Historic Sites in Cairo, Egypt
Cairo Historic Sites
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Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
What travellers are saying
- TTOverseasCairo, Egypt206 contributionsSeems you have to be a pretty jaded traveler to not appreciate the size and beauty of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali- We were all very impressed and loved taking a few minutes to just stand in awe of the size and majesty of the inside of the Mosque.
Our Tour Guide did a great job of explaining the history and the complicated relationship of Egyptians with Muhammad Ali, as well as pointing out some of the finer points of the inside. And this from someone who normally passes of tour guides...
Overall, we thought this was an essential part of our Cairo tour. We got there early on a Friday Morning, so the crowds hadn't yet arrived and it was a very clear day!Written 30 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Myo MCoquitlam, Canada20,851 contributionsReally a "big sprawling" site with the Muhammad Ali Mosque as its "main feature" but which is not the only one to visit at this site, I made a total of "four stops" each at a smaller site within this big site (but all four just pretty close to one another): the first stop at the "smaller mosque" which is just quite a plain one with its own "interior square" to walk around along the corridors on four sides (with just some specific item of a sundial or such where I was taken to by the caretaker gentleman); the second stop at the "main mosque" Muhammad Ali with some round-shaped pavilion-like structure in the middle of its "interior square" and where on one side of the square is a small-but-glittering clock tower and where on another side of the square by "looking up above" is really a great view of the "grand architecture" of the Mosque seen almost in its entirety with the main dome & the two tall minarets (with the only parts not seen from that square being the two smaller domes on the opposite side of the Mosque); the third stop at the viewpoint (actually located right on the back side of Muhammad Ali after going through its square) for a "nice panorama" of the city although the skyline with modern buildings is not nearby but kind of a distant view; and finally the fourth stop at the National Military Museum which is a "pretty sizeable" outdoor area with plenty of miscellaneous military hardware items on display (such as old cannons, modern artillery guns, tanks, armored vehicles some of which with rockets mounted on them & actually also 2 or 3 small planes) and where apart from those various armaments are also a number of stone busts of some great "warrior pharaohs" from the times past & also standing statues (somewhat larger than life-sized) of Egypt's "first two presidents".
After about a half-day of about 3.5 hours, I headed from here to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun at just a short 10-to-15-minute taxi ride away (not a great architectural-styled mosque as the Muhammad Ali Mosque at this site, but actually one with an "interior square" larger than that at Muhammad Ali and above all with a minaret "for going up" where from the top are nice views all around including that of this great citadel).Written 9 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Sal48 contributionsHere you feel how did the golden age for Arabs looked like , huge beautiful building with a lot of details .. also you see 4 sections where the 4 Islamic sectors were tought ..Written 10 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Myo MCoquitlam, Canada20,851 contributionsQuite impressive here is the spaciousness of the "interior square" of this mosque although its corridors on the four sides & the round-shaped pavilion in the middle are all quite plain I would say (nowhere as elaborate as the similar square at the Muhammad Ali Mosque at the Cairo Citadel visited just prior to here although it's one of smaller size than this one). Then yes, what can be done here which is likely not possible at many mosques of the world (my first such experience among those I've been to) is to go right up above the Mosque where there are actually "2 parts": its rooftop with a fairly spacious area to walk around on the four sides (where you can go "right to the edge" to see the big square down below); and its minaret which you go up along an "exterior staircase" (for some great views of the city to some distances all around including the view of the Citadel located not too far away from this mosque).
