What are the working hours for antiquities in Egypt?
Most of Egypt’s monuments, historic sites and museums are open from 09:00 to 17:00. Outdoor historical sites, such as the Pyramids of Giza, for example, are open from 8:00 am until sunset. Some museums have morning hours, from 9 am to 4 pm, and hours in the evening, from 5 pm to 9 pm. During Ramadan, the holy month of Ramadan from the Islamic calendar, be aware that these hours will change dramatically.
What are the working hours of different stores in Egypt?
Most stores in Egypt are open from around 10am and remain open until 10pm. However, many shops, cafes, and restaurants, especially in major cities such as Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor and Alexandria, remain open long afterward and some facilities and shops are open 24 hours in tourist areas such as Khan al-Khalili and within hotels. During Ramadan, the holy month of Ramadan for the Islamic calendar, opening hours may change significantly as shops are closed in the middle of the day and remain open later.
Is it permissible for non-Muslims to enter historical mosques in Egypt?
Non-Muslims are generally welcome to visit mosques in Egypt. However, it is always advisable to seek permission before entering mosques outside Cairo and Alexandria where people are not accustomed to tourists. Tourists and foreigners are welcomed in almost all mosques in Egypt, except those where relatives of the Prophet Muhammad are buried, such as the Hussein Mosque and the Sayyida Zeinab Mosque. Tourists are more than ever welcome to visit most mosques at any time except when they are used to pray, on Friday and during the five daily prayers of the day.
Is there any special dress to follow while visiting a mosque in Egypt?
There is no special clothing to wear while visiting a mosque in Egypt; however, it is strongly recommended to wear modest clothing and in some mosques, women will be asked to cover their hair and possibly their arms and legs. Women and men will be asked to remove their shoes before entering the mosque.
What are the most important historical mosques in Cairo?
Cairo, dubbed “the city of a thousand minarets”, is characterized by a large number of magnificent historical mosques. The most prominent of these are the Mohammed Ali Mosque in the Citadel of Salah al-Din, which was built at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Sultan Hassan Mosque, built-in 1361, and the Al-Azhar Mosque, built-in 970 AD, which was restored and expanded several times thereafter, the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As. The first mosque in Africa was built in 640 AD, the Mosque of Ahmed Ibn Tulun, built-in 878 AD, and the Mosque of Hakim, built 1013 AD. Tourists are welcome in all these mosques on any day, except Friday.
Are tourists allowed to enter Christian monuments in Egypt?
In Egypt, churches are treated like mosques. Most churches and monasteries welcome tourists and foreigners, except during Lent. A modest dress is also recommended while visiting Christian sights in Egypt.
What are the most prominent Christian monuments in Egypt?
Christianity arrived in Egypt since the first century AD As the birthplace of Christian monasticism, Egypt hosts many interesting churches and monasteries. These include the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai, the monastery of Abu Makar and the monastery of the Syrians in Wadi Natrun, and the monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul near the Red Sea to the northeast of Hurghada. There are many historical churches in Egypt, especially in Cairo and Alexandria, such as St. Barbara Church and the Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo.
Can I take pictures while visiting Egypt’s monuments?
Photography is allowed at most historical sites and museums in Egypt, but some charge an additional fee for taking a camera. However, in some museums, such as the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, and some historical sites, such as the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, photography is prohibited and visitors are required to leave their cameras at the reception desk before entering.
Can I take pictures of people, streets, etc. in Egypt?
Egyptians are known worldwide for their tolerance and hospitality; however, it is always polite to seek permission before taking a picture of people, especially women, shops or products. Photography is not allowed around army bases, airports, dams, bridges and in the metro. In most places where photography is prohibited, there will be signs to notify you.