The covered lanes
Narrow lanes packed with shops: clothing, bags, water pipes, souvenirs and fabrics hang from the stalls.
Home / Attractions / Khan el-Khalili
Cairo & Giza · Old walled city, by al-Azhar Mosque
Khan el-Khalili
The largest bazaar of Cairo's old walled city, a maze of shops beside al-Azhar Mosque and Al-Muizz Street.
About Khan el-Khalili
Khan el-Khalili is one of the major bazaars of Cairo's central walled city: a large assortment of shops near al-Azhar Mosque, beside Al-Muizz Street, the old city's main north-south street. Around it, other markets in the old city sell gold, copper ware, textiles, rugs, amber, spices and leather goods.
The bazaar sits in the Fatimid heart of Historic Cairo, where streets were long named after the crafts and markets they held, such as Al-Nahhasin, the coppersmiths' street, and Bain al-Qasrain. The old city's historic core was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
A short history
- The Fatimid cityCairo was founded as the headquarters of the Fatimid Caliphate in 969 AD; the bazaar lies inside the city they walled.
- Al-AzharAl-Azhar, next to the bazaar, has been a leading centre of religious learning for the Islamic world since its foundation in 970 AD.
- Mamluk CairoUnder the Mamluks (1250–1517 AD) Cairo became the largest, most complex Islamic city of medieval times, and its streets were known by the crafts and markets along them.
- TodayMarkets, vendors and craft shops still line Al-Muizz Street, which passes Khan el-Khalili on its way from Bab al-Futuh to Bab Zuwayla.
What you'll see
Lamps and lanterns
Pierced metal lamps and colored-glass lanterns are among the crafts sold in the bazaar's shops.
Medieval gates and facades
Carved stone arches and gateways of the medieval city frame the lanes around the bazaar.
Getting there and how the visit runs
Khan el-Khalili is the last sightseeing stop on our Cairo-by-plane days from Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh: 20.6 km, about 23 minutes, from the Grand Egyptian Museum, or 21.6 km, about 23 minutes, from the Sphinx. From the bazaar it is 22.2 km, about 25 minutes, to Cairo airport for the flight back; the flights are not included in the tour price. On our full-day Cairo tours from a Cairo or Giza hotel, a shopping stop at Khan el-Khalili or near the pyramids is optional at the end of the day.
Before you go
What to wear and bring
- Modest clothing, especially in the markets and nearby mosques
- Comfortable shoes for crowded lanes
Photos
- Ask before photographing people and shopkeepers
- Avoid photographing children
Average daily high in Cairo (°C)
The coolest months are December to February.
World Meteorological Organization climate normals (monthly averages, not forecasts)
Questions about Khan el-Khalili
What is Khan el-Khalili?
One of the major bazaars of Cairo's old walled city: a large assortment of shops near al-Azhar Mosque and Al-Muizz Street.
What can you buy in Khan el-Khalili?
Britannica lists gold, copper ware, textiles, rugs, amber, spices and leather goods among the goods of the old city's markets around the bazaar.
How old is the area around Khan el-Khalili?
The walled city around it was founded by the Fatimids in 969 AD, and al-Azhar Mosque next to it in 970 AD.
Which of your tours stop at Khan el-Khalili?
Our Cairo-by-plane days from Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh end there before the flight back. On our Cairo day tours it is an optional shopping stop.
How far is Khan el-Khalili from Cairo airport?
22.2 km, about 25 minutes without traffic, on our tours' routing.
Is Khan el-Khalili part of a UNESCO site?
It lies in the historic core of Cairo, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica; UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities; World Meteorological Organization.
Guides
Read before you go
Cairo in a day from Hurghada: how the day runsFly in, see Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the bazaar, fly back: the day in order.
Egypt day trips by plane: how a one-day flight tour worksThe airport, the drives at each end, the day on the ground, and the flights that are not in the tour price.
Sharm El Sheikh day trips: Tiran, the desert or Mount Sinai?A boat day, a desert ride, an evening in Old Sharm, a night climb or a flight: Sharm day tours compared.
Marsa Alam day trips: the sea, the desert or Luxor?A boat day from Port Ghalib or Samadai, a sunset quad ride, or a long road day to Luxor: what each tour lists.