Cairo
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Cairo - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Abd El Rahman Harraz Seeds, Medicinal, and Medical Plants
Islamic Cairo SouthFounded 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.
1 Ahmed Maher St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt2-2511–1100 -
2. Abd El-Zaher Bookstore
Islamic Cairo NorthStop 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.
31 Mohammed Abdou St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt2-2511–8041 -
3. Azza Fahmy
GizaA bib necklace inspired by a maqarnas (an intricate Islamic vaulted ceiling), a lotus cuff bracelet, or a pair of Eye of Horus earrings would make a wonderfully authentic, if pricey, Egyptian souvenir. Azza Fahmy’s statement jewelry, appropriate for both everyday wear and special occasions, has achieved worldwide recognition for its nature- and motif-inspired designs that are sometimes adorned with coral, garnet, lapis lazuli, or other semiprecious or precious stones. In addition to this Giza location, she has a store in the Four Seasons, with outlets elsewhere in Egypt as well as in Dubai, Amman, London, and Washington D.C.
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4. Cairopolitan
Garden CityThe 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).
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5. El Kahhal Carpets
HeliopolisIt'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.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Fair Trade Egypt
HeliopolisWith 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.
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7. Khan el-Khalili
Islamic Cairo NorthAt 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).
View Tours and ActivitiesCairo, Cairo, Egypt -
8. L'Orientaliste Books
DowntownThe Swiss expat who founded this store in the 1950s originally stocked it with used books he gathered from Europeans leaving Egypt. Subsequent owners have continued to maintain a good inventory of books in French and English as well as Arabic. It also sells prints, lithographs, and antique maps and postcards.
15 Qasr al-Nil St., Cairo, Cairo, 11111, Egypt2-2579–4188 -
9. Lehnert and Landrock Bookshop
DowntownIn 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.
36 Abd El-Khalik Tharwat St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt2-2393–5324 -
10. Mamlouk Gallery
ZamalekAlthough 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.
4A Hassan Assem St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt2-2735–2437 -
11. Mashrabia Gallery
DowntownThis 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.
8 Shar'a Champollion, Cairo, Cairo, 11728, Egypt02-2578–4494Shop Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri. -
12. Atef Wassef Silver
DowntownThis 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.
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13. Cairo Festival City Mall
Mirage CityCairo 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.
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14. Caravanserai
ZamalekHeritage 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.
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15. City Centre Almaza
HeliopolisOne 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.
50M, Sheraton Al Matar, El Nozha, Cairo, Cairo, Egypt -
16. City Centre Ma'adi
Ma'adiThis 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.
Maadi/Katyama Ring Rd., Cairo, Cairo, 11435, Egypt02-10–9258–3677 -
17. Citystars Heliopolis
HeliopolisThis 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).
Omar Ibn El-Khattab, Cairo, Cairo, 11771, Egypt -
18. Duroub Gallery for Plastic Arts
Rodah IslandDuroub 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.
4 Latin America St., Qasr Ad Dobarah, Cairo, Cairo, Egypt2-2794–7951 -
19. Gallery Mabrouka
HeliopolisConcealed 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.
23 Ramses St., off Baghdad St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt11-1844–3334 -
20. Gold & Jewelery Oriental Gifts
Old CairoTucked 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.
Kom Ghorab Ln., Kom Ghorab, Cairo, Cairo, Egypt12-2219–1922
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