Cairo
A little treasure trove with original gifts made in Egypt, great cotton clothing, funky bags and accessories, and wonderful Egyptian-cotton bed linen by…
Must-see shopping in Egypt
Western Desert
Hany has just about the only crafts shop left in these oases. He sells goat-wool, hand-knitted sweaters and socks, rag rugs, pottery and jewellery, all…
Cairo
Well made and locally designed, these separates for women in wool, silk and cotton are reasonably priced and often feature subtle Middle Eastern details.
Luxor
Next door to the Winter Palace Hotel, as it has been for generations, Gaddis has an extensive selection of books on Egypt, postcards and souvenirs.
Alexandria
Probably the most interesting antique shop in the city. Well worth a browse with a wide variety of antiques and plenty of good junk.
Luxor
The best kunafa (vermicelli-like pastry over a vanilla base soaked in syrup) and other Egyptian pastries in Luxor.
Cairo
Old maps, books about Cairo and Egypt (some secondhand), great vintage postcards and reprints of wonderful old photographs.
Cairo
All the beer, wine and spirits you need are available at this handily placed branch of Egypt's favourite drink seller.
Cairo
Great assortment of hip gift items: Umm Kulthum laptop cases, handmade soaps, good-quality essential oils.
Cairo
Kids' toys: for when a trip to another pyramid/museum/mosque just isn't cutting it with the little ones.
Aswan
Within 48 hours upon arrival you can buy 3 litres of duty-free alcohol here. Bring your passport.
Alexandria
Takeaway beer is available in the city centre at this aptly named place. It also delivers.
Cairo
Cairo’s last tarboosh (fez) maker, who shapes the red felt hats on heavy brass presses.
Cairo
This colourful shop, perched on one of Zamalek’s busy intersections, can come in handy when your backpack is overflowing with dirty laundry. Cottonball…
Cairo
Cairo’s most lavish mall is the current landing spot for every new international chain, from Starbucks to Zara. There’s a kids’ theme park and a big…
Cairo
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 bicycles…
Abo El Hassan Alabaster Factory
Luxor
Mohamed Yousef's shop has a wide range of alabaster and other carved stone on sale. Unlike many other alabaster shops, he will admit that the stone doesn…
Luxor
This shop markets handicrafts from NGO projects throughout Egypt. It has well-priced hand-carved wood and pottery from the nearby villages of Hejaza and…
Hurghada
Hurghada's souq is a dusty sprawl of lanes crammed with shops selling silver and copper products, leather, papyrus and shisha pipes. This is the place to…
Luxor
A Franco-Belgian project that adds some class to eating options on the west bank. They raise their own ducks in Luxor to produce foie gras, rillettes and…
Cairo
Sporty designs, inexpensive and with a great range of colours. There’s always a flattering long skirt available, and men can choose from a rainbow of polo…
Luxor
If you hanker after an old-style souvenir shop packed with dusty shelves of copper, alabaster and other Egyptian crafts, head to Saad's emporium near the…
Luxor
The only real antiques shop in Luxor, recently set up on the west bank not far from the Antiquities Inspectorate ticket office. They sell a selection of…
Luxor
Part of the same family as the Aboudi Bookshop on Sharia Maabad Al Karnak, this bookshop also has a great selection of English-language books on Egypt and…
Luxor
A wide selection of locally produced wines, beers and spirits. They have an app for easy ordering. Drinkies is the retail arm of Al Ahram Beverages, the…
Cairo
Make an appointment to visit Amgad’s dusty treasure house Downtown. Along with vintage sunglasses, old magazines, movie posters, books, film props and…
Cairo
This street market specialises in secondhand clothing, mostly well organised, clean and with marked prices (especially on Sharia Al Wabur Al Fransawi). It…
Cairo
In a rambling apartment, this eclectic store stocks local regional curiosities from small brass candlesticks to antique divans, as well as large painted…
Luxor
This is the best place for fruit and veg, although the good stuff sells out early in the morning. On either side of the main street are little shops…
Cairo
In the passage cutting through to Sharia Qasr El Nil, this enamel sign maker sells snazzy ‘Midan Tahrir’ street plaques for LE200. You can also order…
Cairo
Very popular with Cairenes for scent copies as well as its own blends and basic essences; look for the open-sided corner shop at the corner of Sharia Al…
Cairo
A dusty treasure trove where you can rummage around to find everything from framed Arabic ad prints to escargot forks.
Luxor
Good place for embroidered shawls and white galabeyas (men's robes). This is where Egyptians come to shop.
Cairo
Immediately south of the Madrassa & Mausoleum of Qalaun. The more you look through the dust, the more pops out.
Alexandria
This centrally located bookshop has a small English-language section that includes titles on Egypt and Alexandria.
Cairo
The 50 or so stalls here yield occasional finds, and some stock fun gift items such as Arabic alphabet posters.
Cairo
In an arcade set back from Sharia Al Gomhurriya; stocks the classic Arab crooners on CD and cassette.
Cairo
Find rare books on Egypt and the Middle East, as well as lithographs, maps and engravings.
Cairo
Big indoor neighbourhood market with produce and meat; surrounding shops sell dry goods.
