Shopping in Jordan
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A
Al-Burgan
A selection of crafts and souvenirs with knowledgeable staff and reasonable prices. It’s behind Jordan InterContinental Hotel.
reviewed
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B
Haret Jdoudna Complex
The Haret Jdoudna Complex sells an extensive range of crafts including mosaics, ceramics, textiles and clothing. Look out particularly for some exquisite embroidery; many of these items are sponsored by the Arab Cultural Society, which supports Jordanian war widows. Indeed, most items come from local non-profit organisations, including the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation.
reviewed
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C
Silsal Ceramics
Has a small showroom of superb modern pottery with price tags that are surprisingly reasonable. If you’re coming along Zahran St from 5th Circle, it’s the third small street on the right.
reviewed
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D
Redwan Bookshop
One of the best in Jordan with an extensive selection of newspapers, hard-to-find Jordanian titles, Lonely Planet guidebooks, and English, German and French novels.
reviewed
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E
Safeway, Shmeisani
There is an outlet of Safeway, Shmeisani around 500m southwest of the Sports City junction.
reviewed
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Safeway
Safeway is quite a hike away, about 750m north of Princess Haya Hospital.
reviewed
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F
Humam Supermarket
The best supermarket is Humam Supermarket .
reviewed
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Rum Arts
Rum Arts at the visitor centre is a good place to look for quality silver items, embroidered bags and glass designs. Most items are made by local women to whom most of the profits are returned. It’s possible to visit the workshop in Rum village if you are interested (closed Friday and Saturday) – ask for directions here or at the Rest House. Almost adjacent, the Bedouin Gallery sells a fine selection of textiles and Bedouin goat-hair rugs.
reviewed
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G
National Society for the Preservation of Madaba Shop
Next to the entrance to the Burnt Palace, the National Society for the Preservation of Madaba and its Suburbs has a necessarily long sign and friendly staff. The organisation aims to preserve Madaba's heritage, with a particular focus on protecting the architectural and historical integrity of the old houses around town. It is partly funded by the sale of maps, books and souvenirs from its shop. Opening hours are erratic.
reviewed
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Handicraft Workshop
The former British military hospital in south Azraq has recently been renovated by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) as a base from which to explore the Eastern Desert. It’s a nostalgic lodge with a 1940s colonial feel. The lodge is also home to a small handicraftworkshop where women from the local community sell silk screens, ostrich-egg carvings and traditional textiles.
reviewed
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H
Noor al-Hussein Foundation Shop
For a fine selection of handicrafts, visit Noor Al-Hussein Foundation shop, located in the Aqaba Fort complex, opposite the museum. Profits go to help supporting marginalised communities throughout Jordan. Items include silver jewellery from Wadi Musa, petroglyph designs from Wadi Rum, kilims, clothes, embroidery, basketware and ceramics. Credit cards are accepted.
reviewed
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I
Craft Shops
Have a classy and extensive range of items on offer, including jewellery, books, clothing, mosaics, furniture, textiles and ceramics. Most of the items come from local nonprofit organisations such as the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation. Embroidered items come from the Arab Cultural Society, which supports Jordanian war widows. There's a small silversmiths on site.
reviewed
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J
Wild Jordan
The nature store at the Wild Jordan Centre sells ecotourism products made in Jordan’s nature reserves, including silver, organic herbs and jams from Dana, and candles made and decorated by Bedouin women as part of an income-generating project in Feinan. All profits go back to the craftspeople and to the nature-reserve projects.
reviewed
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Iraqal-Amir Handicraft Village
West of Amman, the village of Iraq al-Amir, opposite the caves of the same name, is home to the Iraqal-Amir Handicraft Village, selling handmade pottery, fabrics, foodstuffs, carpets and paper products. The project was founded by the Noor al-Hussein Foundation, and employs dozens of women from the surrounding area.
reviewed
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K
Beit al-Bawadi
The place for quality ceramics, created to support local artisans, who you can see working in the basement. Designs are both traditional and modern (lampshades and dinner sets), some decorated with Arabic calligraphy, and pieces cost around JD30 to JD60. The top floor has discounted items. Credit cards are accepted.
reviewed
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L
Al-Alaydi Jordan Craft Centre
With an overwhelming selection spread over several floors, it’s difficult to leave here without spending money. Items include jewellery, Hebron glassware, Palestinian embroidery, kilims, wood carvings, old kitchen implements and Bedouin tent accessories. Prices are marked in both dinars and US dollars.
reviewed
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M
Abdoun Mall
Mall mania is sweeping through areas of Amman. The biggest is Mecca Mall in the northwestern suburbs, with a cinema, bowling alley, video arcade and dozens of restaurants. Abdoun Mall is a smaller version of the same thing. More are bound to follow.
reviewed
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N
Sam's Jewellers
With designs ‘inspired by my mother and my aunts’, Sam takes a personal pride in his very unusual necklaces of silver, coral, amber and semiprecious stones, which combine traditional motifs with modern settings.
reviewed
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O
Hanania Silver Shop
There are a number of quality shops in town including this locally renowned master silversmith, opposite Al-Baraka Dates. There is little on display in the window but every piece is hand-crafted to the highest standards.
reviewed
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P
Alia Supermarket
Self-caterers and would-be picnickers should head to the Alia Supermarket near the Omayed Hotel, which has a good selection of local produce, including the region’s justifiably famous olives.
reviewed
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Q
Jordan River Foundation
There’s an emphasis on home design here, with cushions, camel bags, candles, embroidery, baskets (from Wadi Rayan in the Jordan Valley) and Dead Sea products, all at high prices to match the high quality.
reviewed
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Lawrence Arts & Crafts
You can visit private mosaic workshops (with no obligation to buy), such as Lawrence Arts & Crafts and purchase your own copy of the Madaba map or a more modest Tree of Life (from JD8, depending on size).
reviewed
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Mecca Mall
Mall mania is sweeping through areas of Amman. The biggest is Mecca Mall in the northwestern suburbs, with a cinema, bowling alley, video arcade and dozens of restaurants.
reviewed
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R
Artisana
This excellent small showroom has a wide range that includes scarves, bottles of holy water from the Jordan River and reproductions of the famous 6000-year-old statues from Ain Ghazal.
reviewed
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S
Bawabet al-Sharq
The ‘Gate of the Orient’ has locally made (some on site) home decor items tending towards the kitsch. Sales benefit several Jordanian women’s groups.
reviewed