Khan El-Khalili is a famous bazaar and souq (or souk) in the historic center of Cairo, Egypt. Established as a center of trade in the Mamluk era and named for one of its several historic caravanserais, the bazaar district has since become one of Cairo’s main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike.

Originally built on the site of an old mausoleum, local and foreign merchants have been trading at Khan El-Khalili souk since the 14th century. As the city became denser, saturated by shops and space ran out, builders preferred to build multi-storied structures known as a khan or a wikala. These types of buildings were centered around an inner peristyle courtyard where merchants could store their goods, while the upper levels were used as living quarters. Their street facades typically had spaces for shops at ground level. Authorities sought to impose greater control on commercial activities: fixed structures could be counted, taxed, and regulated more easily than makeshift market stalls that could come and go forcing merchants to do create this commercial zone and extending around and between multiple khans.

The name of the bazaar means and originates from two different sources- Khan is another word for caravanserai (caravansary) or wikala. The word means a roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could rest and recover from the day’s journey and al-Khalili- after Jaharkas al-Khalili. Jaharkas al-Khalili was the Master of Stables (amir akhur) for the Sultan Barquq-the First Burji Mamluk Sultan. During the Sultan Barquq’s first reign, Jaharkas Al-Khalili demolished the Fatimid mausoleum and erected a large market complex on the site of the Za’afran Tomb, the center of the city, which had been the burial place of the Fatimid rulers of Egypt. By the late 15th century, the district around Khan El-Khalili had become the major center of foreign trade. In the early 16th century, Egypt’s last Mamluk sultan decided to modify the district as whole by destroying the old and adding new buildings. Through out the centuries the khan has gone through many different renovations but regardless of all this the remains today are still very visible and very much a magical journey as you walk through it because it truly feels as if you have travelled back in time.

Today, the Khan El-Khalili is remains occupied by its local merchants and traders. You will see shops selling many different souvenirs, jewelry, clothing, antiques, etc. You can still appreciate how many locals remain operating within the bazaar, manufacturing some of the items that are sole here.

Khan El-Khalili is now geared towards tourists and for this reason you will also see street food vendors, restaurants, coffee shops of which some may offer shisha. El Fishawi is one of the oldest and famous coffee shops established in 1771.

In Khan El-Khalili you can find many things to buy- jewelry, gold, silver, copper, brassware, leather goods, shisha pipes and much more. Today you will still find goldsmiths working on jewelry in the Khan El-Khalili bazaar. Khan El-Khalili is a site that you definitely will feel as if you have travelled back in time. DO NOT miss this magical and amazing place, come and experience the hustle and bustle of the bazaar itself, you will not be disappointed.

Sign up today as we are getting booked pretty quickly. Bring a friend and/or a loved one so that you may discover Egypt together and make unforgettable memories. Celebrate 2023 by travelling and exploring some of the most amazing history in world, such as Egypt! Don’t wait as we are booking up quickly!