Egypt is a fascinating country and is known for its historical wealth, incredible architecture, and usage of natural remedies. It's usually at the top of people’s bucket lists because of historic wonders like the Great Pyramids of Giza and ancient Egyptian statues and tombs. But if we talk about the mosques in Egypt, these are the masterpieces that will let you experience the beauty of Islamic art, architecture, and heritage. Here, you can have some of the best spiritual experiences that will connect you with the divine. Also, these sacred and peaceful mosques have their own religious significance. So, get ready to discover these beautiful mosques and embrace this spiritual journey with your loved ones.
Mosques in Egypt: To Embrace the Power of Positive Vibes
If you are a history freak and looking to explore some ancient architecture, then you must visit mosques in Egypt. These are the most beautiful landmarks and have been standing for thousands of years. However, with the same level of elegance and popularity today, these alluring mosques will provide you with an unforgettable religious experience. Most of the mosques in the country are located in the capital city of Cairo and are stunning sites to be explored. You will be amazed to see the grandeur of these mosques, which will make you come here again. So, below, we have curated a list of some famous mosques in the country.
- Al-Azhar Mosque
- Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun
- Al Ashraf Mosque
- Aqsunqur Mosque
- Sultan al-Mu'ayyad Mosque
- Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- Abou al-Haggag Mosque
1. Al-Azhar Mosque
Known as the most important place in Egypt, Al-Azhar Mosque was founded in AD 970. It has a beautiful mirhab located through the doorway and a harmonious blend of architectural styles. Also, it has been both a mosque and a university for more than a thousand years now and is located at the heart of Islamic Cairo. The Fatimid commander Jawhar al-Siqilli, at the orders of the Caliph, and Imam Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah found this mosque, which is also one of the best places to visit in Egypt. Also, due to its location, it is a perfect site to start your exploration tour of Islamic Cairo.
Location: El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate 4293024, Egypt
Top Attractions: A harmonious blend of architectural styles with beautiful mirhab and is located in the heart of Islamic Cairo
2. Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan is one of the largest mosques in Egypt and is home to several remarkable architectural achievements for its age. It was commissioned by the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, An-Nasir Hassan, and completed in 1359. The 150-meters-tall-mosque, with its tallest minaret towering 68 meters above Cairo’s old city, reflects the dramatic life of the Sultan, who ordered it to be built after coming to power at the tender age of 13 years old. It has a large and peaceful courtyard centered on a domed fountain and also has four soaring vaulted halls.
Location: El Khalifa, Cairo Governorate 4292008, Egypt
Attractions: One of the largest mosques in Egypt with the tallest minaret towering 68 meters
3. Mosque of Ibn Tulun
The Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun is a huge and majestic building complex made of red bricks built in 876 by the Turkish governor of Egypt and Syria. It includes a mosque surrounded by three outer ziyadah and was built on the site of present-day Cairo. Also, it is one of the most famous mosques in Egypt and is the only remaining monument in the city of Qata’i’. The mosque’s wall has 19 simple rectangular doors, and its eastern portico is very decorative with mihrabs from the Tulunid, Fatimid, and Mamluk periods. The oldest and richest collection of stucco decoration in Egypt reflects its strong relationship with the decorative styles of the Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq.
Location: Ahmed Ibn Tolon Sq., Tolon, El Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo Governorate 4261342, Egypt
Attractions: Huge and majestic building complex made of red bricks and has richest collection of stucco decoration in Egypt
Suggested Read: Top Places to Visit in Giza: Popular Tourist Sites on Magnificent Nile
4. Al Ashraf Mosque
The Al-Ashraf Mosque is a historical complex located in Cairo, Egypt, and has a mosque and madrasa. This mosque was built during the Mamluk period by the Burji Sultan Al-Ashraf Al-Barsbay and is characterized by its design incorporating marbles and stained-glass windows. This mosque in Egypt is twenty by fifteen meters long, and its interiors consist of pavements made of marble mosaic. Also, the southwest wall of the mosque is where the minbar and mihrab are located. The mausoleum at the Al Ashraf Barsbay complex consists of four domes, the larger of which is carved with an undulating star pattern.
Location: At the intersection of Muizz Street and Jawhar Al-Qaed Street, Cairo, Egypt
Attractions: Its design incorporates marbles and stained-glass windows
Suggested Read: Top Museums in Cairo: Discover the Ancient Era of Egypt
5. Aqsunqur Mosque
The Aqsunqur Mosque, or the Blue Mosque, reflects the early Mamluk religious architecture and is the largest mosque in the Bab al-Wazir district of Cairo. Built in the year 1347 by Amir Aqsunqur, it has a mausoleum and an impressive courtyard for prayer. This is one of the most beautiful mosques in Egypt and has an extensive use of blue ceramic tiles within its interiors. Today, the Aqsunqur Mosque is an important tourist attraction and is located in the Tabbana Quarter, which is a part of the city known as Islamic Cairo. This magnificent mosque is also home to several mausoleums belonging to its founder, Sham ad-Din Aqsunqur.
