Story: Khan el-Khalili Market
Episode: 1
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Air Date: 28 February 2026

Khan el-Khalili is Cairo’s legendary open-air bazaar, where centuries of trade, storytelling and everyday life unfold in the city’s historic Islamic quarter.

• Established in the 14th century, the market once anchored ancient trade routes, with merchants from North Africa, the Levant and beyond converging here to barter goods and ideas.
• Its maze of narrow lanes is packed with spices, metalwork, textiles and souvenirs, offering an immersive introduction to Cairo’s sights, scents and sounds.
• Sultan-era architecture frames the experience, with stone façades, arches and historic gates creating a vivid backdrop for browsing, photographing and soaking up local atmosphere.
• Bab al-Fekon is a standout gate within the precinct, known for colourful lantern displays and fresh produce stalls that reveal the market’s everyday rhythms.
• The area’s cafés and traditional restaurants invite guests to sit down for Egyptian tea and classic dishes, experiencing hospitality while watching the market pulse around them.

For more information, visit:
www.vikingcruises.com.au