Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Center
Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Center
4.5
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
115 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
32
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Dave_Polpetta
Brussels, Belgium116 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
They changed the show time and ticket sales time for Ramadan, but they didn't change their signs, so many people came at 6:30 instead of 8:00. The lady selling tickets did not speak a word of English, so she didn't realize that the signs were wrong. She kept pointing to the sign, thinking that it said 8:00 but it really said 6:30.
If you want to sell tickets to foreigners, make sure your signs are correct, and have a ticket seller that speaks a little English.
If you want to sell tickets to foreigners, make sure your signs are correct, and have a ticket seller that speaks a little English.
Written April 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bethpindc
Washington DC, DC763 contributions
Jan 2012 • Friends
This Arts Center is a beautifully restored building that hosts free Whirling Dervish performances three times per week (Saturday, Monday and Wednesday). The performances start at 8:30pm and the free tickets are distributed from 6:30pm. It isn't a very large room, so try to get there early to get a seat in the front. Photography is permitted. In addition to the remarkable twirling with colorful skirts that Whirling Dervishes are famous for, you'll also hear some excellent musical performances. This is a must see for anyone visiting Cairo.
Written February 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ezra’s Travels
Athens, Greece265 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
A unique and ultra-colorful examples of Tanoura dervish whirling -- an incredible combination of talent, demonstration of training, faith, and devotion, set to local liturgical music and chanting -- highly recommended for the culturally curious tourist.
It is important (and hopefully useful) to consider a few things when planning to attend this cultural/artistic event: it is a live show that lasts around 1.5-2 hours, depending on how promptly it will start. It is only offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, starting at (or around) 7pm -- it does require a ticket (sold at the venue starting at 6pm) and the struggle to get a ticket is real! People line up early and fight their way to the front -- let's just say that the attendants at the venue could be more helpful.
At the present time, the actual venue of the Wekalet Ghouri Arts Center is under renovation - the show takes place in a nearby building. My understanding is that it's a tad smaller -- the seats are pretty much up against the stage, which may be a bit too loud for young kids (have you heard a mizmar play up close? probably not -- and there is a reason for that...) so consider soft earplugs for the wee ones if you plan on sitting up close.
Finally you will emerge, somewhat stunned, at the entrance of the Khan al Khalili, just past 9pm -- that's a very, very busy time, in a very, very busy place. Would be helpful to have thought through the transportation logistics, in advance.
Very much worthwhile -- requires some advanced planning.
It is important (and hopefully useful) to consider a few things when planning to attend this cultural/artistic event: it is a live show that lasts around 1.5-2 hours, depending on how promptly it will start. It is only offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, starting at (or around) 7pm -- it does require a ticket (sold at the venue starting at 6pm) and the struggle to get a ticket is real! People line up early and fight their way to the front -- let's just say that the attendants at the venue could be more helpful.
At the present time, the actual venue of the Wekalet Ghouri Arts Center is under renovation - the show takes place in a nearby building. My understanding is that it's a tad smaller -- the seats are pretty much up against the stage, which may be a bit too loud for young kids (have you heard a mizmar play up close? probably not -- and there is a reason for that...) so consider soft earplugs for the wee ones if you plan on sitting up close.
Finally you will emerge, somewhat stunned, at the entrance of the Khan al Khalili, just past 9pm -- that's a very, very busy time, in a very, very busy place. Would be helpful to have thought through the transportation logistics, in advance.
Very much worthwhile -- requires some advanced planning.
Written December 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nadoosha_life
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt80 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
The theater is in a old historic building in the outdoor courtyard and on beautiful cairo nights it’s a wonderful place to be. The music and dancing is amazing. It’s a great place to experience quality Egyptian folkloric dancing and music
Written May 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AJ625
Shenzhen, China22 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
So this is a review of the whirling dervish show. My partner and I attended because we were looking for something off the beaten track that would give us more cultural insight into Egypt.
We originally thought the show might be a bit kitschy or touristy. We were completely wrong—nothing about this is geared towards Western tourists. There’s no intro, no explanation, no program—they just launch straight into the performance.
My main feedback is that it’s just pretty long. An hour and 45 minutes is a LOT of whirling. And it’s pretty loud as well. It’s definitely low key though so if you wanted it’d be easy to leave early. Also, there is a bathroom, with attendant working for tips. Not the nicest, but functional. Show up around 6:30 for seats at the front — you buy tickets in a huge mad rush, then you have to wait til the performance starts. We thought we’d leave and wander the souk while we waited, but they won’t let you back in. So bring a book!
