Must-see shopping in Bahrain

  • Kingdom of Perfumes

    Manama

    One of the joys of perfume shopping in the Gulf is watching the mesmerising way a perfumer can mix seemingly random oils to produce the very smell you…

  • Abdul Samad Al Qurashi

    Manama

    The most prestigious name in premium Middle Eastern oud, musk, agarwood oils and perfumes, this Saudi brand has been around since 1852, dispensing…

  • Al Aali Mall

    Manama

    This small shopping centre next to Seef Mall has gone for quality over quantity. There's a lovely reproduction of an old Gulf souq in the Souq Al…

  • City Centre Bahrain

    Manama

    The country's true mega-mall, City Centre Bahrain has something for everyone. If international brands have a presence in Bahrain, you'll most likely find…

  • Gold Souq

    Manama

    Founded by Indian immigrants who arrived more than 200 years ago, the shops in the Gold Souq are still owned mostly by the families of those early…

  • Pearl of Islands Antiques

    Manama

    Pearl of Islands is the pick of this strip of 'antique' stores selling mostly ornate wood doors and quaint lanterns. That's not because the goods are any…

  • Hussein Mohd Showaiter Sweets

    Bahrain

    This is the king among Muharraqi sweet merchants – just try to leave without buying something sickly sweet and sinfully delicious, like the Turkish…

  • Seef Mall

    Manama

    One of Manama's larger malls, Seef is popular with British expats as it is home to several familiar UK brands, including Marks & Spencer, Laura Ashley,…

  • Spice Souq

    Manama

    It can be a little hard to find, but this small collection of spice sellers is a wonderfully fragrant place for a stroll as you explore one of the quieter…

  • Malatya Pazari

    Manama

    Lovers of Turkish sweets will adore Malatya Pazari, purveyors of natural dried fruits, nuts, halwa (a dense Middle Eastern sweet made from flour, butter…

  • Kubra Al Qaseer

    Manama

    Arguably Bahrain's best-known designer, Kubra Al Qaseer pioneered the colourful modern interpretations of the humble jellabiya (long, loose-fitting outer…

  • Moda Mall

    Manama

    High-end designer retailers dominate this upmarket mall beneath the World Trade Centre: think De Beers, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana.

  • Gold City

    Manama

    This modern two-storey building is an extension of the historic Gold Souq founded by the Indian immigrants who effectively run Bahrain's gold trade. Have…

  • Manama Centre

    Manama

    So many signposts direct you to Manama Centre that you don't expect it to be such a humble building. Full of discount stores selling mainly domestic goods…

  • Lulu Shopping Centre

    Manama

    Important local shopping centre for resident south Asians who flock here for the 'stack 'em, high sell 'em cheap' stores stocking tons of brands imported…

  • Noof

    Manama

    Bahraini designer Noof Al Khor creates modern takes on Bahraini women's fashions, with a focus on glittering sandals and jellabiyas (long, loose-fitting…

  • Anmar Couture

    Manama

    All manner of colourful jellabiyas (long, loose-fitting unisex outer robe with full sleeves) are the hallmark of celebrated Bahraini designer Adeeba Al…

  • World of Herbs

    Manama

    Herbal medicines are all the rage in this corner of Manama Souq; ask for the list that matches ailments to local herb cures.

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