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Muslim business traveller's guide
Cairo, Egypt
Muslim Traveller Guide
Halal Cairo
Cairo is one of the easiest cities anywhere for a Muslim business traveller: Egypt is overwhelmingly Muslim, so food is halal by default (no pork in mainstream kitchens) and mosques are on almost every street, with the adhan carrying across the city five times a day. The historic Al-Azhar quarter and Khan el-Khalili bazaar sit at the spiritual and commercial heart of the old city, while the Cairo Metro plus the Uber and Careem ride apps make the sprawling capital manageable between expo sessions.
EGPEastern European Time, UTC+2 (UTC+3 with summer daylight saving, reintroduced from 2023) — check whether DST is in effect for your dates.
5 halal places to visit
Mosques & sights in Cairo
The mosques and Islamic-heritage landmarks worth your time around the expo.
Al-Azhar Mosque
Islamic Cairo
One of Islam's oldest mosques and a leading centre of religious learning.
Mosque of Ibn Tulun
Sayyida Zeinab
Egypt's oldest well-preserved mosque, famed for its spiral minaret.
Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
Islamic Cairo
A towering Mamluk masterpiece beside the Citadel.
5 places to eat
Where to eat — top halal spots
Real, well-loved halal restaurants across Cairo, from cheap local legends to special-occasion dining.
Abou El Sid
Egyptian · Zamalek$$
Authentic Egyptian classics like molokhia and stuffed vine leaves in a nostalgic setting.
Koshary Abou Tarek
Egyptian Street Food · Downtown Cairo$
Cairo's most famous koshary, serving the rice-and-lentil classic since 1935.
Felfela
Egyptian · Downtown Cairo$
A long-loved spot near the Egyptian Museum for falafel and baba ghanouj.
Where to stay
Hotels for every budget
Hand-picked places to stay, near the action.
Luxury
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza
Garden City
A grand five-star hotel overlooking the Nile.
Marriott Mena House
Giza
A historic palace hotel with direct views of the Pyramids.
Mid-range
Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir
Know before you go
The essentials
Everything a Muslim traveller needs to land in Cairo with confidence.
Getting in
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
• Uber / Careem — 30-60 min to the centre
• Airport taxi — 30-60 min
• Airport bus / shuttle — ~60-90 min
Getting around
The Cairo Metro (three lines, with a new monorail and LRT expanding the network) is fast and beats the city's heavy traffic; buses and microbuses fill the gaps but are harder for visitors to navigate.
Uber and Careem are the simplest and most transparent option; with street taxis, agree the fare first as meters are often not used.
Visa & entry
Many nationalities can obtain an Egyptian tourist visa on arrival or apply online for an e-Visa, which also covers short business-visitor travel for events; others need a visa from an Egyptian mission. Confirm eligibility and current requirements on the official Egypt e-Visa portal before travel.
Getting here
Travelling from a major halal market?
Most halal-expo buyers and exhibitors fly in from the world's main halal hubs. Here's how to reach Cairo from each — entry rules vary by nationality, so check the Visa & entry note.
Sources: https://egymonuments.gov.eg · https://visa2egypt.gov.eg · https://www.cairo-airport.com
Other halal expo cities
Nearby and frequently-paired destinations, with the same Muslim-traveller guide.