We originally thought the show might be a bit kitschy or touristy. We were completely wrong—nothing about this is geared towards Western tourists. There’s no intro, no explanation, no program—they just launch straight into the performance.
My main feedback is that it’s just pretty long. An hour and 45 minutes is a LOT of whirling. And it’s pretty loud as well. It’s definitely low key though so if you wanted it’d be easy to leave early. Also, there is a bathroom, with attendant working for tips. Not the nicest, but functional. Show up around 6:30 for seats at the front — you buy tickets in a huge mad rush, then you have to wait til the performance starts. We thought we’d leave and wander the souk while we waited, but they won’t let you back in. So bring a book!
Written February 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alessandra B
Milan, Italy25 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We arrived at 7.15 and half of the seats were already taken, the show started around 7.30 and it lasts until 9. The price for non egyptian is now more than the previous reviews. We payed 75LE each.
It is a very nice location and the performance too. Highly recommended to end the day with something different than usual.
It is a very nice location and the performance too. Highly recommended to end the day with something different than usual.
Written March 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hasan R
Singapore, Singapore743 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
We did this a few nights back, totally amazing! So glad we did this, the booking and process is strange, no advance booking, and first in first served, so good luck with seating, still we went with our guide, who got us set on a platform on the side right at the front, despite arriving 40mins earlier with little seats left right in the back! I would do this again, the noise is fine, its all part of the show and the experience, so make sure you do this, i would say its a must in Cairo!
Written February 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MagedMoustafa N
Cairo, Egypt140 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
The most famous Tanora Show at Wekalet El Ghouri is a must do when you visit Cairo-Egypt. the show is 1 hour, tickets for Egyptian is 5LE and 30LE (3$) for foreigners. The place is in midtown Cairo next to Azhar and Hussin Mosques, Khan Khalily the famous souvenirs market and El Moez st. the oldest street in csiro with building built from 1000 years ago. The wekalet is built in the year 1505 A.D and turned to a theater to present Egyptian folklore arts, the Tanora show is played 3 days a week, Sat., Mon. and wednesday from 7.30pm, 1st to come 1st to set, they sell 200 tickets only so better to go early to get ticket and get front sest. You will love the show (look at pics) .
Written August 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simbal09
London, UK166 contributions
Nov 2019
Wikala Al Ghouri (various spellings) is a 16th century building adjacent to Khan Al Khalili which now offers an atmospheric venue for the superb 20-strong Tanoura Sufi dance troupe which provides a lively and thoroughly engaging music/dance show for 75 minutes on three evenings each week. It is very popular so arrive at 6.30pm to buy tickets and grab a seat before the start at 7.30pm. Video recording is prohibited whilst photographs can be freely taken. Children and young teenagers are likely to become bored quickly so it may not be for them whilst the intricate hand movements on the musical instruments and the dancing and gyrations of the musicians will captivate those who relish a lively cultural experience. Non-Egyptians pay LE83 for the very enjoyable performance.
Written November 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dilip111
Nagpur, India59 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Exceptional,Energetic and interesting.
One suggestion:Please provide the details of the dance theme.
Otherwise we dont"t understand the contents.
One suggestion:Please provide the details of the dance theme.
Otherwise we dont"t understand the contents.
Written March 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do the dances still take place on Monday evenings? I would want to go next week.
Written December 18, 2021
We'll be in Cairo, for the first time, this May. Based on the reviews, we absolutely want to see this performance. Now some details, please: (1) what time is the show, (2) what time do we need to get on line in order to get tickets, (3) any hints for how to minimize the "struggle" on line to get tickets and (4) where will the performance take place if the old building is still under renovation in May. THANKS.
Written February 18, 2019
1. The show starts at 7:30 but you can start getting tickets at 6:15.
2. I would recommend going at 6:15.
3. I would buy the tickets directly when you get there. Supposedly they have increased the price to 85 pounds and I paid 95 because they couldn't be bothered to get change but that is still so much cheaper than the "tours" online
4. When I was there last night it was the same building but a courtyard and stil just an incredibly beautiful seting.
Written May 2, 2019
هل عرض التنورة يومي؟! وما هي أسعار الدخول؟؟ وتوقيت العروض؟!
Written January 31, 2019
I'm so thrilled to see that the show is still running...
Ive struggled to find information on the centre and on the show.
I will be in Cairo in March...will it still be on ?
Also is it in an arts centre ?
Is there other things to see at the theatre ?
I would so appreciate any advice you may have.
Thank you kindly
Sharon
Written December 6, 2016
Yes it's still running and I haven't heard any plans of stopping it soon. You can check their FB page for other shows and parties.
Written January 14, 2017
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