Having fun with the locals at Luxor Market in Egypt.
After wandering up and down several times and saying no, he finally got me!
He finally took some of my spending money!
That is’ Eddie’, the Egyptian local, who wasn’t taking no for an answer, and he finally sold me a souvenir, and a cultural experience at Luxor Market which made it all worthwhile.
The Egyptian markets are a cultural experience to say the least!
Whether you can handle this aspect of Egyptian culture is down to how well you can handle hassle, haggling and questionable behaviour from the locals.
This blog is based on my personal experience, so it will give you a true indication of what to expect!
Sipping tea with a local called ‘Eddie’ in Luxor Market.
How to get to Luxor Market?
Luxor Market, also known as ‘El-Souk’, is located on the East Bank of the Nile, around a five minute walk from Luxor Temple. Other notable points of interest nearby are the famous Sofra Restaurant, Luxor Railway Station, and the popular museums in the city.
You can reach the market in various ways:
By foot.
As with other East Bank treasures in Luxor, they are all reachable by foot if you are based on that side of the river. In summer months, it can get very hot though, so bare this in mind.
There are beautiful views of the Nile to accompany your walk if you head down the main Corniche.
By taxi, tuk tuk, or horse-carriage
Catching one of the quirky methods of transport in Luxor is a great way to feel the character of the city.
Make sure you negotiate a fixed price upfront though, to prevent being scammed!
Horsec-carriages are very common sights in Luxor.
By ferry or felucca.
If you are based on the West Bank, you are going to have to cross the River Nile!
There are boat owners and sailors located all the way down the riverbank, so you won’t have any problems finding a ride.
The market is the esssence of the city.
The Daytime Experience.
The Egyptian market experience is one aspect of the country which intrigues global visitors, but depending on what time of the day you visit Luxor Market, you are going to get a different vibe.
There are certain aspects of the local culture which are on display all of the time, however, due to it being quiet, and the Egyptian market traders having a long day ahead of them, it is dulled down significantly through the daytime.
One of my vivid memories from my morning stroll through the souk was the strong smell of fresh bread, which lingers around, as the locals purchase their lunch. This was one of the highlights of my morning wanderings.
This is a great spot to head for a light breakfast if you have arrived into Luxor early on one of the sleeper trains and have to wait to check in your accommodation.
There are various restaurants and cafes throughout the souk area.
Luxor Market opening times.
10am - 10pm Daily approx.
Not all of the market traders will be open early in the morning.
Daytime is much different to an evening experience.
What to expect inside an Egyptian market?
Luxor Market offers a glimpse into the rich traditions of the local people.
As you wander through its labyrinthine alleyways, you'll encounter a combination of sights, sounds, and aromas that capture the essence of Egyptian culture. This can be overwhelming for tourists who don’t know what to expect.
Here are some things you can expect to witness in an Egyptian market:
Colourful and vibrant Arabic style textiles.
There is a kaleidoscope of colours, reflecting the artistry and craftsmanship of Egyptian artisans, mainly through rugs, carpets and furniture, all of which display typical Arabic designs.
Don’t be surprised if you get offered a full carpet or couch. I’m not kidding!
A treasure trove of ancient artifacts.
It is like walking into a time machine while exploring some of the stalls, as they are filled with ancient souvenirs. These include Replica sculptures of pharaohs, hieroglyphic-engraved scarabs, and delicate alabaster figurines. I also seen many items displaying the Egypt flag.
The typical Egyptian patterns can be found throughout Egypt.
Original Aromatic Delights and Culinary Traditions.
Your senses will be overwhelmed by the tantalising aromas of Egyptian spices and perfumes. Stop by a traditional cafe to savor the flavours of freshly brewed coffee or indulge in the sweetness of Egyptian sweets.
Lively Interactions and Negotiations.
The market is abuzz with lively chatter and the friendly banter between merchants and customers. Learn the art of haggling, a quintessential part of Egyptian market culture, as you negotiate for the best prices.
Be warned though - The locals have no filter and did heckle and whistle many people while I was at the market.
I got offered a camel ride many times through the day and night time!
An array of spices can be found everywhere.
The Evening Experience.
If you want the true Egyptian market experience then an evening visit to the market should be on your itinerary!
I headed down to El-Souk for a second time on my last night in Luxor on my solo trip in Egypt.
On an evening, the fresh smell of bread is replaced by a strong aroma of herbs and spices. The attack on my senses was compounded by bright lights and loud shouting from the locals.
This was more like the Egyptian Market I expected, and very similar to my experience in Marrakesh.
The entrance to Luxor Market lit up on an evening.
Meeting the locals in Luxor Market.
One things for sure in Luxor Market whichever time of the year you visit, you will be entertained by the Egyptian people - one way or another!
This can go both ways, depending on your tolerance for hassle, ability to say no, and sensitivity to heckling.
