khan el-khalili
Khan el-khalili bazaar or market is the busiest and largest shopping place in Cairo. Besides shopping, wandering around the shops will be more interesting and exciting as there are countless shops, food stalls and restaurants in and around the marketplace. The market is full of shops that sell leather products, musical instruments, perfumes, lanterns and antiquities. Try tasting the koshari and falafel street foods.
Qalawun Complex
Qalawun Complex is a multifunctional complex and a fine example of outstanding Islamic architecture. It was constructed around 1284 and 1285 by Sultan Al-Mansur Qalawun. The mosque within the complex has beautiful carvings and intricate decorations and a madrasa (an Islamic educational centre) with a pool. The complex also has a Mausoleum, a dome-shaped burial place and a hospital which was destroyed in 1910.
Bab al-Nasr
Bab al-Nasr is a square-shaped tower gate. The gate is also known as the Gate of Victory. Bab al-Futuh is another gate tower that stands as a great example of Fatimid Military architecture, and both gates served as the main entrance to the city. The gate complex was constructed by Badr al-Jamali in 1087. Bab al-Futuh translates to Gate of the Opening, which is otherwise known as the Gate of Conquests.
Travellers have various places to get around in Islamic Cairo, such as El Moez Street, Al-Hakim Mosque, Al-Muizz Street, Bab Zuwayla, Sultan Hassan Mosque, the Saffron Tomb, etc. Avoid visiting the mosques during prayer time and behave properly. Before entering the mosque, remove the shoes or slippers, and women must cover their heads, so always carry a scarf.
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Travel Tips for Islamic Cairo Tour
- Choose comfortable shoes and dress (most of the sights in Islamic Cairo are mosques, so following the dress code is important).
- Islamic Cairo travel itinerary is a must.
- Have sufficient local currency (Egyptian pound) for restroom facilities and tipping.
- Remember to include the entrance fee while allocating the budget.
- Beware of the tourist scams and learn a few tricks to stay away from them.
- Know the local customs and practice them (like tipping or rounding up the fare).
- Do not walk around or engage in other activities that would disturb the prayer while visiting the mosques.
- Pack the essentials such as sunscreen, water bottle, sunglasses and hat to withstand the heat.
The Islamic Cairo tour offers an opportunity to visit the historical places and architectural skills of the Egyptian rulers. Hiring a certified and experienced tour guide will definitely be helpful when it comes to getting around the place quickly and choosing the closest destination, transportation, and places to shop and eat. Stay informed about the situation at the place to ensure safety, which is important while travelling. Undoubtedly, the monuments in Islamic Cairo will offer an unforgettable experience to journal it down.
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The capital of Egypt is situated in the northern parts of Egypt. The approximate population of Cairo is over 22 million. Cairo is home to the Nile River delta, the longest and famous river in Africa. It is the place where the Nile River is split into two branches, namely the Rosetta and Damietta. Learn more at Guide to Cairo Egypt for First Time Tourists.
Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 5 (five) days in advance of your flight. Citizens of many countries including US citizens, Brazilian citizens, Croatian citizens, Georgian citizens and Peruvian citizens can apply online for Egypt e-Visa.