The classic beginning of the visit to Islamic Cairo starts from the great medieval bazaar of Khan al Khalili, the commercial heart of the neighborhood. Full of markets where you can find everything from souvenirs to local spices. The main streets leading to the ancient city gates are always crowded with merchants and tourists, but the narrow streets of the old market of the original area are the most suggestive of the market. This area also has interesting mosques and ancient buildings.
If you travel to Egypt you will visit the site of Khan el-Khalili, which is originally the site of a mausoleum known as turbot az-Za'faraan (Saffron Tomb), which was the burial site of the Fatimid caliphs that has become one of the most important markets in Islamic Cairo. During the reign of the Mamluk Sultan Barquq, the first Mamluk Sultan, Egypt had been affected by the ravages of the Black Death but continued to be the center of the fabulous economic venture, with many commercial and religious buildings still being constructed at this time.
The ancient area of Khan al-Khalili one of the most lively places and things to do in Cairo, 600 years old, is considered one of the oldest markets in Egypt and the Middle East, and its ancient architecture has been preserved since the Mamluk era, according to the Egyptian State Information Service.
Khan el-Khalil was not affected by the ravages of time, and he remained an inspiration for authors and artists, so they are prepared to creativity, as he wrote, Naguib Mahfouz, his novel "Khan Al-Khalili" describes the atmosphere of the old neighborhood, as Side corridors intersect the original street, and the sides of the corridors and the street itself are crowded with shops like watchmakers and calligraphers and coffee shops, a fourth for carpets, a fifth for antiques, and so on. While it is located here and there are cafes that are no more than the size of a small shop, the makers sat in front of the shops lying in patience for their art.
Khan El Khalili Bazaar is located close to Al-Azhar Mosque and is included in most of Cairo Day Tours to Islamic Cairo, in the middle of Cairo's most economic zone of activity. This economic and commercial zone extended along the city's main north-south axis, (al-Mu'izz street), and was also the privileged site of many monumental religious complexes built throughout the Mamluk period and beyond.
Whatever you are buying, get ready to bargain. it is a ritual valid for both Egyptian customers and tourists. There are no strict rules, except one: if you do not negotiate, there is a serious probability of paying a much higher amount for the object.
Khan Al-Khalili today is occupied by locals rather than foreign merchants and shop holders but is significantly geared towards tourists. Typically all shops there sell souvenirs, jewelry, and souvenirs but many traditional workshops continue to serve in the surrounding area which is famous for the most beautiful Islamic Cairo trips.
Planning any tours to Egypt? or from our varieties of tours from Cairo, you can simply see Khan El-Khalili with Cairo Top Tours.
Egypt Travel Packages that include visiting Khan El Khalili Bazaar as well as many other wonders of Egypt:
- Pyramids, Nile Cruise & Sharm El Sheikh - Tour to Giza pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo and Khan El Khalili