Cairo Citadel
Cairo Citadel
4.5
Historic SitesArchitectural BuildingsReligious Sites
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This massive stone fortress, built by Salah ad-Din in the 12th century, was crowned with the Mosque of Mohammed Ali 700 years later.
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  • ricshanshibly1986
    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia1,319 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Salah El Din Citadel
    Known as Salah El Din citadel. Must visit place in Cairo egypt. Entrance fee is 200EGP per person and 70EGP for car. You can hire golf car by paying 10-20EGP to go up instead of walking. Muhammad Ali masjid and Nasser Khawayan masjid located in same place. You can see pyramid from citadel if weather is fine. You need to cover your shoe while entering the masjid and need to tip 5EGP per person. Masjid is in original condition.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 19, 2023
  • laczkozsu
    Debrecen, Hungary1,680 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Majestic fort with amazing view
    It’s an enclosed area, the entrance fee is 200 Egyptian Pounds, but it’s worth. It was built in 1176 on Moqattam mountain by Saladin, the famous warlord. The most popular site is Muhammad Ali Mosque, the symbol of the Citadel. We walked around and enjoyed the amazing view: Cairo was below us. Don’t miss it!
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 21, 2023
  • Sarah L
    London, United Kingdom3,054 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Don't go on a Friday
    Came here on a Friday and it seemed quite quiet. It is located up a slope so is not immediately visible from the main road where you get dropped off. You have to buy tickets before you enter and then you are free to visit the museums or the Muhammad Ali mosque or to take in the views of Cairo. There are toilets available which you need to tip for and a small store selling snacks. Beware there is not much shade on offer so the sun can be intense.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written June 13, 2023
  • Stephen N
    Hong Kong, China338 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning buildings
    Have been here for three times after our scuba diving trip from Hurghada in the past 15 years. The building is really stunning and beautiful, we still be amazed eventhough we visited here for 3 times. A must go place when you visited Cairo.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 17, 2023
  • Ashokabs
    New Delhi, India3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing Cairo
    Weather in March is great and it was an amazing experience to see the citadel and the Mohammedali mosque which is completely made of alabaster. Also there was a great view of Cairo from the top of the Citadel. We could see the pyramids of Giza and Saqqara.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 14, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,299 reviews
Excellent
664
Very good
441
Average
146
Poor
37
Terrible
12

Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,665 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
There’s no overlooking this massive fortress that sits perched above Cairo. The Citadel has a long history that started when Saladin began building the fortress in 1176 to protect the city from the Crusaders. The Mamluks and Ottomans each added their own touches, and Egyptian rulers lived here until about the 1870s. Afterwards, the Citadel was used as a military garrison before being converted into a tourist attraction. While several museums are located at the Citadel, many tourists, like us, come primarily to see the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. The views of Cairo alone are worth a visit here.
Written April 22, 2020
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.

Dalbir_S_Virdi
Navi Mumbai, India3,028 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This is a very important part of Egyptian History but its not as popular among the Tourists as other attractions. In fact most Travel Agents and Guides do not allocate enough time to visit this place. If you are planning your own itinerary, make sure you allocate 2-3 hours for this place. The whole Citadel is built over a Hill and can be seen from a far distant place - specially the Minarets. Its spread over a vast area and surrounded by a Wall which gives the appearance of a fortified area. It in fact was used as a Fort by Saladin. There are several Mosques inside - of which Md. Ali Mosque is the most beautiful. The Slender Minarets are part of this Mosque. The Islamic part of Egyptian History, which is more modern history, is yet to find the right place in its books.
Written March 11, 2020
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.

laczkozsu
Debrecen, Hungary1,680 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
It’s an enclosed area, the entrance fee is 200 Egyptian Pounds, but it’s worth. It was built in 1176 on Moqattam mountain by Saladin, the famous warlord. The most popular site is Muhammad Ali Mosque, the symbol of the Citadel. We walked around and enjoyed the amazing view: Cairo was below us. Don’t miss it!
Written April 21, 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.

