labyrinth of the Khan el Khalili. The Khan dates back to the 14th century, when it was a mere caravanserai - a large inn providing accommodation for caravans. Over the centuries it has grown into an enormous bazaar. It is still a popular shopping area, though many of the shops are dedicated to tourist-oriented items. There is anything and everything here - jewellery, copper and brass items, woodwork, odd Pharaonic goodies, fabrics, carpets, glassware and spices. Quality varies, and in most shops, bargaining is mandatory. Several good restaurants and coffee shops are scattered throughout the area. A two hundred year old coffee shop, Fishawy's, is a must for a cup of tea and a sheesha (water pipe). The Naguib Mahfouz Cafe offers good Egyptian food in a clean and peaceful atmosphere.

One of Cairo's major attractions, the fort was built by Salah El Din to fortify the city against the Crusade invasion. The fort later became residents for sultans who ruled Egypt till the 19th century. One of the most famous tales associated with the history of the castle is the slaughter of the Mamlouk leaders by the guards of Mohamed Aly upon leaving after their invitation for a banquette in a narrow passageway. The citadel offers a panaromic view of Islamic Cairo and within its complex lies Mohamed Ali Mosque as well as carriage museum which displays a collection of cart driven carriages, police museum and Al Gawhara palace.

Built between 1356 and 1363 by the Mamluk ruler Sultan Hassan, the scale of the mosque is so colossal that it nearly emptied the vast Mamluk Treasury. Historians believe that the builders of this mosque may have used stone from the Pyramids.
The Mosque of Sultan Hassan is one of the largest mosques in the world, measuring 150m in length and covering an area of 7,906 sq m. Its walls rise to 36m and its tallest minaret to 68m.

Visitors enter the complex through a tall portal that is itself a work of art. A dark and relatively low-ceilinged passageway leads to the brightly lit sahn, a standard cruciform-plan open courtyard.

The courtyard centers on a domed ablutions fountain, which was probably an Ottoman addition. Soaring on four sides of the courtyard are vaulted liwans (sitting rooms), accented by hanging lamp chains and red-and-black rims.

Each liwan is devoted to one of the four Sunni schools of jurisprudence. Skilfully fitted between and behind each liwan is a madrasa, complete with its own courtyard and four stories of cells for students and teachers.

One of the liwans also functions as a sanctuary, containing the mihrab and minbar. It is distinguished from its roughly-plastered counterparts by soft-hued marble inlay and a band of Kufic script.

To the right of the minbar in this room is a bronze door, exquisitely decorated with radiating stars in gold and silver, which leads into the mausoleum of Sultan Hassan. Its location benefits from prayers to Mecca and overlooks the Sultan's old stomping grounds on Midan Salah al-Din. The mausoleum, covered by a restored dome supported on stalactite pendentives, is quite beautiful, particularly in the morning when the rising sun filters through grilled windows.

An Iraqi hybrid. One of Egypt's oldest and largest mosques, that should not be missed oweing to its helical minarets inspired by the minarets of Samarra. Was built be Ibn Tulun who was appointed by the Caliph of Baghdad to rule Egypt. The décor of the mosque although simple but gives an example of classical Islamic architecture inspired by Iraqi models. The view from top of its minarets is fascinating for both modern and ancient Cairo. it is also one of the most unusual owing to its heavy Iraqi influence.

Egypt's highest Islamic authority. This beautiful mosque is affiliated with Al-Azhar University, the oldest Islamic university in the world and a prestigious centre of learning since 970 AD. Centuries ago, lectures were held in the mosque itself. Today, they are held in the universitys annex buildings, which are located all over Cairo and attract Muslim scholars and students from around the world. Al-Azhar Mosque is one of the most picturesque buildings in Cairo. Its slender minarets pierce the sky and look absolutely stunning when lit up at night. The architecture is an amalgam of styles built over the ages, all coming together to create one harmonious house of worship.

Highly-visible landmark mosque. Stunning from a distance, run-down from up close, this crown of the Citadel is an Ottoman-style mosque with a tin dome roof. Built in the mid-19th century, its minarets were rebuilt in the 1930s. Some say the entire mosque is in need of an overhaul. The opulent interior, however, still manages to impress visitors.

The Gayer-Anderson House was originally two separated houses that dates back to the 16th century and was bought by an English Doctor who served the royal family, he joined them and restored them with lavish decorations and oriental objects.

The Mosque of Sultan Hassan covers an area of 7,900 m 2 and is considered one of the largest mosques in the whole world. It was built in the mid 14th century and includes 4 Madrassas which are schools of theology and a mausoleum which is illuminated by the sun in the early morning.

The Rifai Mosque was built in the 19th Century in an architectural style that imitates its neighbour. Many of Egypt's Royal Family and the Shah of Iran are buried here.