Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Merchants have traded in these lanes since 1382, when a caravanserai was founded here for travelling traders. Today Khan el-Khalili, a labyrinth in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Historic Cairo, remains the most atmospheric place in the city and a lively counterpoint to the ancient Egypt tourist attractions.
The original caravanserai was built by the Mamluk emir Jaharkas al-Khalili, whose name the market still carries, on the site of a former Fatimid royal burial ground. In the early 16th century Sultan al-Ghuri rebuilt much of the area, and some of his stone gateways and arcades survive. The Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz, who grew up nearby, set one of his novels here and was a regular at its coffeehouses.
Why visit Khan el-Khalili?
Stalls overflow with brass lamps, spices, perfumes, silver jewellery and textiles, while the call to prayer echoes from nearby minarets. Between the shops hide coffeehouses, workshops and medieval gateways.
Away from the main tourist lanes, you will find craftsmen hammering copper, gold and silversmiths at work, and narrow alleys devoted to a single trade, from textiles to perfume oils. The bazaar is as much a part of daily Cairene life as it is a tourist attraction, especially in the evening, when local families come to shop, eat and meet friends.
Getting there and around
The bazaar sits beside the Al-Hussein Mosque and opposite Al-Azhar, about 15 minutes by taxi from Tahrir Square. Explore on foot and use Al-Hussein as your landmark – or with a guide on the Coptic and Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili tour.
The lanes are confusing at first, but getting a little lost is part of the experience. Al-Muizz Street leads north from the bazaar towards Bab al-Futuh and south towards Bab Zuweila, one of Cairo's surviving medieval gates, whose minarets can be climbed for views over the rooftops.
Highlights not to miss
- El Fishawy Café: Mint tea in a coffeehouse open since 1773, with mirrored walls and constant bustle.
- Bab al-Ghuri: A medieval gateway at the heart of the market, built by Sultan al-Ghuri.
- Al-Muizz Street: A pedestrian street of Fatimid and Mamluk monuments, beautifully lit at night.
- Al-Azhar Mosque: Founded in 970 and one of the oldest universities in the world.
- Tanoura show: Whirling dervish-style performances at the nearby Wekalet al-Ghuri on selected evenings.
Practical tips
Bargain hard – start at around half the asking price – and watch your belongings in the crowds. Many shops close on Sundays.
Dress modestly, especially if you plan to enter mosques, where women should cover their hair and everyone should remove their shoes. Polite but firm refusal is the best way to deal with persistent shopkeepers.
Best time to visit
Evenings are liveliest and coolest; during Ramadan the lanes fill with lights and food stalls after sunset.
Friday mornings are quiet, as many shops open only after midday prayers. Late afternoon is a good time to start, allowing you to see the bazaar in daylight and then after dark.
Accommodation and food
Boutique hotels in Islamic Cairo put you on the doorstep. Look for feteer, flaky layered pastry, and ful medames, stewed fava beans.
Small restaurants around the Al-Hussein square serve grilled meats, hawawshi (spiced meat in bread) and sweet basbousa, and rooftop cafés overlook the minarets of medieval Cairo.
How does it compare to other Egypt tourist attractions?
After the Pyramids of Giza, the bazaar shows medieval and modern Cairo; pair it with the Salah El Din Citadel, as on the private Cairo Museum, Citadel and Khan el-Khalili day tour.
It is the best place in Egypt to buy souvenirs, from alabaster vases to hand-blown glass, and its atmosphere is worth experiencing even if you do not plan to buy anything.
In summary
Lose yourself in the lanes, haggle for a lantern and end the evening with tea at Fishawy's.
