Three authentic, local, and handmade shopping options in Cairo for Egyptian souvenirs
Fair Trade Egypt’s location in Zamalek is conveniently located close to downtown Cairo, and it has lots of handmade, authentic, Egyptian souvenirs. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Brown.
When travelers return home, they often bring back a physical token of their trip, and sometimes even give some to friends, family, and colleagues as a gift. Egypt is rife with cheap souvenirs mass-produced in China, so here is a list of options for travelers to buy authentic, local, and handmade souvenirs, and also support local businesses and artisans in the process.
Sami Amin Leather
Sami Amin is a designer based in Zamalek, Cairo, and he designs gorgeous leather goods including bags, accessories, and jewelry. You can look at his offerings online before your trip to get an idea of what you might want to purchase.
Sami Badawi’s Pottery Studio
The entrance to Sami Badawi’s Pottery Studio gives shoppers a taste of the exquisite ceramic tiles they will find inside.
Egyptian ceramics are gorgeous and unique, and Sami Badawi’s pottery studio has some especially exquisite pieces at great prices. The best part is that his studio is located in an artists’ village close to Coptic Cairo, so it’s easy to visit during some sightseeing, and there are other artist workshops to check out after seeing Sami’s studio.
There are several ceramics workshops besides Sami Badawi’s, all selling high-quality, handmade, Egyptian ceramics.
Fair Trade Egypt’s Zamalek location is on the second floor of this building, but you will notice the sign outside. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Brown.
Fair Trade Egypt has locations all over Cairo, and they have the widest selection of handmade souvenirs, ranging from pillowcases, to rugs, to glassware, and much more. Any fair trade employee can talk about where each piece comes from, something especially interesting to share with gift recipients.
Which of these three are you excited about visiting during your Egypt adventure? What places should we add to our list?