Al-Azhar Park

Al-Azhar Park opened in 2005 on a site that had been a rubbish dump for around 500 years. It was created by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture through its Historic Cities Programme, funded by a grant from the Aga Khan, and covers about 30 hectares on raised ground between the old city and the Muqattam Hills. The project also restored a long stretch of the 12th-century Ayyubid city wall and helped fund housing and social programmes in the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar.

The park is laid out with formal gardens inspired by Islamic design, with water channels, fountains, terraces and lawns, and curving paths that lead to scenic overlooks. From the higher points you look west across the domes and minarets of Islamic Cairo to the Citadel and, on clear days, towards the towers of the modern city. Along the western edge, the excavated Ayyubid wall and its restored gates are worth a short detour. Cafés near the entrance and restaurants inside the park make it easy to stay for a meal.

The park is one of the few large green spaces in central Cairo and is popular with local families, couples and students, particularly on Friday afternoons and holiday evenings. It suits anyone who wants a break from the traffic, and children have room to run. Allow one to two hours, timed if possible to catch the late afternoon light and the sunset, when the call to prayer echoes across the old city below.

Entry is ticketed, with higher prices on some evenings and holidays, and the gates are on Salah Salem Street. Bring sun protection in summer, as shade is limited in parts of the park. The paths are generally even, though some areas involve slopes and steps.

Most visitors arrive by taxi, as the entrance is on a busy main road. The park sits just east of Al-Azhar Mosque and Khan el-Khalili, and many people combine an afternoon here with an evening in the bazaar. The Citadel is a short ride to the south. On weekdays in the morning the park is at its quietest, which suits anyone who wants to read, sketch or simply sit by the water. Security checks at the gate are routine, so bring only what you need.