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Mosque of Muhammad Ali

Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Cairo

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Mosque of Muhammad Ali

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See all things to do
Mosque of Muhammad Ali
4.5
2,624
#12 of 263 things to do in Cairo
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
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Located in the Citadel, this mosque was built between 1824 and 1857 in the Ottoman style by Mohammad Ali Pasha, a ruler of Egypt.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
927 within 3 miles
Studio Masr
53
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Barbecue • Middle Eastern
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1
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Koshary El Hanafy
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0.6 miJapanese
El Tahra
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El Shabrawy
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Baha
3
0.8 mi
Malek El Kebda
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El Shabrawy
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0.8 mi
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Attractions
181 within 6 miles
Sabil of Muhammad Ali Pasha
1
0 ftHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Military Museum
41
444 ftMilitary Museums
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Al Rifai Mosque
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0.3 miReligious Sites
Islamic Cairo
790
0.5 miNeighborhoods
Mostafa Kamel Museum
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0.2 miSpeciality Museums
Gayer-Anderson Museum (Bayt al-Kiritliya)
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Mosque of Ibn Tulun
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0.5 miHistoric Sites • Religious Sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,624 reviews
Excellent
1,535
Very good
815
Average
230
Poor
35
Terrible
9
TTOverseas
Cairo, Egypt206 contributions
Must Go- Can't understand the Low Ratings?!?
Apr 2022
Seems you have to be a pretty jaded traveler to not appreciate the size and beauty of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali- We were all very impressed and loved taking a few minutes to just stand in awe of the size and majesty of the inside of the Mosque.

Our Tour Guide did a great job of explaining the history and the complicated relationship of Egyptians with Muhammad Ali, as well as pointing out some of the finer points of the inside. And this from someone who normally passes of tour guides...

