The essentials
- Buy: cotton, spices and karkadé, tea, a silver cartouche, copper lamps, wooden items.
- Buy with care: papyrus (many fakes), perfumes and "pure" oils, "gold" or "silver" jewellery without a hallmark.
- Do not buy or take: antiquities, corals, protected shells, desert plants.
- Haggle: start at about a third to half of the asking price and walk away if it does not drop.
Where to buy in Hurghada
- El Dahar souk: the most authentic and cheapest, see the old El Dahar souk and the El Dahar guide.
- Sheraton Road: tourist shops and a mall, higher prices; see Sheraton Road.
- Malls: fixed prices, no haggling, useful for comparison; see Senzo Mall.
- Marina: upmarket gift shops; see Hurghada marina.
- In Cairo: Khan el-Khalili for choice, if you pass through the capital.
What to bring back: sorted
| Souvenir | What to check | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Egyptian cotton (sheets, towels, shirts) | label, feel, price; "100% Egyptian cotton" at rock-bottom prices is suspect | useful gift |
| Spices, karkadé, dukkah, tea | buy in sealed bags, smell first | foodie gift |
| Papyrus | against the light, real papyrus shows a grid of fibres; the fake, made of banana leaf, folds without cracking | decoration |
| Silver cartouche | hallmark and weight; have it engraved in front of you | personalised keepsake |
| Copper lamps, mosaic | weight, solder; mind the packing for the plane | decoration |
| Oils and perfumes | often diluted; buy a small amount | avoid if you do not know the shop |
The traps
- "Papyrus" and "essential oils" are not always what you are told, see Is Hurghada dangerous?.
- "Gifts" offered by a seller or a guide are paid for afterwards.
- "Shopping" excursions take you to commission shops: ask in advance what is included.
- Before paying, agree on the currency (Egyptian pounds, euros or dollars); see money and tipping in Hurghada.
At customs
Exporting antiquities is forbidden. Corals, shells and protected marine animals may not be exported (and often not imported at home). Keep receipts for important purchases. Check the cabin liquid limits for perfumes and oils.
Frequently asked questions
How much should you haggle? Aim for a third to half of the asking price, depending on the item and shop.
How can you spot real papyrus? It shows crossed fibres against the light and does not crumple like paper.
Can you pay in euros? Often yes, but the rate is worse; agree on the currency before buying.
What should you pick as a gift? Spices, karkadé, tea or a personalised silver cartouche.
