Synagogue of Ben Ezra and Amr ibn al‑As Mosque, Old Cairo

The short answer

The Synagogue of Ben Ezra and Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque Entry Ticket grants admission to both sites in Old 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

Ben Ezra Synagogue · Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque

Includes

Entry to the Synagogue of Ben Ezra · Entry to Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque · Access to the Synagogue of Ben Ezra museum displays · Access to the mosque prayer hall and courtyard

Best for

Independent visitors · Religious heritage travellers · Architecture enthusiasts · Visitors to Old Cairo

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01Synagogue of Ben Ezra – site of the late‑19th‑century Cairo Geniza discovery, with restored 19th‑century interior features.
• 02Amr Ibn al‑As Mosque – founded AD 642 as Egypt's first mosque; successive rebuilds leave mainly later fabric.
• 03Unlike many itineraries, both sites lie in Old Cairo (Fustat) – about a five‑ to ten‑minute walk.
• 04Modest dress required at the mosque: shoulders and knees covered; women should carry a headscarf for entry.
• 05Photography is often limited inside both buildings; we confirm current photography rules with site staff before each visit.
• 06Visits are affected by prayer times and Ramadan; we schedule morning or late‑afternoon slots to avoid closures.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many visitors arrange admission to each site separately. This ticket combines entry to the Synagogue of Ben Ezra and the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas; it does not include transport or an audio guide.

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Check whether each entrance accepts a PDF on a phone; print the ticket if the requirement is unclear.

2. 02

   Ask at both entrances about photography rules before taking pictures.

3. 03

   Wear modest clothing when visiting the mosque, with shoulders and knees covered.

4. 04

   Check seasonal opening hours shortly before your visit, as schedules may change.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The admission is for independent visits, so you can set your own pace at each site. Transport and a professional Egyptologist or audio guide are not included; arrange these separately if required.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Coptic Museum3 min walk
• The Hanging Church3 min walk
• Babylon Fortress5 min walk
• Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque12 min walk

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   One ticket covers two historic Old Cairo sites

2. 02

   PDF tickets sent by email after booking

3. 03

   Visit Jewish and Islamic heritage independently

·In summary

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01Can I visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue and Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque in one afternoon?

   Yes – both Ben Ezra Synagogue and Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque can be done in one afternoon if visits are timed outside prayer hours. We schedule visits to avoid Jumu'ah (Friday midday) and busy prayer times; security checks can add 10–20 minutes. Standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise. We don't run group bus tours; we organise private transfers and short walks between the sites.
2. 02What are the opening hours for the Ben Ezra Synagogue?

   Opening hours for the Ben Ezra Synagogue vary and are sometimes limited for community services or conservation work. Visits are commonly arranged for the morning; we confirm the exact availability on the day of your visit. If the synagogue is closed, we can substitute another Coptic Cairo site or adjust the timing to suit your schedule.
3. 03Is modest dress required at Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque?

   Yes – modest dress is required at Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque: shoulders and knees should be covered for all visitors. Women may be asked to cover their hair in certain areas and both sexes may need to remove shoes before entering the prayer hall. We can advise what to wear the day before your visit and provide a lightweight scarf on request.
4. 04Can non‑Muslims enter Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque?

   Non‑Muslims can usually enter Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque outside scheduled prayer times, but access is restricted during Jumu'ah (Friday) services. Some interior areas used by worshippers remain off‑limits to visitors at all times. We time visits to allow access to the main historic areas while respecting worship and security arrangements.
5. 05Are photography and filming allowed inside the Ben Ezra Synagogue and Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque?

   Photography rules differ: Ben Ezra Synagogue generally permits still photography; Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque may restrict photography inside the prayer hall. Tripods, professional cameras or commercial filming typically require prior permission and additional permits. Our guide will confirm the policy on arrival and ask you to switch off flash and behave respectfully around worshippers.
6. 06How long should I allow to visit both sites?

   Allow about 1.5–2.5 hours to see both Ben Ezra Synagogue and Amr Ibn Al‑As Mosque, including walking and security checks. Both sites sit within Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo) and are a short walk apart, but queues and prayer schedules can extend the visit. Unlike large coach itineraries, we organise private visits so we can move at your pace and adjust the order if prayers or closures affect access.