Luxor Travel Forum

I'm planning to go to Luxor in May and I have two questions:

1. Egypt produces a lot of essential plant oils, but I never saw them in shops in Cairo or other cities. Is it possible to get essential oils (frankincense, myrrh e.o.) in some shop(s) in Luxor?

2. Does somebody know a reputable perfume shop(s) in Luxor with good quality perfume essences/oils (shops not with usual copies of designer fragrances)? What are approx. prices?

Thank you very much and good luck to everyone!

You may find such oils at what is called "ATTAR" shops even in Cairo.

Foreign products may be cheapest on board or free shops.

Local ones normally are found at Pharmacies, super markets, but still the cheapest as I mentioned above at "ATTAR" or "3ATTAR" shops.

Local marks are Shabrawishi, Qesma etc. and cologne rather than perfumes or escenses, in all cases it is matter of taste above all.

Best of luck

Sayed

I don't know about Luxor because I never bought my fragances there. But Aswan certainly has at least one good shop and Cairo has several!

For Aswan: Abu Simbel Perfumes. For Frankincense: best in Spring!!!

Cairo: Golden Eagle Perfume Palace: go for the Lotus flower!

Good luck, Dora.

Some years ago in Cairo I visited (spelling?) Desouki Gouda's Perfume Palace.
Where we had a demo and lecture on how the oils were obtained then had the opportunity to buy samples. From small glass files with a rod on the stopper to large bottles.....maybe 100mls.
I bought a selection of a couple of dozen oils in the smallest size which I could give out for pressies. When I got home and gave one each to my sisters and my Mam the word got out and just about every female I knew was offering to buy these tiny bottles from me. The product was that good!
Now I don't know about Luxor but I'll bet there is a genuine source as long as you are careful how you choose.
I have seen shops and even stalls in Luxor that have a huge selection of different oils on display but have not investigated them assuming that they would be market stall tat. Always meaning to check them out later and never finding the time.
Frankincense and myrrh were on offer at D G's P P in Cairo, but unless you know what you are looking for be careful.

I just got a few last week at Abu Simbel Perfumes in Luxor. Our cruise guide took us there, I can't recall the name of the street, but I suppose if you ask at any travel agency they will know.
Prices range from Eur30 (50cc). They will try to sel you boxes of six.
I got a box of 6 but they gave me 2 for free. I haven't got the exchange rate for the credit card payment yet. I know I paid LE1300 altogether.
I bought mostly treatment oils and only one perfume (Lotus).
Rgds
Maria

Soliman's in Karnak is maybe the best place to go. Any Taxi driver will take you there....just make sure it say's "Soliman's" ourside the door before you go in. It is what they call a Perfume Palace and they have all the oils there that are available in Egypt.