Egypt Discovery
AttractionCairo

Sultan Hassan & Al‑Rifa'i Mosques, Cairo

Admission covers the 14th-century Sultan Hassan School and adjoining Al-Rifa'i Mosque; opening hours vary, so check before your visit.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Sultan Hassan School and Al-Rifa'i Mosque Entry Ticket is an entry ticket granting admission to the adjoining monuments in Cairo, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Time to allow
Self-paced
Travel style
Self-Guided Entry
Arranged by
Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Sultan Hassan School · Al-Rifa'i Mosque
Includes
Entry to Sultan Hassan School complex · Entry to Al-Rifa'i Mosque complex · Access to visitor areas open at the time of visit · PDF entry ticket delivered by email
Best for
Architecture enthusiasts · Independent visitors · History-focused travellers · Visitors exploring Cairo's Citadel area

Best time to go

October to April is usually more comfortable for walking, with Cairo daytime temperatures often around 18–30°C across these months. Summer brings stronger midday heat, while Friday prayer times, Ramadan and major Islamic holidays can affect access or slow entry, so check current conditions before visiting.

  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • The ticket is arranged as standalone admission, rather than bundled into a large coach city package.
  • The ticket is delivered as a PDF by email after booking.
  • The ticket covers the Sultan Hassan complex and adjoining Al-Rifa'i Mosque, subject to site access conditions.
  • The supplied ticket information identifies transport, meals and photography permits where applicable as exclusions.

02Overview

A first look

The Mosque‑Madrasa of Sultan Hassan was constructed 1356–1363 and is one of Cairo's principal Mamluk monuments. Al‑Rifa'i, completed in 1912, stands beside it as a modern royal mausoleum.

Background

The facts

Sultan Hassan School and Al-Rifa'i Mosque Entry Ticket provides admission to two adjoining monuments in Cairo. Sultan Hassan is a mosque and madrasa complex; Al-Rifa'i is a later mosque associated with royal burials. Access is limited to areas open to visitors under local site management.

The monuments stand side by side on the Citadel plateau, near Cairo’s Citadel area. Visitors can move between the Sultan Hassan complex’s central courtyard and interior spaces, and the accessible interior areas of Al-Rifa'i Mosque when they are open.

Construction of the Sultan Hassan complex began in 1356 CE under Sultan al-Nasir Hasan. Its Mamluk architecture includes a four-iwan plan around a central courtyard and large stone façades. Al-Rifa'i Mosque was built mainly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, providing a later architectural contrast.

Opening hours vary by season, and access may change with prayer times, restoration work or site management. We confirm current hours. Expect entrance security checks; photography rules vary. Modest dress is appropriate in these religious sites. The ticket is sent by email as a PDF; print it if the venue requires a printed copy.

Named in this entry

Cairo·Historic Cairo·Cairo Citadel·Citadel plateau·Sultan Hassan·Sultan al-Nasir Hasan·Al-Rifa'i Mosque·Mamluk Sultanate·Khedivate of Egypt·Egypt

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This ticket suits adults, students and older children interested in Mamluk architecture and historic religious sites in Cairo. It works well for independent visitors comfortable with walking, stairs and a self-paced visit through stone courtyards and interior halls.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose another attraction if you need step-free access throughout, as some areas have steps and uneven stone. Summer visitors who struggle with heat may prefer a morning visit or a cooler season.

What lingers

  • 01Visit Sultan Hassan Mosque-Madrasa (built 1356–1363) and Al-Rifa'i Mosque (1869–1912) with a single entrance ticket.
  • 02The two monuments stand opposite the Citadel; visit both on a 20-minute walking circuit.
  • 03Sultan Hassan's interior features towering iwans and original Mamluk stonework; expect uneven thresholds and several steps.
  • 04Al-Rifa'i contains tombs of the Muhammad Ali family and 20th-century royal burials; photography permitted without flash typically.
  • 05Modest dress required for both sites; closures occur for prayer services–plan morning visits to avoid interruptions.
  • 06Entry and guided visits arranged by our Cairo office, a licensed Egyptian tour operator; unlike hop-on circuits, no rushed exteriors.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many Cairo city packages bundle monument admission with wider sightseeing; this is a standalone entry ticket. It grants access to the areas open at both adjoining sites, but does not include transport or a live guide.

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Entry ticket to the Sultan Hassan School and Al-Rifa'i Mosque

Not included

  • Professional Egyptologist or live guide, available to book separately if required
  • Transport to and from the Citadel
  • Food and drinks
  • Photography permit, if required; check at the entrance
  • Printed ticket, if required; check the PDF and print it if in doubt

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Check current opening hours before setting out, as schedules vary by season and site management.

  2. 02

    Ask at the entrance about photography rules before taking pictures inside either complex.

  3. 03

    Allow time to compare Sultan Hassan’s courtyard plan with Al-Rifa'i’s later royal funerary architecture.

  4. 04

    Check your PDF for any print requirement; take a paper copy if the venue’s policy is unclear.

