Why it matters
Cairo is not only the pharaohs. Its old quarters hold one of the richest collections of medieval Islamic architecture in the world, alongside one of the oldest Christian communities, the Copts.
What to see
- The Citadel of Saladin. A fortress begun in the 12th century above the city, with the Ottoman-style Mosque of Muhammad Ali and wide views across Cairo.
- Al-Azhar Mosque. Founded in the 10th century, it is attached to one of the world’s oldest centres of Islamic learning.
- The Sultan Hassan Mosque. A monumental 14th-century Mamluk building, notable for its scale and soaring entrance.
- Khan el-Khalili. The famous bazaar dates to the 14th century. Go for silver, spices, lanterns and tea in a café lane, and agree prices before buying.
- Coptic Cairo. A compact area with the Hanging Church, the Coptic Museum and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Planning notes
- Dress modestly for mosques: covered shoulders and knees, and a scarf for women. Shoes come off at the door.
- Prayer times affect when mosques can be visited. Your guide will plan around them.
- The bazaar is lively and sometimes insistent. A guide you trust makes it relaxing.
How we plan it
We pair a morning at the Citadel and one mosque with a long, unhurried lunch, then finish at Khan el-Khalili as the lights come on.