Things to Do in Cairo Citadel

Few places in the world offer as clear a glimpse into the Islamic fortress of the past as the Saladin Citadel, located southeast of Cairo. In this UNESCO World Heritage area you can visit the famous Muhammad Ali Mosque and Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque.

You will also have the opportunity to visit museums and viewpoints that will leave you amazed by the views they offer. The entrance fee is almost 6 euros, and that's all you'll pay to visit all that this small walled city, rich in history, has to offer.

The main reason most people come to see the Cairo Citadel is the Muhammad Ali Mosque. Commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848, this spectacular mosque was built to rival the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and is also known as the ** Alabaster Mosque** as the lower floor and esplanade is tiled with alabaster up to 11.3 metres (the rest is limestone).

Don't forget that there is a clock in the mosque's courtyard, much like the one in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. You definitely shouldn't overlook the gigantic chandelier hanging from the domed ceiling of the Mohammed Ali Mosque. Due to the frequent sandstorms, it's a bit dusty, but still interesting to see.

Viewpoint of the Muhammad Ali Mosque

You should take time to explore the large terrace at the front of the mosque. It is by far the best viewpoint in Cairo. The Sultan Hassan Mosque-Madrassa and Islamic Cairo can be seen looking down, while cruise ships passing by on the Nile and downtown Cairo are visible on the horizon. On a clear day, you can even see the Great Pyramid of Giza. Doesn't that sound impressive?

Note: Remember that you must enter this mosque (like any other mosque) without shoes. Socks are allowed and you can enter for free even if you are not Muslim.

• Opening hours:Everyday from 9:30am to 4:00pm
• Entrance fee:Included in the general entrance fee to the Citadel.

The Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qala'un is the true jewel within the Cairo Citadel. Built in the early 14th century, the magnificent hypostyle mosque impresses with its serene courtyard and two ancient minarets.

The mosque is quite unique in that its two minarets are quite ornate, unlike any other minarets of the Mamluk period. No other mosque in Cairo is decorated with mosaics.

Originally built for Sultan al-Nasir for his daily prayer, it ceased to play a prominent role in the daily life of kings long before the British conquest. The Ottomans had plundered the beautiful building, and it was an amateur archaeologist named C.M. Watson who restored the beautiful mosque to its former glory.

• Opening hours:Everyday from 9:30am to 4:00pm
• Entrance fee:Included in general admission to the Citadel.

El Gawhara Palace is located in the southern section of the Saladin Citadel and is accessed through the museum entrance opposite the main entrance of the magnificent Mohammed Ali Mosque. Today, it has been converted into a museum, although it does not have many exhibits, but it is admirable for its wonderful architectural elements, elegant decorations and the incredible furniture that was used by Mohammed Ali and his royal family.

The Gawhara Palace was built in a distinctive style of architecture that was probably a mixture of the Ottoman style and the European style of palace architecture. The Ottomans knew how to build palaces, if you were lucky enough to visit the Top Kapi and Dolmabach palaces inIstanbul you will know how incredibly professional the Ottoman architects were.

The most important section of the Gawhara Palace is the main hall or what they used to call 'The High Council of Mohammed Ali', as this is where the main decisions used to be made. The exhibits in the Gawhara Palace include many royal paintings, costumes and clothing, furniture and many other interesting exhibits that will capture your attention as soon as you enter the palace.

• Opening hours:Everyday from 9:30am to 4:00pm
• Admission fee:Included in the general entrance fee to the Citadel.

The first passageway of the Police Museum displays some portraits of the ministers of the interior who played an important role throughout Egyptian history. There are some photos of ministers from the early 20th century to the most recent.

The first exhibition hall in the Police Museum houses a number of weapons that were used by the Egyptian police at different times in the country's history. This includes a large wooden stick that was used as a shield during the Pharaonic period.

The exhibits in this room include a large collection of modern weapons such as pistols that were mainly manufactured by the British during their occupation in the early 20th century.

The Police Museum in the Citadel was officially opened in 1984, as the building was a military prison in the Citadel until it was transformed into a museum by a decree of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. For more information visit the following website.

• Opening hours:Everyday from 9:30am to 4:30pm
• Admission fee:Included in the general entrance fee to the Citadel.

The outer entrance gate of the military museum at the Citadel opens onto a well-kept garden. The inner and main door of the museum leads to a display of tools that were used by the soldiers, in addition to a number of weapons and some of the Israeli tanks that were used during the October 1973 war.

At the end of the passageway, there is a large circular arena with the famous statue of Ibrahim Pasha, the leader of the Egyptian army during the reign of Mohammed Ali, standing in the centre. Then, there is another wide passageway that houses some statues of the king and rulers of Egypt during the Pharaonic era such as Ramesses II and King Menes, the Unifier of southern and northern Egypt. In front of these statues, there are other statues of more modern rulers of Egypt such as Saladin Al Ayouby, Al Zaher Beybars, Mohammed Ali and Khedive Ismail.

I recommend going up to the 3rd floor of the Military Museum as it has many exhibits illustrating the history of the Egyptian military forces during the Islamic era. For more information visit the following website.