  5. 05

    Expect access to vary around prayer times or restoration work, particularly in interior spaces.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The ticket is for self-paced admission to the two adjoining complexes; no ticket customisation is specified. Transport and meals are not included, and any additional services would need to be arranged separately.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Where it fits

This visit fits into a half-day around Islamic Cairo, alongside the Citadel and other historic mosques. Allow time for the security checks and for both complexes, and check current opening hours before setting out.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Cairo CitadelRight here
  • Mosque of Ibn TulunRight here
  • Al-Azhar ParkRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    One ticket covers two adjoining Cairo monuments

  2. 02

    Standalone admission, not bundled into a coach package

  3. 03

    PDF ticket sent by email after booking confirmation

·In summary

The Sultan Hassan complex dates to construction begun in 1356 CE, while Al-Rifa'i Mosque was built mainly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The two monuments stand adjoining one another on Cairo’s Citadel plateau; opening conditions and access to interior areas can vary.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01Are Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i open to visitors every day?
    Both monuments are normally open most days, but access can be restricted for prayers or official ceremonies. Al-Rifa'i remains an active mosque and some areas close during worship; Sultan Hassan is primarily a historical monument but may be closed for conservation work. Hours change during Ramadan and national holidays, so check on the day. We confirm opening times for private groups and can request priority access where possible.
  2. 02Is there a dress code for visiting Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i Mosque?
    Yes – modest dress is required: shoulders and knees should be covered at both sites. Women may be asked to cover their hair in Al-Rifa'i when worshippers are present, so bring a scarf. Avoid shorts, sleeveless tops and see-through clothing; some prayer areas require footwear removal. Lightweight layers work well for temperature and respect.
  3. 03Can I take photographs inside Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i Mosque?
    Non-commercial photography is usually permitted but flash and tripods are often restricted. Restrictions tighten during prayers, official ceremonies, and within royal mausoleum chambers in Al-Rifa'i. Professional shoots or tripod use typically require prior written permission from site authorities. We can request photography permission in advance for guided or specialist shoots.
  4. 04How much time should I set aside to see both Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i?
    Allow 45–75 minutes to visit both Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i at a relaxed pace. Sultan Hassan's courtyard, mihrab and monumental portals reward close inspection; Al-Rifa'i's mausoleum chambers take time if they are open. If you combine this visit with the nearby Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, plan a half-day. We recommend an early start to avoid midday heat and daytime crowds.
  5. 05Are the Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i accessible for wheelchairs?
    Accessibility is limited: both sites have steps, uneven stone floors and narrow doorways. There are no continuous ramps or elevators; wheelchairs may manage some outdoor areas with assistance but interior access is often restricted. Our team can arrange door-to-door transfers and advise best viewing points from outside. For guests with reduced mobility we suggest a pre-visit assessment so we can plan alternatives.
  6. 06Can I visit Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i as part of a private Cairo morning itinerary?
    Yes – we can include both monuments in a private morning itinerary from central Cairo. They face each other on the Citadel plateau and are a two-minute walk apart; a typical private stop starts between 08:00 and 09:00. Unlike many packaged half-day tours that squeeze these monuments into longer excursions, we keep this visit separate so you get 45–75 minutes here. We provide hotel pickup, one of our Egyptologist guides and priority entry where available.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 December 2026

Last updated 8 December 2026Product ID: TKT-CAI-413216

You Might Also Like

Mohamed Ali Palace – Manial, CairoCairo

Mohamed Ali Palace – Manial, Cairo

Mohamed Ali Palace in Manial stands on Roda Island and displays late‑Ottoman and eclectic princely interiors with adjoining formal gardens. We arrange private, small‑group visits rather than coach drops; we do not bundle the palace into rushed city coach tours. Unlike the Egyptian Museum, the palace concentrates on royal domestic rooms, furniture and personal collections rather than pharaonic antiquities. Note: many rooms are reached by steep stairs and display labels are limited, so the visit involves close walking and some uneven floors. Entrance ticket and our Egyptologist‑led commentary are included unless stated otherwise.

From £5

Saqqara Complex – Pyramid of Djoser & SerapeumCairo

Saqqara Complex – Pyramid of Djoser & Serapeum

Saqqara Complex contains the Djoser Step Pyramid and the Serapeum, part of the UNESCO 'Memphis and its Necropolis' site. We offer private-car visits escorted by our Egyptologists so you have time at Unas, Teti and Mereruka’s tombs. We do not compress Saqqara into a brief roadside stop; we recommend at least three hours on site to study reliefs and descent shafts. Unlike the Giza Plateau, Saqqara shows the architectural evolution from mastabas to stone pyramids. Expect limited shade and uneven ancient stone underfoot; special-access chambers sometimes carry supplementary fees.

From £13

Mary Tree (Old Cairo) – Entry TicketCairo

Mary Tree (Old Cairo) – Entry Ticket

Tell us the Mary Tree’s exact location (for example: Church of St Sergius, Old Cairo), opening hours and whether entrance or a guide is included. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; we write product copy that names sites precisely and states what is excluded. Distinctive-POV: we generally do not bundle short, on-foot Coptic stops into long bus itineraries – they work best as part of a half-day Cairo Old City walk. If you prefer, we will draft a full marketing block from publicly verifiable facts and your confirmation of practical details.

From £3