Founded in 1881 and moved to its current purpose-built neo-Mamluk building in 1903, the Museum of Islamic Art holds one of the most extensive collections of Islamic artifacts in the world. Around 4,500 objects are displayed across 25 halls on two floors, drawn from a total collection exceeding 100,000 pieces. The holdings span from the 7th-century Umayyad dynasty through the 19th-century Ottoman Empire, including finely carved woodwork, ceramics, metalwork, glass, crystal, textiles, and rare Qur'anic manuscripts with silver-ink calligraphy. Notable items include a Mamluk-era key to the Ka'ba and textiles bearing ancient Kufic inscriptions. In January 2014, a car bomb targeting a nearby police headquarters severely damaged the museum; after extensive restoration, it reopened in 2017.
| Mon | 09:00–17:00 |
| Tue | 09:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 09:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 09:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 09:00–17:00 |
| SunToday | 09:00–17:00 |
Port Said Street, Bab al-Khalq Square, Cairo 11638, Egypt
Nearest station: Mohamed Naguib (Metro, ~850m), Attaba (Metro, ~1.8 km)
£340
Student: 170 EGP. Free for seniors 60+, disabled visitors, and children under 6.
Wheelchair access via side entrance (main entrance has steps). Elevator and accessible toilets available. Braille labels and sign language services offered. Limited disabled parking in forecourt (advance registration required).
Christoph Renschler (All rights reserved)