Best 8 Sights in Old Cairo

Old Cairo is considered one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the world, as it embraces a rich history and culture dating back thousands of years.

It is characterized by the presence of many unique landmarks, whether civilizational, Islamic, or Pharaonic, in addition to the traditional markets and historical mosques that attract visitors.

In this article, we will learn about the Best 8 Sights in Old Cairo that you should visit to enjoy a magical tour in the heart of Egyptian history.

The Finest 8 Landmarks in Historic Cairo

Despite the fact that Old Cairo embraces many tourist and archaeological attractions that are worth visiting, there are landmarks that are considered the most prominent and distinctive among them, due to the special character of these landmarks, whether religious or archaeological, in addition to the distinctive markets that allow visitors the opportunity to enjoy strolling and buying various products and souvenirs.

The Citadel of Salah El Din

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The Citadel of Salah El din is considered one of the Best 8 Sights in Old Cairo. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious military citadels that were built in the Middle Ages.

The construction of this citadel began on the Muqattam Mountain by order of Salah el din Al-Ayyubi, but he passed away before its completion, so Sultan Al-Kamil bin Al-Adil completed its construction and took it as a headquarters for the government.

The location of this citadel was carefully chosen to be a distinct military fortress, as it is located in a strategic location between Cairo and Fustat and in a high place from which it is easy to see all parts.

The walls of this citadel have witnessed many historical wars in Egypt, and the citadel includes many gates such as Bab Al-Muqattam, Bab Al-Hadid, Bab Al-Wastani, and Bab Al-Qalaa. 

This citadel is still one of the most important tourist destinations that many tourists head to to enjoy the greatness of the construction and design. Muhammad Ali Pasha restored this citadel to restore its splendor and greatness once again.

Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah Street

Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah Street is considered one of the oldest and greatest streets in Old Cairo. It is located in the heart of the city and is considered an open-air museum for displaying Islamic architecture, as it includes many houses and shops that were designed in the Islamic style. 

This street was established during the Fatimid era by order of Caliph Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah Al-Fatimi with the aim of dividing the city into two equal parts. Al-Muizz Street is surrounded by many historical Islamic mosques that you can enjoy visiting, and you can also walk to reach Al-Azhar Mosque, and therefore it is considered one of the Best 8 Sights in Old Cairo. 

In addition, the street includes many shops that allow you to enjoy buying some souvenirs and accessories. There are also places where you can enjoy wearing ancient Egyptian clothes and taking some souvenir photos, as well as a group of cafes and restaurants where you can sit and enjoy eating some authentic Egyptian food.

Mosque of Muhammad Ali

This mosque is considered one of the most beautiful mosques that express Islamic history in Old Cairo. It was built by order of Muhammad Ali Pasha by a group of the most skilled engineers who designed and implemented this great mosque. It was also named the Marble Mosque due to the decorations and decorations that depend on marble stones. 

This mosque was restored during the reign of King Farouk. The Mosque of Muhammad Ali consists of two main sections, the eastern section, which is the main prayer hall, and the western section, which is a large courtyard where many religious conferences are held. 

It has two pulpits, one of which is old wooden and the other was made of marble during the restoration of the mosque, with some verses of the Holy Qur’an written on the walls of the mosque, and it is located inside the Citadel of Saladin.

Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas

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This mosque is considered one of the Best 8 Sights in Old Cairo, as it is the first mosque that was built in Egypt after Amr Ibn Al-Aas conquered it. Therefore, it is a historical mosque that holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims.

This mosque has been restored more than once throughout history, and it was also named the Ancient Mosque because it was the first mosque that was built after Islam entered Egypt. 

Amr Ibn Al-Aas used it at that time as a headquarters for meetings of Muslims. This mosque was initially built of mud brick with some simple Islamic decorations, but now it is a large courtyard with a fountain in the middle.

It has four umbrellas and two minarets, one on the main facade and the other next to the Qibla wall. It is one of the most important Islamic places that reflect the history of ancient Egypt.

Wikala of Al-Ghuri

This agency is located in Al-Azhar district, and it is considered an important center for training a very large number of craftsmen in various fields, whether in marble, glass, porcelain, trade, wood carving, metal emptying, and other ancient heritage crafts. It is a large courtyard surrounded by halls from all sides. 

It was built by Sultan Al-Ghuri, and many tourists visit it to enjoy its unique design that reflects the splendor of Islamic architecture. It is considered one of the Best 8 Sights in Old Cairo. In 2005, it was chosen as one of the most important archaeological sites and cultural centers in Cairo.

The Coptic Museum in Cairo

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This museum was founded in 1910 and is considered one of the largest museums that includes a very large number of Coptic antiquities that have been collected from all over the world.

It was also designed in a rare and unique way that reflects the authentic Coptic heritage. 

This museum is located inside Babylon Fortress and includes many diverse sections such as the pottery and glass section, the metal section, the wood section, the fabric and textile section, the icons and drawings section, and the Coptic writing and manuscripts section. 

You can enjoy in each section watching many Coptic antiquities that tell the history of this important era of Egyptian history.

Al-Azhar Mosque

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Al-Azhar Mosque is considered a beacon of science in Egypt and the Islamic world, and therefore it is one of the Best 8 Sights in Old Cairo, as it is used to spread the teachings of the tolerant Islamic religion. 

The history of the construction of Al-Azhar Mosque dates back to the Fatimid era, where it was established by Jawhar Al-Siqilli. It is characterized by its unique Fatimid design and is considered one of the first Islamic universities that were established in Egypt. 

It was named after Fatima Al-Zahraa, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

Khan El-Khalili

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Khan el-Khalili is considered one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Egypt, as it is visited by thousands of visitors from all over the world.

It is considered one of the most important spiritual places in Egypt, as it was built more than 600 years ago. It is considered one of the oldest markets in Egypt and in the entire Middle East region. 

It was designed by the Mamluks and includes many popular restaurants and shops that display a variety of products. You can buy some distinctive accessories, gifts, precious stones, and other products that reflect the authentic Egyptian heritage.

FAQs

What are the best times to visit the landmarks of Old Cairo?

Cairo is characterized by its moderate climate most days of the year. It is hot and dry in the summer and warm and rainy in the winter. Many tourists prefer to visit Egypt during the winter to enjoy the warm weather and see the historical and archaeological landmarks without being exposed to high temperatures.

What are the most important recreational activities that you can do in Al-Muizz Street?

In Al-Muizz Street, you can enjoy henna drawing by a group of specialists in drawing beautiful henna patterns. You can also take many distinctive souvenir photos, buy some souvenirs, and try wearing ancient Egyptian clothes to enjoy a unique experience.

Does the visitor need a tourist guide to visit the sites in Old Cairo?

Many tourists can visit the historical and archaeological landmarks that are located in Old Cairo without the need for a tourist guide, but it is considered better to have a tourist guide to increase enjoyment of the visit and learn more information and details about these important historical places in Egypt.

When visiting Egypt, do not forget to enjoy seeing the Best 8 Sights in Old Cairo, where you can immerse yourself in the ancient Egyptian civilization, enjoy the attractive architectural designs, and shop and buy souvenirs that express this unique experience.