Things to Do at Al-Azhar Mosque

Al-Azhar Mosque, established in 970 CE, covers approximately 12,000 square meters and welcomes visitors free of charge (though donations of 10-20 EGP or $0.30-0.65 are appreciated). Step through the main entrance and you're greeted by the cool marble beneath your feet and the gentle echo of footsteps in the vast courtyard. The air carries faint traces of sandalwood and rose water from prayer preparations, while soft Arabic recitations drift from the prayer halls. Visit early morning around 9 AM to avoid the midday crowds and experience the mosque during quiet study periods when you can hear the scratch of pens on paper from theology students. The minaret, rising 85 meters above street level, casts long shadows across the courtyard's intricate geometric patterns. This thousand-year-old institution houses both active worship spaces and classrooms where scholars debate Islamic jurisprudence in hushed tones. The interplay of Fatimid stonework and later Ottoman additions creates visual layers you can trace with your fingertips along the weathered columns.

Al-Azhar sits in Islamic Cairo's center, practically next to Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Take the metro to Ataba station, then walk 10 minutes through old city streets- a good way to get oriented. Taxis work too. The narrow streets around the mosque make driving tricky, though. If you're already walking through Islamic Cairo, you'll stumble across it naturally since it's such a central landmark. Total maze otherwise. Don't hesitate to ask locals for directions to 'Al-Azhar'-everyone knows it.