El Ataba market — Local services in Cairo

El Ataba is a MASSIVE market and where the locals shop. Don't expect to see other tourists here. I was first overwhelmed by the noise, chaos and shouting (all tourism markets are harmless compared to that) and then asked around, was directed to and then spent hours in the fabric section (Tarpea area, El ashar Street) scouting approximately 200+ stands/stores for the right yellow fabric I wanted for my tailor made suits.

If you aren't into exploring AUTHENTIC Egypt, go to the Khan el-Khalili market which is the super touristy market housed in a beautiful and historic part of town if you're looking for that vibe.

My highlight was meeting fabric trader Shorouktex. He had no business with me (only doing whole rolls, not by the meter) but invited me to join dinner with staff and family even registered his Instagram account just to stay in contact after meeting me...

Every category of goods is sold in different streets, alleys and buildings you need to ask around as there's no directory or other way to know. I'm sure I've only seen 15% of El Ataba in the 5 hours...

A unique experience in Cairo. As a couple we took a taxi to the market to find we were almost the only tourist there in a crowd of hundreds . It was difficult to navigate as the streets had many smaller streets branching off and many roads were full of traffic despite the market stalls. Very noisy and chaotic but at no time did we feel unsafe , locals were friendly and on the whole just curious . The stalls sold a variety of goods of poor quality, not the place to get anything special but hubby topped up on socks . Easy to get a taxi roadside back to our hotel. A place to go if you wish to experience true local culture but not good if you have mobility problems or dislike...

Ataba is a fantastic place to find unique, handmade items at great prices. I recently bought some beautiful handmade lamps, baskets, and table mats made from natural materials, all in a charming Boho style. What really stands out is the incredible value—these same items would easily cost three times more in art galleries or upscale shops. The quality is excellent, and the variety of items gives you plenty to choose from. If you're looking for authentic, artisanal products that reflect Egyptian craftsmanship, Ataba is a hidden gem. I’m really happy with my purchases and would highly recommend it for anyone in search of affordable,...