What to see and do in historic Cairo

What to visit in historic Cairo

• Saladin Citadel
• Mosque and madrasa of Sultan Hasan
• Monuments of al-Muizz · combined ticket

PLACES AND EXPERIENCES

What to do in historic Cairo

heritage

Saladin Citadel

The fortress on the Muqattam hills brings together different stages of Egyptian power. A visit allows you to see the defensive complex and the authorized monuments, including the Muhammad Ali mosque.

Activities for your visit

• Observe the walls and open historical spaces.
• Get to know the mosques and perspectives of the city included in the visit.

Tips for this place

• Follow the clothing and access instructions for religious spaces.
• Check the included areas; Some services or special visits have their own conditions.

Book tickets ↗

Official entrance to the Citadel of Saladin. Check the included venues and the rules of their mosques; Does not include other monuments of historic Cairo.

Reference sources and location

• Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities · Cairo Citadel

Orientative reference of the place; it does not indicate a gate, ticket office, pier or an accessible route.

Reference coordinates: 30.0294, 31.2614.

Wikidata · Cairo Citadel

heritage

Mosque and madrasa of Sultan Hasan

The large patio, the iwans and the decoration of this complex allow us to get closer to the Mamluk architecture in front of the surroundings of the Citadel.

Activities for your visit

• Observe the courtyard and the architecture of the iwans.
• Know the permitted spaces of the mosque and madrasa.

Tips for this place

• Adapt the visit to the celebrations and rules of the venue.
• The advertised ticket is combined with al-Rifaí; Please confirm your inclusions before purchasing separately.

Book tickets ↗

Official purchase of Sultan Hasan's outfit. The ministerial file announces a combined ticket with the al-Rifaí mosque; Check the current modality and avoid buying the same access twice.

Reference sources and location

• Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities · Mosque and madrasa of Sultan Hasan

Orientative reference of the place; it does not indicate a gate, ticket office, pier or an accessible route.

Reference coordinates: 30.0319, 31.2567.

Wikidata · Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan

heritage

Monuments of al-Muizz · combined ticket

Several historical sites on al-Muizz Street are grouped together in a joint entrance, including the Qalawun complex. Walking down the street and accessing those interiors are different experiences.

Activities for your visit

• Choose the monuments of the group that you want to see.
• Observe the historic facades around al-Muizz.

Tips for this place

• The combination does not cover all the buildings on the street.
• Bayt al-Suhaymi and Wekalet Bazaraa have separate admissions according to the official listing.

Book tickets ↗

Official reservation for the monuments included in the al-Muizz ticket. You pay for the team's facilities, not for walking down the street. See the list of inclusions and exclusions.

Reference sources and location

• Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities · Qalawun complex and al-Muizz ticket

Orientative reference of the place; it does not indicate a gate, ticket office, pier or an accessible route.

Reference coordinates: 30.052752, 31.262096.

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Map of al-Muizz Street

A PROPOSAL TO ORGANIZE YOURSELF

2-Day Historic Cairo Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Citadel and surroundings of Saladin

   Organize the Citadel as your main visit and add Sultan Hasan's complex if time and access allow it.

2. Day 2

   Monuments of al-Muizz

   Choose the combination ticket interiors that interest you and stroll through the historic street environment.

Tips for visiting historic Cairo

• Respect clothing and worship hours in religious spaces.
• See which buildings each combo ticket includes.

LOCAL FLAVORS

What to eat in historic Cairo

Beans, rice, herbs and layered doughs: six preparations to discover Egyptian cuisine during your trip. The photographs show reference versions of each dish.

Egypt · Popular cuisine

Koshari

Rice, pasta, lentils and chickpeas together with garlic tomato sauce and fried onion. A strong combination of everyday Egyptian cuisine.

Reference: Experience Egypt · Cuisine and culture

Egypt · Breakfast with baladi bread

Ful medames

Slowly cooked and seasoned broad beans, served with baladi bread. A traditional breakfast that allows different accompaniments.

Reference: Experience Egypt · Cuisine and culture

Egypt · Fried beans

Taameya · Egyptian falafel

Fried discs of ground beans with aromatic herbs. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they are part of the Egyptian breakfast repertoire.

Reference: Experience Egypt · Cuisine and culture

Egypt · Green leaf soup

Molokhia

Soup of finely chopped molokhia leaves, flavored with garlic and coriander. It can be served over rice or accompanied by bread.

Reference: Experience Egypt · Cuisine and culture

Egypt · Rolls to share

Stuffed grape leaves · Wara enab

Grape leaves rolled around herbed rice; some versions add meat. They are cooked in broth and are usually prepared to share.

Reference: Experience Egypt · Cuisine and culture

Egypt Dough in thin layers

Feteer meshaltet

Laminated dough with butter between its layers, which can be accompanied with sweet or savory ingredients. A specialty of Egyptian rural tradition.

Reference: Experience Egypt · Cuisine and culture