Al-Azhar Mosque
Islamic Cairo
One of Islam's oldest mosques and a leading centre of religious learning.
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Cairo, Egypt
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.
Currency EGPEastern European Time, UTC+2 (UTC+3 with summer daylight saving, reintroduced from 2023) — check whether DST is in effect for your dates.
Mosques and sights
Halal places to visit in Cairo
Mosques and Islamic-heritage landmarks worth your time around the expo.
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.
Mosque of Muhammad Ali
Cairo Citadel
The Ottoman-style alabaster mosque crowning the Citadel skyline.
Al-Hussein Mosque
Khan el-Khalili
A revered mosque beside the famous bazaar, busy at prayer times.
Halal food
Where to eat halal in Cairo
Well-loved halal restaurants across Cairo, from cheap local favourites 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
Hotels
Where to stay in Cairo
Picks for every budget.
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
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.
Weather in June
High ~35°C · Low ~21°C
Hot and dry early summer with essentially no rain.
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.
See the full Cairo travel guide →
Sources: https://egymonuments.gov.eg · https://visa2egypt.gov.eg · https://www.cairo-airport.com
