Africa
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Cairo Governorate
Cairo
Things to do in Cairo
Al-Azhar Mosque

Al-Azhar Mosque, Cairo

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Al-Azhar Mosque

See all things to do
See all things to do
Al-Azhar Mosque
4.5
366
#10 of 262 things to do in Cairo
Religious Sites
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About
The oldest university in the world is built around this ancient mosque, which has been the center of Islamic scholarship since 975 AD.
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The area
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,031 within 5 kms
Naguib Mahfouz Cafe
482
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Middle Eastern • Egyptian
El Fishawi
519
0.2 km$ • Cafe • Egyptian
Khan El Khalili
236
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Middle Eastern • Egyptian • Vegetarian Friendly
Nagib Mafouz
132
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Middle Eastern • Egyptian
Khan El Khalili Restaurant
83
0.2 km$$$$ • Middle Eastern • Egyptian • Vegetarian Friendly
Gad Restaurants
120
0.1 km$ • Fast food • Middle Eastern • Egyptian
Kababgy El Azhar Farahat
82
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Middle Eastern • Egyptian • Halal
Egyptian Pancake House
61
0.1 km$ • Egyptian
El Feshawy Cafe
64
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Egyptian
El Malky
11
0.3 km$$ - $$$
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Attractions
188 within 10 kms
Midan Hussein
107
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Center
111
0.2 kmConvention Centres
Manzil Zienab Khatoon
17
0.1 kmHistoric Sites
Al-Hussein Mosque
15
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
El Set Wasela House
1
0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mosque of Abo El Dahab
1
92 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Khan Al-Khalili
3,975
0.2 kmFlea & Street Markets
Sharia Al Mu'izz Li-Din Allah
271
0.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mosque-Madrassa of al Ghouri
16
0.3 kmArchitectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Al-Azhar Park
930
0.6 kmParks
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Popular mentions
4.5
366 reviews
Excellent
231
Very good
99
Average
25
Poor
6
Terrible
5
scotdoc2015
Birmingham, UK131 contributions
Functioning university mosque
Mar. 2022
Worth a visit. Library there but no access for visitors. Shame.
No photos inside the main covered mosque area. Admire the architecture.
Written 13 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SidSne
Dundee, UK156 contributions
One Mosque to fit in Cairo short trip
Feb. 2022
This is a must visit Mosque in a trip to Cairo. Our Guide from Emo tours Ahmed Jackson was very helpful and explained everything very well.
The history, the construction and the place were magnificent. The panoramic view of city from top including pyramids are great Plan a day when there is no clouds to see this panoramic view. If time does not permit still worth a visit.
If you are in Cairo for 72 hours plus please fit this in.
Written 27 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey14,331 contributions
Difficult without guided tour
Dec. 2021
Amazing structure going back to 10th century. It was the first mosque established in Cairo. Doubles up as an Islamic religious university. We were grateful to be able to see it at least externally.
Written 12 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Abeer H
Dubai, United Arab Emirates1,160 contributions
Nobody guides, nothing for tourists
Dec. 2021 • Family
First the careem driver took us in backside very narrow streets and then we had to walk to come back to the front gate which was closed. Guards ask everyone first from where they come and if they want to visit for ziyarat then they open the gate.
There is a huge history of al azhar mosque but nothing like you will see there. There are no guidelines for tourists, nobody understands English, no plates or historic stuff placed. It's just like an ordinary mosque. Guard pushed us to the main hall, didn't allow to go anywhere else. So couldnt see anything else. Even history of mosque isnt written anywhere.
Written 10 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kadu Carrasco
Sao Paulo, SP577 contributions
Updates in pandemic times in November 2020
Nov. 2020
We've been to Cairo for tourism and my tour guide let us to Al-Azhar mosque. We couldn't get it and the reason - opposite to what I've read here on TripAdvisor - is not that the mosque is open only for Muslims, no...

It is closed for tourists due to the Coronavirus pandemics, unfortunately. So you should consider that when visiting Cairo.
Written 18 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Visit 100 countries
San Francisco, CA22 contributions
Nice site to visit
May 2019
It is worth a visit especially if you are familiar about how powerful this mosque and university in the islamic world. To date, students all over the world go there to learn a special branch of Islam. The school was very powerful up to recently and still has some weight in Egypt and beyond.
Written 24 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kazi Y
Dhaka City, Bangladesh131 contributions
This mosque is well maintained.
Feb. 2020
Al-Azhar Mosque is the first mosque established in Cairol the finest building of Cairo's Fatimid era , completed in AD 972. This mosque is well maintained, beautifully.Peaceful and clean inside. It has beautiful architect, ceilings, minarets and eye catching interiors. From the central courtyard, you get the best views of the mosque's five minarets, which cap the building. Across the courtyard is the main prayer hall, spanning a vast 3,000 square meters. The mosque is an active place of worship. At the time of visiting the mosque women need to cover their heads; arms and legs and all visitors will need to leave their shoes prior to entering the mosque.
Written 20 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hossam EL-Naggar
Alexandria, Egypt99 contributions
Place where you feel peace
Jan. 2020
The mosque is very clean, well maintained although thousands of visitors are getting in, beside the students and prayers
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mus
Toronto, Canada116 contributions
Spiritual and peaceful place
Feb. 2020 • Solo
It’s a very beautiful and spiritual place. It has lots for meaning and importance for the Islam religion. It’s very close to khan al-Khalil area. It’s free and it’s open all day long.
You can get there by tax or Uber.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Yasmin A
Dubai, United Arab Emirates51 contributions
Place to visit
Feb. 2020 • Couples
So beautiful! Place to visit ❤️ old mosque with a lot of history, you can pray there ask for any Islamic topic etc.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Al-Azhar Mosque
We recommend booking Al-Azhar Mosque tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 41 Al-Azhar Mosque tours on Tripadvisor