Khan El Khalili is a place that everyone must see when they go to Cairo. The bazaar is bustling, crowded, brightly coloured, exciting, and filled with shiny goods and trinkets. The usual tourist trinkets are here, but don’t let them distract your attention from the excellent shopping.
You can buy fresh spices of all kinds from the spice market. There are a lot of different essential oil scents on the perfume market. At the back of the market, you’ll find gold sellers and antique shops with loads of cool stuff.
There are places to buy fabric, rugs, and anything else. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to ask the seller because they probably know where to find it.
Even if you don’t plan on shopping, you’re sure to see something interesting as you walk through the confusing streets of this area.
When was the Khan al-Khalili bazaar built?
In the 14th century, Emir Djarkes al-Khalili built a large trading complex on the site of Qabr al-Zafaran, where the Fatimid rulers of Egypt were buried. This building was part of a plan to reform the city after the Black Death in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was started by Sultan Barquq, who was in charge from 1382 to 1399.
Although the souk has been much modernized, parts of the original Mamluk-style architecture remain, such as large arches and vaulted ceilings. You can take a break from shopping in one of the market restaurants or cafes.
El-Fishawy is the oldest café in Cairo, with large mirrors and furniture from the past. Naguib Mahfouz, an Egyptian writer and Nobel Prize winner, often went there.
There is also an upscale restaurant in the market named after him. The market is located near Al-Hussein Square, the park in front of Al-Hussein Mosque. This square also has a lot of inexpensive cafes and restaurants.
