Private Islamic Cairo & Saladin Citadel Tour with Egypt's First Mosque
Medieval walls, alabaster domes and nearly 700 years of rulers
Walk through Saladin's medieval fortress, the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali and Egypt's first mosque, with a guide explaining Islamic history at each site. This private tour of Islamic Cairo also takes in the Sultan Hassan mosque and madrasa, with entry fees covered.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Visit Cairo's Citadel and Mosques
- Visit the Citadel of Cairo
- Visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Visit Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrassa
- Visit the Mosque of Amr ibn Al-As
- Visit Al-Rifai Mosque in Cairo
- Cairo Citadel 1h
- Mosque of Muhammad Ali 1h
- Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrassa 30m
- Mosque of Amr ibn Al-As 1h
- Al-Rifai Mosque 30m
What’s included
- Guide on site.
- Pickup and return to your hotel.
- Door-to-door rides in a private air-conditioned car.
- Local Egyptian lunch.
- Entry fees.
- Bottled water.
- Every day 09:00
Information
You walk Saladin's medieval Citadel, the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali and Egypt's first mosque, with a guide on site and entry fees covered.
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The experience
Your first stop is the Citadel, a medieval fortress that Salah ad-Din built and later Egyptian rulers kept developing. For nearly 700 years, from the 13th to the 19th centuries, it was the seat of government and the home of its rulers. Inside its walls stands the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, known as the Alabaster Mosque, commissioned between 1830 and 1848.
Next comes the monumental Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, built between 1356 and 1363 during the Bahri Mamluk period. Then you reach the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, which was built in 641 to 642 as the hub of the new capital Fustat. Its original structure was the first mosque built in Egypt and across the whole of Africa.
Al-Rifai Mosque sits right next to the Citadel and opposite the Sultan Hassan complex. It is now the royal mausoleum of Muhammad Ali's family and was designed to complement its older neighbor. Throughout the day, a guide on site explains what you are looking at while you ride in a private air-conditioned vehicle, with bottled water to keep you refreshed.
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.
Is the Alabaster Mosque part of the visit?
Yes, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali is one of the stops. It sits inside the Citadel and was commissioned between 1830 and 1848.
Are entry fees included at the sites?
Yes, entry fees to the sites on the route are covered in the price, so you do not have to buy tickets yourself.
Is there a guide at the sites?
Yes, a professional guide on site goes with you to the significant sites and explains Islamic history along the way.
Is Sultan Hassan Mosque on the route?
Yes, the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, built between 1356 and 1363, is one of the stops, opposite Al-Rifai Mosque.
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 yesterday
Private Islamic Cairo Tour: Saladin Citadel and First Mosque
4h · EN · ES +1 · at your hotel
from US$ 40 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.