Egypt is a country in northwest Africa that opens you to a fabulous stay of discovery and escape. Witnessing a fascinating history, the Egyptian territory is renowned for its remarkable monuments, rich culture and sublime landscapes.
To share the discoveries and the good times you spend in this charming country, you will surely want to bring back some memories to your friends and family.
To help you find the best gifts, discover in this article a selection of souvenirs to bring back from a trip to Egypt.
1) Beautiful jewelry at affordable prices
At the end of your trip to Egypt, you will bring back full of beautiful images engraved in your mind but also with some objects that will not fail to surprise your friends and family, such as beautiful jewelry. Indeed, you will find in the country of the Nile many gold and silver bracelets, necklaces and rings at very attractive prices.
If you aspire to bring back typical Egyptian jewelry, you will have several choices. Bracelets decorated with hieroglyphs or pendants in the shape of beetles are good choices. If you like stones, you will have no trouble finding Egyptian pendants made of stones coming directly from Egypt, such as turquoise or alexandrite.
2) A miniature pyramid
Everybody knows that the pyramids are one of Egypt's emblematic attractions. In fact, when you think back on your stay in the country, the pyramid is one of the many images that will surely come to mind if you have had the opportunity to visit some of them. As a reminder, the Pyramid of Khufu (the largest of the Pyramids of Giza) is one of the most visited sites in the world.
It is also the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing today. Thus, to mark your escapade in Egypt, a minipyramid is an essential souvenir to bring back home. You can also bring back statues, including those of a sphinx, Egyptian gods (of the jackal god Anubis, of the falcon god Horus, of the crocodile god Sobek …), hieroglyphs, etc. All of which will bring a touch of Egyptian history to your home!
3) Spices and sweets
It is true that spices and sweets are not lasting memories that you can keep, bringing them back will please you and your family and friends. Indeed, Egypt is famous for making tasty pastries sweet and fragrant with nuts or honey.
During your stay, take the time to stroll through the souks (Egyptian large markets) to discover a multitude of varieties of fresh spices of very good quality. Inexpensive, you will be able to bring back various kinds, with different scents and flavors. Once at home, you will even have the possibility to reproduce typical dishes of the country if you like to cook.
4) Perfume oil
If you like good perfumes, you will find in Egypt a wide selection of perfume oils to bring back from your trip. Several perfumeries in Europe and United States buy perfume oil in Egypt.
During your stay, you can find perfume oils in various small shops in Egyptian cities. Once at home, all you have to do is mix various oils to reproduce the scents of famous perfume brands.
In dedicated stores, you will be seduced by the elegance and originality of the bottles in addition to the irresistible smell of these oils.
However, be sure to choose the right place to buy your perfume oils, because in the large Egyptian markets, some vendors dilute glycerine oil in the products to reduce their cost price.
5) Papyrus paper
Papyrus paper is an excellent choice of souvenir to bring back from your trip to Egypt.
Considered to be the ancestor of the paper we know today, papyrus was invented 5000 years ago. It was used for writing and drawing in Egypt and the Mediterranean. Papyrus paper is made from a plant of the same name that grows on the banks of the Nile. In Egypt, papyrus was widely used to make handwritten scrolls.
Having played a great role in the history of the country, it is one of the most representative objects of Egypt to keep from your trip. Your loved ones will be delighted to receive such an authentic gift from you.
However, take the time to check the quality of the papyrus papers before you buy them, as some traders sell tourists fake rice papers or palm leaves!!! To be sure not to be swindled, it is best to buy the papyrus directly from the manufacturers' workshop.
6) Egyptian carpets
If you have enough room in your luggage, a beautiful handmade carpet is a great idea for a souvenir gift to bring back from your trip to Egypt. Egyptian handicrafts are both very rich and of high quality. In addition to jewelry and various trinkets, carpets are among the most authentic handicrafts of the country. As you will have understood it, the hand-made carpets are the most interesting.
Made from ancient techniques, these Egyptian handmade carpets have different decorations and will give a sublime and original touch to any living room.
The carpets on the road to Saqqarah are among the most magnificent. They are sheep wool carpets with bright colors and patterns representing everyday antique life. The red wool carpets in the localities of Marsa el-Matrouh and Aswan are also nice choices.
7) Glassware and pottery
Glassware and pottery are among the handicrafts in which ancient Egyptians excelled. The modern glassblowers certainly master their ancestral techniques. Vases, domes, plates and glasses of all colors abound in the country, especially in Khan al-Khalili.
The great specialty of the locality is the creation of small perfume bottles with sublime shapes and designs. The vases and very fine cups are the most magnificent (however, they are more expensive because of the quality of their finish). If you are a pottery lover, you can find all kinds of pottery in popular markets or directly from the manufacturers.
