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.


Top hotels in As-Sayidah Zaynab

Mar Charbel Hotel Cairo

Mar Charbel Hotel Cairo

29 El Falaki St Cairo Abdeen
The price is Rp1.522.070 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
Rp1.522.070
Rp1.962.813 total
3 Feb - 4 Feb
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
Le Méridien Cairo Airport

Le Méridien Cairo Airport

5 out of 5
Cairo Airport , Terminal 3 Cairo
The price is Rp2.282.896 per night from 27 Feb to 28 Feb
Rp2.282.896
Rp3.001.080 total
27 Feb - 28 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! (1,121 reviews)
Thank-you so much to the incredible staff - when I checked in off a 4am flight they assisted me with changing my reservation so I could sleep after a long journey!! They went above and beyond and made me feel so welcome as a guest!

Reviewed on 29 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 Rp8.560.860 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
Rp8.560.860
Rp11.039.810 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
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! (821 reviews)
Good

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Marriott Mena House Cairo
Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino

Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino

5 out of 5
Galaa Square Giza
The price is Rp2.417.184 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
Rp2.417.184
Rp3.117.123 total
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Giza. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (365 reviews)
Every thing was top notch

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino
Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile

Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile

5 out of 5
Cairo Cairo
The price is Rp2.039.499 per night from 28 Feb to 1 Mar
Rp2.039.499
Rp2.630.073 total
28 Feb - 1 Mar
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! (174 reviews)
yes

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile
The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

5 out of 5
1113 Corniche El Nil Street Cairo
The price is Rp3.357.200 per night from 18 Feb to 19 Feb
Rp3.357.200
Rp4.329.277 total
18 Feb - 19 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! (510 reviews)
This is an excellent hotel, with fantastic staff - without exception. Big thanks to Abdulrahim, my room cleaner, who not only did a great job of keeping my room immaculate, but managed to reunite me with something I’d left behind in my room before I had made it out of the front door after checking ...

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2026

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo
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

Mosque Sultan Hassan

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
Panoramic view of central Cairo skyline at night

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