Al-Azhar Park Cairo: ticket prices, opening hours and rules

Al-Azhar Park on Salah Salem Street is open every day from 9am to 10pm, according to the park's own tickets page. Prices depend on who you are and on the day: weekdays (Sunday to Thursday) cost less than Friday and Saturday, and children aged 2 to 8 pay a lower price.

Ticket prices

For Egyptians and foreign residents, an adult ticket is EGP 50 from Sunday to Thursday and EGP 60 on Friday and Saturday. A child aged 2 to 8 pays EGP 35 on weekdays and EGP 40 at the weekend.

For non-Egyptian visitors, an adult ticket is EGP 150 from Sunday to Thursday and EGP 200 on Friday and Saturday. A child aged 2 to 8 pays EGP 100 on weekdays and EGP 150 at the weekend.

The park's FAQ page still lists older, lower prices (EGP 35 for an adult on weekdays). The tickets page, with the prices above, is the more recent of the two, so plan on those and expect the gate to have the final word. The park does not publish a price for children under 2.

Opening hours

Both the tickets page and the FAQ give the same hours: 9am to 10pm, every day of the week. The park's office line, (02) 2510 3868, answers from Saturday to Thursday.

What the park is

The park covers 72 acres of gardens in the middle of historic Cairo. It was built by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture on the Darassa site, a mound of rubble between the eastern edge of the old city walls and the City of the Dead, and opened to the public in 2005. Its design is inspired by historic Islamic gardens: a formal axis of water fountains runs down towards a small lake, and its paths point towards the Citadel. Along one side you can see the remains of the Ayyubid city wall, built in stages from the Fatimid period onwards.

Where to eat

There are three places to eat inside the park. The Hill-top Restaurant is a Fatimid-style building with a panoramic view over Old Cairo, serving oriental food indoors and out (reservations 01207273747). The Lakeside Restaurant sits in the middle of the lake and serves drinks, snacks and meals through the day and evening (reservations 01022776616, 01005506850 or 01008222863). Al Masrawya Cafe is at one of the park's highest points, for coffee and a quick bite with a view (01226534749).

Getting there and parking

The park's address is Salah Salem Street, Cairo. Its FAQ names Attaba as the nearest metro station and Sayeda Aisha as the nearest bus station; both are a walk or a short taxi ride away. There is a car park: the FAQ lists EGP 10 an hour, or EGP 15 an hour on Friday. Like the ticket prices on that page, check the parking fee at the gate.

What you can and cannot do

The park lists a children's area, a shuttle bus tour, a handicraft gallery, first aid, car parking, push cars for children and facilities for visitors with disabilities. Professional photo sessions are allowed for a fee: EGP 600 on weekdays and EGP 1,000 at the weekend, according to the FAQ. Weddings and private occasions can be booked by calling 01207273747.

Not allowed: walking on the plants or climbing trees, balls and bikes, swimming in the lake, alcohol, pets, cooking equipment and metal utensils, weapons, fireworks and anything flammable. Meetings or advertising any product in the park need the management's agreement first.

Common questions

Is the park open on Friday? Yes, every day from 9am to 10pm, at the weekend price.

Can I bring food? The rules ban cookware and metal utensils; they say nothing more about food, so bring a simple picnic rather than a barbecue.

How do I contact the park? Call (02) 2510 3868 or (02) 2510 7338, or write to info@alazharpark.com. Prices and hours can change, so it is worth a call before a big family outing.