Shopping with a Side of Sightseeing

Just across from Khan El-Khalili is a wonderland by the name of Khayamia (Tentmakers).Practically bursting with vivid colors, shapes and patterns displayed in tiny boutiques nestled next to one another, Tentmakers Street is located in the Darb Al-Ahmar area, starting outside Bab Zeweila and ending at Talae Al-Athary Al-Kabir Mosque. This old craft is all about appliqué, where little pieces of colored fabrics are hand-sewn onto a bigger cloth to form intricate patterns and pictures. Designs range from Islamic calligraphy forming abstract geometric patterns, to Pharaonic symbols such as the lotus, to folk scenes evoking the traditions of Upper Egypt and Nubia. Flourishing during the Mamluk era, the craftsmen of Khayamia were responsible up until the 1960s for making and decorating the kiswa, the gold-embroidered cover for the Kaaba in Mecca, which was then sent to Saudi Arabia via caravan during the pilgrimage season.

While Khayamia today is famous for handmade tents, it offers everything from handmade pillow covers in the traditional Khayamia pattern and duvet covers to decorative portraits of Old Cairo or Luxor scenes.Affected by size, complexity and the quality of stitching, prices range from LE 45 for a pillow cover and up to LE 2,000 for bigger pieces such as bed covers.

The main artery in the heart of Islamic Cairo is the shop-lined El-Moez Street. Walking from Al-Azhar Street toward Bab Al-Futuh, you’ll find El-Nahassin, the district of coppersmiths near the Qalawun complex.Here you can find a wide range of plates, lanterns, pots and anything else that could be made using copper, or better yet, commission a piece based on a custom-made design. Once upon a time, copper was just the thing for kitchenware, but it fell out of favor with the advent of stainless steel. Undaunted, the ever-versatile coppersmiths shifted their focus to decorative pieces, like etched lamps and tables; you can even find that minaret top you never realized you wanted. In addition to shiny new pieces, some shops deal in antique copper items as well. The sellers are often flexible in prices and the styles they produce, but rarely in their top-notch quality craftsmanship.

In the bustling streets of Attaba lies Darb El-Barabra, a whole area dedicated to shopping for happy occasions. Need a bridal tiara? Check. Gift bags? Check. Got a shopping list for a sobou, celebrating a newborn’s first week of life? Check and double check.

In addition to filling all your celebration needs, what really makes this place popular is the selection of chandeliers, lanterns and lamps available in all shapes, sizes, materials and prices.You will find everything, from brass lamps to crystal chandeliers decorated with gold — all the better to illuminate your special event.

A word of advice: An afternoon in Attaba is not for the faint of heart. Prepare yourself for bargaining and getting stuck between Attaba’s constant flow of shoppers and sellers.Avoid visiting on weekends and during Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.