Panoramic Cairo Views
A hilltop balcony over the Citadel, Sultan Hassan Mosque, Al-Azhar, and the entire medieval city — the single best skyline view in Cairo.
Al Azhar Park
Cairo's green crown — Al Azhar Park is 30 hectares of restored gardens, Fatimid-era views, lakeside cafés and a panoramic balcony over Islamic Cairo, the Citadel and the Mokattam Hills.
Welcome to Al Azhar Park
Cairo's most beautiful public garden — and one of the world's great urban-renewal stories.
Al Azhar Park (officially Al-Azhar Park, also written Azhar Park or in Arabic حديقة الأزهر) is a 30-hectare landscaped park rising on a hill in the heart of Old Cairo, between the medieval Fatimid city and the Mamluk Citadel. Where five centuries of city refuse once piled up — the so-called Darassa Hills — today there are formal gardens, palm-lined promenades, fountains, a serpentine lake, an outdoor amphitheatre, and panoramic views of every minaret in Islamic Cairo. Al Azhar Park opened in March 2005 after a US$30 million gift from His Highness the Aga Khan, and it is consistently ranked among the world's 60 best public spaces.
Why Al Azhar Park is special
Most travel guides describe Al Azhar Park as "a green oasis in Cairo." That undersells it. The park is a working monument: the construction unearthed a 1.5-km stretch of the 12th-century Ayyubid wall built by Salah al-Din (Saladin), now restored and walkable; the surrounding Darb al-Ahmar district was rehabilitated as part of the same project; and the famous Citadel View Restaurant inside Al Azhar Park sits on a terrace that — at sunset — gives you what photographers call the best skyline in the Arab world. Bring a camera, comfortable shoes, and an appetite.
Key Information
- Location: Salah Salem Road, Old Cairo (between Al-Azhar Mosque and the Citadel)
- Opened: March 2005 (Aga Khan Trust for Culture)
- Size: 30 hectares (≈ 74 acres)
- Entry fee: EGP 30 weekday adult / EGP 50 Friday & holidays
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily (last entry 10:00 PM)
- Best time to visit: late afternoon — golden-hour skyline + cooler temperatures
- Coordinates: 30.0411° N, 31.2641° E
30 Hectares of Gardens
Formal Fatimid-style gardens, royal palms, citrus groves, jasmine trellises, and a serpentine lake stitching the whole park together.
Citadel View Restaurant
Fine-dining terrace on the highest point of the park — Egyptian cuisine, sunset views over a thousand minarets.
Ayyubid Wall
A 1.5-km section of the 12th-century city wall built by Saladin, uncovered during construction and restored as part of the park.
Photo Gallery
A taste of what Al-Azhar Park looks like from every angle.
History & Background
How a 500-year-old rubbish tip became Cairo's greatest public space.
Before 1984 — The Darassa Hills
For 500 years the site was the city's main rubbish tip. By the 1980s it was a 45-metre artificial mound of debris, dust, and refuse — the highest point in central Cairo and a public health concern for the surrounding Darb al-Ahmar district.
1984 — Aga Khan's Gift
During a public lecture at the American University in Cairo, His Highness the Aga Khan announced he would donate a public park to Cairo to mark the city's shortage of green space. He chose the Darassa Hills.
1992–2005 — Construction & Restoration
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture removed 80,000 truckloads of rubble, uncovered the lost Ayyubid wall, and built three reservoirs for the city water network beneath the park. Total cost: US$30 million.
March 2005 — Opening
Al-Azhar Park opened to the public. Within a year it was named one of the world's 60 great public spaces by the Project for Public Spaces, and it has since hosted the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and become a cultural anchor of the rehabilitated Darb al-Ahmar quarter.
The name Al-Azhar
The park takes its name from the nearby Al-Azhar Mosque (founded 970 AD), one of the oldest universities in the world and the highest authority in Sunni Islam. "Al-Azhar" (الأزهر) means "the most resplendent" — a fitting word for both the mosque and the park's view at sunset, when the golden light makes every dome and minaret in the old city glow.
Tickets & Opening Hours
Everything you need to know before you go.
Important notes
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM every day of the year. Last entry is 10:00 PM.
- Tickets sold only at the main gate (Salah Salem Road entrance) — no online sales.
- During Ramadan, the park stays open until 1:00 AM and is especially busy after iftar.
- Cards are accepted at the gate; cash (EGP) is faster.
