The market was built in 1382 by the Emir Djaharks Al Khalili in the heart of the Fatimid City. Together with the Al Muski market to the west, they comprised one of Cairo's most important shopping areas. Today, tourists flock to this unique bazaar not only in search of cheap products, ranging from souvenirs and jewelry, Oriental sweets and spices; but also to experience the real thing in visiting one of the many shisha places located in this area. Khan Al Khalili also boasts a famous coffeehouse, called Fishawi's Coffeehouse,  frequented by the Nobel Prize winning author Naguib Mahfouz.