So, it was actually "4 mosques" that I visited on the same day with the fourth one (apart from this one, Muhammad Ali at the Citadel as mentioned above & also the smaller mosque just within the Citadel) being the mosque right beside this one which is actually one seemingly "not in use" with signs of decay around its small square inside but with its minaret also being one available for going up (a "tighter space" to move around at the top of that one though compared to the top of the minaret at this mosque). And also located right beside this mosque (in the "opposite direction" as that to the fourth mosque just mentioned which was actually the third one in my "order of visit" just before this mosque) is Gayer-Anderson House Museum which despite its 3-story structure is not much one for impression with a "dreary look" from outside (and which is all I saw of it arriving at about their closing time of 3 pm).Written 14 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Sal48 contributionsOne of Cairo hidden tourist places .. it tells the love story between Gayer anderson the doctor in the British army n Egypt .. you take a tour in his two beautiful houses .. we were lucky to hv a skilled guide .. wael Al assaily .. thanks manWritten 9 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- TomMaple Grove, MN1,893 contributionsDefinitely worth a stop when visiting this area of Cairo. This site has an interesting mix of history, as it was originally a church and then converted about a century ago. No pictures allowed inside.Written 13 October 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Linda YFrisco, TX5,194 contributionsBab Zuweila (or Zuwayla) dates to the days of Fatimid Cairo and was completed in 1092 AD. Located in the Islamic district of Al-Darb al-Ahmar, this historic landmark is one of three remaining medieval gates in the old city walls of Cairo. Historic Cairo was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 so you don’t want to miss this area! Two minarets flank the gate and are open to visitors for a nominal fee. Although it’s a tight climb up a spiral staircase, the view at the top is worth the effort.Written 22 April 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- KGB777Singapore, Singapore41,727 contributionsThis is one of the highlights of a visit to Sharia Al Muizz. Really a very impressive and well maintained example of ancient Islamic architecture. It's worth buying the entrance ticket so as to be able to see the interior (as well as various other buildings along the street).Written 11 April 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- badraxFort Lauderdale, FL1,443 contributionsThis is a great example of the richness of this incredible country
A Roman fortress in the middle of Cairo
Highly recommendedWritten 17 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Alice RHobart, Australia8,215 contributionsWhat a way to start a tour, this majestic entrance has many things of note, notably the massive doors which were a stronghold point in ancient times. It's free to enter.Written 8 April 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- macedonboyGlasgow, UK153,681 contributionsMosque of Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay is a historic mosque in Islamic Cairo that was a historical complex of mosque, madrasa, a Sufi lodgings. Built during the Mamluk period, the architecture with characteristic minaret leitmotifs, geometric carved surface and interleaving of coloured stones.
It’s free to enter and is worth a quick detour if in Islamic Cairo.Written 7 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - sakkara11Cairo, Egypt595 contributionsThe most original Pyramids! Ok, they might not look like we have pyramids in mind. We always think, all pyramids must look like the Pyramids of Giza. But the "perfect shape" is not preserved in most of the almost 100 pyramids, still to be seen in Egypt. Abusir Pyramids are halfway between Giza and Sakkara. And you litterally pass by them. Its a huge field, the significant onces are (like in Giza) 3 greater pyramids. But if you have time, go to walk some 400 meters to the sun temple of Niuserre and feel the atmosphere. You will not regret and you will tell your folks back home: "I have been an archeologist in Egypt"!Written 2 February 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- DEK_29Brisbane, Australia1,087 contributionsThis little church in Coptic Cairo is believed to be built in the site where the Holy Family stayed on their journey through Egypt. Down a flight of stairs there is a crypt where the family stayed. You can easily see it. On our visit there were visitors from many countries, so it took a while to get to see the cave.
The church itself has a collection of early Christian manuscripts and bibles along with some early examples of Christian art. A relaxing place to visit, we were lucky to talk to a few Copts who were there on the day which was a nice experience.Written 16 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Alice RHobart, Australia8,215 contributionsUnlike any other building around this place stands out amongst this busy area. We didn't get to enter here but visit if you're in the area.Written 25 March 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Ahmed AL-HABBAAQaha, Egypt560 contributionsVery beautiful palace, with a premium location beside the rive Nile. Very accessible. Free entry to Egyptians. Beautiful architecture with alot of wonderful paints and monuments.Written 28 March 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cairo
- These places are best for historic sites in Cairo:
- Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Cairo Citadel
- Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun
- Gayer-Anderson Museum (Bayt al-Kiritliya)
- These are the best places for kid-friendly historic sites in Cairo:
- Gayer-Anderson Museum (Bayt al-Kiritliya)
- Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
- Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Cairo Citadel
- Synagogue Ben Ezra
- These are the best places for couples seeking historic sites in Cairo:See more historic sites for couples in Cairo on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for groups seeking historic sites in Cairo:
- Gayer-Anderson Museum (Bayt al-Kiritliya)
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun
- Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
- Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Cairo Citadel
- These are the best places for budget-friendly historic sites in Cairo:
- Gayer-Anderson Museum (Bayt al-Kiritliya)
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun
- Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
- Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Cairo Citadel