Al Muizz Street and Khan Al Khalili, Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is one of the largest cities in Africa and one of the wealthiest cities with cultural spots and monuments. From Ancient Egypt to the Islamic and Coptic eras, the streets of the capital have witnessed grand civilizations which passed by the city and left their marks. The most famous of all the roads in Cairo is Al Muizz Street. It’s an open-air museum in the heart of the old city. There are plenty of unique activities one can do there. It’s considered one of the most vibrant meetup spots in Cairo. That should be at the top of your must-do list when you visit Egypt. Let’s take a tour around the fascinating spots on Al Muizz Street.

The Geography of Al Muizz Street

The street is named after the fourth Fatimid Caliph, Al-Mu’izz li-Deen Illah, the Fatimid. According to a study conducted by the United Nations, Al Muizz Street hosts the most extensive collection of medieval constructions in the Islamic world.

The street lies in the heart of Old Cairo and connects different historical and significant areas around the area. The famous Al Muizz Street is expanding from Bab Al Futuh to Bab Zuweila (Bab Al Futuh and Bab Zuweila are two of the only three remaining gates in the walls of Old Cairo). There, you’ll find many stalls and markets located in Al Azhar Street and Al Ghuriya Complex nearby.

On April 24, 2008, it was ordered that Al Muizz Street be a pedestrian spot from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. so that people could have a one-of-a-kind experience. Al Muizz Street, along with the surrounding areas, is very rich in many Tulunid, Mamluk, and Fatimid monuments.

While strolling around the street, you’ll encounter a variety of historic structures, including mosques, houses, and schools. In addition to the historical structures, Al Muizz Street has plenty of shops where you can buy authentic and handmade souvenirs. And, of course, it is one of the perfect spots for some nice and unique pictures.

Khan Al Khalili

Established in the 14th century, Khan Al-Khalili in Old Cairo has always been an essential district for cultural and economic activities. Many artists and writers have featured Khan Al Khalili in their works as a part of its charm and historical significance. One great example is Naguib Mahfouz – an Egyptian Nobel-winning author- who featured the area in his famous novel “Midaq Alley.

Khan Al Khalili’s location is very close to Al Muizz Street, with its treasure of medieval Islamic structures, Al Hussien Mosque, Al Azhar market, and Wekalet Al Ghouri. So, basically, going there is like travelling back in time to medieval Islamic Cairo with all its interesting history. Intriguing, ha?!

Furthermore, during your stroll around Khan Al Khalili market, you should expect a one-of-a-kind experience. The different types of goods and crafts displayed in the alleys will catch your breath. There, you’ll find various items to buy, including unique handmade silverware, stained glass lamps, hand-crafted accessories, shishas, pharaonic gifts, gold artefacts, handmade carpets, spices, clothes, and copper-made handcrafts.

Finished shopping? Or maybe you’re not a big fan of it? Here is another kind of activity for you. Khan Al Khalili is famous for its unique cafés, some of which go back dozens of years. Once you arrive at Khan Al Khalili, ask about Al Fishawi café; from the youngest to the oldest, you know the place—the café one of the oldest cafés in Cairo, which goes back to the year 1797. Al Fishawi café was one of Naguib Mahfouz’s favourite spots.

Moreover, Al Lord café is another spot that’s worth visiting. Everyone there appreciates Umm Kulthum; you can enjoy listening to her songs all night. With a remarkable statue of Umm Kulthum at the entrance and many muppets decorating the outdoor area of the café, you’ll have your cup of coffee with an oriental taste. This brings us to an important part: food is a big part of any adventure, and there are many places where you can try the excellent taste of Egyptian traditional food.

If you’re fortunate enough, you’ll visit the area when it’s time for Al Hussien celebrations (Moulid of Hussein). It’s the celebration of Imam Hussien’s (Prophet Muhammad’s grandson) birth. Sufis perform the celebrations every year, where they dance and perform traditional rituals, including sparkling lights, drums, and religious singing.

You shouldn’t be using Google Maps there. Drop your smartphones and enjoy the discovery of the old streets. Go deep, stroll around the streets, discover new stalls and shops, learn about the old houses and buildings, and take pictures as well. If by any chance you get lost, ask anyone around you about Al Muizz Street or Midan Al Hussien; they will help you get back there.

Al Ghouri Complex

Have you ever attended a tanoura or dervish whirling performance?! Not everybody knows about this, but you should definitely know and give this experience a try. Steps away from Al Muizz Street and Khan El Khalili market stands Wekalet Al Ghouri (Ghouri Palace). It is the perfect place to enjoy a unique spiritual performance.

