Shopping · Luxor · Egypt
Shopping in Luxor
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Shopping in Luxor centres on the souq and stalls at the major sites, selling spices, textiles, alabaster and papyrus. Quality varies widely, so take your time and haggle. Best souvenirs: Spices and hibiscus, Cotton scarves and galabiyas and Alabaster carvings.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 1
- Top souvenir
- Spices and hibiscus
Where to shop
Luxor souq
The covered tourist market behind Luxor Temple, with spices, scarves, galabiyas, lamps and souvenirs.
West Bank alabaster workshops
Workshops near the West Bank sites sell carved alabaster vases and figures; quality and authenticity vary.
Corniche shops
Fixed-price shops along the Corniche and in hotel arcades, convenient if you dislike haggling.
Markets
Local produce market
Deeper in the souq, away from the tourist stalls, fruit, vegetable and spice traders serve local shoppers.
What to buy
Spices and hibiscus
Cumin, dried hibiscus for karkadeh and spice blends sold by weight in the souq.
Cotton scarves and galabiyas
Light cotton scarves and traditional robes, useful for covering up at sites and mosques.
Alabaster carvings
Vases and figures carved from Egyptian alabaster; check weight and translucency, as cheaper resin copies are common.
Papyrus paintings
Painted papyrus sheets with pharaonic scenes; real papyrus does not tear easily when gently flexed.
Cartouche jewellery
Silver or gold pendants engraved with your name in hieroglyphs, made to order in a day or two.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Market · Souq and station area
Luxor souq
The covered tourist market runs inland from Luxor Temple, selling spices, scarves, galabiyas, alabaster and papyrus, with more local stalls of fruit, vegetables and household goods further in.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- After dark
- Food
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Aish shamsi, Karkadeh, Sugarcane juice and Om Ali. West Bank villages and local bakeries; some guesthouses serve it at breakfast. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| East Bank Corniche | $$$ | Nile-front hotels, the Winter Palace and cruise-boat quays beside Luxor Temple |
| Khaled Ibn al-Walid Street | $$$ | Large resort-style hotels and restaurants south of the town centre |
| Souq and station area | $ | Market lanes, budget hotels and local cafés behind Luxor Temple |
| West Bank Gezira | $ | Village guesthouses and rooftop cafés by the West Bank ferry landing |
| West Bank Qurna and Al-Bairat | $$$ | Mud-brick hotels and farmland at the foot of the Theban hills |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EGP. Tipping (baksheesh) is part of daily life: small notes for tomb guardians who show you something special, hotel porters and drivers. Add about 10% in restaurants if service is not included, and tip guides and cruise crews at the end of the trip.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in June–July; the busiest months are December–February.
- March: Luxor African Film Festival (usually late winter or early spring)
- December: Christmas and New Year peak (late December)
Staying near the shops
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Luxor?
Spices and hibiscus, Cotton scarves and galabiyas, Alabaster carvings and Papyrus paintings.
+Where is the best shopping in Luxor?
Luxor souq: The covered tourist market behind Luxor Temple, with spices, scarves, galabiyas, lamps and souvenirs.
+What are the best markets in Luxor?
Local produce market.