Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar
Seeing the sights of Cairo is an important part of any trip to Khan Al-Khalili. This busy bazaar is full of many different kinds of goods and shiny trinkets. It is loud, crowded, colorful, and fun to be there. Even though you can find typical tourist goods in this area, don’t let that take away from the really great shopping you can do elsewhere.
There is a store where you can buy fresh spices in a lot of different flavors and types. There are a huge number of different combinations of essential oils in the perfume business. As you move deeper into the market, you’ll find gold dealers and antique shops full of strange and interesting things.
There are a lot of fabric stores, carpet stores, and shops that sell just about anything you could want in the area. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to ask a merchant about it. There’s a good chance they’ll know where you can find what you’re looking for. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, if you walk through the winding streets of this confusing neighborhood, you will definitely see something that catches your eye.
When and by whom was the Khan Al-Khalili market created?
In the 14th century, Emir Dajaharks Al-Khalili built a huge market complex on the site of the Za’afran Tomb, where the Fatimid kings of Egypt were buried. This was the first time the market looked like it does now. The building of this structure was part of a larger plan to rebuild the city that started when Sultan Barquq (who ruled from 1381 to 1399) was in charge. This was done to help the city recover from the terrible effects of the Black Death, which hit large parts of the city in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Even though the market has been updated a lot, there are still parts that are built in the old Mamluk style, which has large arches and vaulted ceilings. You can take a break from shopping at one of the market’s many restaurants or cafes, which are conveniently located all over the market. Al Fishawy is the oldest café in Cairo. It has big mirrors and old furniture to show how old it is. The Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz used to come to the place.
He also has a high-end restaurant in the market that is named after him. The market is near Hussein Square. In the background, you can see the garden in front of the Hussein Mosque. This plaza also has a lot of cafés and places to eat for less money.