Wekalet Al Ghouri is a part of The Sultan Al Ghouri Complex. It was constructed during the 16^th century (between the year 1503 and the year 1505) by King Al-Ashraf Abu el-Nasr Qansuh. The extensive complex is an Islamic architectural masterpiece. It combines a khanqah (a building for Sufi gatherings), mausoleum (burial chamber), Erbil or sail (a small building where water was provided freely to the public), mosque, and madrasa (School).

The complex is located in the Al Fahhamin district at Al Muizz Street. It’s a destination for both Egyptians and non-Egyptians who are interested in the secrets of Egyptian heritage.

The Tanoura Performance

There, at the unique Complex, the breathtaking Sufi Tanoura show takes place. Tanoura dance is a well-known Sufi spiritual performance (Sufi or dervish whirling). It’s famous in Turkey, but it has some variations in Egypt. Especially with the colourful tanoura that the whirler wears for performance.

The word “tanoura” stands for a colourful skirt. Each colour represents a Sufi symbol. The beauty of the performance lies in the merging of music, chanting, devotion, and spirituality. It’s how the performer whirls and connects with God. If you’re interested in unravelling cultural mysteries, you’ll enjoy this.

The Tanoura show occurs every Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., but the Wekala opens its doors at 6:30 p.m. If you don’t want to miss your chance, go early. The earlier you go, the easier it is to find tickets and seats. Tickets cost around 30 Egyptian Pounds or maybe a bit more, depending on the new prices. Either way, we guarantee you it’s going to be affordable and worth it.

Bayt El-Suhaymi

“Bayt Al Suhaymi” is translated as the House of Suhaymi. It is an old house museum that dates back to the Ottoman period. The house was initially constructed in 1468 by Abdel Wahab El Tablawy. El Tablawy built it in the luxurious and reputable area of old Cairo called Al Darb Al Asfar. In 1796, Sheikh Ahmed Al Suhaymi, a reputable man from a reputable family, bought the house. Sheikh Ahmed also purchased the surrounding houses to incorporate them into the original house. He later extended it into a bigger and more luxurious one.

The house is an excellent example of great architecture and design. It shows how wealthy and luxurious life was in the 17th century. Bayt Al Suhaymi has a Sahn in the middle with a small garden, trees, and palms. The house has many staircase inlets and around 30 rooms. During your tour of the house, you won’t help but notice the fascinating mashrabiyya windows, the beautiful marble floor, the elegant wooden furniture, and the noticeable ceiling decorations, which have survived until now.

Most noteworthy, Bayt Al Suhaymi is a landmark in Al Muizz Street. Now, many cultural events and cultural movies take place there. The good news is that the house is open to the public, both Egyptians and non-Egyptians. Tickets cost around 35 Egyptian Pounds and around 15 Egyptian Pounds for students. You should add it to your places to visit list, or you will miss a lot.

Sultan Barqouq Complex

Located in Al Muizz Street near Nasser Mohamed Mosque, Sultan Al Zahir Barqouq’s religious complex consists of a mosque, madrasa (School), and khanqah (a building for Sufi gatherings). The complex is another masterpiece standing in the heart of Al Muizz Street, drawing a picture of how great Islamic Cairo was. The architecture of the complex is extraordinary and eye-catching.

The complex is one of the most significant buildings in Al Muizz Street, dating back to the Fatimid period. It was mostly built to teach the four Islamic schools of thought. Between 1384 and 1386, Sultan Barqouq chose one of the finest architects to develop and design the complex, and the choice was perfect. The beauty of the designs still survives today.

The Mosque has a unique minaret design, which is different from the usual designs of minarets in the 14th century. The ceiling is decorated with both blue and white marbles. On one side of the mosque is a rectangular complex known as the prayer area. In the middle, there is a fountain for people to wash or perform ablution before praying.

The School was built to accommodate more than 100 students who were willing to study the four Islamic schools of thought. The building also had rooms for teachers and spaces or stables for horses. The design was very smart; the inlet of the School has a remarkably high and spacious opening. Designers did that to let the sound echo, which helped teachers be heard when they were talking to the students.

The complex was designed and built by the architect Shihab Al-Din Ahmed Ibn Muhamed Al Tuluni. The architect belonged to a family of architects from which he inherited creativity and artistic taste. That’s, of course, in addition to experience and knowledge. As we already mentioned, the choice of architect Tuluni was perfect. The complex became a distinctive construction among the other structures of this period.

Shihab Al Tuluni was a Christian and later converted to Islam. However, as a sign of gratitude and respect, Sultan Barquq told Tuluni to create the front windows of the mosque with cross shapes. This picture of how developed art and architecture were in the old Islamic world shows how classy and respectful the culture was.

Qalawun Complex

The Qalawun complex is another noticeable landmark in Al Muizz Street that dates back to the Fatimid era. The complex is actually big and includes a madrasa (School), a Marist (hospital), and a mausoleum. Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad Ibn Qalawun built the complex around 1280. It’s worth mentioning that thirty of the mosques built during Sultan Al Nasir Muhammad Ibn Qalawun are still surviving today.

