Quick answer
The best things to buy in Egypt are Egyptian cotton, genuine papyrus, alabaster and other carved stone, perfume oils, spices and hibiscus, silver and gold jewellery, brass lanterns, khayamiya appliqué and hand-woven textiles. Shop in bazaars such as Khan el-Khalili, specialist shops and fair-trade outlets, haggle in markets, check quality closely because fakes are common, and never buy anything sold as a genuine antiquity.
What are the best souvenirs to buy in Egypt?
The souvenirs most worth carrying home are the things Egypt has made well for centuries: cotton, papyrus, carved stone, perfume oils, spices, jewellery, metalwork and textiles. Each has a dedicated guide on this site; here is the overview.
| Item | Why buy it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Egyptian cotton | Long-staple cotton for bed linen, towels and galabeyas | Blends and imported cotton sold as Egyptian |
| Papyrus | Hand-painted scenes on real papyrus, light and easy to pack | Banana-leaf imitations |
| Alabaster and stone | Hand-carved vases, lamps and figures from Luxor's west bank | Resin, plaster or soapstone sold as alabaster |
| Perfume oils | Concentrated essences and blown-glass bottles | Diluted oils and very high showroom prices |
| Jewellery | Silver and gold cartouches, Bedouin and Nubian styles | Plated metal sold as solid; prices not tied to weight |
| Lanterns, brass and glass | Pierced brass lamps, copper trays, hand-blown glass | Fragility in luggage |
| Khayamiya | Hand-stitched appliqué panels and cushion covers | Printed copies of appliqué designs |
| Carpets and kilims | Hand-woven rugs and tapestries | Machine-made rugs sold as handmade |
Smaller buys travel easily and make good gifts: spices and dried hibiscus (karkade), inlaid wooden boxes and backgammon boards, hand-blown glass, Siwa embroidery, Tunis Village pottery from Fayoum and good-quality dates.
Where are the best places to shop in Egypt?
Cairo has the widest choice, from the bazaar of Khan el-Khalili to fixed-price craft shops in Zamalek; Luxor and Aswan are better for alabaster, spices and Nubian crafts.
- Khan el-Khalili, Cairo: the great medieval bazaar, best for lanterns, brass, silver, inlaid boxes and spices. See our Khan el-Khalili guide for the lanes and timing.
- Street of the Tentmakers, Cairo: the covered market just south of Bab Zuweila, where khayamiya appliqué is still stitched by hand in small workshops.
- Zamalek and Maadi, Cairo: boutiques and fair-trade craft shops with fixed prices and higher, consistent quality. A good choice if you dislike haggling.
- Harraniya, near Giza: the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre, founded in the 1950s, sells wool and cotton tapestries woven by local artists, with fixed prices.
- Luxor: alabaster workshops on the west bank and the tourist souq near Luxor Temple.
- Aswan: the long souq street parallel to the corniche, good for spices, karkade, baskets and Nubian scarves.
- Hotels and airports: convenient and fixed-price, but usually the most expensive.
Many tours also include stops at papyrus, perfume or alabaster showrooms. These are covered honestly in our guide to factory and commission stops.
How do you pay a fair price?
Decide what something is worth to you before asking the price, compare a few shops, and in bazaars expect to haggle down from the first figure; in fixed-price shops, simply pay the marked price. There is no single fair price for a handmade lantern, but there is a price at which you are happy and the seller still makes a living.
- Look first, ask later: browse several stalls without asking prices to get a feel for quality and range.
- Know the currency: confirm whether the quote is in Egyptian pounds or US dollars, and whether it is per item or per set.
- Weight matters for metal: gold is sold by the gram plus a workmanship charge, with the daily gram price widely displayed; silver is priced in a similar way. Ask for both figures.
- Cash helps: card payments in small shops may carry a surcharge; cash in Egyptian pounds gets the best price.
- Walk away politely: it is often when the best offer arrives.
Our full haggling guide covers opening offers, body language and when not to bargain. Remember that a few dollars' difference matters more to a craftsman than to you; aim for a fair deal rather than a victory.
How do you avoid fakes?
