Cairo Markets, Khan el-Khalili, Ataba and How to Bargain Properly

Khan el-Khalili, the old bazaar next to Al-Azhar

Khan el-Khalili is considered Cairo's most famous bazaar. It dates back to the late 14th century, when Emir Jaharkas al-Khalili built a caravanserai for merchants here. The bazaar lies between Al-Hussein Mosque and Al-Muizz Street, and Al-Azhar Mosque and University are very close, so students come here often.

It sells souvenirs, lamps and lanterns, jewellery, fabrics, spices and perfume oils. Next to it is the gold market, which Egyptians themselves use. After a walk you can have tea at El Fishawy café, which has been open since the 18th century.

Prices here are aimed at tourists and are usually the highest, so bargaining is a must. Shops are usually open from morning until late evening, but on Friday many close during the noon prayer.

Ataba and Muski, household goods at low prices

The area around Ataba Square in central Cairo and Muski Street, which runs from it towards Al-Azhar, has long been the place for inexpensive shopping. There are many wholesale shops, and the Ataba market is more than a hundred years old.

It is very crowded and cramped, especially on Fridays. It is better to come on a weekday morning: it is calmer, and sellers are more willing to lower the price. Here is what people usually buy:

• Kitchenware and small kitchen items, pots, pans, plates and containers.
• Textiles, curtains, bed linen and household goods.
• Home appliances and phone accessories on Abdel Aziz Street.
• Baking supplies on nearby El-Abd Street.

The Friday market and Tonsi market

Souq al-Gomaa, the Friday market, operated for many years under the Tonsi bridge near the Sayeda Aisha district. It is a huge flea market selling everything: furniture, old kitchenware, tools, plumbing fixtures, antiques and all kinds of second-hand things.

In late 2020 the Cairo authorities moved the traders to the new Tonsi market building in the Basateen district, about a kilometre from the old site. Friday is still the main day, so come in the morning before it gets hot and too crowded.

The area around it is being redeveloped, and some neighbouring markets also moved in 2026, so check the location on a map before you go.

A few more useful places

• Wekalet el-Balah in Bulaq. Fabrics and clothes wholesale, the place to go for curtain and sewing fabric.
• Your local market. Every district has its own fruit and vegetable market, with prices lower than in supermarkets.
• Fixed-price shops, for example the Al Asfari and Dollar Group chains on Nozha Street. If you do not feel like bargaining, they are a good option for kitchenware and household goods.

How to bargain politely

For an Egyptian seller bargaining is part of the conversation, not a quarrel. The key is to keep smiling and stay calm.

• Say hello and ask the price: «bikam?», which means «how much?».
• Check the price in two or three shops before you buy.
• Reply with a counteroffer. At markets people often advise starting at about half the asking price and then meeting in the middle.
• If the price does not suit you, say thank you («shukran») and calmly walk away. The seller will often call you back and come down.
• Do not haggle just for fun if you are not going to buy: agreeing on a price and then leaving is considered rude.
• Carry small notes in pounds, as getting change for a large note can be difficult.
• Learn the numbers in Arabic, it helps you get the «local» price.

What is worth buying

Electronics and phones without a warranty are risky to buy at a market (we explained how to check a used phone in our article on buying a phone). These purchases, on the other hand, usually work out well:

• Spices, dried hibiscus, dates and nuts.
• Brass and glass lanterns, including Ramadan fanous lanterns.
• Cotton fabrics, towels and bed linen.
• Kitchenware and anything for the kitchen at Ataba.
• Silver and gold, but only in trusted shops and with a receipt. Gold is sold by weight, with a workmanship fee added to the price per gram.

Safety at the market

According to the British Foreign Office, pickpocketing is rare in Egypt, but it is worth being more careful in crowds: keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or in a bag in front of you.

• Do not accept help from «volunteer guides» who lead you to «the best shop»: they usually get a commission, and the price goes up.
• Dress modestly, which is advised for foreigners too.
• Check the goods and count your change on the spot.
• Women are better off not going to the market alone in the evening.
• Take water and comfortable shoes: there is a lot of walking at markets, and it is hot in summer.

Buy and sell without the bazaar on Tullab

Not everything has to be found at a market. Look for used kitchenware, furniture and appliances from your neighbours in kitchenware and furniture, where you can also discuss the price with the seller.

Leaving and want to sell your things? Post a free listing, and buyers will contact you.