Discover the Art of Bartering at Khan el-Khalili
Before you head home from Egypt, stop by Khan el-Khalili to buy some souvenirs to remember your time in Egypt. However, it takes a determined tourist to brave the Khan. If you thought you got hassled by salesmen at the monuments and on the street of Egypt, you ain't seen nothing yet. The game is to extract money from tourists and the vendors at the Khan are experts at this game. Prices are rarely posted and while some stores offer fixed prices on their merchandise, the majority of outlets prefer to barter. While you walk through the Khan expect to be approached by everyone as they invite you into their stores to check out their wares. They all promise you the best price..but they don't promise to start with that price. So how do you find out what a good price is? You have to hone your barter skills. I have my own special bartering strategy. After I find an item I like I ask for the price...they will often reply "how much do you want to pay?" and I reply "nothing". I insist on them giving me a price. For a mug they may start at 100 Egyptian pounds. I say that is too much I am not interested and then the price starts to drop. I start to leave the store and the price drops even more. If I walk slow enough as I leave they will follow me offering lower and lower prices. After giving me their best price they will stop following me. That's how I learn what something is worth.
|
|
Wikipedia - Khan el-Khalili is a major souk (market) in the Islamic district of Cairo. The bazaar district is one of Cairo's main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike. The souk dates back to 1382, when Emir Djaharks el-Khalili built a large caravanserai in Cairo under the Burji Mamluk Sultan Barquq; the eponymous khan is still extant. By the time of Barquq, the first Circassian Mamluk Sultan (1382–1399) much reconstruction needed to be done within the walls of the city in order to repair the damage incurred as a result of the Black Death. When Barquq started his madrassa in Bayn el-Qasrayn, markets were rebuilt, and Khan el-Khalili was established. It was also known Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman Empire.
The Khan el-Khalili was built on the site of the much older and historically significant Za’afran Tomb, the burial place of the Fatimid Caliphs, founders of the City of Cairo. The Za'afran Tomb was part of the Great Fatimid Eastern Palace (built AH 358 / AD 968) constructed upon the founding of the city. In addition to shops, there are several coffeehouses),restaurants, and street food vendors distributed throughout the market. The coffeeshops are generally small and quite traditional, serving Arabic coffee and usually offering shisha. The al-Hussein Mosque is also in Khan el-Khalili; Al-Azhar University and its mosque are not far away. |
|
|
|
|
For tips on visiting Egypt CLICK HERE
For tips on visiting the Middle East CLICK HERE
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE
For tips on visiting the Middle East CLICK HERE
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE
|
Where I Stayed...
Grand Royal Hotel Cairo, Egypt 1TALAAT HARB SQUARE Tel:002 022 39 34 684 http://cairohotelgrandroyal.com 
|
How to Get There - Fly into Cairo International Airport and cab it from there.
|
