Market shopping in Egypt
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A
Khan al-Khalili
Jaundiced travellers often dismiss the Khan al-Khalili as a tourist trap; there's no ignoring the fact that it's a favoured stop of tour buses and has all the associated annoyances (touts and tat) that come with them. But it's worth remembering that Cairenes have plied their trades here since the founding of the Khan in the 14th century - the buying and selling didn't begin with the arrival of the first tour group.
Today the market still plays an important role in the day-to-day commercial life of thousands of locals.
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B
Souq al-Gomaa
In the Southern Cemetery south of the Citadel, this sprawling weekly market is all the craziness of a medieval bazaar in a modern setting: under a highway flyover, expect new bicycles, live donkeys, toilets and broken telephones. Savvy pickers can find some great antiques and vintage duds. Go before 10am, when the crush of people can get overwhelming. You’ll need a taxi to get there (about E£12 from Downtown); tell the driver ‘Khalifa’, the name of the neighbourhood.
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C
Souq Ibrahimiyya
Souq Ibrahimiyya is a favourite little market in town for peeking into daily Egyptian life as it goes about its business. It’s packed to the brim with bright fruits and vegetables, piles of still-wet seafood, and stalls selling all kinds of clucking poultry and meats, both before and after they’ve seen the butcher’s block. It’s best in the morning, when the vendors are at their most vocal and enthusiastic.
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Bedouin Market
Much livelier is the Bedouin market, held at the southern edge of town near the main market – note that it’s signposted in Arabic and in English as the Souq al-Hamis. It’s fascinating to watch as Bedouin come in from the desert in pick-up trucks or occasionally on camels, with the veiled women trading silver, beadwork and embroidered dresses, while the men sell camel saddles.
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D
Sharia al-Muski
Congested and fabulous, the market street known as Sharia al-Muski begins in the khan (where it's formally called Sharia Gawhar al-Qaid) and runs parallel to Sharia al-Azhar to Midan Ataba. It's the 'real life' counterpoint to Khan al-Khalili's touristy maze, lined with carts selling cheap shoes, plastic toys, bucket-sized bras and some truly shocking lingerie.
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E
Egypt Crafts Fair/Fair Trade Egypt
Crafts sold here are produced in income-generating projects throughout the country. Items for sale include Bedouin rugs, hand-woven cotton, pottery from Al-Fayoum and beaded jewellery from Aswan. The cotton bedcovers and shawls are particularly lovely, and prices are excellent.
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F
Hanafi Bazaar
With its mock Pharaonic facade, this is the oldest, no doubt also the most dusty, and best bazaar in town, with genuine Nubian swords, baskets, amulets, silk kaftans and beads from all over Africa, run by the totally laid-back Hanafi brothers.
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G
Wikalat al-Balah
The main draw is secondhand clothing, mostly well organised, clean and with marked prices (especially on Sharia al-Wabur al-Fransawi). Further in, you’ll find good textiles, car parts and military surplus.
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H
Swiss Market
Self-caterers can try this popular local market, which has a good selection of the basics, as well as a decent stock of local produce and fresh cuts of meat.
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I
King Saleh Bazaar
Immediately south of the Madrassa & Mausoleum of Qalaun. The more you look through the dust, the more pops out.
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J
Alfa Market
Zamalek’s best grocery is Alfa Market, with both local foods and imported items.
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K
Fruit & Vegetable Souq
This is the best place for fruit and veg, although the good stuff sells out early in the morning.
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