Islamic medieval Cairo: Madrasa and mosque of Sultan Hassan, Refaai, Ibn Tulun and Gayer Anderson
This tour is a must for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of medieval Islamic Cairo, the city of a thousand minarets. We will visit the magnificent Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, known as the pyramid of Islamic architecture, and explore the oldest surviving mosque in Cairo, Ibn Tulun Mosque. We will finish at Gayer-Anderson Museum, discovering its hidden stories, unique history of the houses, and the fascinating life of the Irish officer who lived there.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Sultan Hassan enterance
- Tickets window inside of Sultan Hassan and Refaai
the madrasa of Sultan Hassan
Start our tour by explaining the beautiful islamic architecture and the history of the school and the mosque.
And which Islamic capitals are we passing by today
Al-Refaai Mosque
19th century mosque made on new mamluki style, inside tombs of the royal family and the last shah of Iran.
Ibn Tulun mosque
This unique mosque that considered the oldest mosque preserved in Cairo.
with its unique architecture, that make him the only mosque in Cairo that built this way.
we will know the story of Ahmed Ibn Tulun and his dynasty
Gayer Anderson museum
Gayer Anderson museum or Beit Elkreitleya. Its 2 old Islamic houses that are just by Ibn Tulun mosque.
we will know some of Cairo superstitious stories and legend beyond the beautiful that houses. and how it's the location of Egyptian and western movies. and much more about the Irish official that was the last owner of the house.
Ending Point
Gayer Anderson museum
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
.Guide fee
. Entrance tickets ( Sultan Hassan 220 Egp and Gayer Anderson 100 Egp)
. Tips inside mosques
Tour Important Information
* It's a walking tour and the space between Al-Refaai and Ibn Tulun is around 13 mins walking.
We can walk and enjoy the streets or we can go by tukuk.
* We can add Arabic calligraphy workshop after the first 2 mosques for extra immersion. Need to be booked in advance.
*Egyptian pounds change is important in this tour for tipping inside the mosques
Preferred to skip Fridays as all of the mosques close at the prayer time from around 12:30 to 1:30
but if it's the only day you are free we will manage to make it around these times
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Maryem H.
Hi there! My name is Maryem, and I love stories, adventures, and languages—the way they connect people across time and place. Egypt is full of all of these, and I would love to share them with you.
I became a tour guide because I wanted a career that combined travel, culture, and meeting people from around the world. What started as curiosity became a journey I am truly grateful for. I studied history to become a licensed tour guide, and my passion for Egyptian history continues far beyond my studies.
Whether you are fascinated by Ancient Egypt, curious about Islamic Cairo, or interested in Coptic history, I would be happy to guide you through Egypt’s rich and layered past. I believe storytelling has the power to bring silent stones and ancient places back to life, helping us connect with the people who came before us—and with one another.
As someone who loves learning from different cultures, meeting travelers from around the world has always inspired me. I speak both English and Japanese, which allows me to connect with a wide range of visitors and create experiences that feel personal, engaging, and memorable.
Beyond historical tours, I also enjoy creating off-the-beaten-path experiences, from cultural activities to nature adventures, tailored to what you are most excited to experience in Egypt.
When you explore Egypt with me, I will show you the country through the eyes of a true Cairene who deeply loves her city—blending history, culture, and modern local life. From the timeless pyramids of Giza to the vibrant streets of Cairo and the coastal charm of Alexandria, I look forward to welcoming you and sharing my beloved country with you.
Feel free to contact me and customize your ideal tour—I would be delighted to help you experience Egypt in a meaningful way.
Reviews
Jill L.
“Maryem is an excellent guide!!”
We enjoyed our 5 hour tour with Maryem as our guide immensely. She gave us a very informative and fascinating introduction of Ancient Egyptian history during our visit to the Egyptian Museum. Her very detailed, and insightful explanations of the antiquities brought these periods of history to life. We also visited two of the few remaining Synagogues that remain in downtown Cairo. She shared her very vast knowledge of this once very vibrant community with compassion and even a degree of nostalgia. It was obvious that she had done a great deal of research and special arrangements to facilitate our visits and make the experience meaningful. I highly recommend Maryem for any tour in Egypt.
Jenny M.
“Coptic Cairo and the old Necropolis.”
I lived in Cairo forty yeas ago, my first visit since then. I had the most wonderful day with Maryam. She was an excellent guide and went up and behond to make sure we covered so much of old Cairo and was very informative. I highly recommend you book her to guide you around Cairo.
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Maryem H.
It was such a pleasure meeting you Jenny! Your positive and adventurous energy, I loved being your guide so so much, I hope I can see you again next year <3 Stay healthy and happy till we meet again And thank you for your kind words
Reto B.
“Very interesting add-on to Sakkara and Dashur”
The communication with Maryem was easy and quick. She showed up on time, the organised car was spotless and the driver brought us safely to various spots. The tour itself was very interesting. Maryem suggested to extend the tour to Dashur and Sakkara to understand the history of the pyramids. This was a great idea. She has a deep knowledge of Egyptian history and knows how to explain it. Also, she gave us very valuable tipps for other things to see and do and organised a delicious lunch during the day. I can highly recommend her as your guide through Egypt. Thank you, Maryem!
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Maryem H.
Thank you so much for this kind words! It was a pleasure showing you the history of the pyramids and exploring Saqqara and Dahshur together. I'm really glad you enjoyed the tour and that the extension made the experience even more interesting. It was lovely meeting you, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip. And always stay happy and safe. You're always welcome back!
$72/ per group
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