Egypt Discovery
ExcursionAlexandria

Islamic Cairo in a Day from Alexandria: Citadel, Sultan Hassan and Khan el-Khalili

About 13 hours, private vehicle and Egyptologist guide, the Citadel, mosques, the bazaar and lunch.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A private 13-hour road trip from Alexandria or its cruise terminal to the Citadel of Saladin, the mosques of Sultan Hassan and Ibn Tulun and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, with an Egyptologist guide and lunch.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Alexandria · Cairo · Citadel of Saladin · Mosque of Sultan Hassan · Mosque of Ibn Tulun · Khan el-Khalili
Includes
Private pick-up and drop-off at your Alexandria hotel or the cruise terminal · An air-conditioned vehicle and driver for your party only · A private English-speaking Egyptologist guide · Admission to the Citadel and the Mosque of Sultan Hassan · Lunch in a local restaurant
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is the most pleasant for walking outdoors. Mosque visits are closed to non-worshippers during prayer times, so your guide plans around them.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator
  • Offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh

02Overview

A first look

Many visitors to Alexandria want to see Cairo but have no wish to look only at the Pyramids. This day trip takes you instead to the medieval city: the hilltop Citadel, two of Cairo's great mosques, and the bazaar that has traded for centuries. You leave Alexandria at 06:30, drive for about three hours, and return in the evening at about 19:30. The vehicle and guide are yours alone, so you can linger where you like and ask as many questions as you wish.

Background

The facts

Islamic Cairo is the medieval heart of the city, east of the Nile. It is about three hours by road from Alexandria.

Named in this entry

Mosque of Muhammad Ali·Al-Azhar

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers in Alexandria who want to see medieval Cairo rather than, or as well as, the Pyramids.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suited to small children, wheelchair users, or anyone who cannot manage a very long day or crowded lanes.

What lingers

  • 01Saladin's Citadel, with the Mosque of Muhammad Ali inside its walls
  • 02Sultan Hassan's mosque and madrasa
  • 03The Mosque of Ibn Tulun
  • 04Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the lanes around Al-Azhar
  • 05An English-speaking private Egyptologist guide
  • 06A private air-conditioned vehicle and lunch at a local restaurant

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Cairo's medieval sights from Alexandria in one day
  • Private vehicle and guide
  • Lunch and the main tickets are included

Things to Consider

  • A 06:30 start and about six hours on the road
  • Mosque dress rules need some planning

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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  5. 5

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  7. 7

  8. 8

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Private pick-up and drop-off at your Alexandria hotel or the cruise terminal
  • An air-conditioned vehicle and driver for your party only
  • A private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
  • Admission to the Citadel and the Mosque of Sultan Hassan
  • Lunch in a local restaurant
  • Bottled water during the day

Not included

  • Gratuities for your guide and driver
  • What you drink with lunch
  • Anything you buy for yourself
  • Anything you buy in the bazaar

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Wear shoes that are easy to slip off at mosque doors

  2. 02

    Bring a scarf even if you do not expect to need it

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children are welcome and count towards your party size. The day involves about six hours of driving and walking through mosques and busy lanes, so it suits calm, patient children. Please tell us their ages when you send your request.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

On the ground

Your route

1Alexandria2Cairo

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01Where does this trip begin and end?
    In Alexandria. Your driver collects you at 06:30 from your hotel or the cruise terminal, and you are brought back to the same place at about 19:30.
  2. 02How do I book?
    This trip is by request. You send us your dates and party size, and our team confirms availability and the final fare before any payment is taken.
  3. 03What should I wear for the mosques?
    Cover your shoulders and knees. You will take your shoes off before entering, and women need a headscarf, so bring one with you. Socks are handy on hot floors.
  4. 04Can I do this from a cruise ship?
    Possibly, if your ship stays in Alexandria until the evening. Please give us the ship's name and the all-aboard time with your request. We cannot guarantee a return time to the ship.
  5. 05Will there be time to shop in the bazaar?
    Yes, about an hour and a half is set aside for Khan el-Khalili and the lanes nearby. Bring cash, as most stalls do not take cards. Anything you buy is paid for by you.
  6. 06What if I need to cancel?
    Give us more than 72 hours' notice and you can keep 100% as credit towards a future holiday or have 100% refunded, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand, keep 100% as credit or have 50% back. Within 24 hours, or if you don't turn up, nothing can be refunded or credited. Should we have to cancel, you won't lose a penny.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-ALX-711222

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