Al-Azhar Mosque was founded in 970 by the Fatimid dynasty and is one of the oldest mosques in Cairo. It is home to Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world. Its marble courtyard is surrounded by arcades and minarets from different eras. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times; women should cover their hair.

The Citadel of Saladin is a medieval fortress on the Mokattam hills, begun in the 12th century to defend Cairo. For centuries it was the seat of Egypt's rulers. Its most famous building is the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, with large domes and slender minarets that dominate the skyline. The terraces give wide views over the city, and on clear days the pyramids.

The Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan is one of the largest and most impressive medieval Islamic buildings in Cairo, built in the 14th century. Its towering walls, deep entrance portal and vast courtyard with four vaulted halls show the grandeur of the Mamluk period. It stands below the Citadel next to the Al-Rifa'i Mosque. Visitors should dress modestly.

The Mosque of Ibn Tulun, completed in 879, is one of the oldest mosques in Cairo still in its original form. Its huge open courtyard is surrounded by arcades of pointed arches, and its unusual minaret has an outer spiral staircase. The calm, spacious atmosphere is very different from the busy city outside. The Gayer-Anderson Museum stands right next door.

The Hanging Church, or Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, is one of the oldest churches in Egypt. It is named for being built on top of the gatehouse of the Roman Babylon Fortress, so its nave seems to hang over a passage. Inside are fine wooden screens inlaid with ivory and many icons. It is the highlight of Coptic Cairo.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat tells the story of Egypt from prehistoric times to the present day. Its highlight is the Royal Mummies Hall, where the mummies of famous pharaohs, including Ramesses II, are displayed in a dimly lit gallery. They were moved here in a grand procession in 2021. The museum overlooks Ain El Sira lake.

Khan el-Khalili is Cairo's most famous bazaar, a maze of narrow lanes in Islamic Cairo that dates back to the 14th century. Shops sell lamps, spices, textiles, silver and souvenirs, and bargaining is expected. The historic El Fishawy café is a favourite place to stop for mint tea. The market is lively in the evening, when lanterns light up the alleys.