Alexandria is Egypt's second-largest city, a Mediterranean port stretching along a broad curving corniche on the country's northern coast. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, it was once home to the ancient Great Library and the Lighthouse of Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today Alexandria mixes Greco-Roman ruins, Ottoman-era forts, Belle Époque architecture, and a lively seafood and fishing culture along a coastline of sandy bays.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Vintage cosmopolitan-era furniture and objects
Price: EGP 100-5,000+ (approx $2-96+)
Where: Souq El Attarine, Souq El Manshia antiques stalls
Egyptian spice blends, dried hibiscus (karkade), and dukkah
Price: EGP 30-150 per bag (approx $0.60-3)
Where: Attarine spice stalls, Souq Al-Khreit
Egyptian cotton scarves, galabeyas, and linens
Price: EGP 150-800 (approx $3-15)
Where: Souq Al-Khreit, Manshia market stalls
Silver and gold cartouche pendants and traditional jewelry
Price: EGP 300-3,000+ (approx $6-58+)
Where: Attarine district jewelers, downtown gold shops near Saad Zaghloul Square
Egyptian perfume oils and essences
Price: EGP 80-400 per bottle (approx $1.50-8)
Where: Attarine perfume and essence shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Souq El Attarine
Antiques, spices, and traditional crafts
Where: Attarine district, central Alexandria
Hours: Daily approx. 9AM-8PM (many shops closed Sunday)
Souq El Manshia Antique Market
Antiques, vintage curiosities, and flea-market goods
Where: Mansheya district, near Maydan Orabi
Hours: Daily approx. 9AM-7PM
San Stefano Grand Plaza
International and local fashion brands, seafront mall with hotel and marina
Where: San Stefano, Corniche
Hours: Daily 10AM-11PM (extended during Ramadan)
City Centre Alexandria
Large hypermarket, international retail chains (Zara, H&M, Debenhams)
Where: Moharam Bek, along the Cairo-Alexandria desert road
Hours: Daily 10AM-11PM
Zahran Mall
Clothing, electronics, and everyday retail
Where: Smouha district
Hours: Daily 10AM-11PM
Green Plaza Mall
Over 370 shops spanning fashion, electronics, and dining
Where: Sidi Gaber, near the 14th of May Bridge
Hours: Daily 10AM-11PM
El-Nasr Street Shopping Strip
Local clothing boutiques and everyday retail along a main Smouha/Sidi Gaber thoroughfare
Where: Smouha and Sidi Gaber, along El-Nasr Street
Hours: Shops generally Mon-Sat 10AM-10PM
Safeya Zaghloul Street
Downtown clothing shops and fashion retailers near Raml Station
Where: Downtown, near Raml Station and Saad Zaghloul Square
Hours: Shops generally Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM
Souq Al-Khreit
Textiles, fabrics, and traditional clothing materials
Where: Attarine district, adjacent to Souq El Attarine
Hours: Daily approx. 9AM-7PM (many shops closed Sunday)
Stanley District Boutiques
Independent fashion and lifestyle boutiques near Stanley Bridge and beach
Where: Stanley district, near Stanley Bridge
Hours: Shops generally Mon-Sat 11AM-10PM