Cairo Citadel: ticket, opening hours and visit from Hurghada
Saladin's Citadel, built from 1176 on the Moqattam heights, overlooks Cairo and houses the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the city's most recognisable with its Ottoman-style domes and minarets. The ministry's official site gives 550 EGP for a foreign adult and 275 EGP for a student (card payment according to a guide; check, fares change); the hours found run from 9:00 am to 4:00 or 5:00 pm. Allow two hours. From Hurghada it is one stop of a day in Cairo by plane or of a two-day stay, see Cairo by plane from Hurghada.
Highlights
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali
Built in the 19th century in alabaster, it is inspired by the mosques of Istanbul; the interior is visited barefoot or with shoe covers, in covering clothes.
The view over Cairo
From the terrace the Islamic city stretches to the towers of the centre and, on a clear day, to the Giza pyramids.
Practical info
Tips
- To sort the options: the private Citadel, Old Cairo and Khan el-Khalili tour (about 6 hours, lunch included, 77 to 85 dollars per person depending on the offer, 4.6 from about 1,300 reviews, seen in October 2026) is the most booked and groups everything in half a day; the shorter tour of Islamic Cairo alone starts around 40 dollars. Arrive at opening to avoid the groups. The mosque closes to tourists during prayers, especially on Friday at noon. Plan Khan el-Khalili next and, if you stay, the Giza pyramids from Hurghada.
How to get there
In Cairo the Citadel is east of the centre, on the Moqattam hill, 15 to 30 minutes by car from downtown depending on traffic. From Hurghada: a one-hour flight or the overnight bus, see Hurghada to Cairo by bus.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
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