The construction of the Qalawun complex is considered the beginning of a new stage, which introduced the complexes to architectural design. The façade is around 20 meters high and expands to 67 meters. It also has a view of the street.

Being the main reason why Sultan Qalawun constructed the complex, the maristan has an exciting story. It’s said that Sultan Qalawun once was on a trip to Al-Sham (the known Arab name for the areas of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine). When he was staying there, he got sick, and his life was in danger. Doctors there cured him, bringing their medicines to Nur Al-Din Mahmud Maristan in Damascus. So, he promised God that he would build a giant Pakistan in Cair if cured.

Al Aqmar Mosque

Built in 1125, Al Aqmar Mosque is another prominent mosque that has been standing in Al Muizz Street for hundreds of years. The name “Al Aqmar” means moonlit in Arabic. The mosque is also called the Gray Mosque. Al Aqmar Mosque is an example of a small, practical mosque built in the Fatimid era. Most noteworthy, it is the first mosque in Cairo to have decorations that include both inscriptions and geometric patterns.

Al-Hakim Mosque

Al-Hakim Mosque stands at the side of Al Muizz Street towards Bab Al Futuh. It is Al-Hakimhe’s top destination on Al Muizz Street. The mosque is named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah the Fatimid, a very famous ruler in the history of Islamic Cairo. People still know Al Hakim up until now for his weird laws. For example, he forbade people from eating molokheya (a famous Egyptian traditional food). Even though the bizarre laws are a part of his fame. However, Al-Hakim was also an essential figure in the Fatimid era, as he was the 6th Caliph and the 16th Ismaili Imam (a Shia belief/religion).

The mosque is one of the main mosques in Cairo, both for its historical significance and its important location. The mosque’s minarets are the most remarkable. The construction of the mosque imitates the same style as Ibn Tulun Mosque. Visiting the mosque is very recommended; the setting is peaceful and relaxing. It’s a destination for both Egyptians and non-Egyptians.

Ever Been There in Ramadan?

Visiting Al Muizz Street during the holy month is a whole new experience. It can be very crowded there, but that’s where you can feel the spirit of Ramadan. Visitors from around the world go there to enjoy the warmth of the place during the holy month. However, this makes it very difficult to find a spot for yourself. If you want Iftar (breakfast in Ramadan at sunset) or Sohoor (dinner in Ramadan must be before dawn so that people start fasting) there, you better plan your visit.

If you are going for Iftar, you must go at least three or four hours earlier to find a proper spot for yourself. If you’re going for Sohoor or to spend some time at night, you still need to go at the beginning of the night as it won’t be easy to find a proper spot if you are late. It is a mission, and you might think it is not worth going there with so much crowd around. We need to know that with the spirit of the place, the oriental environment, and the historical setting, the experience is different and will be worth it.

How to Go There?

Al Muizz Street and Khan Al Khalili are both located in the heart of Cairo, very close to Downtown, which is the most vibrant area in the city. This makes it very easy for anyone to go there, especially if you’re thinking about using public transportation. If you think it’s easier to use the metro (it’s very recommended to avoid the traffic, especially during rush hour), then all you have to do is reach the Ataba metro station.

Once you’re there, you’ll be a few minutes away from Al Muizz Street. So it’s your call now! You can take one of the small buses waiting in front of the station, take a taxi, or just walk. Also, private cars have made it easier for everyone to move around the city without worrying about getting lost.

If you think it will be more convenient, you can order an Uber, a Careem, or even take a cab. Set your destination and leave the rest to the captain. Some people prefer buses, so if you’re one of those, you can take a bus from Abbaseya Square, Ramsis Square, or Tahrir Square. Go there and ask about the buses that go to Al Muizz Street.

Maybe we’ve listed many places to visit and activities to do when you go to Al Muizz Street. But there is still a lot to discover there. You can read about the area and watch pictures and videos, but it will never get you close enough to the experience. If you’re currently in Egypt or planning your visit to Egypt soon, add this open-air museum to your list. It’s worth it.

When you’re visiting, go there as early as possible to start your adventure early and have more time to discover new places and old buildings. Some of the places close around 3 p.m., so that’s another reason why you should go early. Finish round one of your visit around lunch and go try some traditional Egyptian food from any of the nearby restaurants. Most of the places there serve Egyptian food.

After lunch, grab some coffee or any other drink of your desire (no alcohol). Then, be prepared for the night activities. If you plan on attending the Tanoura show at Wekalet Al Ghouri, head there directly. Then maybe take some unique pictures.

It’s a whole different experience to see a glimpse of Islamic civilization. If you’re into discovering other cultures and going there, know you’ll always want to return. Your soul will connect to the spiritual and peaceful essence of the place.