The Mosque of Muhammad Ali crowns the Citadel of Saladin above Cairo and is one of the city's most recognizable Ottoman-style monuments, nicknamed the 'Alabaster Mosque' for the alabaster panels sheathing its walls and courtyard. Commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the founder of modern Egypt, it was built from the 1830s and completed in the mid-19th century, and it is famous for its twin 84-metre minarets and the sweeping panorama of Cairo from Muqattam hill. In 2026 it remains an active place of worship and a flagship Cairo landmark, visited on the same ticket as the wider Citadel complex.
The alabaster cladding of the walls and courtyard, and the large Ottoman central dome (about 21 m across and 52 m high) ringed by half-domes and corner domes
The twin minarets, the tallest in Egypt at 84 metres each
The gilt-copper clock tower in the courtyard, a gift from King Louis-Philippe of France in 1845 (given in exchange for the Luxor obelisk now standing in Place de la Concorde, Paris)
The marble tomb of Muhammad Ali Pasha inside the prayer hall, and the two minbars (pulpits) — the original green-decorated wooden one and a later marble addition
The terrace panorama over historic Cairo, reaching toward the Giza pyramids on a clear day
Good to know
RulesModest dress is required: shoulders and knees covered. Women should carry a headscarf, and everyone must remove their shoes before entering the prayer hall (plastic shoe covers are sometimes provided).
MannersAccess is restricted during the five daily prayers and Friday midday prayer. Move quietly and avoid photographing worshippers head-on while they pray.
SeasonCairo in July is very hot and the open courtyard offers little shade. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and aim for an early-morning visit right after opening.
CautionSelf-appointed 'guides' near the entrance, and demands for a tip (baksheesh) for minding shoes or handing out shoe covers, are common. Decline firmly if you did not ask for the service.
CautionOrdinary street taxis that bargain without a meter often overcharge foreigners. Booking through the Uber or Careem app, with the fare fixed in advance, is safer.
SafetyWatch for pickpockets in the crowded Citadel and nearby markets and keep bags in front of you. Jaywalking across Cairo traffic is dangerous, so rely on app-based rides.
Practical info
No metro station serves the Citadel directly, so most visitors arrive by Uber or Careem. The Citadel is generally open from around 8–9 am to about 4–5 pm, and a single admission ticket (buy the e-ticket via the 'Egypt Pass' app) covers the mosques and museums inside; prices and hours change often, so confirm the latest details before you go.
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