Khan el khalili   Khan el-Khalili is a major souk in the Islamic district of Cairo and is one of the major attractions for tourists.   The souk dates back to 1382 when Emir Djaharks el-Khalili built a large caravanserai in Cairo under the Burji Mamluk Sultan Barquq. After the Black Death much reconstruction needed to be done within the walls of the city and when Barquq started his madrassa (school) in Bayn el-Qasrayn, markets were rebuilt and Khan el-Khalili was established.   Today in addition to shops there are several coffeehouses, restaurants and street food vendors. All are generally small and traditional serving Arabic coffee and usually offering shisha.  There is also the famous restaurant Naguib Mahfouz - which everyone should visit.