Cairo is more than pharaohs: it is also a thousand years of sultans, minarets and bazaars. This walking day takes you from the hilltop Citadel down into the old city, ending with mint tea in Khan el-Khalili.
Overview
Cairo is not only the city of the pharaohs. It is also one of the great medieval capitals of the Islamic world, where minarets crowd the skyline and the streets still carry the rhythm of crafts, coffeehouses and prayer. This walking day takes you from the hilltop Citadel down into the old city, and the layers of a thousand years appear at every turn.
You begin at the Citadel of Saladin, where the alabaster walls and graceful domes of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali look out over the city and, on clear days, all the way to the pyramids. Then you step inside the two great mosques that face each other across the square, Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifai, whose scale and proportions are among the finest in Cairo. After lunch you walk Al-Muizz Street, a ceremonial route since Fatimid times, and finish by getting happily lost in Khan el-Khalili.
The pace is gentle and perfect for anyone who loves to wander. Your Egyptologist explains the architecture, tells the stories of sultans and craftsmen, and knows which corners to stop at for the best photographs. Between the sights you will smell spices and fresh bread, hear the call to prayer and see how old Cairo lives today.
If you want to feel the heartbeat of the real Cairo, this Islamic Cairo, Citadel and Khan el-Khalili tour is the one to book. It is a favorite with photographers, culture lovers and curious travelers, and it ends with mint tea in a traditional coffeehouse. EgyptLens takes care of the driver, the guide, the tickets and lunch.
Highlights
- The Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifai, two giants facing each other
- A walk along Al-Muizz Street, an open-air museum of medieval Cairo
- Khan el-Khalili bazaar for spices, copper, perfume and souvenirs
- Mint tea in a traditional coffeehouse
- Private Egyptologist, lunch and hotel pickup included