Handle the item, test it in simple ways, and be sceptical of any claim that something is antique, pure or certified unless you can verify it. Imitations are common for the most famous Egyptian products.
- Papyrus: real papyrus shows a criss-cross grid of fibres when held to the light and is strong enough to roll gently. Banana-leaf versions are thinner, more uniform and crack.
- Alabaster: true Egyptian alabaster (a form of calcite) is heavy, cool to the touch and glows when you hold a light behind it. Very cheap, perfectly uniform pieces are often resin or powdered stone.
- Cotton: check labels for fibre content and origin. In tourist shops, a scarf or T-shirt described as Egyptian cotton may be a blend or imported cotton.
- Mother-of-pearl inlay: real shell is cool and shows shifting colours; plastic looks flat and feels warm.
- Silver and gold: look for a hallmark stamp and ask for a written receipt showing weight and purity.
- Perfume oils: a pure oil smells strong from a single drop; ask what the oil is mixed with before you buy.
What should you never buy in Egypt?
Never buy anything sold as a genuine antiquity, and avoid coral, shells and wildlife products; they are illegal to export, confiscated at customs and can lead to serious penalties.
- Antiquities: Egyptian law prohibits the private sale and export of antiquities. Anything offered quietly as a real ancient scarab, coin or statuette is either a fake or illegal, and either way it is a bad idea. Reproductions are fine; keep the receipt that describes them as such.
- Coral and shells: the Red Sea's reefs are protected, and taking coral or shells out of Egypt is prohibited.
- Wildlife products: stuffed animals, crocodile or snakeskin goods and ivory may breach international wildlife trade rules and will be seized in Australia.
- Fake branded goods: copies of luxury brands may be seized on arrival in Australia.
What will Australian and New Zealand customs stop?
Australia and New Zealand have strict biosecurity rules: declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood, leather, feathers, shells and animal products on your incoming passenger card, even if you think they are allowed. Declaring an item does not mean it will be taken; failing to declare it can mean a fine.
- Spices and karkade: commercially packaged spices and dried hibiscus are usually allowed after inspection, but seeds and some whole spices may not be. Ask shops to vacuum-seal what you buy.
- Dates and sweets: commercially packed dates and sweets are generally fine; declare them.
- Wooden items: inlaid boxes and carved wood are inspected for insects and bark.
- Leather and camel bone: declare; some items may need treatment.
- Perfume oils: carry small bottles in checked luggage, wrapped well, and check airline limits on liquids in hand luggage.
Rules change, so check the Australian Department of Agriculture's guidance or New Zealand's biosecurity rules before you shop. Our guide to customs and duty free covers Egyptian allowances on the way in and out.
How do you get your shopping home safely?
Pack fragile items in your checked luggage, wrapped in clothes, and be cautious about paying for international shipping from a shop. Lanterns, glass and alabaster survive the trip surprisingly well if they are padded and placed in the middle of a suitcase.
Many shops offer to ship larger items such as carpets, lamps or furniture to Australia. Some do this reliably; others are slow, or the item that arrives is not the one you chose. If you use a shipping service, get a written receipt describing the item, the price, the shipping cost and the expected delivery time, photograph the item with the receipt, and pay by credit card for added protection. For anything valuable, carrying it home yourself is the safest option. Leave some space in your luggage when you pack for Egypt; almost everyone buys more than they planned.
Frequently asked questions
What is Egypt famous for buying?
Egyptian cotton, papyrus, alabaster, perfume oils, spices, gold and silver cartouche jewellery, brass lanterns and khayamiya appliqué are the classic Egyptian buys.
Is it cheaper to buy Egyptian cotton in Egypt?
Sometimes, but quality varies widely. Buy from reputable shops, check the label for 100% Egyptian cotton, and see our Egyptian cotton guide.
Can I bring papyrus back to Australia?
Yes. Papyrus paintings are generally allowed, but declare them as plant material on your incoming passenger card.
Is it legal to buy antiques in Egypt?
No genuine antiquities may be sold privately or exported. Buy reproductions only and keep the receipt.
Do shops in Egypt accept credit cards?
Larger shops, hotels and malls do. Market stalls and small shops prefer cash in Egyptian pounds, and some add a surcharge for cards.
