In Sharm, you can find everything from an Egyptian night market selling spices to modern Italian-style shopping malls. We’ve compiled a list of the top spots and explained where it’s appropriate to haggle—and where it isn’t.
Soho Square is Sharm’s largest shopping and entertainment center, located in the area between Naama Bay and the airport. It features shops, restaurants, an ice rink, a movie theater, and evening shows. Prices in the stores are fixed, and the atmosphere is resort-like.
Il Mercato is a shopping center in the Hadaba district, designed to resemble an Italian piazza. It features mid-range clothing stores, Egyptian souvenirs, a pharmacy, and cafes with outdoor terraces. Locals come here for dinner, while tourists visit for souvenirs and clothing.
Genena City is an open-air shopping center in the Naama Bay area overlooking the bay; in addition to shops, it features restaurants and live music in the evenings.
The Old Market (Old Bazaar / Souk) in the Sharm el-Maya (Old Sharm) district is the city’s main souk. The stalls are open mainly from the evening until midnight, and business is brisk. Items sold here include: silver jewelry, alabaster figurines, papyrus with drawings, fabrics, hookahs, spices, bags, and clothing featuring Egyptian symbols. Haggling is appropriate and expected—the initial asking price is usually 2–3 times higher than the actual price.
Naama Bay —shopping is everywhere: along the waterfront and on the surrounding streets, you’ll find small stalls, souvenir shops, and clothing vendors. These are geared toward tourists; you can haggle, but not as much as in the Old Market.
Hadaba —a residential neighborhood with stores selling everyday items, pharmacies, and small shops—this is where people buy practical items rather than exotic goods.
When is the best time to visit the Old Market?
In the evening, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight—it’s cooler then, the place is bustling, and all the stalls are open.
Do they accept cards at the market?
Most stalls accept only cash (Egyptian pounds). In shopping centers, cards are accepted everywhere.
Can I return a purchase?
In regular stores in shopping malls—usually yes; at the market—no.
Where can I buy spices without the tourist markup?
At stalls in the Old Market farther from the entrance—tourists don’t go there as often, so the prices are more reasonable.
Is there a tax-free program for tourists?
Technically, the Tax-Free system exists in Egypt, but in practice, it’s only available at a limited number of large stores—be sure to check when making a purchase.
