Shopping In Egypt

The Ultimate Guide to Shopping in Egypt



Egypt is a once-in-a-lifetime destination for some; others will be drawn back again and again. Whichever category you fall into, you’ll want to buy quality souvenirs to remind you of the magical time you spend there. Shopping opportunities abound in Egypt, whether your tastes run more to centuries-old souks or glittering modern malls. Want the latest in international fashion? You can find it here. You’ll also find artisan crafts that are produced nowhere else in the world, using methods that have remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. In many cities, shopping is as much about the experience as it is about your purchases. Read on to find out how to make the very best of yours. 

Top Items to Shop For

Wherever your Egyptian adventure takes you, you are likely to encounter vendors selling the same predictable tourist souvenirs – plaster scarab beetles and replica statues, miniature pyramids and camels filled with desert sand. However, there are more authentic products on offer if you look beyond the roadside stalls and hotel gift shops.

Precious and semi-precious metals: 

Jewelry and household goods crafted from brass, copper, silver and gold are sold in every good souk. Distinctly Egyptian items include ceremonial Arabic tea sets, ornate lanterns, and cartouches inscribed with hieroglyphics. You can often personalize the latter with a translated and engraved phrase or name. 

Inlaid woodwork: 

Finely carved wooden boxes, chess boards and backgammon sets inlaid with bone or mother-of-pearl make for another quintessentially Egyptian souvenir. Intricate patterning and a smooth finish are both good indicators of a quality piece.

Khayamiya:

This is the local name for a very specific kind of textile originally used in the manufacture of ceremonial tents. Appliquéd with elaborate decorative patterns, khayamiya can be purchased by the metre or crafted into tablecloths and place mats. 

Papyrus scrolls and artwork:

Made from the papyrus plant and used to create one of the earliest forms of paper more than 5,000 years ago, papyrus can still be bought in Egyptian markets today. It is often adorned with artwork or hieroglyphs, with the finest specimens hand-painted instead of mass produced. Beware of banana leaf fakes – real papyrus is thick and difficult to tear, and should show veins when held up to the light. 

Hand-blown glassware:

Glass is another Egyptian speciality. In particular look out for Muski glass, a very fragile kind interspersed with air bubbles and often made from recycled bottles. Glasses, ornamental bowls, vases, shisha pipes and perfume bottles are all common glass items found in Egypt’s souks. 

Spices: 

Spice merchants are ubiquitous in Egypt, with the highest quality options including coriander, chili, black pepper, hibiscus and cumin. Avoid purchasing saffron here, since the quality is inferior to that found in other North African countries but prices are still similarly expensive. Whole spices retain their freshness longer than ground ones. 

Other sought-after Egyptian exports include alabaster vases, handmade kilim rugs, perfume and essential oils. 

Best Shopping in Cairo 

If you can only make time in your itinerary for one shopping day, it should undoubtedly be spent at Cairo’s Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. This ancient venue was founded in the late 14th century and swiftly became one of the largest and most famous marketplaces on the continent. Vendors travelled from all over Africa and the Mediterranean to trade here, and continue to do so today from a chaotic sprawl of stalls that cover more than 20 individual courtyards and their connecting alleyways. Expect historic architecture, a lively atmosphere and a wealth of colorful wares that cover the entire spectrum of type, quality, and price. Stalls open around 9 a.m. and shut well after sunset, although many remain closed on Sundays.

For a more modern shopping experience, make your way to Citystars Heliopolis instead. This mega mall and entertainment precinct houses more than 750 luxury local and international stores, including designer names like Hugo Boss, Versace and Carolina Herrera. Tired of shopping? Catch a movie at the 21-screen cinema, go tubing at Snow City or book yourselves in for a night of luxury at the five-star InterContinental Cairo Citystars. 

Best Shopping in Alexandria

Alexandria also has several contemporary shopping centres, but stands out for its authentic bazaar experiences. The Souk District is a tangle of market streets that begins at the western end of Midan Tahrir square, with stalls and vendors selling everything from locally grown produce to fabrics, gold, silver, and spices. If you have an eye for antiques and can tell the difference between a knock-off and the real deal, you should also pay a visit to the historic Attareen Antique Market. Much of the stock here came from upper class Europeans who sold their treasures off before fleeing the country after the revolution of 1952, including antique vases, furniture and coins.

For an insight into the day-to-day shopping experience of your average Alexandrian, wander the stalls of Souk Ibrahimiyya. There are no souvenirs here, just fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and seafood brought in daily by the local fishermen. It’s a feast for the senses, with much to offer gourmets and photographers alike. 

Best Shopping in Luxor 

Geared specifically towards tourists coming to visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak and the nearby Valley of the Kings, the Luxor Market presents a more sanitized version of a traditional souk. It’s cleaner, calmer, and somewhat less authentic; but nevertheless a great place to practice your haggling skills and pick up classic souvenirs.

