Forget the tourist-trap main Khan el-Khalili bazaar and dive into Souk al-Attarin, tucked behind the flashy jewelry stalls where actual Cairenes buy their daily spices. Open 6 AM to 8 PM except Fridays, this narrow alleyway buzzes with grandmothers haggling over cardamom and shop owners grinding fresh baharat blends.

What to buy: Hibiscus tea (karkade) for 15-25 EGP per 100g, sumac for 20 EGP, and the most fragrant cinnamon bark you'll ever smell. Ask for "tawabel baladi" (local spices) and they'll know you're serious. Watch them grind everything fresh - no dusty pre-packaged tourist nonsense here.

Secret bonus: Follow the copper-banging sounds to adjacent Souk al-Nahhasin where third-generation craftsmen still hammer traditional water jugs and coffee pots using medieval techniques. It's like a living museum except nobody's performing for tourists - just Egyptians doing what their families have done for centuries.

Pro tip: Bring small bills and your own cloth bags (plastic costs extra). Thursday mornings are quietest if you want to chat with vendors without the crowds.