Mosque of Ibn Tulun
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
4.5
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This is considered one of Egypt's largest and oldest mosques, which was built between AD 876 and AD 879 by an Abbasid governor sent from Baghdad to rule over Egypt.
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- AlSayyeda Zeinab • 8 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
410 reviews
Excellent
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4
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Frank N
Cairo, Egypt35 contributions
Feb 2020
Ibn Tulun was charged with an entrance fee until a few years ago. Nowadays access is free but the guys putting on (free) plastic covers over your shoes -this is a mosque- ask for donations and tips.
When entering it, the size of its yard is stunning, there is place for a small army conducting a prayer. The yard is surrounded by a covered colonnade, the part towards Mecca with three rows of columns. Actually, each of the hundred+ columns got a different decor carved into its capital.
The Minaret is unique by its outside stairs giving it a strange look.
The place isn't too much frequented by tourist groups so it is really a nice place to visit and maybe even have a rest in the shadow of a remote corner.
When entering it, the size of its yard is stunning, there is place for a small army conducting a prayer. The yard is surrounded by a covered colonnade, the part towards Mecca with three rows of columns. Actually, each of the hundred+ columns got a different decor carved into its capital.
The Minaret is unique by its outside stairs giving it a strange look.
The place isn't too much frequented by tourist groups so it is really a nice place to visit and maybe even have a rest in the shadow of a remote corner.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Myo M
Coquitlam, Canada26,945 contributions
Nov 2021
Quite impressive here is the spaciousness of the "interior square" of this mosque although its corridors on the four sides & the round-shaped pavilion in the middle are all quite plain I would say (nowhere as elaborate as the similar square at the Muhammad Ali Mosque at the Cairo Citadel visited just prior to here although it's one of smaller size than this one). Then yes, what can be done here which is likely not possible at many mosques of the world (my first such experience among those I've been to) is to go right up above the Mosque where there are actually "2 parts": its rooftop with a fairly spacious area to walk around on the four sides (where you can go "right to the edge" to see the big square down below); and its minaret which you go up along an "exterior staircase" (for some great views of the city to some distances all around including the view of the Citadel located not too far away from this mosque).
So, it was actually "4 mosques" that I visited on the same day with the fourth one (apart from this one, Muhammad Ali at the Citadel as mentioned above & also the smaller mosque just within the Citadel) being the mosque right beside this one which is actually one seemingly "not in use" with signs of decay around its small square inside but with its minaret also being one available for going up (a "tighter space" to move around at the top of that one though compared to the top of the minaret at this mosque). And also located right beside this mosque (in the "opposite direction" as that to the fourth mosque just mentioned which was actually the third one in my "order of visit" just before this mosque) is Gayer-Anderson House Museum which despite its 3-story structure is not much one for impression with a "dreary look" from outside (and which is all I saw of it arriving at about their closing time of 3 pm).
So, it was actually "4 mosques" that I visited on the same day with the fourth one (apart from this one, Muhammad Ali at the Citadel as mentioned above & also the smaller mosque just within the Citadel) being the mosque right beside this one which is actually one seemingly "not in use" with signs of decay around its small square inside but with its minaret also being one available for going up (a "tighter space" to move around at the top of that one though compared to the top of the minaret at this mosque). And also located right beside this mosque (in the "opposite direction" as that to the fourth mosque just mentioned which was actually the third one in my "order of visit" just before this mosque) is Gayer-Anderson House Museum which despite its 3-story structure is not much one for impression with a "dreary look" from outside (and which is all I saw of it arriving at about their closing time of 3 pm).
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamilayc
Muscat, Oman37 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
This is an amazing mosque with HISTORY ! It was built like a fort to avoid invasion during the olden times and even the minarets are built as watch towers, which is a unique feature. The Tuluns built it sooooo strong it has withstood earthquakes and invasions. It’s a must visit !!!!!!!
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TTOverseas
Cairo, Egypt203 contributions
Apr 2022
One of our favorite Mosques- We stopped here while touring Islamic Cairo. The kids loved the adventure of climbing and the views were unique. This was a good mix with the Islamic Cairo and Citadel Tour we did on this day.
Very much felt like a hidden gem- as there were no tourists around and just a few local people walking around.
Very much felt like a hidden gem- as there were no tourists around and just a few local people walking around.
Written April 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bgtoca
Vancouver, Canada129 contributions
Sept 2022
This mosque was part of our tour of medieval Cairo. I liked the spacious layout, especially the courtyard. If you feel adventurous, you can climb the minaret. Best to go here with a local guide so you get the best of the religious customs and history associated with the mosque. Its also nice to get away from the tourist hot spots. There were a few locals and only a handful of tourists when we visited. Make sure you are dressed appropriately for visiting the mosques: cover up your chest, shoulders, and knees. As a woman I did not need a headscarf to enter, but bring one just in case. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes and socks, as you will be asked to remove your shoes before entering. Have a small banknote in Egyptian pounds to hand over to the shoe attendant as a tip. There are a few stray cats that hang in and around the mosques. They look well looked after and friendly. Be mindful of them if you're allergic.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
USMA74
Cincinnati, OH489 contributions
Feb 2020
Most ancient mosque in Egypt (according to our guide, not counting those rebuilt over the centuries). Rooftop offers great views of Cairo, esp. Citadel and Alabaster Mosque (Muhammad Ali). Climb the minaret for even better views!
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ogerkan
New York City, NY4,729 contributions
Sept 2021
Mosque of Ibn Tulun is expansive Mosque with an amazing courtyard. The Mosque dates back to the late 800 AD timeframe. The beauty of the mosque is entirely on the inside. Very peaceful and good energy all about.
Written November 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laczkozsu
Debrecen, Hungary2,282 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This mosque was opened in 879. It has a huge central yard with arcades on four sides. We had to wear a plastic bag on our shoes (we got it for some tips, of course). Prayer carpets are everywhere. Its spiral minaret is interesting, too.
Written April 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Usama Mabrouck
Cairo, Egypt643 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
No doubt that Ibn Tulun mosque is one of the oldest mosque and most preserved in Egypt , the unique minaret with the stair outside the main core , can rarely be seen such as Samara mosque in Iraq and Abar Ali in al madina al munawara, the mosque is very huge and quite place , it's isolated by 2 walls making a ditch in between , that's why you will feel truly isolated from the outer world with its noise. it's a good place for meditation. you can visit it from sayeda aisha and salah al din square (sultan hassan mosque) look for kahlifa police station and walk around 10 minutes or take tuk tuk but i like walking as the street is full of gems
Written February 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harrison F. Carter
Auckland, New Zealand12,826 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
The mosque itself is well worth the visit, with several elements to see and enjoy, especially the tower... And this gives good views of Cairo too.
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can someone please advise opening hours?
Written March 9, 2022
the entrace price if going without a group
Written January 15, 2017
I don't have the ticket, but it will be approximately 60 LE.
Written January 16, 2017
What are the opening and closing times? How much does it cost to enter?
Written December 9, 2015
i don`t have to pay to enter, but you have to give a tip because the people who recive you, put in your feet a kind of shoes (it is a sacred place).
and when you finish the visit there are some books that explain the ISLAM, you can take this books, giving a tip.
morning and evening it is open, after that i don't know
Written December 11, 2015
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