Shopping in Cairo: Where to shop and what to Buy

Egypt local markets are known for being multi-purpose markets where tourists can find whatever they are looking for in good prices and high quality. There are numerous handmade artifacts and products that tourist buy as souvenirs from Egypt. Worth mentioning of these products are alabaster statues , appliqué works from El Khayameya , wooden works with mother of pearl inlays , cotton products, and jewelry.

Firstly alabaster statues are available in many markets and bazaars in Egypt at good price because the raw material and the skillful handcrafts are quite accessible. There is a huge variety of alabaster products such as vases, statues, and pots but some of it are handmade while others are manufactured. One should pay attention to the quality of the alabaster artifact before buying to be able to determine its real value.

Although gold has a fixed price all over the world, tourists are usually interested in buying jewelry from Egypt because of the marvelous designs of the talented Egyptian artisans and the low cost of manufacture of gold in Egypt. El Sagha and El Gamee Square are so famous for enclosing a large number of gold stores displaying nice earrings, rings and chains with Pharaonic design for the tourists.

Egyptian appliqué works such as cushion covers and wall hangings are also highly admired for their beautiful Islamic and Pharaonic designs. Another handmade works that really fascinate the visitors of Egypt are the belly dancing costumes with its glimmering ornaments and attractive designs. These works are available in the shops of Khan El Khalili in a very good price.
Buying Cotton products from Egypt is one of the essential things that any visitor to Egypt do because of the softness, whiteness, high quality and good price. On top of the cotton works that many tourists purchase come: sheets, thread counts, and clothes.
Visitors of Egypt also find papyrus, copper and brass works, and handmade wood artifacts, especially those with mother of pearl inlays, very desirable also.

These works are accessible in affordable prices in many local markets throughout Egypt. Khan El Khalili is the most prominent market that most of the tourist go to directly for taking souvenirs. The reasons for its importance and great fame are: its location in the center of Fatimid Cairo where numerous mosques and other monuments stand, and the huge number of workshops of historic crafts that are rarely practiced in any other place through out Egypt. The most important thing to know about shopping in Khan El Khalili is that bargaining is necessary for buying products in good prices from that market.

El Darb El Ahmar is another local commercial center that is presenting a huge variety of goods and artifacts in very good prices. This market is not only for tourists but also for Egyptians who shop for wooden works such as mashrabeya screens and other marquetry works. It is a very good place for shopping for glass perfume bottles and copper plates and ashtrays at good prices.
In addition to these major markets, there are other markets usually visited by both Egyptians and foreigners alike including Wikalet El Balah, Suq El Jomma, and Aswan Market. These are local markets where middle class people find all the goods they need in affordable prices and good quality. These markets are open usually for six days a week and haggling is a very successful way for dealing with the merchants in these places.