Khan El-Khalili (Cairo, Egypt)

This review is simply for Khan El Khalili, I am not even going to attempt to review Cairo, as I simply cannot put it in words to justify it. Khan El Khalili is situated in the Islamic quarter of Cairo. It is widely believed to have inspired Columbus to discover the United States. It is a souk, or market, and one of the most famous sited to see within Cairo, and was established in 1382. This market is situated at one corner of a triangle of markets that go south to Bab Zuwayla and west to Azbakiyyah. Khan is bordered on the south by al-Azhar Street and on the west by the Muski Market (Muski is where the local Egyptians do much of their shopping for daily ...  Read the complete review

Cairo is one of those cities that is still very old fashioned at grass root levels with plenty to see and do. The obvious sight is the pyramids and sphinx at Giza. I was shocked when I went there as you are travelling through large blocks of flats and then in the background is the Pyramids. They are massive and very impressive, and although you are not allowed to climb them its one of those places that you must have your picture taken at. The camel hire there is quite reasonable and a good way of getting about the Pyramids, another good camera opportunity. If you get a chance come back in the evening and see the light show around the Pyramids and Sphinx it is very ...  Read the complete review

I've always had a bit of an obsession with markets, ever since I was a kid and my mum used to take me to "The Moor" in Sheffield, I thought they were fascinating places. There are a few more colourful markets than Khan El-Khalili, Islamic Cairo's ancient market which apparently started in 1382. An unmissable part of visiting Cairo, some people don't like the franticness of it and feel obliged to buy things by the pushy vendors. It's not the kind of place you want to go on your first day in Egypt, in fact I think that if you want to make a shopping trip there a success, a bit of know how at bartering and how to behave is essential. The ...  Read the complete review