Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

You do not have to be a shopaholic to go to the largest eastern bazaar of the African continent. The Khan el-Khalili bazaar is one of the main Egyptian attractions and is worth a visit even out of idle curiosity and for aesthetic pleasure only.

The most picturesque sight of the city appeared in the historical center of Cairo in the 14^th century, when the Sultan Barkouk’s emir, Jarkas al-Khalili, built a caravanserai. He named it after his hometown of Al-Khalil. Previously, there were a cemetery and a mausoleum which were destroyed by order of the calculating emir in order to profit off of caravans passing through the city. In the 15^th century, the small territory of the caravanserai turned into a major international trading center. That time, people could buy everything they needed – from jewelry to slaves. At the beginning of the 16^th century, the bazaar acquired the features of a modern market: streets and the main gate appeared, and it started being locked at night. The medieval decorated stone gate has been well-preserved to the present day and continues to serve as the main entrance to the modern bazaar. Two other non-main gates dated back to the 16^th century can be found there today as well. 

Nowadays, the Khan el-Khalili bazaar looks like a large magic shop situated amongst ancient buildings, with merchants wearing turbans and women wearing burkas passing by. It is a fantastic place full of spices sold loose, oriental perfumes sold on tap, handmade jewelry and clothes, household items, and much more. Whatever a foreign guest wishes, a local merchant can always find anything. And in order to make the shopping process nice and profitable, customers are offered with strong tea serving in small cups and the most delicious oriental sweets in the world.