Alternatively, Luxor offers several excellent private boutiques. Caravanserai and Habiba both specialize in high-quality, artisan crafts from across Egypt and give back to the community by supporting local craftspeople. Look out for Egyptian cotton scarves and shirts, pottery from the Western Oases, ceramic from Fayoum and elaborate Siwan embroidery. Prices are reasonable, and well worth it for the guarantee of an ethical origin. Bibliophiles should also visit Aboudi Bookstore, a landmark that has been selling the very best English-language books on Egyptian culture and history for more than 100 years. After selecting your next read, take a seat at the upstairs coffeeshop with its views of Luxor Temple. 

Best Shopping in Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh’s Old Market boasts a broad range of typical souvenir shops, which sell shisha pipes, spices, jewelry, lamps and the like for relatively cheap prices. The Old Market is also one of the best places in town for an affordable meal at a local restaurant or coffeeshop. While you’re there, be sure to pause for a moment to admire the astonishing architecture of Al Sahaba mosque, which combines elements of the Fatimid, Mamluk, and Ottoman styles.

At the other end of the spectrum, Sharm’s SOHO Square is the epicenter of modern entertainment. Located in the Savoy Resort on White Knight Beach, it offers a selection of shops selling the latest Egyptian and international fashions, homewares, and more; and even has its own interpretation of Khan el-Khalili. Although it lacks the history and authenticity of its Cairo counterpart, this pseudo-bazaar nevertheless stocks an impressive variety of souvenirs. In addition, SOHO Square has a dancing fountain, an ice rink, tennis courts and a kids’ arcade to keep the whole family entertained during your shopping excursion.

How and When to Haggle 

No matter which city you shop in, haggling is an inevitable part of the experience (although it is generally only acceptable in the souks and bazaars, and not in malls or upmarket boutiques). The concept is simple: the vendor will start proceedings by quoting you a hugely inflated price, which you must then negotiate until you reach a sum that both parties are happy with. General wisdom advises that the best way to approach this game is to offer half of the vendor’s original sum, and then haggle good-naturedly back and forth until you reach an amount somewhere in the middle.

Some tips: always shop around to get an idea of the going rate and what is a fair price for your desired purchase. Never express more than a casual interest if you want to avoid being taken advantage of and don’t feel obliged to buy; but at the same time, only enter into negotiations for an item you have a genuine interest in taking home with you. Often, declining politely and walking away is the best way to seal a deal. It’s also worth remembering in the thrill of the moment that a few extra pounds is unlikely to make a big difference to you, but could help an artisan to survive on a limited income.

Above all, approach negotiations with a sense of humor and be willing to spend time talking over innumerable cups of tea and your experience is likely to be a highlight of your trip. 

Currency and Money in Egypt

Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian pound, which is usually abbreviated to EGP or LE (the latter stands for the French phrase livre égyptienne). There are 100 piastres to the pound, and denominations are as follows: 10, 25, and 50 piastre coins, and 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 pound notes. 25 and 50 piastres also come in note form, and you can get 1 pound coins. Notes bear images of Egypt’s most iconic ancient landmarks as well as English and Arabic numerals; and from 2021 onwards will be printed on polymer material rather than paper.

Visitors can bring up to EGP 5,000 into Egypt in the local currency. If you wish to exchange money once you arrive, the most widely accepted currencies are American dollars, euros, and pounds sterling. You can exchange money at Amex and Travel Choice Egypt offices, at commercial banks and foreign exchange bureaux, and at some larger hotels. Rates are consistent between outlets, but commission fees may vary so it is still worth shopping around. If you have a Visa or Mastercard you can also draw Egyptian pounds directly from an ATM (easily found in all cities and big towns).

Credit cards are widely accepted at malls and shops, but cash remains king in the marketplace. If you plan on using your card in Egypt, it’s a good idea to notify your bank ahead of time so that they don’t suspect fraud and place a hold on your account the first time you use it.

Other Top Shopping Tips 

•   When exchanging money, ask for as many small denomination notes as possible. This way, you can pay in exact change at the souks (your haggling techniques may be somewhat undermined if you agree on a price only to have to ask for change for a large note). Small denominations are also handy for tipping and taxi fares.

•   Although Egypt’s souks are generally safe for visitors, pickpockets are a risk in any crowded area. Prevent yourself from becoming a target by wearing your cash in a concealed money belt. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep a hand on your valuables at all times when in the souk.

•   Don’t underestimate vendors’ willingness to bend the truth to make a sale. Salesmen will often tell you that an item is authentic when it’s really a mass produced knock-off imported from China. Need help authenticating your potential purchase? Consider joining one of our guided bazaar tours to benefit from expert local advice.

•   If haggling is not for you, choose to visit an established boutique or antiques dealer instead. You will pay more for your purchases but can browse at your leisure and may rest assured of the items’ quality.

•   If you find yourself flagging on your shopping excursion, look for a local restaurant or café with plenty of patrons and order a uniquely Egyptian dish like kushari or hawawshi to restore your energy. Most establishments in the souk do not sell alcohol. Instead, opt for a glass of refreshing mint or hibiscus tea, or a freshly squeezed exotic fruit juice.

•   Opening hours are likely to affected during Ramadan, with many shops opening and closing later.

•   Prepare for a long day on your feet in the souks by wearing comfortable shoes, packing plenty of water and wearing adequate sun protection.