Discover 7 of the Best-Known Popular Markets in Cairo
What most sets Cairo's popular markets apart is that they have everything a buyer or a trader needs in the way of good goods and materials at reduced prices compared with similar items in other shops and stores. These markets also draw visitors and arrivals from everywhere thanks to their long history, their extensive size and the fine character they are known for, along with low prices to suit every part of society. Most of these markets are also seen as tourist attractions visited even by arrivals from abroad, given their storied character and the remarkable historic places that surround them. In this article we talk about Cairo's best-known popular markets, the main clothing markets in Cairo, as well as the best-known old markets in Cairo and the outstanding shopping areas most visitors head for.
Book Cairo hotels→Cairo's best-known popular markets
The more popular markets there are, the greater the chance to shop and compare different goods, giving buyers greater freedom of choice and discernment. Here are the best-known popular markets in Cairo:
The Mosky market
One of the best-known popular markets in Cairo, holding many products such as clothing, bags, bedding, electrical goods and other essentials any household needs.
It was named after the market's founder, Izz al-Din Musk, one of the Ayyubid princes. The Mosky market runs from the Khan el-Khalili market in central Cairo to Al Geish Street in Ataba.
This market's customers are not only Egyptians — foreign and Gulf visitors come too. The market is surrounded by many others such as the Najaf market, Darb al-Barabra and Hammam al-Talat.
And although the Mosky market's prices are fairly low, it is a destination for everyone, rich and poor alike, because it is easy to reach and the market is divided into dedicated areas.
The Khan el-Khalili market
If you are looking for the best-known popular markets in Cairo, the answer will always be Khan el-Khalili — as well as being a market for goods, it is a tourist area visitors head for from every country in the world.
It has shops selling jewellery, copper plates, accessories, furnishings, pharaonic gifts, glassware and other valuable items visitors seek out.
What most sets Khan el-Khalili apart is the striking architectural character that runs through all the market's streets, which you notice as you move from one alley to the next.
As soon as you enter the market you feel as though you have travelled back in time to the Mamluk era, and you will also be struck by the handicrafts, the distinctive scent of perfumes and the valuable cosmetics.
The Azbakeya market
Although it specialises in selling books alone, it is very widely known across every part of society, being one of the oldest and cheapest markets in Egypt.
There you can buy books at a very low price compared with anywhere else, and the market is known for holding thousands of books across different fields and subjects.
Reaching the Azbakeya market is very easy, as it sits beside Ataba Square, so it is straightforward to get there by metro or by any other means.
The Azbakeya market is one of the most important popular markets in Cairo for selling books. The shop owners take pride in their literary customers, foremost among them Naguib Mahfouz. The market was founded in 1907 and is considered one of the most important cultural markets in the world.
The Ataba market
The best-known popular market in Cairo and one of the busiest in Egypt, drawing customers from everywhere at home and abroad. It sits in downtown Cairo.
It holds many goods such as clothing, shoes and other products, and it is one of the largest commercial centres in Cairo.
It is known for being easy to reach, whether by metro or by ordinary public transport, and it was once called Green Ataba Square.
The Ghouriya market
One of Cairo's popular markets specialising in selling fabrics, household goods, cosmetics and gifts, sold to consumers at wholesale prices.
The Ghouriya market sits in the Gamaliya district near the Hussein Mosque and the Khan el-Khalili mosque. The Ghouriya market was once known as the Sharabshiyin quarter.
The Wekalet El Balah market
One of the well-known markets favoured by many customers, given its focus on selling many products, foremost among them European stock and clothing.
There are also car parts and furniture inside Wekalet El Balah. The market sits between two different areas, one an upmarket district and the other a working-class one.
It sits between the Zamalek district and Bulaq Abu al-Ela, which makes it a destination for many visitors and for different social classes, adding to its fame.
The Friday market
In talking about Cairo's popular markets we cannot forget the Friday market in Sayyida Aisha, known for selling pets.
It also sells reptiles and birds such as falcons, snakes, tortoises and other reptiles and birds, and you can also buy colourful fish inside the market.
The cheapest shopping places in Cairo
Egypt's popular markets are countless, and most of them are known for a storied history stretching back over the years, which has made them a destination for many customers.
Some of these markets even draw visitors from outside Egypt too, to enjoy seeing the old historic character — among them the markets of handicrafts and decoration.
And despite the storied character of these markets, you will find their prices are within everyone's reach, and some of them are very low indeed. Here are the cheapest popular markets in Cairo:
The Mosky market
Known for its low prices and the variety of its products
The Ataba market
One of the best-known popular markets with reasonable prices
The Azbakeya market
Famous for selling books at low prices
The Khan el-Khalili market
It offers traditional products and handicrafts at reasonable prices
The Ghouriya market
Specialising in fabrics and furnishings at wholesale prices
The Abdel Aziz market
Specialising in selling phones and electronic devices
The Wekalet El Balah market
Known for imported clothing at reduced prices
The Shehab market
It offers a varied range of products at competitive prices
Cairo's clothing markets
We have talked about Cairo's best-known popular markets and the cheapest of them in general. Some of these markets specialise in selling books, such as the Azbakeya market.
Others specialise in selling mobile phones and electronic and electrical devices, such as the Abdel Aziz market, and others specialise in selling clothing. The best-known clothing markets are:
The Wekalet El Balah market
Known for clothing from famous imported brands, and this market is a destination for Egypt's middle class.
The Kerdasa market
Visitor numbers noticeably increase each year over the last, and the market is known for selling clothing in good materials at reduced prices.
The Ataba market
The best-known market for selling clothing in Cairo, and what most sets it apart is how easy it is to reach, along with the large and varied range of clothing inside.
The Hammam El Talat market
A well-known market that brides in particular head for, to buy fine clothing at reasonable prices and in high-quality materials.
The Mosky market
One of the oldest clothing markets in Cairo, visited by many different parts of society.
Cairo's best-known old markets
We close our discussion of Cairo's popular markets by talking about the old markets, with a storied history stretching across the ages, which makes them a destination for many people.
When you visit these markets you will find signs of their storied age, particularly those specialising in selling decorative work and antiques. Here are Cairo's best-known old markets:
The Khan el-Khalili market
Located in central Cairo, with a history going back 600 years.
The Azbakeya market
Founded in the 1920s and located near the Cairo Opera House.
The coppersmiths' market
Located on Al Muizz Street and dedicated to hand-made copper vessels.
The Ghouriya market
Cairo's best-known market for selling fabric and bedding.
The Khan el-Khalili market
Considered the best-known and oldest market in Cairo.
The Ataba and Mosky markets
Both are a destination for many customers thanks to prices within everyone's reach.
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