Strolling the Islamic Old City
Stay in the old city and walk Al-Muizz Street, Bab Zuweila, Ibn Tulun and the City of the Dead, with a Sufi whirling dance performance.
This historic old-city route is mostly on foot. You stay between Al-Azhar and Khan el-Khalili. Walk the northern section of Al-Muizz Street and the Qalawun complex, the southern section with its Mamluk mosques and the Citadel, and the eastern City of the Dead and cave churches. End at the Museum of Islamic Art. The itinerary does not include the pyramids, so it suits repeat visitors who have already been to Giza or prefer architecture and neighbourhoods. Accommodation is fairly basic.
During Ramadan, shops close during the day, and the old city is livelier at night.
Day by day
Day 1 · Al-Azhar Park and Night Market
Cairo & Giza（Al-Azhar Park、Al-Azhar Mosque、Khan el-Khalili）
Take a taxi from the airport to the old city, about 45 minutes. In the afternoon, walk to Al-Azhar Park, then visit the mosques and bazaars after sunset.
Stay: Islamic Cairo
Day 2 · Al-Muizz Street and Bab Zuweila
Cairo & Giza（Al-Muizz Street、Bab Zuweila、Wikala of al-Ghuri (Tanoura Dance)）
Walk about 1 km south from Bab al-Futuh at the northern end to Bab Zuweila. The whole route is on foot. In the evening, return to the Qalawun complex for a performance.
The combined ticket for Al-Muizz Street and the separate ticket for climbing Bab Zuweila are sold separately. Whirling dance performances take place on set nights each week, so check the schedule first.
Stay: Islamic Cairo
Day 3 · Ibn Tulun and the Citadel
Cairo & Giza（Mosque of Ibn Tulun、Gayer-Anderson Museum、Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan、Al-Rifa'i Mosque、Citadel of Saladin）
Take a taxi about 10 minutes to Ibn Tulun. Walk to Gayer-Anderson Museum and the two mosques, then walk uphill to the Citadel.
Go to Ibn Tulun as soon as it opens in the morning for better light and fewer people.
Stay: Islamic Cairo
Day 4 · Cave Church, City of the Dead and Museum of Islamic Art
Cairo & Giza（Cave Church (Monastery of Saint Simon)、City of the Dead (Cairo)、Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo）
Take a taxi about 20 minutes to the Muqattam Cave Church. Walk down past the City of the Dead, then go to the Museum of Islamic Art. Head to the airport afterwards, about 1 hour.
The City of the Dead is still home to residents, so it is best to visit with a local guide and ask permission before taking photos.