Location: 27P6+C4R, El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate 4292401, Egypt
Attractions: Beautiful architecture with an extensive use of blue ceramic tiles in the interiors
6. Sultan al-Mu'ayyad Mosque
The Mosque of Sultan al-Mu'ayyad is a famous mosque in Cairo and is a tribute to Sultan Mu’ayad’s reputation as a great patron of architecture in Cairo. It's an ancient mosque located next to Bab Zuwayla and was built by the Mamluk Sultan al Muayyad Saif al Din Shaykh. The building includes a mosque and madrasa and is one of the best places to visit in Cairo. Its construction began in 1415 CE and was completed in 1421 CE. Because of its location, the mosque, or at least it’s three minarets, became a Cairo landmark. The two of those minarets can be seen above the towers of Bab Zuwayla.
Location: 27V4+8XM, Al Shrakia, El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate 4291016, Egypt
Attractions: Amazing architecture, has three minarets and a madrasa
Suggested Read: Top Things to Do in Alexandria: For a Refreshing Vacation Full of Enthusiasm
7. Mosque of Muhammad Ali
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali was built by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848. It's located inside the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) in Cairo and is also known as the “Alabaster Mosque” in reference to its marble paneling on its exterior and interior walls. Praying in this mosque is one of the best things to do in Egypt and has outstanding beauty with the most viewable structure. The unusually high minarets and the mosque’s distinctive domes were all designed by the famous architect Yussuf Bushnaq. The mosque is also famous for its more than 136 stained glass windows in the domes.
Location: Al Abageyah, El Khalifa, Cairo Governorate 4252360, Egypt
Attractions: It is stunningly beautiful, with unusually tall minarets and distinctive domes.
8. Abou al-Haggag Mosque
The Mosque of Abou al-Haggag is located on Luxor’s east bank and is integrated into the structure of Luxor Temple. It demonstrates the continuing adaptation of ancient monuments to modern use and was built during the 13th century. It's still a place of worship, making a visit to Luxor Temple even more special. This is one of the most famous mosques in Egypt, where you can discover a beautifully narrated sound and light show. It has great historical and archaeological value and attracts tourists from all over the world. The most distinguished feature of the mosque is its columns, inscriptions, and rafters which are similar to the Luxor Temple.
Location: MJXQ+WWR Temple, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate 1362501, Egypt
Attractions: The mosque’s columns, inscriptions, and rafters are similar to the Luxor Temple, and it is famous for its beautifully narrated sound and light show
So, pack your bags and get ready to get a taste of the history, culture, and art of Egypt. The mosques in Egypt are grandiose religious places of worship and include engrossing prayer halls, outstanding minarets, and intricately designed architecture. Admire the true essence of these mosques and enjoy their captivating beauty with a peaceful and calm aura. Also, avail yourself of the best Egypt tour packages to discover the ancient civilization, the majestic monuments, and the golden sand beaches. You can get several iconic wonders of the ancient world here, providing you with the most incredible experiences.
Mosques in Egypt - FAQs
There are several amazing mosques in Egypt, each with their own religious significance. Below, we have listed some of those famous mosques.
- Al-Azhar Mosque
- Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
- Mosque of Ibn Tulun
- Al Ashraf Mosque
- Aqsunqur Mosque
Egypt’s Al-Azhar Mosque is located at El-Darb El-Ahmar, Cairo Governorate 4293024, Egypt. This is an important place in Egypt, with a university for more than a thousand years now. It was founded in AD 970 and is a perfect site for exploration.
The top attractions of Mosque of the Ibn Tulun in Egypt are its huge and majestic building complex, which is made of red bricks and also has the richest collection of stucco decoration in Egypt. The mosque’s wall has 19 simple rectangular doors.
The Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan is one of the largest mosques in Egypt. This is home to several remarkable architectural achievements for its age and was completed in the year 1359. The mosque is of 150 meters and has the tallest minarets, towering 68 meters.
The Muhammad Ali Mosque in Egypt can be found at Al Abageyah, El Khalifa, Cairo Governorate 4252360, Egypt. It was built by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848.
The Abou al-Haggag Mosque in Egypt is known for its columns, inscriptions, and rafters and is similar to the Luxor Temple. The mosque is also famous for its beautifully narrated sound and light show, which you can enjoy in the evening.
Egypt is famous for its ancient history, majestic pyramids, and several other archaeological sites. The most popular are the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The best time to visit Egypt is between the months of October and April, when the maximum temperature is cooler and will let you can enjoy all the outdoor activities.
