Day 3
National Museum, Salah Eldin Citadel, Mosques & Khan El Khalili Bazaar
- Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
- National Museum of Egyptian Civilization: Meet your Egyptologist guide & proceed to visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is in Fustat, the first Egyptian capital after the Arab Islamic conquest, so it was a logical choice for the museum site, as the area is located at the crossroads of Egyptian history.
- The museum partially opened in 2017, and will display a collection of 50.000 artifacts, presenting Egyptian Civilization from prehistoric times to the present day.
- Salah El-Din Citadel: perched on the Mokattam Hills, one of Cairo’s most iconic landmarks.
- Built in the 12th century by the great Muslim leader Salah El-Din (Saladin), the fortress was designed to defend the city against Crusader attacks.
- Today, it offers a fascinating blend of Islamic architecture, history, and panoramic views of Cairo.
- Al-Rifai Mosque: Located next to the historic Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo, Al-Rifai Mosque is a masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture.
- Completed in the early 20th century, the mosque was built to reflect the grandeur of Cairo’s Islamic heritage while serving as a royal mausoleum.
- Sultan Hassan Mosque: One of the greatest masterpieces of Islamic architecture in Cairo, the Sultan Hassan Mosque was built in the 14th century during the Mamluk era, Known for its massive scale, elegant proportions, and stunning stonework, the mosque also served as a madrasa (religious school) for the four main schools of Sunni Islam.
- Coptic Cairo: Visit of Coptic Cairo, there you will find the remains of the old Fortress of Babylon, built at the time of the Romans in Egypt to protect the country from invading enemies.
- The walls of the fortress enclose the Church of St. Sergius, which is built on a crypt considered to be one of the resting places of the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt 2000 years ago.
- Khan El Khalili Bazar: Later this afternoon, you will enjoy a stroll at the fascinating Khan El-Khalili Bazaar – reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East.
- Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions.
- Return to your Hotel and overnight.