Cairo Historic Sites

Historic Sites in Cairo, Egypt

Cairo Historic Sites

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Sights & Landmarks
Sights & Landmarks
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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41 results sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.


Showing results 1-30 of 41

What travellers are saying

  • Alex F
    The Villages, FL2,146 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I can’t give them a 5 because some areas inside the compound are in need of maintenance and cleaning. With the thousands of of Egyptian pounds they collect every day, and their administration can’t take some to make basic maintenance repairs! Still the Mosque is mesmerizing.
    Written 5 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ESVincent
    Hong Kong, China1,131 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Citadel complex sits atop the hills of Cairo with views that provide a panorama of the city and yes you can see the pyramids. Consisting of the old Fort, the stunning Mosque and some other buildings this is an interesting complex. The Mosque along is worth the visit with its echoes of Hagia Sophia, the internal geometry of the building is inspiring. There are plenty of tour groups but the size of the citadel allows them to be easily managed.

    Worth the visit
    Written 11 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Piotr M
    Warsaw, Poland1,127 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    very nice place to visit, the Mosque makes a big impression because of its size and age, inside it is huge and the decorations are wonderful
    Written 10 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • VALORE
    Trenton, NJ1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This mosque is a real hidden gem, one of our favorites from our trip to Islamic Cairo. We stopped by while exploring the area, and the kids were over the moon climbing around and soaking in the unique views. It was the perfect addition to our day, along with the Islamic Cairo and Citadel Tour—like finding a great slice in the middle of a pizza tour!
    We had the place almost all to ourselves, no tourists in sight, just a few locals strolling by. It felt like stumbling upon the best diner in Jersey that nobody knows about.
    Written 27 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robert O
    Rotterdam, The Netherlands6,591 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Completed in 1285 in just 13th months time! It was possible, because the assigned supervisor even forced local passers-by to work. Not to mention other workers and enslaved Mongols who were taken as prisoners of war earlier. "Brutal abuse" was their fate according to contemporary historian Al Maqrizi. Sultan Qalawun and his son who both have their tombs in the mausoleum must have thought: it is the magnificent result that counts.
    Written 11 June 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robert O
    Rotterdam, The Netherlands6,591 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beyond doubt Zuweila Gate is the most impressive of the three remaining gates of the old Fatimid era city of Cairo. Ever since the Fatimids conquered Egypt and founded Cairo in 969 AD they paid special attention to defence. The two towers (minarets of the adjacent mosque) served as watch towers to check on possible hostile intrudors.
    If you walk the 1.5 km from Bab Zuweila (originally part of the southern wall) to the northern gates (Bab al Futuh and Bab al Nasr) in the now partly restored northern wall, you get an idea of the size of the old city.
    Written 20 May 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • badrax
    Fort Lauderdale, FL1,385 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a great example of the richness of this incredible country
    A Roman fortress in the middle of Cairo
    Highly recommended
    Written 17 October 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Daniel D
    17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful art nouveau building right on the banks of the Nile. Enchanting art gallery that features many Egyptian and European artists who painted here in the mid-20th century. No admission, you only have to sign in. After visiting, worth a stroll upriver on Hassan Assem street, full of quaint galleries & concept stores--alternatively, a drink in the Garden of the Marriott.
    Written 29 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • sakkara11
    Cairo, Egypt610 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The most original Pyramids! Ok, they might not look like we have pyramids in mind. We always think, all pyramids must look like the Pyramids of Giza. But the "perfect shape" is not preserved in most of the almost 100 pyramids, still to be seen in Egypt. Abusir Pyramids are halfway between Giza and Sakkara. And you litterally pass by them. Its a huge field, the significant onces are (like in Giza) 3 greater pyramids. But if you have time, go to walk some 400 meters to the sun temple of Niuserre and feel the atmosphere. You will not regret and you will tell your folks back home: "I have been an archeologist in Egypt"!
    Written 2 February 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TJim60
    4,083 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is another modern history site in Egypt. Worth a visit if you're interested in the Shah or others buried here.

    After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi eventually found sanctuary in Egypt where he died 27 July 1980

    After his death he was accorded a state military funeral by Egyptian President Anwar As-Sadat and then interred here.

    The mosque was built to replace a more informal shrine to Sufi "Saint" Ahmed Al-Rifai and as well as tombs for some members of the Royal Family.

    At times during the last 200 or so years, Egypt and Iran had good relations.

    Iran was one of the first countries to recognize Egypt's independence and open an Embassy.

    In 1939 King Farouk's sister Fawzia married Mohammed while he was Crown Prince.

    King Farouk is accused of using his ambassador in Tehran to communicate with the Axis Powers during WWII according to some historical reports.

    Mohammed Reza's father--Shah Reza was deposed by the British and USSR 1941 invasion on charges of collaborating with the Axis Powers.

    Mohammed then became Shah.

    Shah Reza died in 1944 in South Africa and was buried in Al Rifai Mosque. His body was returned to Iran after WWII.

    Some historic accounts blame the 1952 Egyptian Revolution for a deterioration in Iranian/Egyptian relations but the break in relations occurred in 1960 after Iran recognized Israel.

    During the Nasser era, there were positive steps not only between Iran and Egypt on a state to state level, but also on a religious level.

    In 1959 the Sheikh of Al Azhar Mahmud Shaltut issued a legal opinion "fatwa" that there were five permissible legal schools in Islam: the four traditional Sunni schools plus the Jaafari (Shi'ah) school.
    Written 30 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • CJay
    Temecula, CA499 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This church has a very huge significance in the Christian history books. This is the location where Jesus was hidden from King Herod. You have to visit this church.
    Written 25 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robert O
    Rotterdam, The Netherlands6,591 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Though stone masonry was initially developed by the Byzantines, the Fatimid rulers during the 11th century were quick to incorporate the technique into their military architectural designs. Initially they used brick, but stone proved to be more solid. After more than 900 years Bab al Futuh is still in good shape. The gate is supported by two enormous round towers, that perhaps also show off triumph and not just serve a military purpose.
    Written 21 May 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Alice R
    Hobart, Australia8,923 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unlike any other building around this place stands out amongst this busy area. We didn't get to enter here but visit if you're in the area.
    Written 25 March 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • macedonboy
    Glasgow, UK1,86,190 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mosque of Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay is a historic mosque in Islamic Cairo that was a historical complex of mosque, madrasa, a Sufi lodgings. Built during the Mamluk period, the architecture with characteristic minaret leitmotifs, geometric carved surface and interleaving of coloured stones.

    It’s free to enter and is worth a quick detour if in Islamic Cairo.
    Written 7 November 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mr. Creosote
    Zurich, Switzerland46 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    The gate is very worth seeing up close, but the area in front of it is inhabited by homeless, who just happen to use the historical stairs up to the gate as fireplaces and toilets.
    Written 14 October 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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