Private Cairo Citadel tour with Egyptologist guide

Medieval fortress, alabaster mosque, and a guide who knows the history

A private three-hour tour of Cairo Citadel with a qualified Egyptologist guide and dedicated driver, starting from your hotel. You'll walk through the medieval Islamic-era fortification built by Saladin, then enter the Mosque of Muhammad Ali with its 52-meter dome and twin 84-meter minarets. The guide tailors the pace and focus to your interests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Cairo Citadel2h
2. Mosque of Muhammad Ali30m

Tour Cairo Citadel and Mosque

• Visit Cairo Citadel fortification
• Explore Mohamed Ali Mosque

The experience

Three hours is enough to move through the Citadel without rushing. Your private guide meets you at your hotel and drives you to the fortress, which sits on a promontory of the Mokattam hills and commands views across Cairo. The Citadel itself was the seat of government and the residence of Egypt's rulers for nearly 700 years, from the 13th century onward. A medieval Islamic-era fortification built by Salah ad-Din (Saladin) and expanded by rulers who came after, it's now a preserved historic site with mosques and museums inside its walls.

The Mosque of Muhammad Ali is the centerpiece. Built between 1825 and 1848 by Muhammad Ali Pasha, a Turkish ruler of Egypt, it's also called the Alabaster Mosque because of the white stone casing that rises 13 meters up the walls. The designer was a Turkish architect who modeled it after the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Inside, a great dome 52 meters high sits above the prayer hall, and two minarets rise 84 meters into the air. The mosque is divided into two sections: the atrium and the main prayer space. Because you have a private guide, you move at your own pace and can linger on details that interest you.

Your driver stays with the vehicle and handles transport. The guide walks with you throughout. Bottled water is provided, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange separate transport to the Citadel. Entrance fees to the Citadel are separate and paid on arrival.

What’s included

• Private transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a qualified Egyptologist guide who speaks English.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Before you book

Lasts 3h, runs every day at 08:00, from US$ 49 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Twitter Egypt Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling alone or with a small group and want to move through the Citadel at your own pace without waiting for other visitors. A private guide tailors the stops and timing to what interests you most, and you avoid the crowds that gather on shared tours.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the private Cairo Citadel tour take?

The tour runs three hours from pickup at your hotel to drop-off. That time covers the drive to the Citadel, walking through the fortress grounds, and visiting the Mosque of Muhammad Ali.

What is the Mosque of Muhammad Ali and why is it called the Alabaster Mosque?

The Mosque of Muhammad Ali was built between 1825 and 1848 inside the Citadel by Muhammad Ali Pasha, a Turkish ruler of Egypt. It's called the Alabaster Mosque because white stone casing covers the outer walls up to 13 meters high. The dome reaches 52 meters and two minarets rise 84 meters. The design was inspired by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

When was Cairo Citadel built and who built it?

Cairo Citadel was built by Salah ad-Din (Saladin) and further developed by subsequent Egyptian rulers. It served as the seat of government and the residence of Egypt's rulers for nearly 700 years, from the 13th century to the 19th century, before becoming a preserved historic site.

Does the tour include entrance fees to the Citadel?

Entrance fees to Cairo Citadel are not included and are paid separately when you arrive. Your guide will direct you through the payment process.

Is hotel pickup included in this private tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Your private guide and driver will collect you from your hotel and return you at the end of the three-hour tour.