Shopping

Frommer's Arts & Crafts
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Shopping (reference: Wikitravel - Egypt)
Egypt is a shopper's paradise - especially if you're interested in Egyptian-themed souvenirs and kitsch. However, there are also a number of high quality goods for sale, often at bargain prices. Some of the most popular purchases include:
 * Antiques** (NB: not antiquities, the trade of which is rightly illegal in Egypt)
 * Carpets and rugs**
 * Cotton goods and clothing** Can be bought at Khan El Khalili for around 30-40 EGP. Better quality Egyptian cotton clothing can be bought at various chain stores including Mobaco Cottons and Concrete which have many branches throughout the country. The clothes are expensive for Egypt (about 180-200 LE for a shirt) but cheap by Western standards given the quality.
 * Inlaid goods**, such as backgammon boards
 * Jewellery** Cartouches make a great souvenir. These are metal plates shaped like an elongated oval and have engravings of your name in hieroglyphics
 * Leather goods**
 * Music**
 * Papyrus**
 * Perfume** - Perfumes can be bought at almost every souvenir shop. Make sure that you ask the salesman to prove to you that there is no alcohol mixed with the perfume. The standard rates should be in the range of 1-2 Egyptian Pounds / gm
 * Water-pipes** //(Sheeshas)//
 * Spices** - can be bought at colourful stalls in most Egyptian markets. Dried herbs and spices are generally of a higher quality than that available in Western supermarkets and are up to 4 or 5 times cheaper, though the final price will depend on bargaining and local conditions.

When shopping in markets or dealing with street vendors, remember to [|haggle] .You will also find many western brands all around. There are many malls in Egypt, the most common being //Citystars Mall//, which is the largest entertainment center in the Middle East and Africa. You will find all the fast food restaurants you want such as Mcdonald's, KFC, Hardees, Pizza Hut, etc. Clothing brands such as Morgan, Calvin Klein, Levi's, Facconable, Givenchy, Esprit, and more.In Egypt, prices are often increased for foreigners, so if you see a price on a price tag, it may be wise to learn the local Eastern Arabic numerals: Like Latin Numerals, they are written from left to right. For example, the number 15 would be written as ١٥.Shopping in Egypt ranges goods and commodities that represent souveniers of Egypt's ancient as well as modern things. These include items such as small pyramids, obelisks, and souvenir statues which can be bought at more touristic areas such as Khan El Khalili and Islamic Cairo.You can also do general shopping in Cairo for clothing items and other goods such as in the modern shopping malls of City Stars, City Center, Arkadia Mall, or Nile City (all of which contain some of the most famous designer brands of the world, including Guess, Calvin Klein, Armani, Hugo Boss, etc.
 * ~ Latin Numerals ||~ 0 ||~ 1 ||~ 2 ||~ 3 ||~ 4 ||~ 5 ||~ 6 ||~ 7 ||~ 8 ||~ 9 ||
 * ~ Eastern Arabic numerals || ٠ || ١ || ٢ || ٣ || ٤ || ٥ || ٦ || ٧ || ٨ || ٩ ||

Frommer's Best Shopping
Even though it's rapidly becoming more touristy, this rambling, sprawled-out souk retains all the vibrancy you would expect of a millennia-old crossroads on the trading routes between Africa and the Mediterranean world.
 * Aswan Souk**

Here you have low-hassle access to a range of folk crafts from around Egypt. This is a particularly good place to pick up pottery from the Fayum or handmade scarves from Upper Egypt. Proceeds go to support community development nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
 * Egypt Craft Center (8-27 Yehia Ibrahim St., Zamalek, Cairo; tel. 02/27365123):**

This centuries-old souk in the heart of old Cairo is a must for anyone who has the shopping bug or just wants to experience the real hustle and bustle of an Arab city. Take cash, and be prepared to haggle. This is the best place in town to buy novelty T-shirts, souvenirs with your name printed in hieroglyphics, and those little bottles of colored sand that have pictures of camels in them.
 * Khan al Khalili (Cairo):**

Check out the main branch of this store for a great selection of handicrafts from all over Egypt, including hand-woven Bedouin blankets, silver jewelry, and embroidered pillow slips. Prices are fixed, and staff are friendly and helpful.
 * Nomad (14 Saraya Al Gezira, Cairo; tel. 02/27361917):**