Non-Muslims are generally welcome to visit mosques in Egypt; however, it is always advisable to seek permission before entering mosques outside Cairo and Alexandria where people are less accustomed to tourists.
Tourists and foreigners are welcome in almost all mosques in Egypt, except mosques where the relatives of the prophet Mohamed were buried like the Mosque of El Hussein and the Mosque of Sayeda Zeinab.
Tourists are more than welcome to visit most mosques at anytime expect when they are being used for prayer, on Friday and during the five prayers of the day.
- Egyptians are well known all over the world for their tolerance and hospitality; however, it is always polite to ask permission before taking a photograph of people, especially women, and stores or products.
Photography is non-permitted around army bases, airports, dams, bridges, and in metro. In most places where photography is prohibited there will be signs to notify you.
There are a large number of banks and exchange offices that can change cash and travelers’ checks in Egypt.
Moreover, many touristic shops, Restaurants, and bars will actually accept Dollars or Euros at rates that are relatively close to the official ones.
Makes sure you know the current exchange rate of dollars or Euros to Egyptian pounds.
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound, or “Geneh” in Arabic, and commonly abbreviated as LE.
One Egyptian pound is 100 piastres, or "irsh" in Arabic.
There are banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 LE and there are coins of 25 piastres, 50 piastres, and 1 pound.
It can sometimes be difficult to find change for large bills so it is always advisable to have change on hand for taxis and tips.