- Re-entry is allowed on the same ticket — keep it visible.
How to Get There
Address: Salah Salem Road, Cairo Governorate — between Al-Azhar Mosque and the Citadel.
By Cairo Metro
- Closest line: Line 3 — Bab El-Shaaria station (≈ 1.6 km, 18-min walk)
- Line 1 — Mar Girgis (Old Cairo) is 4 km — take a taxi from the metro
- After exiting the metro, follow Al-Azhar Street east, then turn right onto Salah Salem
- Metro is the cheapest option (EGP 8 single ticket)
By Taxi / Uber / Careem
- From Tahrir Square: 15–25 min, EGP 80–120 by Uber
- From the Pyramids in Giza: 45–60 min, EGP 250–350
- From Cairo airport: 30–50 min, EGP 200–300
- Tell the driver "حديقة الأزهر" or "Al-Azhar Park, Salah Salem"
By Car
- Free parking on-site (large lot at the main gate)
- Salah Salem Road exit — well signposted from both directions
- GPS: 30.0411, 31.2641
- Friday and Saturday afternoons — the lot can fill; arrive before 4 PM
On Foot from Khan el-Khalili
- About 1.4 km — 18-min walk via Al-Azhar Street and the pedestrian footbridge
- Pleasant route past Al-Azhar Mosque and Al-Hussein Mosque
- Possible to combine: Khan el-Khalili → Al-Azhar Mosque → park (a half-day itinerary)
- Wear comfortable shoes — Old Cairo streets are uneven
Things to Do in Al-Azhar Park
7 ways to make the most of an afternoon in the park.
Watch sunset over Islamic Cairo
Climb to the Citadel View terrace 30 minutes before sunset. As the call to prayer echoes across the city, the dome of Sultan Hassan, the Mohammed Ali Mosque, and a thousand minarets light up in gold. This is the view that put the park on UNESCO postcards.
Walk the restored Ayyubid wall
The 1.5-km section of Saladin's 12th-century wall runs along the park's western edge. You can walk it from end to end, peer through the original arrow slits, and look down on the rooftops of Darb al-Ahmar — one of the oldest inhabited neighbourhoods in the world.
Picnic by the lake
The serpentine lake is the park's social heart. Families spread blankets on the lawn, kids feed the fish, and on summer evenings musicians play near the water. The Lakeside Café rents simple picnic baskets.
Eat at Citadel View Restaurant
The fine-dining option — Egyptian and Lebanese cuisine on a terrace that overlooks the Citadel. Reservations recommended for sunset (call +20 2 2510 9151). Mains EGP 250–500.
Coffee at the Lakeside Café
The casual option — Egyptian breakfast, mezze, sandwiches, sheesha, and proper Turkish coffee on a terrace at the water's edge. Open from 9 AM. Mains EGP 80–180.
Photograph the gardens
The Hilltop, the Royal Palm Promenade, the formal Islamic-pattern parterre, and the lake from the dam at the south end — four perfect compositions. Best light: one hour before sunset.
Attend a concert or festival
The outdoor amphitheatre hosts concerts, Sufi nights, and Ramadan cultural evenings. Schedule: alazharpark.com/events or check their Facebook page.
Cairo Prayer Times
Live, accurate prayer times for Cairo — the same ones used by Al-Azhar itself, calculated via the Egyptian General Authority of Survey method.
Why this matters when visiting
- The park sits a 5-minute walk from Al-Azhar Mosque — Islam's second-oldest university (founded 970 AD).
- The mosque welcomes respectful visitors outside prayer times. Plan your park visit around the live schedule below.
- During Ramadan, the park stays open until 1 AM and is especially atmospheric after Iftar.
- For Friday prayer (Jumu'ah), the largest congregation in Cairo gathers at Al-Azhar Mosque around 12:30 PM.
- Computed live, accurate to ±1 minute against the Egyptian Survey Authority published times.
Nearby Attractions
A short walk from the park gates — combine the park with these for a perfect day in Old Cairo.
Visitor Tips
Practical advice for first-time visitors.
When to go
- Late afternoon (4–7 PM) is the magic window — cooler air + golden-hour skyline.
- Avoid the midday sun in summer (June–August) — the park has limited shade in places.
- Friday afternoons are festive but crowded; weekday mornings are peaceful.
- Ramadan evenings are unforgettable — open until 1 AM with cultural events.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes — the park is hilly with stone paths.
- Camera (the views deserve more than a phone) and a hat or sunglasses.
