26 Best Places to Shop in Cairo, Egypt

Founded by its namesake herbalist in 1939, this fantastic family-owned spice shop is one of Cairo's most renowned, with a wide selection of medicinal herbs, traditional beauty aids, essential oils, and cosmetics, mixed in with a few curiosities. The shop is about 0.2 miles (450 meters) from Bab Zuweila, and although its sign isn't in English, you should be able to find it—just look for the stuffed gazelle in the front window.

Stop by Cairo's last remaining bookbinding company, in business since 1936, for beautiful, leather-bound and gilt-decorated diaries, sketchbooks, and photo albums. All the items here are hand-crafted using skills that are rare in the 21st century.

The whimsical, thoughtfully curated accessories and home decor at this concept store celebrate Egypt's long history—from the ancient to the old to the contemporary. You might find Egypt’s signature old quarter incorporated into coasters (or rather, "coinsters," as they're called here) or a pouch shaped like a piece of aish baladi (Egyptian flatbread).

It's hard not to be impressed by the colorful, floor-to-ceiling displays of carpets at this store, which was founded in 1870 by a young Syrian immigrant who originally set up shop in Cairo's famous market, Khan el-Khalili. Run by the fifth generation of the same family, it's now one of the city's oldest carpet manufacturers, with a wide collection of silk, Persian Heriz, Azerbaijani Shirvan, and modern designs, as well as custom-made carpets, kilims, and tapestries. If you have the time, book the shop's two-hour tour (pick-up and drop-off service from/to anywhere in Cairo can be arranged), which walks you through the history of carpets and enables you to see craftsmen expertly weaving carpets by hand.

With the goal of promoting Egyptian craftsmanship, this boutique offers more than 1,000 products, from leather goods to home accessories, that make fantastic souvenirs. It’s the first fair trade–certified organization in Egypt, and it works with more than 2,000 artisans across the country.

At this great medieval souk, surrounded by a maze of winding streets and alleys, the air is perfumed with incense, and shopping is a chaotic but thoroughly authentic experience. Everyone, visitors and Cairenes alike, comes here to hunt for traditional items: carpets, gold, silver, clothing, spices, perfumes, waterpipes, jewelry, handicrafts, books, pottery, blown glass, leather, papyrus, pharaonic replicas—you name it.  And no one ever buys anything at first price; bargaining is the modus operandi here.

The Khan and its surrounding streets also have lots of places to eat. Look for grilled-meat restaurants on the corner of Maydan al-Husayn and Shar'a Muski and places that specialize in fiteer, Egyptian pancakes filled with everything from feta cheese to raisins, between Shar'a Muski and Shar'a al-Azhar.

It's always best to pay using cash, as credit-card purchases can incur a 3% to 6% service charge (ask before handing over your plastic). And if you run out of Egyptian pounds, the Khan has plenty of ATMs. Note that most shops are closed on Sunday and before and/or during Friday prayers (the hour around noon or 1 pm).

In the early 20th century, travel writers and photographers Rudolf Franz Lehnert and Ernst Heinrich Landrock explored North Africa, documenting scenes from Bedouin life, before making their way to and settling in Cairo, opening this bookshop in 1924. It's a wonderful place to browse: typewriters, cameras, telephones, and other vintage items are neatly organized within glass cases; the walls are hung with the duo's black-and-white photos; and the shelves are stocked with an international selection of books, many of them on Egypt's history.

Although it's tucked away on a side street and has no sign, it's worth making the effort to find this rustic shop that's full to bursting with handcrafted ceramics. It feels like it's from another era—in all the best ways. Its owner is pleasant and helpful but gives you the space to explore the vast selection of unique and colorful items on your own, browsing as long as it takes to find the perfect piece.

This gallery is on the tree-lined Shar'a Champollion (the street named after the Frenchman who broke the hieroglyphic code), and it's one of Cairo's best contemporary art galleries. The space itself is not much to look at, but the quality of work is sometimes exceptional. Be on the lookout for exhibitions by Adel al-Siwi, Mohamed Abla, Rehab al-Sadek, Hamdi Atteya, or Awad al-Shimy.

This family-run establishment, in business since the 1960s, is known for its excellent silver items. Most of their limited-edition designs are inspired by Egyptian cultural heritage, but you will also find more contemporary pieces, as well as some inlaid with semi-precious stones. Be prepared to rifle through the collection; the store’s inventory is huge, and the hunt is part of the shopping experience.

