Sabil-Kuttab of Qaytbay

Monument Mamluk-era sabil-kuttab fountain and Quranic school building

A Mamluk‑era sabil‑kuttab on Cairo’s historic streets, the Qaytbay structure pairs a public water fountain below with a Quranic school above; visitors study its stonework and period architectural details.

Main image
Cairo Qaytbay sabil 2.jpg
Cairo Qaytbay sabil 3.jpg
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Detail of entrance of Sabil-Kuttab of Sultan Qaytbay, Cairo, 1480 (1) (52088542171).jpg
Detail of entrance of Sabil-Kuttab of Sultan Qaytbay, Cairo, 1480 (2) (52088565863).jpg
Epigraphic blazon of Sultan Qaybay from his sabil-kuttab, 1480, Cairo (1) (52089039405).jpg
Epigraphic blazon of Sultan Qaybay from his sabil-kuttab, 1480, Cairo (2) (52089039070).jpg
Flickr - Gaspa - Cairo, una casa storica.jpg
Qaytbay sabil cistern.jpg
Qaytbay sabil exterior decoration.jpg
Sabil-Kuttab of Qaytbay
Historic district, Islamic Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
30.0308, 31.2548
No fixed museum hours (heritage monument; exterior visible any time)
Typically free to view exterior; access may be included with Islamic Cairo walking tours (variable)

How to Get to Sabil-Kuttab of Qaytbay #

Located in Islamic Cairo. The easiest approach is on foot from Al-Muizz li-Din Allah Street (the main medieval avenue), a 5-15 minute walk depending on which segment of the old city is used as a starting point. Metro: nearest metro station is Al-Sayeda Zeinab (then taxi or 10-20 minute walk); Cairo traffic and pedestrian conditions vary greatly.

Tips for Visiting Sabil-Kuttab of Qaytbay #

  • Approach on foot from Al-Muizz Street to see the building in its urban context-its street-facing sabil façade is meant to be seen from the road.
  • Look for the subtle inscriptions and carved stonework above the water-grille; they often go unread.
  • Combine a visit with nearby medieval sabils and khans-Qaytbay's is best understood in the company of its contemporaries.

Best Time to Visit Sabil-Kuttab of Qaytbay #

As a small historic sabil-kuttab (public water dispensary with attached Qur'anic school) in the heart of Islamic Cairo, visits should be timed for pleasant weather and to coincide with walking routes in the district.

Winter
Dec-Feb · 10-20°C
Cooler, agreeable weather for wandering Cairo's streets.
Autumn/Spring
Mar-May, Sep-Nov · 18-28°C
Comfortable temperatures and lower summer dust.

Weather & Climate near Sabil-Kuttab of Qaytbay #

Climate

Sabil-Kuttab of Qaytbay's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 35°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
SeptemberJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
45°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Almost no rain.

81 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.3h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain.

81 Excellent

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain.

91 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 24°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain.

91 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
15° 29°
44%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

May

May is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
18° 32°
40%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
20° 35°
40%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.9h daylight

July

July is the hottest month, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

28°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
22° 35°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

28°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
22° 35°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

99 Ideal

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
20° 33°
50%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.3h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.1h daylight

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