Luxor is an open-air museum stretching along the Nile in Upper Egypt, home to the greatest concentration of ancient monuments on Earth. From the colossal Karnak Temple Complex to the tombs of pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor preserves millennia of Egyptian civilization. Once the ancient capital of Thebes, it remains one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological destinations.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Alabaster Carvings
Luxor is the centre of Egypt's alabaster carving tradition — workshops on the West Bank and in the bazaar produce vases, statues, scarabs, and decorative items from locally quarried alabaster. Quality ranges from mass-produced to genuinely hand-carved artisan pieces.
Price: $5-50
Where: Alabaster workshops on the West Bank road; Luxor Souk; tourist shops near Karnak
Papyrus Art
Hand-painted papyrus depicting ancient Egyptian scenes, hieroglyphics, and pharaonic imagery. Beware of fake papyrus made from banana leaves — genuine papyrus is more translucent when held to the light and harder to tear.
Price: $5-30
Where: Papyrus shops throughout the East Bank tourist area; museum shops for authenticated pieces
Cartouche Jewellery
Gold and silver jewellery engraved with your name in hieroglyphics in a cartouche — a uniquely personal Luxor souvenir. Can be made within 30-60 minutes at some jewellery shops.
Price: $10-60
Where: Gold shops in the bazaar and along El Karnak Street
Galabeyya (Traditional Egyptian Robe)
The traditional Egyptian galabeyya robe in lightweight cotton makes a practical and authentic souvenir or travel garment. Available in tourist souvenir versions and genuinely local styles.
Price: $8-25
Where: Textile shops in the Luxor Souk market area
Egyptian Spice Mixes
Spice sellers in the market offer pre-mixed dukkah, ras el hanout, and dried hibiscus (karkade). Buying loose spices from the market is an authentic sensory experience and excellent value.
Price: $2-10 per bag
Where: Spice stalls in the Luxor Central Market
Hand-Painted Ceramic Tiles and Plates
Colourful blue and green glazed ceramic tiles, bowls, and plates decorated with pharaonic scenes are a durable and attractive souvenir. Better quality pieces come from Upper Egyptian craft co-operatives.
Price: $5-30
Where: Craft shops on the East Bank; some West Bank guesthouses sell local artisan work
Reproduction Antiquities
Carefully crafted reproductions of famous Egyptian antiquities — shabtis, ushabtis, scarabs, canopic jars — are popular collectibles. Legal to take home; genuine antiquities cannot be exported.
Price: $3-40
Where: Tourist shops near temple entrances; bazaar stalls throughout the city
Egyptology Books and Maps
A wide range of books on Luxor's history, Egyptology, and ancient art are available at museum shops. The Luxor Museum bookshop and the Winter Palace Hotel bookshop have good selections.
Price: $10-40
Where: Luxor Museum shop; Winter Palace Hotel bookshop; tourist bookshops on the Corniche
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Luxor Central Souk (El Souk)
The main covered bazaar of Luxor weaves through the streets behind Luxor Temple with stalls selling papyrus, alabaster, spices, textiles, scarves, replica antiquities, and food. The deeper you go from the tourist entrance, the more authentic and local the goods become.
Where: Behind Luxor Temple, Sharia El Souk, East Bank
Hours: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM (many shops close for midday prayer and midday in summer)
West Bank Alabaster Workshops
A string of family-run alabaster workshops where you can watch craftsmen carve vases, statues, and decorative items from raw alabaster stone. Prices are often better than the East Bank tourist shops.
Where: West Bank road, between Colossi of Memnon and Valley of the Kings
Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Luxor Produce Market
An early-morning local produce market selling fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, and street food. An authentic look at daily Egyptian market life with little tourist presence.
Where: Near Luxor Train Station, East Bank
Hours: 5:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Sharia El Souk / Bazaar Area
The main tourist shopping district behind Luxor Temple with a mix of souvenir shops, spice stalls, jewellery shops, and textile vendors
Best for: Souvenirs, papyrus, spices, replica antiquities
El Karnak Street and Corniche
A line of shops along the main tourist street and Corniche selling books, postcards, clothing, jewellery, and papyrus
Best for: Books, postcards, mid-range jewellery, practical travel items
West Bank Village
The villages around the archaeological sites have family-run workshops selling alabaster carvings, pottery, and textiles at better prices than the East Bank tourist shops
Best for: Alabaster, authentic craft items, fair prices
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected and normal at all open markets — never pay the first price asked
Start your counter-offer at around 40-50% of the asking price
Remain friendly and calm — keep it light-hearted and with a smile
Walking away is a valid negotiating technique and often prompts a better offer
Know approximately what you want to pay before you start — research prices at a few stalls first
Buying multiple items often gives more negotiating power
Beware of vendors who quickly agree to your first counter-offer — you may have offered too much
Do not feel obligated to buy after a sales pitch or free hospitality — politely declining is perfectly acceptable
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Real antiquities cannot be exported from Egypt — even items found in the desert. Reproduction antiquities are legal but may need proof of purchase from a licensed seller. Declare any significant items at customs.
Tax Refund: No formal VAT refund scheme for tourists in Luxor
Duty Free: Arriving travellers may bring 1 litre of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and gifts up to a certain value duty-free
Shipping: Most tourist shops can arrange shipping for larger purchases; use hotel services or the main post office for sending parcels home