Discovery Tours Egypt
AttractionCairo

Al-Rifa'i Mosque & Sultan Hassan Mosque, Cairo

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Sultan Hassan Mosque & Al-Rifa'i Mosque Entry Ticket is a 1-day admission covering Sultan Hassan Mosque and Al-Rifa'i Mosque in Cairo, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Cairo

Best time to go

The most comfortable months are usually October to April, when Cairo temperatures are milder and walking between nearby sites is easier. Summer visits can be very hot, so early morning is preferable. During Ramadan, public opening patterns may shift, and religious holidays can affect hours or access, so checking ahead is advisable.

02Overview

A first look

Al-Rifa'i Mosque (late 19th–early 20th century) contains royal and dynastic mausoleums. Sultan Hassan Mosque is a 14th-century Mamluk complex noted for its monumental scale and portico.

Background

The facts

Sultan Hassan Mosque and Al-Rifa'i Mosque stand side by side on the plaza below Cairo Citadel, making them one of the city's most important paired religious sites. Sultan Hassan Mosque was built in the mid-14th century during the Mamluk period and is known for its monumental portal, large courtyard, and highly ambitious proportions. Al-Rifa'i Mosque was completed in the early 20th century and was designed to complement the older monument while also serving as a royal mausoleum.

The ticket provides admission to both mosque interiors and the associated courtyard areas covered by site rules at the time of visit. Sultan Hassan is widely studied as one of the most significant Mamluk complexes in Cairo, with a four-iwan plan and a large prayer hall that reflects the architectural scale of the period. Al-Rifa'i contains several royal tombs and is associated with the late Ottoman and modern royal history of Egypt.

Visitors usually enter through the designated entrance gate near the Citadel area, where security screening and ticket checks are carried out before entry. Opening hours can vary by season and public holidays, so the best practice is to verify current hours before traveling and to arrive earlier in the day when conditions are quieter. Photography rules may differ between the two sites and should be checked at the entrance.

Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the ticket and delivers it by email as a PDF after booking confirmation. If the venue requires a paper copy, the ticket should be printed before arrival and presented at the entrance gate with any requested identification or concession documentation.

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This entry ticket suits travelers interested in Mamluk architecture, royal mausoleums, and historic Cairo monuments. It is a good fit for independent visitors, couples, and older children who can handle stairs, uneven stone flooring, and basic security screening.

What lingers

  • 01Sultan Hassan Mosque: Mamluk complex built 1356–1363 CE with a monumental iwan, four madrasas and towering minarets.
  • 02Al-Rifa'i Mosque: completed 1912 as a royal mausoleum; contains tombs of Muhammad Ali dynasty members.
  • 03Both sites sit adjacent in Historic Cairo, within the UNESCO-listed area–compare Mamluk and 19th-century revival architecture.
  • 04Ticket grants interior access when open; expect closures during Friday midday prayers and altered Ramadan opening hours.
  • 05Modest dress required for entry–shoulders and knees covered; women may need a headscarf, often available at the site.
  • 06We schedule 45–60 minutes here–unlike quick coach stops, this allows measured photography and close architectural study.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Entry ticket

Not included

  • Transport to/from the mosques
  • Audio guide or printed guidebook
  • Photography permit where separately charged (check at the entrance)
  • Meals and refreshments
  • Printed copy of the ticket if required by the venue (PDF sent by email; please print if in doubt)

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01Can non-Muslims enter Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i mosques?
    Yes – non-Muslim visitors may enter both Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i mosques outside active prayer areas. Sultan Hassan dates to 1356–1363 CE; Al-Rifa'i was completed in the late 19th–early 20th century and contains royal tombs. Some sections may be closed during congregational prayers or special ceremonies; dress and conduct regulations still apply.
  2. 02What should I wear to visit Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i mosques?
    Wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees; women should bring a headscarf. You may be asked to remove shoes before entering prayer halls and some carpeted areas. Temperatures can be high and shade limited at midday, so lightweight modest layers and sun protection are practical.
  3. 03Are the mosques open during Ramadan and prayer times?
    Access and opening hours change during Ramadan and at prayer times; some areas close for worship. Friday Jumu'ah (midday) commonly restricts tourist entry around the congregational prayer. Unlike large coach tours, we schedule visits to avoid main prayer times and midday heat when possible and can advise the best time slots.
  4. 04How long does a typical visit to both mosques take?
    Allow 45–60 minutes to see both mosque exteriors and main prayer halls. If you want to study inscriptions, photograph details, or wait for quieter light, add extra time. The two mosques stand side‑by‑side in Historic Cairo, so transfers between them are negligible.
  5. 05Are the mosques wheelchair accessible?
    Accessibility is limited: both sites have steps, thresholds, and uneven historic stone surfaces. Courtyards offer partial level access but interior doorways and prayer halls may not accommodate full step‑free passage. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we can advise routes, arrange close viewpoints, or provide on‑site assistance where feasible.
  6. 06Do entrance fees include guided tours or audio guides?
    Standard entrance fees cover site entry; guided tours and audio guides are extra unless specifically stated. We can arrange a private Egyptologist to lead a focused visit or provide timed-entry tickets. Large coach commentary differs from a private-led visit; we recommend a short guided visit for architectural and historical context.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour

Product ID: TKT-CAI-904445

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