Shopping in Egypt

Malls    |    Books    |   Markets

Cairo is one of the famous places in Egypt which have many shopping centers. It is located in and around Cairo. Egyptian products are so varied and can meet various tastes and different levels of in come. It also competes international standards.

Egypt is a wonderland of shopping opportunities. One of the great delights of Egypt is the shopping! However, there are many pitfalls: from learning how to bargain to knowing where the best places are to buy certain goods; from understanding Arabic price tickets to getting the insider knowledge as to which are the best shops to choose. We can guide you to the best shops in each city and town; can tell you which ones are best avoided; and can point out the shops that are the most entertaining(!), if not the best value. We can introduce you to the traditional markets (souks) at a leisurely pace that will guarantee that you do not feel pressured, while being able to develop the necessary shopping survival skills at yur own pace.

Shopping in Egypt provide numerous opportunities of market research of Egypt. From the famous bazaars of Egypt to the thousands of unusual stores, are scattered all over the country. Egypt is the wonderland for shopping lovers.

The most interesting shopping area in Egypt is Cairo. Cairo's old bazaar popularly known as "Khan-el-Khalili" is the major shopping center of Egypt. Antiques, jewelry, spices, copper utensils and Coptic cloth are some of the special item attractions of this market.

Another popular shopping area of Egypt is the market of Khan Misr Touloun. Located just in front of the mosque Ibn Touloun, it offers ethnic-style clothes, bedspreads, tablecloths, objects made of wood, glazed pottery, beaded bags, leather masks etc.

Souq al-Goma'a (Friday Market) is a very popular market where visitors of all class can find goods at much cheaper prices. From kitchen utensils and footwear to furniture. One of the best and the most entertaining places to buy fabric is the Wekalat Al-Balah market again of Cairo.

Specific products of Egypt includes baskets, belly dancing costumes, jewelry, musical instruments, perfume bottles, goods containing mother of pearl of Egypt, sophisticated and beautiful wood work items, hand made Egyptian brass items, textile products etc

While shopping in Egypt you will came with bargaining experience face to face. So the best deal is to buy things from fixed price stores. But if you're good at bargaining then you can enjoy shopping in Egypt at much cheaper prices.

Egypt has limited hours for shopping. During winter season: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 0900-1900 and on Monday and Thursday from 0900-2000. During summer season: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday 0900-1230 and 1600-2000. Egypt has special shopping hours during Ramadan festival. Hours vary as shops are often closing on Sunday.

There is no currency exchange problem in Egypt as all common international currencies are accepted.

However, you should remember that in Egypt the experience of shopping is more valuable than the goods purchased .

In Cairo,

There are many places where you can do your shopping

like the following:

Bazaars and Bargaining :

One of the pleasures of Cairo is to get lost in the bazaars (souqs) and take in the sights, smells and sounds of life in all its chaos and glory. You can shop for carpets, camels, shoes, books and veils or whatever else takes your fancy

Shopping Streets and Malles :

Pick up belly-dancing costumes, appliquéd cushion covers and hand-blown glass dishes from labyrinthine Khan-el-Khalili. Downtown's crowded Qasr-el-Nil has clothes, music shops and books. Zamalek shows off its stylish boutiques on 26th July Street, and Wekalat Al-Balah neighborhood spills over with fabrics. City Star is a huge mall in the Intercontinental Hotel in Heliopolis and Arkadia is on Corniche El Nil. Shehab St., Mohandessin, Cairo/Giza.  -  Mohi El-Din Abu El-‘Ezz St., Mohandeseen, Cairo/Giza .

Markets :

Mammoth Khan-el-Khalili is the mother of all markets, home to spices, perfume oils, delicate glass and gold and Queen Nefertiti in a sandstorm. Locals browse junk at the Souq al-Goma, Friday Market, under a flyover. Soor Al Azbakeya is the popular book market near Midan al-Attaba. Find tasteful handicrafts at Souk el-Fostat in the relative serenity of Coptic Cairo, and jostle amid elbows and shopping bags at fruit and vegetable market Souk El Tewfikia. You probably won't be allowed to export anything bought at the entertaining Camel Market at Birqash.

Shopping Tips :

Enter into the thick of the souk crowds for the most fun. Haggle very, very hard, browse before you buy and enter into the spirit. Don't believe the shopkeeper who assures you it's a genuine ‘antique' – in any case antiques may not be exported. Shopping hours are 9am-9pm, with a two-hour lunch break around 2-4pm. Larger stores may close on Sunday; markets are usually open daily. Banks are closed on Friday.