American University in Cairo Bookshop
Cairo
The best English-language bookshop in Egypt, with a huge selection of material on the politics, sociology and history of Cairo, Egypt and the wider Middle…
Must-see shopping in Egypt
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Luxor
This delightful treasure trove of Egyptian crafts, near Medinat Habu on the west bank, is run by friendly Khairy and his family. Inside you'll find…
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Cairo
At a great central location, Oum El Dounia sells an exceptionally tasteful and good-value selection of locally made crafts. These include glassware,…
Cairo
Think ‘Sahara chic’ is an oxymoron? Think again. Caravanserai (meaning a roadside inn where traders and travellers could get some R&R after a tough…
Cairo
If you hate haggling at the souq, Mamelouk is a top place to pick up souvenirs at fair prices. Handmade pottery, fabrics and painted tiles punctuate a…
Cairo
Dusty, dark and usually filled with more slumbering cats than customers, this quiet gallery, located on the 1st floor of an apartment building off Brazil…
Cairo
Even if you’re not in the market for a sequin bra, a stop at this chic boutique is worthwhile. Tucked on a quiet, leafy block of the otherwise busy Ismail…
Cairo
Crafts sold here are produced in income-generating projects throughout the country. Items for sale include Bedouin rugs, hand-woven cotton, pottery from…
Cairo
Fabulous; English, French and German titles, from novels to travel guides to coffee-table books. It also has a kids’ section, plenty of non-fiction titles…
Cairo
World-renowned contemporary jeweller inspired by Islamic and Pharaonic designs. Azza Fahmy also organises design workshops to make fabulous jewellery.
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Alexandria
At the western end of Midan Tahrir, the battered, grand architecture switches scale to something more intimate as you enter the city’s main souq district…
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Luxor
Run by an Australian woman who promotes the best of Egyptian crafts, Habiba sells an ever-expanding selection of top quality Bedouin embroidery, jewellery…
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Cairo
It's a shame more travellers don't venture to this modern market-complex after their Coptic Cairo visit as there are some interesting boutiques here –…
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Western Desert
Stock up on all your fresh produce at this truly local market that runs through the alleyways off Midan Sho'ala. You'll find everything here from plastic…
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Sharm El Sheikh
This shopping and nightlife hub is home to an ice-skating rink, a bowling alley, a Culturama centre (playing a multimedia film of Egyptian history) and…
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Alexandria
In a city that devours more fish than a hungry seal, you’d expect to find a pretty impressive fish market – and Alexandria delivers. Located at the…
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Cairo
This charity store run by the Anglican church sells work done by refugee organisations and disadvantaged families. There are plenty of kitchen linens and…
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Cairo
Specialists in jewellery and traditional Bedouin crafts and costumes. Items include appliqué tablecloths and cushion covers, dresses made in the oases,…
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Alexandria
This is one of our favourite markets for peeking into Egyptian life. Down several tiny, covered side streets near the Sporting Club, it’s packed with…
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Cairo
This shop opposite the Mosque of Ibn Tulun is stacked with a desirable jumble of reasonably priced crafts, wooden chests, jewellery, pottery, puppets and…
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Cairo
Cairo’s last working bookbinder also makes beautiful leather- and oil-paper-bound blank books, photo albums and diaries. Gold monogramming is included in…
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Cairo
Established in 1885, this is one of the most esteemed spice traders in Cairo, with a brisk business in medicinal herbs as well (upstairs, herbalists…
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Luxor
The wonderful weekly market Souq At Talaat, in Taref, is held opposite the Temple of Seti I. Look for locally grown fruit and vegetables, and sometimes…
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Luxor
For more than a century, Aboudi has been offering an excellent selection of guidebooks, English-language books on Egypt and the Middle East, maps,…
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Sinai
This local cooperative of 75 Bedouin women produces bags, purses and cosmetic bags decorated with modern interpretations of traditional Bedouin design…
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Alexandria
Antique and junk collectors will have a blast diving through the confusion of backstreets and alleys of this antique market. Many items found their way…
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Alexandria
A 20-minute drive south of the city, this is one of Alexandria's largest malls and includes the massive supermarket Carrefour that sells everything from…
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Cairo
Cool brass-and-enamel jewellery as well as various homewares including chunky metal photo and mirror frames. Just down the street, at number 13, are…
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Cairo
Spiffy modern booze sellers; no need to sneak behind a curtain, and even offers delivery. A small Stella is LE12, a large Sakara is LE17. There's another…
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Cairo
The most respected antiques dealer in Khan Al Khalili is a warren of Louis XV furniture and glass cases filled with gleaming jewellery and snuff boxes…
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Aswan
Good, air-conditioned bookshop near the train station with loads of books on Aswan and Egypt in English. There is another well-stocked branch in the…
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Cairo
High-quality handwoven, colour-saturated silks, cottons and linens are the mainstay of this delightful shop. Buy by the yard, or in boxy, drapey women’s…
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Aswan
With its mock Pharaonic facade, this is the oldest, dustiest and best bazaar in town, with genuine Nubian swords, baskets, amulets, silk kaftans and beads…
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Cairo
Al Qahira sells well-made Egyptian crafts, often with a little quirky element. Brilliant jewellery by Suzanne El Masry, embroidered jewellery, fabrics…
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Sharm El Sheikh
The scruffy streets of Sharm Old Market are home to plenty of souvenir shops loaded down with lamps, shisha pipes and spices, traditional ahwa (coffee)…
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Sinai
This Bedouin women's cooperative works with more than 300 local women and displays a huge range of textiles and local handicrafts. It's signposted on the…
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Cairo
One of the best dealers in belly-dancing outfits in the city. Look for the entrance at the end of a short lane just off the main street, and walk…
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Cairo
Delightful intricately embroidered accessories, on cotton and linen, all made in different regions in Egypt. Look out for the beautiful fabric dolls, too,…
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Luxor
A new shop a short walk from the west bank ferry landing selling a selection of original and beautifully designed objects, from pottery, wood and…
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Cairo
In business since 1948, the Atlas family specialises in silk moiré kaftans and slippers. You can also order the fabric by the yard, or in custom-tailored…
