Souvenir shopping in Middle East
-
A
Al-Burgan
A selection of crafts and souvenirs with knowledgeable staff and reasonable prices. It’s behind Jordan InterContinental Hotel.
reviewed
-
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
-
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
-
D
Manama Souq
Manama Souq, in the warren of streets behind Bab al-Bahrain, is the place to go for electronic goods, bargain T-shirts, nuts, spices, sheesha bottles and a plethora of other Bahraini essentials. Most shops in the souq are open from about 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 21:00 Saturday to Thursday, and open in the evening on Friday.
reviewed
-
E
Hope in their Hands
The National Women's Centre for Development Handicrafts and Hope in their Hands are two nonprofit organisations located inside the same building with the joint aim of increasing the financial independence of Yemeni women. This is done through workshops where the women, who are often widowed or divorced, learn skills such as sewing and weaving. The resulting products are then sold in the two downstairs shops, which together are the best place in San'a to buy souvenirs.
If you're lucky, you might be allowed upstairs to watch the women at work. Even without these centres the building itself, a renovated caravanserai (a traditional storage and lodging house for traders…
reviewed
-
F
National Women's Centre for Development Handicrafts
The National Women's Centre for Development Handicrafts and Hope in their Hands are two nonprofit organisations located inside the same building with the joint aim of increasing the financial independence of Yemeni women. This is done through workshops where the women, who are often widowed or divorced, learn skills such as sewing and weaving. The resulting products are then sold in the two downstairs shops, which together are the best place in San'a to buy souvenirs. If you're lucky, you might be allowed upstairs to watch the women at work. Even without these centres the building itself, a renovated caravanserai (a traditional storage and lodging house for traders…
reviewed
-
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
-
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
-
G
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
-
H
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
Advertisement
-
Souvenir Shops
For regional souvenirs (most of which are imported from Yemen, India, Pakistan and Iran), there are many shops selling silver jewellery, brass coffeepots, lapis-lazuli and coral beads, carpets and kilims in the streets of Adliya district (near the Gulf Hotel and Convention Centre), especially along Osama bin Zaid Ave.
reviewed
-
I
Lata’s
This is our favourite one-stop shop for Arabian and Middle Eastern souvenirs, such as Moroccan lamps, brass coffee tables, khanjars and silver prayer holders. It also stocks some fabulous silver jewellery, and some not-so-fabulous costume pieces. Tell the staff what you’re after, and they’ll steer you right to it.
reviewed
-
J
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
-
K
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
-
L
Gallery One
For an arty souvenir, consider a colourful Arabian abstract image, pop-art screen print or a black-and-white photograph of Dubai’s bustling Creek scene or famous wind towers. Prices are very reasonable. The problem will be choosing which you like best.
reviewed
-
M
Al Jaber Gallery
This is an offshoot of the City Centre store, offering an even wider selection of Oriental and Arabian handicrafts, souvenirs and carpets, from the Middle East and India, from brass coffee pots to Bedouin khanjars.
reviewed
-
N
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
-
Judaica
The best Judaica is available in Jerusalem, but if you are bargain hunting you'll find shops along Ben Yehuda St, some of them opposite the Sky Hostel. These shops also sell postcards, souvenirs and the like.
reviewed
-
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
-
O
L'Artisan du Liban
Good quality Middle Eastern souvenirs - satin slippers, wooden boxes, backgammon sets, and ceramics - can be found at the worthy L'Artisan du Liban which supports Lebanese craftsmen in need.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
P
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
-
Q
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
-
R
Holy Treasures Centre
Holy Treasures Centre, opposite St George Church, has an extensive range of Dead Sea products. It also sells consecrated holy water from the River Jordan.
reviewed
-
S
Spice
For an unusual present, take back a selection of spices or freshly ground coffee beans from Spice, opposite the Housing Bank.
reviewed
-
Dusto-e
The mother of all souvenir stores is Dusto-e, where the range is huge, prices high and quality probably better than average.
reviewed