Things to Do in Islamic Cairo, Cairo

Atmosphere

Medieval streets alive with the sounds of craftsmen hammering copper, merchants calling out prices, and the gentle murmur of Quran recitation drifting from hidden courtyards.

Price Level

$

Safety

good

Al-Azhar Mosque

Founded in 970 AD, this isn't just a mosque but the heart of Islamic learning for over a millennium. The courtyard feels genuinely peaceful despite the urban chaos just outside, and you'll often see students debating theology in the same spots where scholars have gathered for centuries.

Tip: Visit between afternoon prayers (around 3-4pm) when the light streams through the arches and student activity is at its peak

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

Yes, it's touristy, but it's touristy for good reason - this labyrinth of workshops and stalls has been Cairo's commercial heart since the 14th century. You'll hear the rhythmic tapping of metalworkers creating intricate lanterns and smell the heady mix of spices, leather, and shisha tobacco.

Tip: Head to the back alleys behind the main tourist strips where craftsmen still work using techniques passed down through generations

Citadel of Saladin

The views over Cairo are spectacular, but what's more interesting is how this 12th-century fortress gives you a sense of Islamic Cairo's defensive history. The Muhammad Ali Mosque inside is genuinely impressive, with Ottoman-style domes that dominate the city's skyline.

Tip: Arrive at opening time (8am) to avoid tour groups and catch the morning light hitting the mosque's alabaster interior

Street of the Tentmakers (Shari al-Khayamiya)

This covered medieval street might be the most authentic workshop experience left in Islamic Cairo. Artisans still create the elaborate appliqué textiles used in traditional tents and tapestries, their colorful geometric patterns catching the filtered sunlight streaming through the stone ceiling.

Tip: Visit on weekday mornings when all the workshops are active - you can watch the entire process from cutting to stitching

Mosque of Ibn Tulun

Cairo's oldest intact mosque (879 AD) feels surprisingly intimate despite its massive courtyard. The spiral minaret is unique in Egypt, and the absence of tourists means you'll likely have the space to yourself to appreciate the elegant simplicity of early Islamic architecture.

Tip: Climb the minaret's external spiral staircase for panoramic views - it's one of the few minarets in Cairo you can actually ascend

Naguib Mahfouz Cafe

Traditional Egyptian

Specialty: Molokhiya (green soup) with rice and roasted chicken - around 80 EGP

El Fishawy

Historic coffeehouse

Specialty: Turkish coffee and shisha in mirrors that have reflected Cairo's conversations since 1773 - 25 EGP for coffee

Local ful vendors

Street food

Specialty: Ful medames (fava bean stew) with fresh baladi bread - 15-20 EGP

Zitouni Restaurant

Upscale traditional

Specialty: Stuffed pigeon (hamam mahshi) - a Cairo specialty for around 180 EGP

Street-side kushari stalls

Street food

Specialty: Egypt's national dish - rice, lentils, pasta with spicy tomato sauce - 25-35 EGP