Synagogue of Ben Ezra & Amr ibn al‑As Mosque, Old Cairo

The short answer

Synagogue of Ben Ezra and Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque Entry Ticket is a 1-day attraction ticket covering the Synagogue of Ben Ezra and the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque in Cairo, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

• Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations

Cairo

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 Synagogue of Ben Ezra – site of the late‑19th‑century Cairo Geniza discovery, with restored 19th‑century interior features.
• 02 Amr Ibn al‑As Mosque – founded AD 642 as Egypt's first mosque; successive rebuilds leave mainly later fabric.
• 03 Unlike many itineraries, both sites lie in Old Cairo (Fustat) – about a five‑ to ten‑minute walk.
• 04 Modest dress required at the mosque: shoulders and knees covered; women should carry a headscarf for entry.
• 05 Photography is often limited inside both buildings; we confirm current photography rules with site staff before each visit.
• 06 Visits are affected by prayer times and Ramadan; we schedule morning or late‑afternoon slots to avoid closures.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01 Can I visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue and Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque in one afternoon?

   Yes – both Ben Ezra Synagogue and Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque can be done in one afternoon if visits are timed outside prayer hours. We schedule visits to avoid Jumu'ah (Friday midday) and busy prayer times; security checks can add 10–20 minutes. Standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise. We don't run group bus tours; we organise private transfers and short walks between the sites.
2. 02 What are the opening hours for the Ben Ezra Synagogue?

   Opening hours for the Ben Ezra Synagogue vary and are sometimes limited for community services or conservation work. Visits are commonly arranged for the morning; we confirm the exact availability on the day of your visit. If the synagogue is closed, we can substitute another Coptic Cairo site or adjust the timing to suit your schedule.
3. 03 Is modest dress required at Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque?

   Yes – modest dress is required at Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque: shoulders and knees should be covered for all visitors. Women may be asked to cover their hair in certain areas and both sexes may need to remove shoes before entering the prayer hall. We can advise what to wear the day before your visit and provide a lightweight scarf on request.
4. 04 Can non‑Muslims enter Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque?

   Non‑Muslims can usually enter Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque outside scheduled prayer times, but access is restricted during Jumu'ah (Friday) services. Some interior areas used by worshippers remain off‑limits to visitors at all times. We time visits to allow access to the main historic areas while respecting worship and security arrangements.
5. 05 Are photography and filming allowed inside the Ben Ezra Synagogue and Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque?

   Photography rules differ: Ben Ezra Synagogue generally permits still photography; Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque may restrict photography inside the prayer hall. Tripods, professional cameras or commercial filming typically require prior permission and additional permits. Our guide will confirm the policy on arrival and ask you to switch off flash and behave respectfully around worshippers.
6. 06 How long should I allow to visit both sites?

   Allow about 1.5–2.5 hours to see both Ben Ezra Synagogue and Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque, including walking and security checks. Both sites sit within Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo) and are a short walk apart, but queues and prayer schedules can extend the visit. Unlike large coach itineraries, we organise private visits so we can move at your pace and adjust the order if prayers or closures affect access.