Khan El-Khalili Tours and Tickets

Located in the heart of Old Cairo, this bustling bazaar is not only renowned for its history—the market dates back to the 14th century—but it’s also a fantastic place to shop for keepsakes and peek into traditional crafts workshops. Historic buildings line the streets, with plenty of quaint eateries and cafés.

You can expect plenty of inexpensive knickknacks, from Sphinx-shaped paperweights and plastic pyramid magnets to King Tut T-shirts. But Khan El-Khalili has plenty to offer more discerning shoppers: Look for handmade metal lanterns, blown-glass vessels, boxes inlaid with mother of pearl, and carved stone scarabs. You can also watch craftspeople at work making the items.

Yes. Even travelers short on time are likely to visit Khan El-Khalili on a tour, as many excursions include a shopping break here. Some combine stops at Old Cairo highlights such as Al-Azhar Mosque or the Hanging Church, while others focus on museum collections and the Pyramids of Giza.

Yes, definitely. Khan El-Khalili is easily reached by taxi or rideshare, and you’ll have no trouble navigating the market as long as you have a good map or GPS–equipped smartphone with you. That said, anyone nervous about getting lost should consider booking a guided tour—most of which include hotel pickup and drop-off.

That depends. If you’re visiting on a guided tour, it’s likely you’ll have about an hour to walk around and browse the stands. Be sure to ask your guide for haggling tips. If you’re browsing the market independently, then you could easily spend several hours or longer here chatting with vendors and artisans.

To beat the crowds, avoid weekends and evenings (the market stays open late), when the narrow streets can get quickly thronged with shoppers. Aim for a quieter weekday morning—though not a Friday, when most of Egypt closes for Muslim prayers. Note that Khan El-Khalili stays open during Ramadan; bring your own water if you go then.