Al-Muizz Street
شارع المعز لدين الله الفاطمي
The central old street of Islamic Cairo, with dense Fatimid and Mamluk mosques, religious schools and mansions within about 1 km, known as an open-air museum of Islamic architecture.
Al-Muizz Street runs from Bab al-Futuh in the north to Bab Zuweila in the south. It was the main street of the 10th-century Fatimid city of Cairo and is part of the Historic Cairo World Heritage Site. Highlights along the street include the Qalawun Complex (hospital, mausoleum and school, richly decorated inside), the Barquq School, the Hakim Mosque, Bayt al-Suhaymi (an Ottoman-era mansion you can enter) and the Aqmar Mosque. The northern section is now pedestrianised. A combined ticket (about EGP 200–300) gives access to many monuments, while some buildings sell tickets separately. It is best to walk south from the north gate in the afternoon, and to browse Khan el-Khalili after dark when the lights come on. Dress modestly, remove your shoes when entering mosques, and women should bring headscarves.
Opening hours
Streets open all day; historic sites approx. 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Wikala of al-Ghuri (Tanoura Dance)
- Khan el-Khalili
- Al-Azhar Mosque
- Bab Zuweila
- Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo
- Al-Azhar Park
- Abdeen Palace
- Al-Rifa'i Mosque