The souq running along Sharia el-Souq is one of the liveliest markets in Upper Egypt. Spice sellers display heaps of hibiscus, cumin, coriander, dried dates, and bags of henna in colors that range from blood red to deep orange. Nubian crafts — embroidered textiles, hand-painted pottery, ebony carvings, and the distinctive Nubian cap — are sold alongside the tourist staples of papyrus, alabaster, and scarab replicas.
Hibiscus, known as karkade, is the product most worth buying here. The dried flowers, used to make the tart red tea that is Aswan's most characteristic drink, are sold at a fraction of the price charged elsewhere in Egypt. The spice sellers will generally let you smell and taste before you buy. The souq is busiest in the evening, when the temperature drops and the whole town seems to be outdoors.