As-Sayidah Zaynab Travel Guide

Cairo

#history

Originally Beit El Kertlia, this historic home has so many grand rooms, ornate decor, beautiful courtyards, gardens and and my favorite part, the rooftop (you can see Ibn Tulum mosque from here). ⁣
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One of the many interesting features in this house, is an indoor well, it is in the first room you can enter to your right. They say if you stare closely down the well, you'll see the face of your lover staring back at you (sadly, I did not see anything!) ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
It's free to enter the mosque and 60 LE to enter the museum. If you have a camera there's an additional 50 LE ticket.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#history

Originally Beit El Kertlia, this historic home has so many grand rooms, ornate decor, beautiful courtyards, gardens and and my favorite part, the rooftop (you can see Ibn Tulum mosque from here). ⁣
⁣
One of the many interesting features in this house, is an indoor well, it is in the first room you can enter to your right. They say if you stare closely down the well, you'll see the face of your lover staring back at you (sadly, I did not see anything!) ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
It's free to enter the mosque and 60 LE to enter the museum. If you have a camera there's an additional 50 LE ticket.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Said to be the oldest mosque in Cairo still in its original form and the largest mosque in Cairo. The carpets were laid out just prior to prayer time. Tourists were welcome but you'll go barefoot and women need to cover their heads and be modestly dressed.
The Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Ţūlūn from 879 AD is arguably the oldest mosque in Cairo surviving in its original form, and is the largest mosque in the city in terms of land area. The mosque was commissioned by Ahmad ibn Ţūlūn, the Abbassid governor of Egypt from 868–884 whose rule was characterized by de facto independence.

It was constructed on a small hill called Gebel Yashkur, "The Hill of Thanksgiving." One local legend says that it is here that Noah's Ark came to rest after the Deluge, instead of at Mount Ararat.

Parts of the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me were filmed at this mosque.

Do not miss it if you are around these parts of the world.

Popular places to visit


Top hotels in As-Sayidah Zaynab

Mar Charbel Hotel Cairo

Mar Charbel Hotel Cairo

29 El Falaki St Cairo Abdeen
The price is ₹6,849 per night from 22 Jan to 23 Jan
₹6,849
₹9,077 total
22 Jan - 23 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Cairo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Tahrir Square and Egyptian Museum are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (30 reviews)
Lovely staff and good room for the price. Staff were friendly and the location is good for Tahrir Square and the metro.

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2025

Mar Charbel Hotel Cairo
Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile

Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile

5 out of 5
Cairo Cairo
The price is ₹12,274 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
₹12,274
₹15,828 total
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Cairo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Egyptian Museum and Tahrir Square are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (161 reviews)
Excellent expeience

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile
Le Méridien Cairo Airport

Le Méridien Cairo Airport

5 out of 5
Cairo Airport , Terminal 3 Cairo
The price is ₹12,364 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
₹12,364
₹16,254 total
20 Feb - 21 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Cairo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,120 reviews)
Special was the 2 wash cloths and the mirror that did not fog. Convenient walking distance from the airport to the hotel. Not sure how you get from arrival area. As we went outside and walked down to terminal 3. The guard let us in to get to the walkway. If you can stay within terminal you arrive ...

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Le Méridien Cairo Airport
Marriott Mena House Cairo

Marriott Mena House Cairo

5 out of 5
6 Pyramids Road Giza
The price is ₹46,367 per night from 24 Jan to 25 Jan
₹46,367
₹59,793 total
24 Jan - 25 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Giza. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (817 reviews)
Beautiful hotel, right next to pyramid, highly recommended.

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Marriott Mena House Cairo
The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

5 out of 5
1113 Corniche El Nil Street Cairo
The price is ₹18,183 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
₹18,183
₹23,448 total
20 Feb - 21 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Cairo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a nightclub. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (505 reviews)
Really enjoyed seeing the Nile and Cairo’s atmosphere from that amazing terrace. Room is super clean Staff is friendly and welcoming Everything was great!!! I would come back again.

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo
Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis

Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis

5 out of 5
Orouba Street Cairo Heliopolis Cairo Cairo Governorate
The price is ₹18,624 per night from 21 Feb to 22 Feb
₹18,624
₹24,017 total
21 Feb - 22 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Cairo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions City Centre Almaza Shopping Mall and Tivoli ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (156 reviews)
Staff are not well trained.

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around As-Sayidah Zaynab

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Garden City

Some popular features of Garden City include its restaurants and museums. If you're in the mood to explore farther, Qasr El Nil Bridge or Tahrir Square are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Garden City
Abdeen Palace, a residence of the President of Egypt - Cairo

Abdin

While you're in Abdin, take in top sights like Abdeen Palace or El-Ghuri Wakala, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Mohamed Naguib Station or Attaba Station.

Abdin
Overlooking the Nile River

Qasr an-Nil

If you're spending time in Qasr an-Nil, check out sights like Tahrir Square or Egyptian Museum and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Sadat Station or Nasser Station.

Qasr an-Nil
Take a trip down the Nile and imagine how far it floats

Old Cairo

4/5(1 area review)

Old Cairo is a destination travellers like for its restaurants, and you might hop aboard the metro at Al-Malek Al-Saleh Station or Mar Girgis Station to explore sights like Manial Palace.

Old Cairo
Overlooking the Nile River

Downtown Cairo

4/5(69 area reviews)

Known for its interesting museums and stunning river views, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Cairo. Top attractions like Talaat Harb Street and Midan Talaat Harb are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Orabi Station or Nasser Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Cairo
يممم يممم .. حمام ومشويات وورق عنب وبتاع كلوو ياباشا 😍

Al Duqqi

4/5(14 area reviews)

The museums and live music are just a few things visitors like about Al Duqqi. Orman Botanical Gardens and Agricultural Museum are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Dokki Station or Behooth Station to get around the larger area.

Al Duqqi


As-Sayidah Zaynab Travel Guide