Islamic Cairo Half Day Tour: Ancient Mosques and Khan el-Khalili

Alabaster walls, a mosque from 970 and bazaar treasures in brass and silver

Walk through ancient mosques and a famous bazaar on a private half-day tour of Islamic Cairo, with a guide on site. You see the Alabaster Mosque, Al-Azhar, Al-Hussein and Khan el-Khalili, with lunch and water along the way.

Options for this experience

4 options

From US$ 15 to US$ 70 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Car with driver and audio guide 09:00 Guide in English, Spanish or Arabic Private car with driver only, includes pickup

Private car with tour guide 09:00 Guide in English, Spanish or Arabic Lasts 6 hours: private car and tour guide, pickup is included

Car, tour guide and entry fees 09:00 Guide in English, Spanish or Arabic Car, tour guide and entry fees, pickup is included

Car+Guide+Entry fees+Lunch 09:00 Guide in English, Spanish or Arabic Car, guide, entry fees and lunch, with pickup included

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Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Cairo Mosques and Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

• Travel to Cairo Citadel and visit Mohamed Ali Mosque
• Visit Al-Rifa’i Mosque opposite Sultan Hassan Mosque
• Visit Al-Azhar Mosque in Islamic Cairo
• Visit El Hussein Mosque in Cairo
• Browse Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, then return to hotel

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Al-Rifai Mosque 1h
2. Khan el-Khalili 1h

What’s included

• Collection from and return to your hotel.
• Egyptian lunch at local eateries.
• Guide on site.
• Air-conditioned private car for every transfer.
• Entry Fees.
• Bottle of water.

Times

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• Every day 09:00

Information

Your guide takes you past Cairo's Alabaster Mosque and Al-Azhar, then into the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, with lunch and water along the way.

Group Private

Live guide English, Spanish and Arabic

Audio guide English, Spanish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. See the pickup points

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

More information The pickup points, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

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The experience

Mohamed Ali Mosque is visited from the Citadel of Salah El Din, and its outer walls are covered in alabaster stone, which is why people call it the Alabaster Mosque. Across the way, Al-Rifa'i Mosque faces the Sultan Hassan Mosque-Madrassa, dating from around 1361. It was built as a companion to that older structure during a 19th century campaign to tie Egypt to its past, and its walls and details reward slow looking.

Al-Azhar Mosque was commissioned in 970 for the newly founded capital and was the first mosque established in Cairo, the city often called the City of a Thousand Minarets. El Hussein Mosque is a hallowed place, believed to be the burial site of the head of the prophet Muhammad's grandson. Then comes Khan el-Khalili, where the shops are full of brassware, copper, perfumes, leather, silver, gold and antiques. Lunch at local restaurants serving Egyptian food is part of the day.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

Why is the Alabaster Mosque called that?

Because its outer walls are covered in alabaster stone, it is known as the Alabaster Mosque. The visit starts from the Citadel of Salah El Din, where Mohamed Ali Mosque stands.

Is Khan el-Khalili bazaar part of this tour?

Yes, Khan el-Khalili is a stop where the shops trade in brassware, copper, perfumes, leather, silver, gold and antiques.

Is lunch included on the Islamic Cairo tour?

Yes, lunch is at local restaurants and serves Egyptian food, with a bottle of water also included.

Can I see Al-Azhar Mosque on a Cairo half day trip?

Yes, Al-Azhar Mosque is visited on the tour. It was commissioned in 970 by the Fatimid Caliph al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah and was the first mosque established in Cairo.

Operated by EMO TOURS EGYPT. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago