Stores, Malls or Markets in Cairo

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The Attaba Market is a place to see if you're looking for a real Egyptian market where the regular locals are shopping. It's not that Khan El KHalili type of souk, neither the more posh-ish shops along Talaat Harb Street. This is the type of a market that you get lost and pushed and jostle the more if you go deeper.

When I took the metro train to Ataba I emerged at the bookstalls and walk my way passing by a big parking building where there are people selling bags and luggages along the street and crossed the street to get to the start of the chaotic shopping lanes where sellers lined up their goods in a makeshift wooden carts or something selling all sorts of clothes, shoes, apparels, accessories, etc. The godds are in the middle of the streets so no vehicles and little aisles to move around but enough to examine stuff on sale.

It's a very colourful market and you'll immediately have that local feel to it, it's not a touristic kind of souk, so dare if you can, get adventurous just go there.

I like it though because there are a lot of old buildings and several shops mostly on the ground levels. It's teeming with activities especially during late afternoon and weekends.

What to buy: clothers, apparel, shirts, shoes, bags, belts, food, everything you need!

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I wanted to put this one on the Things To Do list as it could be, but it's more of a shopping palce, so here it is...

I just stumble upon this place when one day I blindly took the metro train and get off at Ataba Metro station. Upon emerging from the stairs of the station, there I was in the midst of rows upon rows of stalls selling books, magazines, all kinds of reading materials. It's kinda interesting as there are a lot of stalls in somewhat arabesque style kiosks, maybe about 4 rows of long lines of bookstalls.

This place sells arabic books, english and other languages, old, classic, hard-tofind reading amterials, colletors' items.

Just browse all items on display, sellers are not pushy, you can read the items on display without much touts, in fact, I find it strange -- this place makes buying more enjoyable than most shopping areas in Cairo where vendors are really annoying.

What to buy: books, magazines, all reading materials

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There are a number of shops selling women's clothes. The styles might not suit the western taste, but there are a variety of shops to choose from. Windows may be full of shoes, next door a shop with a few classy models can be seen. Browse and enjoy the experience.You may also be shocked at what is in the window of accessories and lingerie shops, remembering this is an Islamic country.

What to pay: As much or as little as you can afford

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A funny thing happened in the shop. One of the lady sales woman in read head scarf ( see picture) asked me directly and clearly , " How many wives I have"? I don't know why she asked but she gave me a big smile , when I said one and I have lots of friends!! She has been very friendly and offered me black tea.

I did not but anything that time from her but explained her in my country people do not have many wives except for the Moslem , some of them do have more than one wife but that number is limited. I also asked her if she has seen India? She said she has seen only Egypt, but have seen Indian movies and our ladies are very beautiful! Thanks to Bollywood movies, Indians are popular here.

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In all guided tour they take you a place where you can buy the local artifact. This tour was also no exception, we were taken to the Papyrus institute after our visit to The Pyramids. The shop is located almost next to the Pyramid. They also show you how the Papyrus is made and what is the difference between a fake Papyrus painting made of Banana leaves and the genuine one. Naturally, the original ones are very very expensive often out of reach.

I too was told to buy many paintings but I found the prices were too expensive and decided that it was my second day in Cairo, I shall buy later as I really do not have any idea about the prices.

Then I was offered various discounts and add ons! I was about to shell out LE1200 at Rakhi's instance as she wanted Munu's picture in one of the Papyrus. When I refused to take, the prices came down to LE 800 plus an add on.

We did buy some Papyrus paintings but at much lesser price from other shop.

Please go to next tip for more picture and funny story.

What to buy: The Papyrus paintings.

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In all guided tour they take you a place where you can buy the local artifact. This tour was also no exception, we were taken to the Papyrus institute after our visit to The Pyramids. The shop is located almost next to the Pyramid. They also show you how the Papyrus is made and what is the difference between a fake Papyrus painting made of Banana leaves and the genuine one. Naturally, the original ones are very very expensive often out of reach.

I too was told to buy many paintings but I found the prices were too expensive and decided that it was my second day in Cairo, I shall buy later as I really do not have any idea about the prices.

Then I was offered various discounts and add ons! I was about to shell out LE1200 at Rakhi's instance as she wanted Munu's picture in one of the Papyrus. When I refused to take, the prices came down to LE 800 plus an add on.

We did buy some Papyrus paintings but at much lesser price from other shop.

Please go to next tip for more picture and funny story.

What to buy: The Papyrus paintings.

When I visited Egypt my guide did appreciate - even asked - to buy him a bottle of (tax free) whiskey in one of the special stores in Egypt (also in Cairo) were foreigners can buy tax free within 48 hours after arriving. He took us to this store and made his choices (my wife had a passport too). I asked him: "but you're Muslim?" To which he replied laughing: I sometimes get visitors at home who are bad Muslims. There are other tax free items in this store too, perhaps you can offer a visit to this tax free store. Best.

Jan Lelie

Talaat Harb is one of the principal shopping streets of downtown Cairo. Lots of clothes and shoe shops. As such it is for Cairenes rather than tourists except right down the bottom where it debouches into Maidan Tahrir. But there are several shops selling excellent sweets and pastries, and the shop window displays of improbably scanty ladies undies give an interesting insight into a modern islamic country.