The Saladin Citadel:
The Citadel situated on the Maqqatem hills’ slope, with a commanding view of Cairo, the Nile, and the distant Pyramids of Giza, was built by Salah-El-Din, the leader who defeated the crusaders and founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Construction of the fortress and walls to encompass the city was begun in 1176—subsequent leaders-built mosques and palaces within the walls. The exquisite dome and graceful minarets of the 19th-century Mosque of Mohamed Ali, founder of modern Cairo, dominates the city skyline. The compound is the Gawhara Palace, the Royal Carriage Museum, the Police Museum, and the Military Museum.
Islamic Museum:
Islamic Museum houses over 78.000 exquisite items illustrating the development of Muslim art through the ages. The illustrated Quran and glass mosque lamps are magnificent.
Ibn Tulun Mosque:
Ibn Tulun Mosque is the largest mosque in Cairo, with a magnificent view from its unique spiral minaret with an outside staircase.
Gayer Anderson House:
Gayer Anderson House consists of a 16th-century house joined to an 18th-century house, furnished in the style of a prosperous 17th-century Islamic family.
Beit Zeinab Al-Khatoun:
Its elite 19th-century female owner marked this house. In the 1980s, Zeinab Al-Khatoun’s house was built in 1468 and is in Al-Azhar to the vocational school. It is a stunning example of Islamic Cairo. The walls and ceilings of the rooms on the first floor are covered in Islamic motifs. On the second floor, you will explore two beautiful Islamic architecture windows decorated with Islamic plant designs. It is easy to feel back to another century as you play backgammon in the Beit’s picturesque cafe while sipping delicious coffee, black tea, sahib, or anise served in tiny glasses out of a blue metal pot spiced with mint, sage, or cloves. The place has become a house of culture, hosting many cultural events and performances, especially during the holy.
Al-Azhar Mosque:
Al-Azhar Mosque is considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture, and the University is the world’s oldest. It remains the seat of Islamic learning for the world. It is the perfect place to start your exploration tour of Islamic Cairo due to its location.
Khan El-Khalili:
Khan El-Khalili is an ancient oriental bazaar with narrow twisting passages, filled with tiny shops and artisans practicing skills passed down for generations.
Fishawi’s Café:
Fishawi’s Ahwa in Khan El-Khalili’s alleys sits one of Cairo’s oldest cafés; visiting this Ahwa is a sightseeing trip. Like Fishawi’s Ahwa, Egyptian coffeehouses have been essential gathering places since Islamic times, bringing people together from all walks of life.
