Al-Azhar Mosque
Al-Azhar Mosque
4.5
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
The oldest university in the world is built around this ancient mosque, which has been the center of Islamic scholarship since 975 AD.
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4.5
394 reviews
Excellent
249
Very good
108
Average
26
Poor
6
Terrible
5
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,752 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
The historic mosque is part of a complex with a Madrassa (university). Al Azhar is also well known around the (Sunni) Moslim world, as it is the seat of important religious authority.
Though founded during the Fatimid period in the 10th century, the complex underwent many changes resulting from the different power structures emerging in Egypt through the ages. Especially the Mamluk rulers left their mark during the 13 and 1400s. Note the abundant ornamentation on the exterior of minarets and (half) domes. The Ottomans paid their respects to Al-Azhar, as a religious institution but refrained from financing any major renovations.
Though founded during the Fatimid period in the 10th century, the complex underwent many changes resulting from the different power structures emerging in Egypt through the ages. Especially the Mamluk rulers left their mark during the 13 and 1400s. Note the abundant ornamentation on the exterior of minarets and (half) domes. The Ottomans paid their respects to Al-Azhar, as a religious institution but refrained from financing any major renovations.
Written 16 May 2024
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.
mhkhashaba
Kuwait City, Kuwait718 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
One of old mosques in Egypt.
Still clean and beautiful.
Stay in quiet and calm place with blue sky above and forget the entire world.
Worth visiting for it’s spiritual magical feelings over there.
Still clean and beautiful.
Stay in quiet and calm place with blue sky above and forget the entire world.
Worth visiting for it’s spiritual magical feelings over there.
Written 6 January 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.
elidezz
Brussels, Belgium61 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
This is indeed a very beautiful mosque and well worth seeing. Not only is the inside beautiful, but you have a great view of all of Cairo. My only reason for giving it 4 iso 5 stars is because Cairo is so polluted, the views are just so hazy. Also, for a mosque, and the citadel itself, I think 450 EGP is rather steep. But if you have 3 or more days to spend in Cairo , then it's a must see. And it's not far from the Khan El-Khalili market if that's your thing.
Written 20 January 2024
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.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,729 contributions
Oct 2019
Al-Azhar Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Cairo and famed for its university known to be amongst the authorities on Sunni theology and Islamic law. The mosque has a large courtyard surrounded by arcades on three sides, one of which is the main prayer hall. One of the most distinctive features of the mosque is the double minaret that I’ve never seen anywhere else.
To be honest, there’s not much to see in the mosque and I think you really need to be a believer to truly appreciate it.
To be honest, there’s not much to see in the mosque and I think you really need to be a believer to truly appreciate it.
Written 7 November 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.
Visit 100 countries
San Francisco, CA21 contributions
May 2019
It is worth a visit especially if you are familiar about how powerful this mosque and university in the islamic world. To date, students all over the world go there to learn a special branch of Islam. The school was very powerful up to recently and still has some weight in Egypt and beyond.
Written 24 April 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.
Rupawala
Surat, India457 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
A great masjid with huge pray area as well as The Quran learning center plus one of the oldest university.
The masjid was renovated by Fatemi Dai Dr. Saiyedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
It has beautiful architect, ceilings, minarets and eye catching interiors, Must visit.
The masjid was renovated by Fatemi Dai Dr. Saiyedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
It has beautiful architect, ceilings, minarets and eye catching interiors, Must visit.
Written 29 November 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.
ProfessorMUSTAFA
Los Angeles, CA2,002 contributions
Apr 2013 • Business
The whole area has a great OLD atmosphere , With small cafes that serve traditional food with Turkish coffee and tea . Traditional singers with their OOD ( A musical instrument ) and drums can entertain U for $15 an hour . It is a must to visit .
Written 21 April 2013
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.
DrWajid
London, UK22 contributions
Yes, Al Azhar is not only the oldest University in the world but also the origin of the black gowns we all wear during graduation - imitating the flowing robes of the Islamic Scholar on completion of his studies at Al-Azhar.
The main university has since moved to different buildings, but the Mosque is still the most wonderful place to visit and added to this it is one of the main centres of Islamic learning in the world with students from across the Muslim world.
Well worth a visit and its in the heart of Islamic cairo so a great place to start exploring.
The main university has since moved to different buildings, but the Mosque is still the most wonderful place to visit and added to this it is one of the main centres of Islamic learning in the world with students from across the Muslim world.
Well worth a visit and its in the heart of Islamic cairo so a great place to start exploring.
Written 21 May 2008
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.
Syd Boore
White Plains, NY199 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Visiting Cairo and not Al Azhar is blasphemous! Al Azhar is a historic academic institution with a centuries old history, which when studies carefully, educates about the history of Muslims, including the trajectory of the development of Islamic jurisprudence.
The mosque is inside the seminary, you can't see one and not the other as much as they both are part of parcel of each other. Do visit if you're keen to learn about Islam and its influences not just in the context of Egypt but globally. In my view a trip to Cairo, without Al Azhar visit is incomplete.
The mosque is inside the seminary, you can't see one and not the other as much as they both are part of parcel of each other. Do visit if you're keen to learn about Islam and its influences not just in the context of Egypt but globally. In my view a trip to Cairo, without Al Azhar visit is incomplete.
Written 8 August 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.
TopKingofKings
United Kingdom607 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
This is my second visit to this mosque. Very close to Khan-El-Khallil Market. The mosque is beautiful and has a lovely courtyard. This is also a place for muslim students to learn arabic and quran amongst other things too and there is a library in the mosque where muslim students all over the globe come here and study Islam. This mosque has many great scholars if you want to learn a lot about Islam - the true essence of higher learning in Islam - and is part of Al-Azhar University
Written 17 March 2013
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.
Hi, can muslim have baby using ivf way with doners egg for his wife?
Written 4 September 2021
Can you tell me the opening and closing hours? When do the 5 prayers take place during the day?
Written 21 October 2019
Hi
What times are foreigners able to visit on Fridays please?
Written 21 September 2019
We went with a private guide so I don't know exactly what the rules are. It's an amazing place and worth finding out so you can go. Our videos from Egypt start to go on our YouTube page on Oct. 1 search for DOUGandNIKI and you'll find them. I think they'll be helpful for you.
Written 22 September 2019
As a tourist, you need to go to your embassy, otherwise I can advice you to go to see my friends at the Paris Hotel, 15 Talaat harb, and ask for Walid and say Nefertiti sent you, am very postive he shall be able to advice you on what to do, and might let you stay for a night or so.
Written 15 May 2017
How does a person get an (Certificate of faith of Islam) Shahada Certificate) from Al Azhar. It would be good if someone can give me correct email address - correct department I can speak to.
I'm doing this for a friend of mines - who
has learning difficulties.
Even if some in Egypt if can call Al- Azhar.
Many thanks all
LH
Written 8 December 2016
The place we visited is the old college. The new college has moved to another place and I'm not sure how to get in touch with them
Written 3 December 2016
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