I kept my visit to the souk short, as I didn’t have the energy for a full night of the shenanigans, however, I did have a good experience also.
I shared local tea with a market trader and found out some cultural insights.
He did get some of my spending money, but someone was going to, so it was nice to meet new people in their home environment.
As you can see, there is more activity on an evening.
The salesmen in Luxor Market can be loud and intrusive, so you need to visit with an open mind and engage in fun communication with them.
Most of the locals are good natured, and enjoy it when you give them back!
Egypt is cheap in comparison to most western countries, so you are guaranteed a bargain if you have any level of bargaining skills.
A thumbs up to an entertaining evening in the bazaars.
A mixture of Egyptian souvenirs.
A touch of Nubia in Luxor Market.
I was heading south to Aswan after my stay in Luxor, so it was nice to get a taste of the Nubian culture in advance. I spotted several Nubian themed cafes on Luxor’s East Bank.
I enjoyed a Nubian style coffee and watched the drama unfold in the souk.
It is a lot more entertaining from the sidelines!
A Nubian themed coffee shop giving me a glimpse of what was to come in Aswan.
What to buy in an Egyptian market?
I noticed a vast choice of goods for sale in the Egyptian markets I visited.
Here are some of the things you can expect to see:
Cat ornaments.
Pharaoh designed souvenirs.
Egyptian cotton textiles.
Papyrus paintings.
Garments.
Spices.
Arabic carpets and rugs.
Jewellery.
Shisha pipes.
perfumes and oils.
If you look hard enough, you can find almost anything within the bazaars!
Some shops have the most random mix of souvenirs.
My favourite souvenir in the market was an ancient Egyptian bookmark made out of papyrus - the ancient writing surface, used thousands of years ago!
An interesting fact I learnt about Ancient Egypt!
This was made extra special as my name was written in hieroglyphics on the back!
I can’t make out if it actually does say Tom?
Let me know if you can figure it out!
A personalised bookmark made out of papryus.
with my name in hierogyphs on the back.
Important tips to have a trouble free experience in Egyptian markets.
An open mind is the number one thing which will make your market experience enjoyable!
The locals need to sell to tourists to make a living and their desperate positions does lead to some unscrupulous behaviour.
If you stick to this guidance, you should have no major issues, and hopefully grab a bargain or two.
Bargain smartly.
Have an idea of the approximate price of what you're buying.
Online research or asking your hotel staff can give you a baseline.
Start low, go slow.
Offer roughly half the quoted price and counter politely. Think of it as a fun dance, not a stressful battle.
The pressure is on the seller to get your spending money - you have an abundance of other options in the market.
Be happy to smile and walk away.
If negotiations stall, don't be afraid to thank the vendor and move on.
Keep valuables close.
Secure your bag or use a money belt for important documents.
Trust your gut feeling; avoid carrying large sums of cash. I did get some random Egyptian guys walking close by trying to initiate conversation with me, so I made sure my phone and wallet were secure.
Take pictures respectfully.
Ask permission before photographing locals, especially women.
Learn a few Arabic phrases.
"Shukran" (thank you) and "Beshwaya" (how much?) go a long way.
The locals do speak multiple languages, however, it is always nice to make an effort with the local language.
Other famous markets to visit in Egypt.
Egypt is home to a rich tapestry of markets throughout its different cities, each with its own unique history, atmosphere, and offerings.
Here are some of the most famous Egyptian markets:
Khan El Khalili.
Located in Islamic Cairo, and dating back to 1382, Khan El Khalili offers all the history and culture you need to enjoy one aspect of the chaotic capital city. It is known as the most well known silver market in Egypt!
If you really want to uncover the market’s secrets, then a tour with a local guide would be a wise move, as the market is a maze to the unsuspecting tourist!
I captured some great Instagram shots of the hustle and bustle.
Khan El-Khalili market in Cairo.
Aswan Market.
The market in Aswan offers a slightly different vibe, as it is less touristy, and its target audience are the locals. This provided an interesting insight into the culture of Southern Egypt, without as much hassling.
It can be found just outside the main train station and runs parallel to the main Corniche.
Birqash Camel Market (Souq al-Gamaal).
Held every Friday in the village of Birqash, this market is a chance to see hundreds of camels being traded and sold. It's also a great place to experience Egyptian village life and culture.
Other things to do in Luxor.
Luxor is abundant with activities which makes it one of the most popular cities in Egypt.
It is home to many of the well known temples in Egypt, spread across both banks of the Nile.
A day tour of both of the East Bank and West Bank will tick off the majority of the historical sites. Consider splitting the two sides of the city if you want to spend more time observing the original tombs, or famous mummies at Valley of the Kings. This will also give you extra time to squeeze in the Colossi of Memnon, and Medinet Habu Temple.
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