Musicians Mum
608 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
Visited as optional add on "Islamic Cairo and Citadel of Saladin" to Small group uk tour.
Parked up,through the security gate,hussled by local uguide allocated by tour operator ,who took us to the mosque and gave lecture.
Yes Mosque is pretty. Inside and out.
The clock in the courtyard is of French origin and swapped for an obelisk(Now in Paris).The view from the courtyard is panoramic .BUT ..citadel means to me towers /walls / turrets / battlements / guns /arrow slits / palace complex etc.During the 20 mins free time allowed I found an entrance gate looking very"castle like" .,another mosque entrance .I asked whether we get to see the citadel proper and no.The Military museum (thrilling) was closed and nothing in the rest of the citadel is apparently open to look at.
Very dissapointing.
Written April 12, 2022
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.

Xave Edison
Singapore, Singapore760 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Worth a visit for an hour. Nothing much to see outside except for the great views of Cairo. However, the interior of the Citadel is very beautiful and nicely decorated.

The 200 LE entrance fee is a bit pricey and the best options to reach the Citadel will be by Uber or follow a day tour.

Beware: There are a lot of teenagers roaming around the Citadel requesting to take pictures with you. Don't fall for the trap as they are just asking for tips.
Written February 13, 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.

HeyD82
Finland59 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Couples
We visited the Citadel in Cairo mainly because we wanted to see the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. The entry fee was 180 Egyptian pounds which we thought was way overpriced for what you get to see. The entry fee covered the Mosque of Mohammed Ali and another mosque. There were also a few museums (4) in the area that were included in the fee but only 1 of them was open. No doubt the Mosque of Mohammed Ali is beautiful and the view of Cairo from here is pretty interesting but the entry fee really is too much considering that it's almost the same (200 Egyptian pounds) as to visit the pyramids of Giza. In addition to this there were no free restrooms to use inside the complex as the ladies outside the restrooms kept asking for money to use them. One might wanna consider visiting another Cairo sight for this money unless you really just wanna see the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Then there is no other choice ;).
Written December 1, 2020
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.

herculesmom
Cancun, Mexico, North America144 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Solo
Be prepared to remove your shoes (bring socks) or pay small fee for paper coverings for your shoes. Women do not need to cover their hair since it is not a working mosque. The interior ceiling and walls are magnificent. Great views of old Cairo from outside. Another site where it was worth it to have a local guide share historical stories and significance since there was no literature or reading aids to supplement the visit.
Written September 6, 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.

Hyoga83
Bordeaux, France716 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
Please note it is extremely annoying and long to reach by foot, the entrance is far from everything. And to leave the area taxis just propose rip-off prices, and Uber drivers have it difficult to stop by...
So surprised with the reviews of this place! It feels almost like a tourist trap, extremely expensive for what it is. Thankfully it was included in the Cairo Pass we had, as the only worthwhile thing is the view. The mosque is nice, but not worth the price or hussle.
Written April 19, 2022
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.

Ama
19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Family
It houses 2 immensely stunning Mosques, museums containing better exhibits than the Egyptian antiquities museum, stunningly clean and less crowded cafe and atmosphere. No 1 thing to do in Cairo better than pyramids and antiquities museum in our experience.

So peaceful, clean and well taken care of. Just stunning we saw so many tourists sit and be at peace in the Mosque like us (non Muslims).

You just feel so serene in the whole experience which has so many things to see in one safe contained space. Family friendly too.
Written January 16, 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.

ricshanshibly1986
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia1,319 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
Known as Salah El Din citadel. Must visit place in Cairo egypt. Entrance fee is 200EGP per person and 70EGP for car. You can hire golf car by paying 10-20EGP to go up instead of walking. Muhammad Ali masjid and Nasser Khawayan masjid located in same place. You can see pyramid from citadel if weather is fine. You need to cover your shoe while entering the masjid and need to tip 5EGP per person. Masjid is in original condition.
Written March 19, 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.

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Cairo Citadel

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