The Khan el-Khalili market in Cairo

The Khan el-Khalili market(bazaar) is a major tourist attraction in Cairo. Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, the market is always busy and lively and very colourful. It is the best place to pick up souvenirs, jewellery, traditional clothing or perfumes.

Crowd and chaos are its trademarks and you will be hassled everywhere you go. The shopkeeprs will try to lure you into their shops and be aware that they do not give up easily. They will try to draw you into a conversation and tempt you to make a purchase. The best way to handle it is to be polite and keep moving on if you so wish. On the other hand if you are good at bargaining, then you will love this place. Bargaining is like a game - you vs the shopkeeper. Enjoy it and make a deal which will leave both of you happy.

Inspite of the hustle and bustle, the market is beautiful. I preferred it to the many luxury shopping malls that have sprung up in recent times. The narrow streets, the colourful merchandise and the scent of perfumes and incense was a lovely combination. It is easy to get lost in the alleyways, so keep an eye out. Nonetheless its fun. Its like you have been transported back in time. Enjoy the sights, the aromas and the noise as well. Overall, you can easily while away a good few hours just browing through the market.

There are lots of small cafes scattered all around Khan el-Khalili. These cater mainly for the tourists and some of them serve good food and drinks. The ambience is authentic and you can have your food/drink along with the Sheesha while taking in the spirit and the chaos of the market. Check the prices before you place your order because some of the cafes quote almost 3-4 times the normal price if you fail to check the prices before hand.

Address:
Khan el-Khalili,
Bab Al Louq, Abdin,
Cairo - Egypt

Note: While in Cairo, you could also visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali or the Alabaster Mosque. It is one of the notable landmarks in Cairo.

Egypt Travel Guide

The Arab Republic of Egypt or simply 'Egypt' is located in North Eastern Africa and is bounded by the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Egypt is well known for its pyramids, ancient temples and ofcourse mummies. Egypt is called as the 'Gift of the Nile' and rightly so because only the region along the path of the Nile is green and hospitable. The further away one goes from Nile, the more dry and barren the land becomes.

Some of the major cities in Egypt which are of importance to tourists are:

Cairo - Apart from being the capital of the country, Cairo is also home to the Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha or Alabaster Mosque, the Egyptian Museum and many coptic churches. The city also has the famous and lively Khan el-Khalili bazaar. If it is a modern mall that you are interested in, then head to the Mall of Arabia - the largest mall in Cairo.

Saqqara - Famous for the Saqqara necropolis which houses the Step Pyramid or the Pyramid of Djoser.

Aswan - Located in the south of Egypt, Aswan has a lot to offer to the tourists. The Philae temple, Abu Simbel, The High Dam of Aswan, Monastery of St Simeon, Elephantine Island, Aswan Botanical gardens, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Nubian museum are some of the attractions in Aswan.

Luxor - This city has so much to offer be it spectacular desert views or the temple complexes of Luxor and Karnak, the Medinet Habu, the Tombs of the Nobles and the impressive Valley of the Kings. You could also do a hot air balloon ride over Luxor taking in all the important landmarks with an unobstructed view.

Another temple complex not to be missed is the Temple of Hatshepsut.

Abu Simbel - Located close to the Sudanese border, this little settlement is famous for its temples - at Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor.

Hurghada - This coastal resort town is most visited by those who enjoy diving, snorkelling, parasailing and other such activities. You can go quad biking into the desert, visit a Bedouin village or do a boat trip to the Giftun island. And just enjoy the nightlife the town has to offer.

Sharm el-Sheikh - Also called the 'City of Peace', this city is very popular with tourists and is one of the finest diving spots in the world. There are many diving centres offering daily diving tips and also PADI courses for those who wish to do the course. You can go para sailing or quad biking or camel trekking. One will never get bored in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Dahab - famous or rather infamous for the 'Blue Hole' - one of the top ten diving spots in the world, Dahab is extremely popular for diving and freediving. There are innumerable diving centres in Dahab. Apart from diving you can also try Desert excursions and trekking, sandboarding, rock climbing or wind surfing in Dahab.

Alexandria - Egypt's second largest city, it has a lot of historical monuments like the Citadel of Qaitbay, Kom el-Shouqafa, Pompey's pillar and the Presidential palace. Montazah Royal Gardens are also worth a visit.