• Opening hours:Daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
• Admission fee:Included in the general entrance fee to the Citadel.

The building is about 500 m long, 68 m wide and 36 m high. Like all mosques, it faces Mecca, which is located southeast of Cairo. The mosque is huge, occupying almost 8,000 square metres, and is very close to the entrance of the Cairo Citadel. It is close to a luxurious palace that had previously been built at great expense by Hasan's father, Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad, for one of his amirs, Jalbugha al-Jahawi, and which was demolished to make way for the mosque.

The building is a massive example of Mamluk architecture, built during the 14th century reign of a sultan who was famous for his extravagant spending. I am sure you will be impressed by its imposing and beautiful architecture.

The Sultan Hassan Mosque is one of the most valuable monuments in the Islamic world. Just as the pyramids of Giza are a symbol of ancient Pharaonic Egypt, the Sultan Hassan Mosque is that of ancient Islamic Egypt. The mosque is open and available for visit every day without interruption.

• Opening hours:Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Entrance fee:Included in the general entrance fee to the Citadel.

Another point of interest is the viewpoint, which, despite being on the terrace of the police museum, deserves special mention. Many tourists skip the visit to the museum and go directly to the lookout point from where they can see the whole Citadel and the skyline in impressive quality. The place is free of charge and is located on the terrace of the police museum. On a day when there is no fog or sand drifts, the Giza Pyramids can be seen with modest accuracy.

• Opening hours:Every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Entrance fee:Included in the general entrance fee to the Citadel.

Ibn Tulun is the oldest surviving mosque in Cairo, and one of those underrated religious buildings in Cairo, despite being an architectural masterpiece completed in 879 AD.
Although the mosque is not as ostentatious as some of the mosques in Istanbul, for example, it is not devoid of ornamentation, but what makes it stand out most is its red brick construction and rough-hewn walls filled with designs related to Arab and Muslim art. If you walk through the arcades, you'll notice the underside of the arches decorated with geometric patterns carved in stucco, each one different from the next.

• Opening hours:Every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Admission fee:Included in general admission to the Citadel.

Bab El-Azab is the monumental gate of the Citadel of Cairo, facing Salad el-Din Square. Once guarding the original entrance to the Citadel, this gate was rebuilt in 1754, just as the wooden gates were added.

The gate is very famous for witnessing several anecdotes linking Governor Mohamad Ali to the power and the Mamluks (warriors, mostly of Slavic, Circassian and mainly Turkish origin, Islamised and militarily educated).

A few metres from this gate you can see the ** Mausoleum of Qansuh Abu Said** established. Across the street from this mausoleum is Zawiyat Hasan El-Rumy, an ordinary and beautifully decorated building dating from 1522.

• Opening hours:Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Admission fee:Included in the general entrance fee to the Citadel.

Burg El Ramla and Burg El Hadid, or the Sand Tower and the Iron Tower, are located in the Citadel of Saladin in Salah Salem, to the north of the Archaeological Garden Museum and along the city walls. These towers were established by El Adel, Salah El Din's son and successor.

They were added as part of the restoration of the Citadel to strengthen the original towers of the northern enclosure in 1207. These towers allow you to enjoy an overview of all the monuments in and around the Citadel, including the Northern Cemetery and the Sultan Hasan Mosque, one of the finest mosques in Cairo.

• Opening hours:Every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Entrance fee:Included in the general entrance fee to the Citadel.

The entrance fee to the Cairo Citadel is 100 Egyptian Pounds (LE) per person (5.75 Euros). Tickets can only be purchased at the entrance. There is a security checkpoint just after the entrance. There is no need to buy tickets in advance or go through a travel agency.

The Cairo Citadel is open Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm daily.

Please note that the Citadel closes at 3 pm during Ramadan. Also, it is best not to visit on Fridays, as the Muhammad Ali Mosque will be quite busy on these days. You should probably also stay away from the midday heat, especially if you visit Cairo in the summer (especially in July and August), as the Citadel turns into a real furnace during that season.

The Cairo Citadel has three remaining gates, but only the Bab Al-Gebel Gate will take you inside. There is a large car park in front of it (you have to walk a short distance up a hill from there). It is reached via Salah Salem Street which winds around the Citadel hill.

Basically, the only feasible way to get there is to take a taxi. There is no metro station nearby (we're talking about 5 kilometres!). I also don't recommend walking from the Sultan Hassan Mosque-Madrassa, as you'll still have to walk about 2 kilometres.

The only other viable alternative is to book a bus tour of Islamic Cairo that will also stop at the Citadel. If you don't mind walking in a group, this is probably the cheapest alternative. Although Egypt is safe in most tourist areas, I understand that many tourists simply don't feel comfortable hiring a taxi, so if this is your case, you have no choice but to hire a car or take an excursion from Cairo.

Keep these tips in mind when visiting the Saladin Citadel. While they are general tips, they are almost essential when visiting this magical piece of history.

-The Citadel is open from 8am to 5pm-The entrance fee is charged, check herefor thelatest prices -Near the Mohammed An Nasir Mosque there are free toilets, although the workers expect a small tip, so bring coins or small notes for tips -Barefoot entry is compulsory at the mosques.