Cairo - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Yes: pottery, rugs, wooden tables in-laid with mother of pearl - Mar 2023
Yes there are cool stores in the souk (Khan al-Khalili) - for example some cool carvings made from camel bones, or unique glassware. We've also had furniture made that is very high quality. - Aug 2022
It depends. Egyptian cotton is pretty much all exported so definitely don't expect to find amazing deals on textiles. Wood is very expensive. Antiques are fun to shop for. There are really beautiful brass lamps. Lots of funky pottery. Really fun and affordable artwork / paintings. Good incense / oils. - Mar 2022
There is a lot shopping to do for all types of things. Getting things made is super cheap. I had a coffee table, lamps, and mirror made. I purchased a painting and had it framed here very cheap. I wish I had a chance to buy carpets. I bought a couple cheap ones but wish I had gotten some of the nicer, bigger ones. - Dec 2021
Yes, go to the Khan! Explore and explore and get lost in there. Kelem carpets, inexpensive silver jewelry, brass lamps, alabaster, leather, glass. You can get so many things custom made. Suits are cheap. - Feb 2021
The large souqs / bazaars offer opportunities for all sorts of trinkets and furnishings. You're unlikely to pay the "local" price though. - Nov 2020
Take your pick. Papyrus, lamps, alabaster, rugs, hit up the Khan and take your pick. - Jan 2020
Yes. We had custom sofas made for pennies on the dollar, and have purchased a lot of really beautiful textiles and art. Definitely plan to shop here. - Jun 2018
The souks are fun to shop in--oils, perfumes, cobra skin belts, silverwork, etc. - Jan 2018
Yes, many people go to the Khan el Khalili, which is the large open air market in Islamic Cairo to buy any manner of traditional crafts. Alabaster is also very cheap in Egypt and they make many items out of the stone, which are usually very nice. Be ready to haggle when buying items in markets. Tourist/foreigner pricing applies and you will be gouged, just expect it. Some people will take a local with them to try to avoid the gouging, it doesn't always work. - Sep 2017
It's definitely not a shopping post but there's plenty of shopping available. Of all types. Locally made stuff can be fabulous. The old bazaar, Khan el Khalili, is amazing. - May 2017
chess sets, lamps, local musical instruments, custom wood furniture, tablecloths, wall hangings. In the Khan al Khalili back alleys you can find bizarre things like antique diving helmets and typewriters. - Jan 2016
Copper from the Khan, Fayoum pottery, beautiful light fixtures, mashribaya woodwork, lovely jewelry and handicrafts - Jan 2016
Egyptian crafts such as lanterns, ornate room dividers, large serving trays to turn into coffee tables, ottomans, etc. etc. - Oct 2014
Alabaster, handmade dolls, clothing, jewelry, linens, brass/copper, papyrus, ceramics and TRAVEL. - Aug 2014
Alabaster lamps, copper, nice jewelry. - Aug 2014
alabaster, funky lamps, brass/copper items and table tops silver jewellery (not super cheap, I think Istanbul is cheaper). - May 2014
Alabaster. - Apr 2014
Local alabaster, silver lamps, furniture. - Jul 2013
You can find some good artwork at Khan al-Khalili. - Jul 2013
Not much worth buying. What is worth buying can't be taken out of the country. Even the stuff they make: if it looks like it faintly resembles an antique, they won't let it out. - Jun 2013
Travel, furniture, cotton sheets and pillows, pottery. - Jun 2013
Metal works, handicrafts, art work in general, and some nice furniture. - May 2013
Local crafts, most of which are mass-produced garbage. - May 2013
Lots of local art, jewelry, etc. Khan Khalili is the place to shop. - May 2013
Alabaster, Khayamiya (Egyptian applique), jewelry, fanous (lanterns), and travel. - Feb 2013
Furniture, carpets, papyrus paintings, pottery, and glass. - Feb 2013
Be careful, as most items are brought in from China. You can get some decent rugs and perfume oil if you know where to go. - Mar 2013
Gas masks for the tear gas! - Mar 2013
Junky egypto-trinkets made in China. But don't try to mail it out, or they'll think you're smuggling ancient artifacts. - Feb 2013
Nothing -- Egyptians have not produced anything since the Pyramids. All of the Egypcrap is produced in China now. - Jan 2013
Alabaster, silver and brass lanterns and platters/hangings, jewelry (silver and gold - made to your liking), papyrus paintings. - Nov 2012
Middle Eastern carpets, artwork, souvenirs. - Sep 2011
pottery, silver jewelry - Aug 2011
All kinds of Egyptian crafts: alabaster, blown glass, engraved copper table tops, mashrabiya wooden screens, wool carpets, cloth items from quilted items to tent fabric and table cloths. - Jul 2011
Papyrus paintings, silk tapestries, 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets, dive trips. - Sep 2010
There is nothing here I like, but some people do like the blown glass and the alabaster. - Jun 2010
Aside from the typical tourist trinkets, Egypt is known for blue glass, applique fabric wall hangings, pillowcases, etc. (khayamiyya), metal/brass work, intricately carved wooden furniture (mashrabiyya), gold and silver jewelry, perfumes and perfume bottles and alabaster. - Dec 2009
