Al-Azhar Mosque at a glance
Al-Azhar Mosque is one of the great landmarks of old Cairo and sits close to Khan el-Khalili and the Al-Hussein quarter. Building began in 970 and finished in 972. It has been a place of worship and of religious teaching ever since, and it is still a working mosque. That matters for visitors: prayer comes first, and the mosque decides who may enter and when.
Most people combine Al-Azhar with a walk through the bazaar and along Al-Muizz Street. If you want the stories told on the spot, the Cairo tours through the old quarter put the mosque in context. A simple order is Al-Azhar in the morning, then Al-Muizz Street, and the bazaar in the late afternoon and evening, when it is busiest.
Dress code and visiting tips
The rules are simple. The details are decided at the entrance on the day.
What to wear
Cover shoulders and legs and carry a headscarf. This is the general rule for religious sites in Egypt, and it applies to men and women alike.
More dress and bazaar tips →Visiting times
There is no fixed tourist schedule to rely on. Ask at the entrance when you can come in, and expect closures around prayer times.
Fees and photos
Ask at the door whether a ticket is needed and whether photography is allowed inside. Rules can differ from one part of the building to another.
Seeing it from outside
Even if you do not go in, the minarets and domes are part of the skyline of the quarter, and the streets around the mosque are worth walking.
Our pick: Al-Azhar on a full Islamic Cairo day
Al-Azhar is one stop on this route, between the Citadel and the bazaar.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Islamic Cairo tours with Al-Azhar
Guided walks through the old quarter, Al-Muizz Street and the bazaar, with live prices and availability.
The history of Al-Azhar
Al-Azhar was founded in the Fatimid period. Work started in 970 under Jawhar al-Siqilli on the orders of the caliph al-Muizz, the same ruler who gave Al-Muizz Street its name. The mosque was finished in 972. From early on it was also a place of religious learning, and it kept that role through the centuries.
Al-Azhar began as a mosque and teaching place in the 10th century and has remained a centre of religious study since. That is history enough to explain why the building matters to Cairo.
Al-Hussein Mosque next door
Al-Hussein Mosque lies in the neighbourhood of the same name, beside Khan el-Khalili and close to Al-Azhar. The building is linked to the rule of the caliph al-Zafer.
Treat Al-Hussein as a place to see from the square. Whether visitors who are not Muslim may enter is decided by the mosque, so do not plan your day around going inside. Dress as for any mosque and keep your voice low near the entrances.
Al-Azhar Park for a break
Al-Azhar Park is a green space beside the old city. After a morning in crowded lanes it is a good place to sit down, and the park looks out over the skyline of the old quarter.
Entry prices differ for Egyptians and for other visitors and can change by day of the week, so check the current price at the gate before you go.
Al-Azhar Mosque: frequently asked questions
When was Al-Azhar Mosque built?
Construction began in 970 under Jawhar al-Siqilli on the orders of the caliph al-Muizz and was finished in 972.
What should I wear?
Cover your shoulders and legs and carry a headscarf. The same applies to other mosques and churches you visit.
What are the visiting hours?
Visiting times and access are set by the mosque. Ask at the entrance, and expect interruptions at prayer times.
Can I enter Al-Hussein Mosque?
Entry for visitors who are not Muslim is decided by the mosque. Plan to see it from the square and treat a visit inside as a bonus.
Is Al-Azhar the oldest university in the world?
It began as a mosque with religious teaching in the 10th century and has stayed a centre of study since. Whether it counts as the oldest university depends on how you define a university.