Overall, we thought this was an essential part of our Cairo tour. We got there early on a Friday Morning, so the crowds hadn't yet arrived and it was a very clear day!
Written April 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chelsea
150 contributions
Beautiful architecture
Apr 2021 • Friends
Touring this was an incredible experience. The architecture is absolutely beautiful, as well as all of he alabaster and marble. We had a guide who filled us in on a lot of the background and history and I highly recommend having one as the grounds can be confusing without. I do wish they were better with upkeep, as many stairs and paths are in need of repair/ restoration. There is also a section where you can get a great panoramic view of the city.
Written May 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CPaM68
Texas632 contributions
The most popular mosque in Cairo for tourist
Jan 2022
The Mohamed Ali Pasha Mosque at Citadel of Saladin, which was constructed to protect the city from the Crusaders, is also called the Alabaster Mosque because of the color of the walls. It was built between 1825 to 1848 by Mohamed Ali Pasha who was the Turkish ruler of Egypt and was designed by the same Turkish architect who designed the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. If you are going to visit and tour the mosque, remember that you must take your shoes off as soon as you enter. They sell a little sock/shoe cover, but you can also just walk around in your own socks. Setting up on a hill overlooking Cairo and being visible from much of the city makes this the most popular mosque in Cairo for tourist to visit, even though it is neither the oldest nor most historic. I agree with another post that said it is more impressive from a distance than up-close. Photos are allowed, and since you are on a hill it provides some great views of the city. (PaM)
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Oamaruvian
Oamaru, New Zealand277 contributions
Bring plastic foot bags
Jan 2020 • Couples
As you have to take your shoes off before you enter, you might want to cover your feet. Most bought blue plastic foot bags at the mosque for 10 pounds. We didn't bother and just walked in socks and barefeet, which was quite acceptable. The view of Cairo City is quite stunning if you are lucky to get a clear day, good luck there. You are allowed to take photos in and around the mosque.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jazzumbo
Romania1,578 contributions
Main Attraction of Saladin Citadel
Mar 2020
The minarets of this majestic mosque are visible from far away and dominate the entire citadel. The entrance fee is 180 Egyptian Pound for foreigners and it is to be paid at the entrance to fortification. The tour of the mosque is part of the citadel's tour. The entrance fee for locals, if any, must be much cheaper.
The Muhammad Ali Mosque is said to be built with some stones taken from pyramids.
Unfortunately, the walls and columns are covered in dust. Some inscriptions and details are barely visible under the thick layer of dust. Unsure if this architectonic masterpiece is ever washed, however, the pollution of Cairo is beyond imagination.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,194 contributions
Alabaster Mosque
Jan 2020
Mohamed Ali Pashi, ruler of Egypt during the first half of the 1800s, tore down Mamluk monuments in the Citadel to make room for his mosque. Completed in 1857, the mosque is styled along classic Turkish lines. It is known as the Alabaster Mosque because the lower-story, inside and out, is tiled with alabaster to an amazing height of about 36 ft (11 m). Although most of the exterior alabaster is no longer shiny white, the façade is still stunning. It’s especially pretty from a distance when you can appreciate the mosque’s domes and slender minarets. The interior is massive, with a capacity for up to 10,000 worshipers. Inside, the alabaster coated walls, twinkling chandeliers and colorful stained-glass windows made it one of the prettiest mosques we toured in Egypt. Muhammad Ali’s marble tomb is also inside. As in all mosques, you’ll need to remove your shoes (we brought socks to slip on) and we also wore head scarves, although it was not required. Outside there are beautiful views of Cairo that even include the Giza pyramids in the distance.
Written April 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Funtravels13
San Francisco163 contributions
Beautifully done from the inside
Feb 2020
This is a large mosque that is located within a citadel. If you can spare an hour or so this is worth visiting. The outside courtyard has a well that supplied water for those who were going to prayer. There is also a nice structure provided for those who had to wash up before prayers.
It is the inside roof of the mosque that leaves you agape. The domes are beautifully done and the stained-glass windows are nicely done. There is also the mausoleum within the mosque.
Be prepared to remove your shoes and to pay 5 Egyptian pounds for shoe covers which are provided at the door. Alternatively you can remove your shoes but our guide did not recommend that.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kazi Y
Dhaka City, Bangladesh131 contributions
The great Mosque
Feb 2020
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha or Alabaster Mosque was built on the site of old Mamluk buildings in Cairo's Citadel between 1830 and 1848, completed by Said Pasha in 1857. Its white stone and tall, disproportionately slender minarets are one of Cairo's great landmarks. Muhammad Ali Pasha was buried in a tomb carved from Carrara marble, in the courtyard of the mosque. An impressive building. the interior is out standing and from the back you can have a magnificent view of Cairo. Some places need good maintenance like carpets, lighting, etc. At the time of visiting the mosque women need to cover their heads; arms and legs and all visitors will need to leave their shoes prior to entering the mosque.
Written March 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JMcD202003
Fishers, IN26 contributions
The Alabaster Mosque
Mar 2020
As part of multi-day tour of Egypt, including tours of Cairo, then flight to Luxor, and cruise on the Nile, our group visited the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, also referred to as the "Alabaster Mosque". This Mosque resembles the great Mosque in Constantinople (we have not visited that one) and is built using Alabaster which is unusual and quite beautiful, although it has a "patina" at present time (due to smog, dust, etc.). Inside, you can see the beauty of Alabaster as the main supporting columns inside the Mosque are made of this material and are really exceptional. From the hilltop location, you can look out over Cairo and on a clear day may even see the pyramids. If you ever visit Cairo, this is a "Must See". Part of this tour winds through part of what is referred to as the "Citadel", the former fortress of Salah al-Din who ruled over most of the Islamic world at the time of the Crusades.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Linda F
New York City, NY272 contributions
Exquisite Interior
Feb 2020
This mosque is very large with beautiful domes inside, and stained-glass windows. You will need to use shoe coverings or remove your shoes. Please dress appropriately, i.e., no short shorts and/or tank tops
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Mosque of Muhammad Ali
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