Khan el-Khalili has been Cairo’s beating commercial heart since the 14th century, built on the site of a Fatimid-era mausoleum. Narrow alleys packed with lanterns, spice stalls, gold and silver workshops, and centuries-old cafes make it less a shopping trip than a full sensory experience.
El Fishawy, one of Cairo’s oldest continuously operating cafes, has been pouring mint tea in these alleys since 1773. Beyond the tourist-facing stalls near the entrance, the deeper lanes hold genuine artisan workshops — coppersmiths, perfume blenders, and papyrus painters still working by hand.
El Fishawy cafe has been serving tea in these same alleys since 1773.
Bargaining is expected and part of the experience — start well below the asking price. Evening visits bring a livelier, more local atmosphere than the midday tourist rush.