Al-Azhar is probably the most famous and beautiful mosque in Cairo. It stands in the heart of Islamic Cairo surrounded by one of the longest continuously serving universities.

The Al-Azhar Mosque was built in 970, making it one of the oldest in the city.

The oldest university in the world

The mosque has been a direct part of the university since 989 and continues to function without interruption to this day. It is thus the oldest continuously functioning university in the world, although this status is somewhat disputed. The Al-Azhar School was founded as a madrasa, i.e. a college, but not a university. It did not acquire this status until 1961.

However, it can be said that by today's standards, the Al-Azhar madrasa was in fact a university from its inception.

It is still considered one of the most important universities in the Islamic world, teaching Sharia law and Sunni theology.

Admission and opening hours

The mosque is freely accessible to anyone, including tourists, every day except Fridays, when it is reserved for worshippers only throughout the day.

Admission is free.

How to get to the mosque?

Al-Azhar stands in the centre of Islamic Cairo on the main Nafak Al Azhar Avenue. From the centre of modern Cairo you can walk here in about 30 minutes, or take an Uber for about 35 egp.