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
Rasul K.
“The Great Pyramids tour”
Our visit to Giza and the Pyramids with Maryem H. was one of the highlights of our time in Egypt. Maryem made what could easily have been an overwhelming day feel relaxed, organized, and genuinely enjoyable. Travelling as a family with teenage children and aging parents, we really appreciated how well she adapted the tour to everyone. She shared enough history and interesting details to bring the Pyramids and Giza to life, while keeping things engaging and never making us feel like we were sitting through a history lesson. What impressed us most was how attentive Maryem was to the needs of our entire family. She was patient, flexible with the pace of the day, and always conscious of making sure everyone was comfortable. She handled the logistics and helped us navigate the experience so that we could simply enjoy being at one of the most incredible places in the world. Maryem’s warm personality and positive attitude made the day even more memorable. She was more than a tour guide. She genuinely cared about making sure our family had a great experience. If you are planning to visit Giza and the Pyramids, I would highly recommend Maryem H. She made an already extraordinary destination that much more special, and we would not hesitate to tour with her again.
Rasul K.
“GEM the grand Egyptian museum and Khan El Khalili market”
We had an absolutely wonderful experience visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili Market with Maryem H. as our tour guide. We initially planned to spend just one day touring with Maryem, but we enjoyed her company, attitude, and warm demeanour so much that we extended our time with her to three days and two additional tours. What really stood out was Maryem’s ability to tailor the experience to our entire family. We were travelling with both teenage children and aging parents, and she provided exactly the right amount of history and information to keep everyone interested and engaged without ever making the tours feel long or overwhelming. Maryem also went well beyond simply being our guide. She took care of so many of the details that made our time in Cairo easy and enjoyable, including helping us arrange a car, recommending and organizing lunch and dinner, and adjusting our plans along the way. She even suggested a short additional tour on our way to the airport so we could make the most of our final few hours in Cairo. Her knowledge, flexibility, patience, and genuinely pleasant personality made a significant difference to our trip. By the end of our three days together, it felt much more personal than simply having a tour guide. I would highly recommend Maryem H. to anyone visiting Cairo, particularly families travelling with different age groups. She listens to what you need, takes care of the details, and makes sure everyone enjoys the experience. We would absolutely tour with her again.
Pedropablo A.
“Great day ! ”
Maryem made our visit to the Great Pyramid truly memorable. She brought the site to life with fascinating explanations, great context, and a clear passion for Egyptian history.She was attentive, engaging, and very easy to talk to, always giving us time to explore and ask questions without ever feeling rushed. An excellent guide who added a lot of value to the experience. We would happily recommend her to anyone visiting Giza.
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Maryem H.
Thank you so much, Pedro, for such a thoughtful review! I’m so glad you enjoyed your time in Egypt and that I could add something special to your experience. It was lovely meeting all of you, and I hope to see you again someday, either here in Egypt or in Spain!
$72/ per group
More tours by Maryem H.
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The Great Pyramids tour
Experience the magic of the Pyramids of Giza with a knowledgeable local guide who brings Egypt’s ancient wonders to life. Explore the majestic Great Pyramid of Khufu, enter the Valley Temple of Khafre, stroll around the Queens’ Pyramids, and stand face-to-face with the iconic Sphinx. Your journey ends with a breathtaking panoramic view of all three pyramids—perfect for capturing fun, memorable photos at the last remaining wonder of the ancient world.
The Great Pyramids tour
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GEM the grand Egyptian museum
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GEM the grand Egyptian museum
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City of the Dead: A Heritage Walk Through Cairo’s Living Necropolis
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Cairo’s Hidden Nature: Wadi Degla Hiking
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Cairo
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A Walking Tour in the Longest and Oldest Cairo Fatimi Street Al-Mu'azaldeen Street
Fatimid Cairo was built in 969 AD and was dedicated only to the Fatimids, then Saladin al-Ayyubi came and Cairo conquered it for the Egyptians. The Mamluks ruled for 280 years, and they built mosques inside Fatimid Cairo, such as the mosque of Sultan Qalalawn and his son Muhammad bin Qalalawn, and the mosque of Sultan Barquq, and on the same street there is the mosque of Al-Qamar, the mosque of Al-Hakim in Amrallah, Bab al-Nasr and Bab al-Futuh.
A Walking Tour in the Longest and Oldest Cairo Fatimi Street Al-Mu'azaldeen Street
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City of the Dead: A Heritage Walk Through Cairo’s Living Necropolis
Join me in a place full of life, art, and history as we explore the unique heritage of Cairo’s Necropolis. Known as the City of the Dead, this area defies its name—it is very much alive. Families live among the tombs, creating a rare landscape where daily life and memory coexist. Also called El Qarafa by Cairenes and the Mamluk Desert, it reflects one of Cairo’s most powerful eras. I call it "Game of Thrones" era as it's the bloodiest one. also it was the peak of art and architecture.
City of the Dead: A Heritage Walk Through Cairo’s Living Necropolis
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The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
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