Alexandria shops in layers: Ottoman-era alley markets, Greek and Italian arcades left over from the cosmopolitan 1900s, and glass malls on the Corniche. Bargain for gold in Mansheya, hunt Art Deco in Attarine, then buy Egyptian cotton in Roushdy.
A tight covered lane off Sharia Faransa packed with fabric bolts, galabeyas, beads, hair clips and trousseau goods. Stalls open around 09:00 and run till dusk. Cotton scarves 60-150 EGP, embroidered galabeya 400-900 EGP. Cash only, haggling expected.
Alexandria's gold quarter: dozens of family jewellers around Sharia El Sagha selling 18k and 21k by weight. Price = daily gold rate plus 8-15% workmanship. Ask for the hallmark stamp and a written receipt with karat and gram weight.
The working quarter's street market behind the fishing harbour: spices sold from open sacks, dried hibiscus, cumin, hot peppers, plus copper pots and enamel kitchenware. Spice bags 25-80 EGP, hand-beaten copper trays 350-1,200 EGP depending on size.
Streets of dealers south of Kom El Dikka trading in furniture and objects left behind by Alexandria's Greek, Italian and Jewish families — Art Deco mirrors, brass lamps, gramophones, chandeliers. Small brass pieces 300-800 EGP, furniture from 4,000 EGP.
Egypt's oldest street, laid on the ancient Canopic Way, now a run of vintage shops, bookbinders, tailors and stationers under Italianate facades. Bespoke shirt from a Fouad tailor 900-1,800 EGP; most shops open 10:00-14:00 then 17:00-21:00.
Two surviving belle époque department stores near Saad Zaghloul Square, both founded by Levantine merchant families before WWI. The interiors — iron staircases, tall galleries, original counters — are more of a draw now than the mid-range stock.
The Corniche's flagship mall at Louran, built on the site of the old San Stefano Casino. Four retail floors of Egyptian and international labels, sea-facing terraces, cinema on top. Open 10:00-midnight. Concrete and Mobaco tees around 700-1,100 EGP.
Alexandria's inland shopping complex beside the Hilton Green Plaza — a broad mix of local high-street brands, electronics, homeware and a food court that fills with Alexandrian families after sunset. Open daily until 01:00 in summer.
Wooden kiosks lining the street beside the Nabi Daniel Mosque, selling secondhand Arabic, French, English and Greek titles — plus old maps, postcards and vintage Egyptian magazines. Paperbacks 40-120 EGP, pre-1960 illustrated volumes 400 EGP up.
A Greek-founded patisserie trading since 1922 on the square, still selling boxed baklava, petits fours and chocolates in its own printed tins — the most portable edible souvenir in the city. Gift boxes from around 350 EGP per kilo.
The city's weekly junk-and-treasure market, strongest on Friday mornings: coins, watch parts, ex-military kit, radios, tools and household salvage spread on tarpaulins. Prices start under 50 EGP and almost everything is negotiable in half.
Egyptian long-staple cotton sold at source — shirts, polos and knitwear cut and sewn in Egypt, sized generously. The Roushdy branch on Abou Qir Street sits among the district's independent boutiques and coffee shops for onward browsing.