Khan El Khalili is a famous souk (bazaar) that dates all the way back to 1382 and is located in the Islamic district of Cairo. When you are here you feel like you are truly transported back in time. It is like a mini labyrinth inside and it's easy to get lost. It is a place where some locals come and it is a favorite stop for tourists to do some bargaining and shop for treasures.
Shop keepers are eager to make a deal with you and invite you into their stores.
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| Otto, Fuller, Chambers and Shop Keeper Hany |
Many shop keepers will even offer you tea while you are looking around at the various items for sale. The best rule for bargaining is to negotiate for half of what they ask and then work back and forth until you have reached a deal. No one will sell you something if they are not making money off of it, even if they tell you differently. For example, today Ms. Chambers wanted an alabaster candle holder. The man asked for 160 Egyptian Pounds, I countered back with 50 pounds (I decided to start with less than half) and by the time we were done bargaining, we agreed on 85 pounds. It is a lot of fun to bargain for things and walk away feeling like you got a good deal and worked for it!
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| Alabaster candle holders |
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| Copper and brass plates and decorations |
The souk is full of countless other treasures for sale, but here are a few popular items:
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| Statues |
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| Papyrus Paintings |
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Mother of Pearl Boxes
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| Spices |
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| Silver (and gold) jewelry and various items |
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Perfume oils and bottles
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| Lanterns |
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All different types of beads
If you went to the Khan, what would you most want to purchase? Do you think it would be fun to bargain for items? Have you been anywhere similar to this market or heard about something like it before?
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