Things to do in Islamic Cairo

Islamic Cairo is a district in its own right, not a stop to tick off between the pyramids and the Nile.

The core sights — the Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Al-Azhar Mosque founded in 970, the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Al-Muizz Street and the Sultan Hassan Mosque — sit close enough to cover on foot, but a proper visit still runs half a day to a full day depending on pace.

Getting here from a Downtown or Zamalek hotel, or from Giza, means crossing Cairo's daytime traffic, so build in real time either side. Cover your hair as a woman and remove your shoes before entering any mosque; correct dress is expected throughout the area, not just at the Citadel.