Cairo Festival City is every shopper’s paradise, with several entertainment venues, a food court, roughly 300 stores, and myriad sit-down restaurants—and that's just inside. Festival Avenue, an outdoor area that's part of the complex, has still more cafés and restaurants, as well as a dancing fountain and an open-air theater. If you drive here yourself, note your parking spot and the gate through which you entered, as the parking facilities are as vast as the mall itself.

Heritage and craftsmanship are the founding pillars of Caravanserai, a store that celebrates both local artistry and cultural fusion in merchandise that ranges from small, minimalistic decorative items to large, elaborate pieces of furniture.

One of the newest entertainment complexes in Heliopolis is an all-round crowd-pleaser, with a 16-screen cineplex, a plethora of stores selling regional as well as international brands, a large food court, more than 20 casual sit-down restaurants, and a family entertainment center.

This mall is a resource for the many families in this residential district; there are few designer names but lots of mainstream brands like H&M and Zara. There's a pharmacy here where you can get sunscreen, bug spray, and other necessary toiletries. The food court mirrors any in the U.S.; there's even a Pinkberry. The mall is anchored by a hypermarket, and there's a movie theater and children's play zone.

This massive mall has more than 750 stores selling local and international brands, numerous dining options, and its own version of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar (although prices at this one are higher).

Duroub Gallery offers a variety of thematic exhibitions throughout the year, and has been operational since 1996. The gallery showcases the works of contemporary artists of all ages, countries, and walks of life.

When it comes to unique, handmade pottery, the Fokhareen Market will spoil you for choice. The ancient Egyptians were experts in working with clay, specifically Aswani clay—a product of the Nile’s silt—which doesn't secrete toxic substances. It's a tradition that continues today. From sculptures and tiles to bowls and utensils, this pottery village probably has something that will make a gift or a souvenir. Even if you're not looking for something to buy, it's interesting to walk around the village and watch artisans and artists at work.

Concealed on one of El-Korba’s sunny side streets, this nook brims with traditional well-crafted items, including hand-painted plates, meticulous copper-work pieces, and marvelous light fixtures.

Tucked in an alleyway, down a stairway near the Mar Girgis Metro station, this huge Old Cairo shop brims with merchandise; you’ll almost be overwhelmed by the many possible souvenirs. But the atmosphere is calm and quiet, so you can take your time sifting through the items. Though helpful, the owner is relaxed, letting customers make their rounds without pressuring them to buy.

The brand that's named after one of ancient Egypt's most illustrious queens, Nefertari (whose name means "beautiful companion"), specializes in organic, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly body and hair products. Indeed, it's one of only a handful of Egyptian skincare brands. This stall stocks most of its products; there are shops and stalls elsewhere in Cairo as well.

Located on the first floor of a busy building on an equally busy street, Oum El Dounia—which translates to Mother of the World, a nickname given to Egypt—sells stylish, vibrant items handcrafted by artisans from different parts of Egypt. It also has a section with books, many about the Arab world.

You're bound to find something unique at this lifestyle concept store, which sells everything from home-grown decorative items and local-label clothing to gag gifts. It’s a little hard on the wallet but still well worth a visit.

Taking the record store experience a step beyond, Retrograde sells art (including pieces by local artists), used books, and vintage goods—from typewriters to turntables—in addition to vinyl. Note the table in the middle of the shop: many patrons have marked it with messages of love and appreciation.

Established in 1968, Safarkhan exhibits, collects, and deals in modern and contemporary Egyptian fine art. The curators highlight the works of some of the country’s premier artists, often with an emphasis on up-and-coming talent. The gallery also carries a collection of rare pieces dating back to 1920.

Like the colorful and ever-evolving culture of Egypt, Sami Amin's handbags, wallets, jewelry, and other accessories have just the right mix of tradition and modernity. The self-taught designer founded his brand in 1997 and channels his artistic sensibilities into every piece in this endearing little shop.

Vintage English and Arabic records feature greatly here, with some French, Russian, and other recordings occasionally finding their way into the mix. Don’t know what to look for? Ask the store manager, who has been a collector himself since 1997.  You’ll also find yourself taken in by the vintage items on display, from gramophones and turntables to off-brand but collectible comic books. Just leave the action figures alone—they’re not for sale no matter how hard you try. And be sure to ask for the soup of the day (hint: it’s coffee).