It’s not a secret that every week in Cairo is an adventure. This enormous city is constantly bustling in every direction, so it’s only natural that, at any given moment, something is happening somewhere. In fact, there’s a different souq happening every day of the week somewhere in the city, and every week, the stock - be it live animals, lost family pictures, used cars or just ten different types of garlic graters - changes.

This is a guide to Cairo’s weirdest, most fun and definitely most savvy souqs.

Souq El Had

Used clothing Wekalet El-Balah Every Sunday, the car repair and fabric stores in Wekala take a day off. So, naturally, every Saturday night, used clothing sellers in Wekala lay their schemes - and makeshift storefronts - in the street in front of them, to prepare to sell their remaining stock at an even more discounted price.

Souq El Talat

Clothing, homeware, linen Faisal Street 20 in Faisal becomes a souq for everything your home needs every Tuesday, at very discounted prices. You can find carpets, home linens, clothing, socks and underwear, pots and pans, 17 versions of a garlic grater - you know, the essentials.

Souq El Khamis

Clothing, shoes, homeware, utensils Matareya

At this weekly souq, the early bird gets the worm. Sellers lay makeshift storefronts every Thursday at dawn near Matareya Square, and wrap up before sundown, selling everything from used clothing to pottery to cooking utensils to home devices.

Souq El Gomaa

Animals Sayeda Aisha The weekly Sayeda Aisha souq is… unconventional. Here, sellers gather to sell live animals, some of which are traditionally kept as pets and others that are less, well, traditional, like rare pigeon breeds and lizards. Rumour has it that some of the pets sold in this souq were actually stolen from their owners.

Souq El Sabt

Antiques Downtown Cairo This is the souq the quirkiest kids in Cairo flock to every Saturday for cheap antiques, forgotten family pictures of people you don’t know, vintage movie posters, old records and tapes, half-working tin alarm clocks, and the occasional cool wine glass. Every week is a surprise, depending on what the sellers find. It’s located in the streets surrounding Cinema Diana in Downtown Cairo.

Souq El Sayarat

Used cars Nasr City You can’t buy a used car online. At least, that’s what every Egyptian dad wholeheartedly believes, but if you still want to strong arm your way through the negotiation for the car of your dreams, you could suggest a trip to Nasr City’s weekly Souq El Sayarat, where sellers put their used cars on display for live viewing. The souq happens every Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM on Mahager Road.

Souq El Gemal

Camels Berqash

If you’re looking to buy a camel, which is, of course, a completely natural thing to need for your home, Souq El Gemal in Berqash is definitely the place to go. It’s the biggest camel market in all of Egypt, and they offer impressive prices for camels starting at EGP 40,000 up to EGP 150,000, depending on the purpose of the camel, whether it’s for riding or eating.

Souq El Manasra

Used furniture Downtown Cairo

Souq El Manasra serves as a one-stop shop for everything furniture, from standalone chairs to living room sets to wardrobes and desks, at what are said to be the best prices in Cairo. You can find furniture from Damietta, the Egyptian capital of furniture, at the souq as well. It’s located in El Manasra Street off Mohamed Aly Street in Attaba, and is available all week round.

Souq El Fustat

Handcrafted pottery El Fustat

Souq El Fustat is more of a tourist spot, but the enormous stock of handcrafted pottery and glass homeware they have on display is worth a visit regardless. It’s open all week round, and many look at it as their go-to for souvenir shopping or to add cultured accents to their home.

El Souq El Tonsy

Home fixtures Nasr City

In Islamco in Nasr City, El Souq El Tonsy sells everything a home really needs (and by that we mean doors, not cute serving plates) at impressive prices. The souq offers a selection of windows, doors, toilets, and other home fixtures, both used and new, and you can even sell your old home fixtures there, like that bathtub collecting dust in your garage.

Souq El Waraq

Paper supplies, home decor, craft supplies Downtown Cairo

This souq in Attaba, Downtown Cairo has everything a master crafter could possibly need. It’s open all week long, and can get anything printed, framed or made into a sticker for you. They even have selections of ready-to-stick posters for your room.

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