Museum of
Islamic Art
One of the world's greatest collections of Islamic art — over 100,000 masterpieces spanning 14 centuries, from Spain to India, housed in a masterpiece of neo-Mamluk architecture in historic Cairo.
A Treasure House of Islamic Civilization
The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo is one of the world's foremost museums dedicated to Islamic art and culture. Founded in 1881 under Khedive Tawfiq, the museum was originally housed in a modest building before moving to its current neo-Mamluk home in 1903. The building itself is a masterpiece — its facade decorated with intricate geometric patterns, arabesques, and iwans borrowed from medieval Cairo's finest monuments.
The collection spans the entire Islamic world — from Umayyad Spain through Fatimid Cairo, Mamluk Egypt, Ottoman Turkey, Safavid Persia, and Mughal India. Over 100,000 objects include some of the most exquisite metalwork, ceramics, glass, ivory, textiles, woodwork, and manuscripts ever created. The museum's manuscript hall holds a magnificent collection of Qur'ans, including an exquisite Mamluk Qur'an written in gold — housed in an octagonal room designed to imitate the interior of a mausoleum.
The Museum's Vision
The museum's vision is to become a global center for understanding and disseminating the arts of Islamic civilization. Its mission extends beyond preservation — the museum aims to reach as many visitors as possible, both Egyptian and foreign, while fostering education, research, and scientific collaboration. Through its collections and programs, the museum promotes the understanding of Islamic civilization's contributions to world heritage in both art and science, within a framework of dialogue and rapprochement between civilizations.
Resilience and Restoration
In January 2014, a car bomb near the Cairo security headquarters severely damaged the museum's facade and destroyed many objects. In May 2015, the museum launched the international campaign "United with Heritage" in collaboration with UNESCO, declaring that Egypt would not surrender to terrorist attempts to undermine its heritage. In March 2016, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova visited the museum with Egypt's Minister of Antiquities, praising the speed of the restoration and describing the new galleries as on a par with world museums. The museum reopened in 2017 with state-of-the-art displays, interactive screens, and a completely reorganized gallery sequence.
The museum organizes its collection chronologically and thematically across two floors, showcasing the evolution of Islamic art from the 7th to the 19th century.
From the oldest dated Islamic artifact to magnificent Mamluk metalwork — these are the masterpieces you cannot miss at the Museum of Islamic Art.
Everything you need to know to plan a perfect visit — tickets, hours, rules, getting there, and where to eat nearby.
| Visitor Category | Standard Admission |
|---|---|
| Foreign Adults | $12 USD |
| Foreign Students (valid ID) | $6 USD |
| Foreign Children (under 6) | Free |
| Egyptian / Arab Adults | EGP 20 |
| Egyptian Students (public university) | EGP 10 |
Online Booking
Tickets can be purchased at the museum or via the official website (www.miaegypt.org). Reserved tickets help avoid queues 12pm–2pm peak season (November–February). The museum's mobile app is also available for download from Google Apps.
| Area | Hours |
|---|---|
| Museum Galleries | 9:00am – 5:00pm daily |
| Last ticket sale | 4:00pm |
| Ramadan Hours | 9:00am – 3:00pm |
| Closed | First Friday of Ramadan & public holidays |
Address: Bab el-Khalq Square, Port Said Street, Cairo
Metro: Attaba station (Lines 2 & 3) — 10 minute walk
Bus: Bab el-Khalq stop — multiple routes from Tahrir Square
From Cairo center: ~15 minutes by taxi/Uber (EGP 30–50)
Parking: Limited street parking; paid lot adjacent (EGP 20)
The Museum of Islamic Art offers innovative digital services, academic publications, and family-friendly resources.
Mobile Application — First of Its Kind in Egypt
The museum launched the first mobile museum application in Egypt, available for free download from Google Apps (Arabic/English). Features include:
- Navigation from your location to the museum (turn-by-turn directions)
- Push notifications for workshops, seminars, and events before they occur
- Information about the museum's history, collections, and gallery displays
- 360° panoramas of selected galleries — explore from anywhere in the world
- Direct communication with museum curators to serve researchers worldwide
The final version for public release is coming soon.
Scientific Journal — Islamic Archaeological Studies
The museum publishes a specialized international peer-reviewed journal titled Journal of Islamic Archaeological Studies.
- International journal — peer-reviewed, specialized in Islamic archaeology
- Accepts research papers from scholars worldwide
- Researchers can submit their papers through the museum's official channels
Children's Guide — Wonder of Islamic Civilization
A specially designed children's guide with cartoon illustrations has been prepared for young visitors.
- Distributed to child visitors at the museum
- Features cartoon illustrations that explain Islamic art concepts
- Ideal for family visits, school trips, and young learners
The area around the museum offers authentic Egyptian food and quality souvenir shopping — from street food to traditional restaurants.
The best videos about Islamic art and the Cairo Museum of Islamic Art — from gallery tours to scholarly lectures.
Museum of Islamic Art — Full Tour
Complete walk-through of the museum's magnificent halls and galleries.
The Masterpieces of Islamic Art — Documentary
Scholarly yet accessible documentary on the museum's highlights.
Restoration Story — Museum of Islamic Art (2014–2017)
Documentary on rebuilding after the 2014 bombing and UNESCO's "United with Heritage" campaign.
Mamluk Metalwork: The Inscribed Brass Masterpieces
In-depth curator talk on the museum's world-famous Mamluk metalwork techniques.
Cairo Walking Tour — From Museum to Khan el-Khalili
Visual guide to the historic walk from the museum through Bab el-Khalq to the famous bazaar.
Islamic Scientific Instruments — Astrolabes & More
Detailed exploration of the museum's collection of medieval scientific instruments.
8 questions about the Museum of Islamic Art and Islamic art history — from beginner to expert.