Egyptian Souvenirs to Buy in Alexandria, Egypt! 4 Recommended Items
Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt after the capital Cairo, is a bright city facing the Mediterranean Sea. Since its only about a 3-hour drive from Cairo, many Cairo residents often go to Alexandria's beaches for vacations.
Although Alexandria is often thought of as a historical city, it only has a few ruins from the Greek and Roman periods, and none that reflect ancient Egyptian heritage. Here, we will introduce some typical Egyptian souvenirs that you can find in Alexandria.
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Egyptian Souvenirs to Buy in Alexandria, Egypt! 4 Recommended Items
1. Traditional Garment: Galabeya
You don’t see many people wearing it in the middle of the city, but when you go to southern Egypt, the number of men in galabeyas rises significantly. In cities like Cairo and Alexandria, some people buy it as comfortable loungewear, and even businessmen who normally wear suits may spend their Friday holiday in a galabeya.
Recommended are 100% cotton types that feel smooth and breathable—they're long-sleeved but surprisingly cool. Women's versions may be decorated with embroidery or sequins, but those are mostly souvenir items; locals tend to wear simpler styles. At souks (markets) or street stalls, bargaining is possible, so aim to start at around half the asking price. In regular stores, haggling is minimal, though discounts may be offered if you buy several at once, so shopping at a single store can be advantageous. By the way, the pure white men's version tends to be see-through, so it’s wise to buy thin pants to wear underneath.
2. Spices
As you walk around Alexandria, you'll notice a colorful array of spices displayed in large baskets inside souks (markets), supermarkets, and specialty spice shops called attars. Aswan, located in southern Egypt, is a major hub for spices, gathering a wide variety not only from neighboring countries but also from places like India and China. These spices are then distributed across Egypt, so of course, you can find the same variety in Alexandria as well.
Spices are sold by weight. The displayed price is per kilogram, but you can buy as little as 100 grams or even less. You can either scoop the amount you want into a bag yourself or gesture to the store staff to help you. In supermarkets or souks, the spices are typically just placed in plastic bags, but in attar shops, some stores may seal them properly in pouches. Recommended choices include safe staples like black pepper, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, cardamom, mixed spices, and cinnamon sticks. There are also many rare spices available, so it's fun to try buying a few and experimenting with them.
3. Photo Books and Postcards
In Alexandria, there aren’t many typical souvenir shops, but if you want to buy Egyptian postcards, photo books, or maps, try checking out bookstores. They often have a wide selection, including photo books of the ruins in Luxor and Aswan, the Islamic district in Cairo, the pyramids, and guidebooks covering the whole of Egypt. These are available in both Arabic and English, making them great souvenir options.
The bookstore inside the New Alexandria Library, which is also a tourist attraction, is clean and well-stocked, making shopping convenient. Bookstores inside shopping malls also offer stylish bookmarks and notebooks with Arabic script designs. Bookshops in Egypt are surprisingly great places to find unique souvenirs.
4. Arab Sweets
Arab sweets are an essential part of the lives of Egyptians, who absolutely love sweets. If you're invited to someone's house, it's almost certain that you'll bring sweets with you. That's why there are so many sweet shops all over town! Western-style cakes and pastries are, of course, also popular, but traditional Arab sweets are long-lasting, easy to carry, and popular with the elderly, making them the go-to gift among Egyptians.
Some shops specialize only in Arab sweets, but recently, more and more stores are offering both Western and Arab sweets. While there are sweets well-known throughout the Arab world, when it comes to something uniquely Egyptian, the most famous is basbousa. It's made from semolina flour, yogurt, and sweet syrup, but its taste varies depending on the shop. Basbousa is also one of the cheaper Arab sweets, so you might even get to try a sample. Kunafa, which contains pistachios or peanuts, is also very popular. Prices are displayed per kilogram, so say “half kilo” (noss kilo) or “quarter kilo” (roba’ kilo) when buying. They will nicely box it for you, and if you ask, they’ll even wrap the box as a gift.
Arab sweets might be a bit too sweet for other people, so you probably won’t need too much. Just a small bite paired with strong tea is enough to let you savor the Arab experience.
◎ Summary
As souvenirs from Egypt, replicas of ruins, classic papyrus items, and perfume bottles are popular and standard options. However, those are more typical of southern Egypt. So, this time, we’ve selected souvenirs that are easy to buy in Alexandria and are more characteristic of northern Egypt.
Please note that quality control in Egypt is not the best, so especially when buying clothing, be sure to check the items carefully before purchasing. Also, the phrase “I don’t have change!” is very common, so don’t forget to prepare small bills or coins.
