As-Sayidah Zaynab Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

#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.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#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


Our pick of the best As-Sayidah Zaynab Hotel Deals

Le Méridien Cairo Airport

Le Méridien Cairo Airport

5 out of 5
Cairo Airport , Terminal 3 Cairo
The price is AU$251 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
AU$251
8 Mar - 9 Mar
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! (1,125 reviews)
Everything was as expected. Clean, simple and most important - quiet

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Le Méridien Cairo Airport
Cairo Marriott Hotel

Cairo Marriott Hotel

5 out of 5
16 Saray El Gezira Cairo
The price is AU$259 per night from 7 Mar to 8 Mar
AU$259
7 Mar - 8 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Cairo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 14 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Staff attitudes

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Cairo Marriott Hotel
Marriott Mena House Cairo

Marriott Mena House Cairo

5 out of 5
6 Pyramids Road Giza
The price is AU$785 per night from 12 Mar to 13 Mar
AU$785
12 Mar - 13 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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (835 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Marriott Mena House Cairo
Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile

Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile

5 out of 5
Cairo Cairo
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$269 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
AU$269
15 Mar - 16 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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (205 reviews)
The main issue was the fact we were given a smoking room on a smoking floor when a non smoking room was requested on the booking. The corridor really smelt of cigarettes and the smell seeped through the doors of our suites every morning from neighbouring rooms. The room itself was tidy so issues ...

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile
Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino

Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino

5 out of 5
Galaa Square Giza
The price is AU$269 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
AU$269
1 Mar - 2 Mar
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (377 reviews)
Everything was great

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino
The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

5 out of 5
1113 Corniche El Nil Street Cairo
The price is AU$417 per night from 27 Feb to 28 Feb
AU$417
27 Feb - 28 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! (516 reviews)
Everything was amazing

Reviewed on 23 Feb 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.

The Annual Holiday Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.

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

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

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

3.5/5(33 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

2.5/5(2 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

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: