The souq along Sharia el-Souq is the center of Aswan's shopping. It is a genuine working market rather than a tourist trap, and you can buy hibiscus (karkade), spices, Nubian crafts, and silver jewelry alongside everyday goods. Hibiscus is the best buy in Aswan — the dried flowers for making karkade tea are sold here at prices well below what you will pay elsewhere in Egypt.
Nubian crafts are worth looking for: embroidered textiles, hand-painted pottery, traditional Nubian caps, and items made from ebony imported from Sudan. Silver jewelry using cartouche designs is widely available, though quality varies considerably. Bargaining is expected in the market and at most smaller shops.