15 Best Markets in Egypt and What to Expect
Planning to visit a market in Egypt but not sure which ones are worth your time? Egypt has markets in almost every city, and they are very different from anything you will find back home.
The experience can be overwhelming if you do not know what to expect. The sellers are persistent, the alleys are busy, and the product selection is enormous.
I have visited markets in Egypt myself, and here is what I found worth knowing before you go.
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Markets in Cairo
1. Khan El-Khalili
Khan El Khalili is the oldest, biggest, and best market in Egypt. It dates back to the 14th century and covers around 5,000 square meters in Old Cairo.
You can buy almost anything here: perfumes, spices, stained-glass lamps, clothes, jewellery, aromatic incense, shisha, carpets, and much more. The alleys are narrow and full of atmosphere, especially in the evening.
While you are in the area, I recommend visiting Al-Hussein Mosque and Moez Street as well. Another mosque worth mentioning is Al-Hakim Bi Amr Allah Mosque.
My tip is to visit the mosque and look around in the afternoon, and then start your shopping in the evening when the market really comes alive.
Khan El Khalili is an absolute must when you are in Cairo.
2. Souk Al Khayamiya
About a 10-minute drive from Khan El Khalili, you will find Souk Al Khayamiya, also known as the Street of the Tentmakers.
This small market is dedicated to the traditional Cairene craft of making tapestries using appliqué stitching, a technique originally used to decorate the interiors of Bedouin tents.
The designs are inspired by Islamic calligraphy, mosque tilework, and scenes from ancient Egyptian tombs.
You can watch the artisans working as you browse, which makes it a really interesting place to visit even if you are not buying anything. Rugs and other textile products are also available here.
3. Souk Al-Fustat
Souk Al Fustat is in the centre of Coptic Cairo and is a little different from the typical Egyptian market. Prices here are fixed, so there is no haggling.
This makes it a much more relaxed shopping experience and a good option if bargaining is not your thing.
You can find handmade products in wood, leather, copper, and silver, as well as rugs, pottery, sculptures, jewellery, clothes, and paintings.
While you are in the area, the Hanging Church, one of the oldest Christian churches in Egypt, is just nearby and worth a visit.
4. Suuq El Ataba
Suuq El Ataba is located in Islamic Cairo and is a very popular market with locals. You can buy clothes, shoes, jewellery, antiques, and handmade crafts here. Prices are generally lower than in the more tourist-facing markets, so there is less need to haggle.
Be prepared for it to be chaotic and quite dirty. It is not the most comfortable market for tourists, but it gives you a very real sense of everyday Cairo.
5. Wekalet El Balah
Wekalet El Balah is famous for clothes, both medium quality and second-hand imported items. You can also find shoes, bags, fabrics, and furniture.
This market has been around since the 19th century and is known for being very busy with a lot of haggling. If you enjoy that kind of adventure, it is worth a visit.
6. El Azbakeya Wall
El Azbakeya Wall Market is all about books. Located near Azbakeya Garden and dating back to the 19th century, you can find old, used, new, and very rare books here, some going back to the 1800s.
Whether you are a collector or just looking for something interesting at a good price, the sellers are friendly and happy to help you find what you are looking for.
7. Souq El Goma’a
Souq El Goma’a, also called Friday Market, is one of the largest markets in Cairo and very popular with locals. You can find clothes, shoes, mobile phones, antiques, furniture, and much more at reasonable prices.
It is located in the middle of the city under El Tonsi Bridge, near the Citadel of Salah El Din. It gets very busy, so keep a close eye on your belongings.
Markets In Luxor
8. El Souk
El Souk is the best market in Luxor. It is located near the Luxor Temple, which makes it very convenient to combine with a temple visit.
You can find clothes, shoes, handbags, jewellery, spices, sculptures, shisha, and more. As with most markets in Egypt, be ready to bargain.
9. Luxor Fruit and Vegetable Market
If you want to see what locals actually buy on a daily basis, the Luxor Fruit and Vegetable Market is worth a look.
It is about a 10-minute walk from El Souk and close to the railway station. A nice contrast to the souvenir markets.
10. Savoy Tourism Market
Savoy Tourism Market is another good option in Luxor for souvenirs and all kinds of products. It is on Kornish Al Nile, between the Luxor Temple and Luxor Museum.
All three markets are close to each other, so you can easily visit them on the same trip.
Markets In Aswan
11. Aswan Market
Aswan Market is a colourful souk near the Nile River and is the best and most affordable place to shop in Aswan. You can buy spices, perfumes, sand art bottles, clothes, and more.
You can also stop for Egyptian tea or coffee, shisha, and listen to some Nubian music while you are there.
Markets In Hurghada
12. El Dahar Bazaar
If you are on a beach holiday in Hurghada and want to experience a real Egyptian market, head to El Dahar, the old town area also known as Downtown. El Dahar Bazaar is here, with shops selling perfumes, clothes, sculptures, toys, cosmetics, spices, bags, and shisha.
There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby where you can try traditional Egyptian food.
Markets in Sharm El Sheikh
13. Old Market
Sharm El Sheikh’s Old Market is where you go for souvenirs. As well as the usual items, you can also find snorkelling equipment here, which is handy if you are planning to explore the Red Sea. Fresh fruit and fruit juices are available too.
Sellers here tend to start with high prices for tourists, so be ready to haggle. After shopping, there are good seafood restaurants nearby if you want to relax over a meal.
Markets In Alexandria
14. Souq Al Khreit
Souq Al Khreit is a smaller market in Alexandria focused on textiles, including Egyptian cotton clothing. Worth a visit if you are in the city and looking for fabric or clothing.
15. Zan’et El Sitat
Zan’et El Sitat is the busiest and most popular market in Alexandria. Known as the women’s alleyway, it is packed with clothes, cosmetics, accessories, belts, and purses.
If you are shopping for women’s items, this is the place to go in Alexandria.
Tips For Visiting Markets In Egypt
Shopping in an Egyptian souk is a very different experience from markets in Europe. The sellers are skilled, persistent, and very eager to make a sale. Here is what I have learned from my own visits:
- Dress conservatively. Cover your knees and shoulders, and leave expensive jewellery and watches at home.
- If you just want to look, avoid eye contact and do not touch the products. Once you make contact, the seller will start negotiating, and it can be hard to walk away.
- When you do want to buy, be friendly but confident. Do not appear unsure or hesitant, as sellers will use that to push you into buying something you did not want at a higher price than you should pay.
- Start by offering half the asking price. Sellers always quote higher than they expect to get. Negotiate from there until you reach a price you are happy with. They may also offer a discount if you buy more than one item.
- If you are a woman travelling alone or in a group of women, expect compliments, smiles, and sometimes even a hug. It is just how things are. You can accept or decline politely, but stay friendly. Getting annoyed tends to make things more difficult.
- Have fun with it. The best market experiences I have had in Egypt were when I relaxed into the whole thing, made conversation, and treated it as part of the experience rather than a transaction.
Markets In Egypt: FAQs
What are Egyptian Markets called?
Egyptian markets are called souks or bazaars. Souk simply means market in Arabic.
What can you buy in Egyptian markets?
You can buy a huge range of things in Egypt: sculptures, jewellery, spices, perfumes, clothes, belly dancing costumes, shisha, pottery, bags, rugs, sand art bottles, cosmetics, dates, and sweets like baklava.
I always recommend picking up some hibiscus tea, which you can find at a good price and has a lot of health benefits. Egyptian cosmetic products like creams and oils are also worth looking at.
What is the most famous market in Egypt?
Khan El Khalili in Cairo is the most famous market in Egypt and a must-visit when you are in the city.
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