- Cash in small EGP notes for tickets, café and tips.
- A light scarf in summer evenings — the breeze on the Citadel View terrace can be cool.
Etiquette & dress code
- No formal dress code — modest, comfortable clothing is fine.
- For visiting the nearby mosque (Al-Azhar) afterwards, women may want a headscarf and shoulders covered.
- Photography is welcome everywhere except inside the management offices.
- Drones are not permitted without prior written permission.
Accessibility
- Main paths are paved and gently sloped — wheelchair-friendly along most of the park.
- A few steps lead to the Citadel View terrace; the side ramp avoids them.
- Restrooms at three locations (main gate, Lakeside Café, near amphitheatre).
- Free parking and step-free entry at the main gate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions visitors ask most.
How much does it cost to enter Al Azhar Park?
For Egyptians the Al Azhar Park entry ticket is EGP 30 on weekdays (Sunday–Thursday) and EGP 50 on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. Foreign visitors pay EGP 50 every day. Children under 6 enter free, and students with a valid card pay EGP 20 on weekdays. An annual pass is EGP 250 from the main gate office.
What time does Al Azhar Park close?
Al Azhar Park is open every day from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and last entry is at 10:00 PM. During Ramadan, opening is extended until 1:00 AM and the park is especially busy and atmospheric after Iftar.
How do I get to Al Azhar Park by metro?
The closest metro station to Al Azhar Park is Bab El-Shaaria on Line 3 — about 1.6 km (18-minute walk) from the main gate. Exit and walk east along Al-Azhar Street, then turn right onto Salah Salem Road. Alternatively, take any line to a central station and use Uber or Careem; expect EGP 80–120 from Tahrir Square.
Where exactly is Al Azhar Park located?
Al Azhar Park is on Salah Salem Road in Old Cairo, on a hilltop between the medieval Fatimid quarter (around Al-Azhar Mosque and Khan el-Khalili) and the Mamluk Citadel. GPS: 30.0411° N, 31.2641° E. The address in Arabic for taxi drivers: حديقة الأزهر، شارع صلاح سالم.
Is Al Azhar Park worth visiting?
Yes — Al Azhar Park is consistently named one of the world's 60 best public spaces by the Project for Public Spaces. The combination of 30 hectares of gardens, the panoramic skyline of Islamic Cairo, the restored Ayyubid wall, and the Citadel View Restaurant makes Al-Azhar Park the single best urban park in Egypt and a highlight of any Cairo itinerary.
What can you do at Al Azhar Park?
Watch the sunset over the Citadel and a thousand minarets, walk the restored Saladin-era city wall, picnic by the serpentine lake, dine at the Citadel View Restaurant inside Al Azhar Park, take coffee at the Lakeside Café, photograph the gardens, and attend cultural events at the outdoor amphitheatre.
Can I have a picnic in Al Azhar Park?
Yes — picnicking on the lawns of Al Azhar Park is allowed and popular with Cairo families. Outside food is permitted (no glass containers). The Lakeside Café also rents simple picnic baskets if you arrive empty-handed.
Are there restaurants inside Al Azhar Park?
Al Azhar Park has two restaurants: the fine-dining Citadel View on the highest terrace (Egyptian and Lebanese cuisine, EGP 250–500 mains, sunset reservations recommended) and the casual Lakeside Café at the water's edge (Egyptian breakfast, mezze, sandwiches, EGP 80–180).
Is Al Azhar Park family-friendly?
Very — Cairo families are the biggest audience at Al Azhar Park. The lawns, the lake, the playground area, and the wide paths suit children of all ages. Strollers and wheelchairs roll easily on the main paths.
When was Al Azhar Park built?
Al Azhar Park was a gift from His Highness the Aga Khan announced in 1984; construction took place between 1992 and 2005, including the removal of 80,000 truckloads of debris from the Darassa rubbish tip and the discovery of the lost Ayyubid wall. It opened to the public in March 2005.
Can non-Muslims visit Al Azhar Park?
Absolutely — Al Azhar Park is a public garden open to all, and there is no religious or dress requirement to enter. (The neighbouring Al-Azhar Mosque is also open to respectful visitors of all faiths outside prayer times.)
What are the prayer times at Al-Azhar Mosque?
Prayer times follow the Egyptian General Authority of Survey method and change daily. Check our live Cairo prayer times page for the exact Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha times today, plus the full Ramadan Imsakia for 2026.