Cairo Tours
Saladin Citadel of Cairo, Private tour and Lunch

Saladin Citadel of Cairo, Private tour and Lunch

By Hassan Shawki
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About
Standing proud above the modern city, the Cairo Citadel (Citadel of Saladin) is one of Old Cairo’s most striking sights. First built by Saladin in the 12th century, during the Crusader conflicts, the fortress complex houses palaces, museums, and mosques, including Muhammad Ali’s 19th-century Alabaster Mosque. Explore the Saladin Citadel and a historic mosque on a private tour . Learn about the history and architecture of the sprawling complex as you walk the medieval fortifications with your guide, and enjoy sweeping views of Cairo from the walls. Hear the story of Ottoman commander Mohamed Ali Pasha while visiting the exquisite, domed mosque he built during his controversial reign. after that we will continue for a full day tour showing the old Egyptian artifacts from the beginning of history. Then enjoy and Egyptian cuisine at a nearby restaurant before finishing the tour at your hotel.

Ages 11-90
Duration: 4–6 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Pick up and drop off to your hotel
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Bottled water
  • WiFi on board
What's not included
  • Entry Tickets for The Citadel
  • Optional Lunch buffet
  • Entry/Admission - Cairo Citadel


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
  • 12 Ahmed Ragheb, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 4272050, Egypt
    Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City Cairo
Pickup details
  • We will pick you up from your hotel lobby.
Hotel pickup offered
During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
    End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

      • Not wheelchair accessible
      If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 151375P29

      • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
      • Most travelers can participate
      • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
      • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
      • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

      • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

      If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 151375P29

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      This product is unavailable to book via Tripadvisor.
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      Itinerary
      • 1
        A few years after defeating the Fatimid Caliphate, Saladin set out to build a wall that would surround both Cairo and Fustat. Built on a promontory beneath the Muqattam hills, a setting that made it difficult to attack, the efficacy of the Citadel's location is further demonstrated by the fact that it remained the heart of Egyptian government until the 19th-Century
      About the operator
      Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
      • Hassan Shawki
        11
        Cairo, Egypt
        Joined in July 2019
      • ykiran77
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan & Mosque of Al-Refaei, Cairo
        Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan & Mosque of Al-Refaei is located in Cairo, which is easy access from the city. It is very beautiful and historical, housing several tombs as well.
        Written April 1, 2024
      • Mahmoud A
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Egypt welcomes everyone
        是体现古代文明形象的好地方之一 It is one of the good places that reflects the image of ancient civilization Egypt welcomes everyone..
        Written March 9, 2024
      • 340stevenh
        0 contributions
        1.0 of 5 bubbles
        Beware of the closing time of 4.30 rather than 5pm as displayed by ticket office..who will still take your money.
        We were looking forward to seeing this after enjoying a visit to the citadel. We arrived at the ticket office booth at 4.15 and noted that the closing time was 5pm (the ticket office said to close at 4.30). We paid in cash and were advised that the official had no change. The entrance ticket includes the smaller Mosque Al Rifai and we spent 10 minutes looking at this before making our way to the Mosque Madrassa Sultan Hassan. On arrival we were told that it closed at 4.30 and were ushered away. We felt cheated but mostly disappointed not to be able to see it.
        Written March 3, 2024
      • andr_der
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Nice mosque
        Another great mosque to visit when you are in Cairo, it is certainly worth a while, just have a look at the pictures I have uploaded here.
        Written February 16, 2024
      • pldelaney
        0 contributions
        3.0 of 5 bubbles
        Hit or miss event
        Dinner was on a rooftop restaurant overlooking the pyramids. The Light show was just a few spotlights as the history of Egypt was played over the loudspeakers. To be honest, not really worth the time spent.
        Written December 31, 2023
      • 219amalh
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        A visit to Gayer Anderson museum
        Islamic architecture masterpiece, very mpressive and worth a visit if you are Cairo, it is very close to ibn tulun mosque.
        Written October 13, 2022
      • harshj2013
        0 contributions
        1.0 of 5 bubbles
        TOURIST TRAPS—Save yourself from this experience
        This whole thing is a collection of tourist traps. The tour starts at 8, but the Souq doesn’t open until 11. First, Hassan was 20 minutes late. It was all down hill from here. The description of this tour suggests an in depth tour of the Souq. That didn’t happen. What did happen was a series of tourist traps including the buffet. $20 for lunch here is WAY expensive. The shops he takes you to show you how whatever is made and then try to sell you that thing that is low quality and priced for tourists. Some of the goods are also counterfeit (like Gucci sweatshirts). Once we realized where things were headed we were angry and renegotiated the tour to skip these “artifacts” and instead go to the Citadel since the tour started at 8:30, but the Souq doesn’t open until 11. Hassan is an architect, so he was very knowledgeable about the Citadel. Great! Things seemed back on track. We went to the Souq for about 45 minutes. That’s it, and there was no in-depth explanation about any burial grounds or a mosque visit as suggested in the description. Then, on the way back to the hotel he tried to charge us extra for the citadel tour—he suggested that he typically charges $30 per person for that tour. It was 30 minutes. The entire tour was stressful. Save yourself and book one of the other tours of the Souq or go on your own. The Souq is not that big and can be navigated easily as a tourist.
        Written December 28, 2019
      • MickeyMouseFanatic
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Excellent and always on time
        Abdul was our guide for this and two other transfers while in Cairo. He was friendly, punctual and knowledgeable. I would definitely use this company, if I ever visit Cairo again.
        Written September 16, 2019
      See all 11 reviews
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      Saladin Citadel of Cairo, Private tour and Lunch provided by Hassan Shawki

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