Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Historic Cairo on a private walking tour. Visit iconic mosques, discover authentic shops and museums, and immerse yourself in the rich history of this ancient Islamic city.
Your private historian guide will pick you up from your Cairo hotel at 9am in a private, air-conditioned minivan equipped with Wi-Fi for this 8-hour walking tour of Islamic Cairo. Begin at the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the oldest intact, functioning mosque in Egypt – please note women should cover their shoulders, legs, and hair, while men should cover their shoulders and thighs – before continuing on foot.
From Bab Zuweila, one of the Old City’s three remaining medieval gates, stroll down the historic street of Sharia al-Muizz li-Din Allah to an ancient tent shop, where artisans have been handcrafting ceremonial tents for weddings and other celebrations since the Fatimid era.
Next, immerse yourself in the religious heart of the city. Explore the red-and-white striped Mosque of al-Mu’ayyad Shaykh and the poignant Sabil of Muhammed Ali Pasha, built in memory of his son who died of plague. Admire the tranquil Al-Azhar Mosque, founded in 970 AD as a centerpiece of the new city, and still a focal point for Egyptian Islam today.
After a traditional Egyptian lunch, explore the renowned Khan el-Khalili bazaar, an ancient market now filled with brassware, leather goods, perfumes, costumes, and souvenirs. Discover the hospital, madrasa, and mausoleum founded by the Mamluk Sultan al-Mansur Qalawun in the 13th century, and the madrasa and Sufi theology school built by Sultan Barquq.
Wander through the Egyptian Textile Museum, home to fabrics from ancient Egypt through to the Islamic era, and discover the Mosque of al-Aqmar, built in 1125 AD. Explore a restored Ottoman-era mansion, the Beit el-Suhaymi, to get a sense of life in later Cairo.
Finally, see the Mosque of al-Hakim, and Old Cairo’s other two surviving gates, before concluding your tour at the northern wall. Your minivan will transfer you back to your hotel at 5pm.
Points of Interest
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Khan Al-Khalili
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Mosque of Ibn Tulun
- Transport by air-conditioned, Wi-Fi enabled minivan
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private tour
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Professional art historian guide
- Welcome drink
- Local taxes
- Gratuities
Discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of Historic Cairo, one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities, on this 8-hour private walking tour. Visit the Ibn Tulun, Al-Mu’ayyad Shaykh, Al-Azhar, Al-Hakim, and Al-Aqmar mosques; discover an authentic tent shop, a textile museum, an Ottoman-era mansion, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar; see the city walls and medieval gates as well as hospitals, madrasas, and mausoleums. Lunch and private transportation is included.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
