Fujairah City
Fujairah's biggest and most modern mall has a Carrefour supermarket for all your road-trip snacking needs, the usual international-chain restaurants, a…
Must-see shopping in Middle East
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
This huge supermarket has a vast selection of supplies with a decent swath of international products too. Pick up barbecue supplies here and head to the…
Kuwait City
Kuwaiti boutique fashion for modern Middle Eastern women. Light, airy, brightly coloured items are demure yet striking – perfect for Gulf life. Choose…
Riyadh
Selling gold jewellery and beautiful fabrics among other items (including those from the odd flea-market stall), this is a traditional market and one of…
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…
Liwa Oasis
The best place to stock up on food and water in Liwa is this supermarket at the end of a commercial strip on the road to Madinat Zayed, next to the 24…
Kashan
This small shop sells a range of locally produced manteaus, scarves, blouses and dresses in cotton and silk. It’s an excellent place for women travellers…
Tehran
In the basement of the multiplex cinema that occupies a sinuous contemporary building in the western corner of Park-e Mellat, this gallery hosts regularly…
Tel Aviv
Fashionistas should head to this boutique in Jaffa's flea market to source premium denim, boho baubles and strikingly unique statement jewellery – all…
Southeastern Iran
Specialist confectioners selling Kerman's classic kolompeh (date-stuffed biscuits; per kg without/with nuts IR100,000/120,000), plus various qualities of…
Madaba
Opposite St George’s Church, this shop has an extensive range of Dead Sea products. It also sells consecrated holy water from the Jordan River.
Fujairah City
Foodies looking for dates to bring home should pop into this market hall, with its spice, produce, meat and fish stalls, at the bottom of Fujairah's main…
Oman
Camping equipment and food supplies are available from this supermarket. Don't expect too much from the name 'hypermarket', however: it's a small shop…
Northern Coast
In the town centre, this tiny shop has a small selection of silver souvenirs and camel sticks. It also has some pieces of old Bedouin jewellery that are…
Manama
All manner of colourful jellabiyas (long, loose-fitting unisex outer robe with full sleeves) are the hallmark of celebrated Bahraini designer Adeeba Al…
Mt Nebo
This handicraft centre specialising in mosaics is located 1km before Mt Nebo on the road from Madaba. The owner employs a large number of locals with…
Mashhad
Several shops around Falakeh Ab sell saffron in a wide range of qualities that are dependent on the part of the stigma collected (and whether or not it's…
Oman
This shop in Sayh Al Hayl, en route to the pools in Wadi Bani Khalid, sells some handmade pots and palm-woven goods – the closest thing to a souvenir in…
Aqaba
One of several tourist souvenir shops along this stretch of road, selling all the local favourites from ostrich eggs and camel bone boxes to Dead Sea…
Amman
The ‘Gate of the Orient’ has locally made home decor items including some interesting contemporary textiles and embroidery sewn by women’s cooperatives.
Amman
Al Burgan has a small but good selection of handicrafts, but the staff is knowledgeable and prices are reasonable. It’s behind the InterContinental Hotel.
Marina Breakwater
This organic store inside Nation Galleria is Abu Dhabi's go-to for organic and natural food products and cosmetics.
Kuwait City
Small centrally located mall with a good range of independent shops and cafes, plus the Way Out escape room game.
Wadi Musa
Some pocket-sized cameras and a range of digital accessories are available here; the shop is located in front of the Silk Road Hotel on the main street.
Downtown Dubai
The only independent record store in Dubai stocking music from a wide range of genres. Also stage documentaries, music production seminars and similar.
Wadi Musa
Has a good selection of hand-blown glass bottles displayed in the window. Prices cost JD10 to JD40 depending on the complexity of the design.
Downtown Dubai
This Lebanese outfit is a top-ranking trainer store with a vast range, ranging from Adidas originals to the super cool Japanese ASICS Tiger.
Yas Island
Pick up fridge magnets, key rings and easy gifts you can stuff in your wheelie bag – all emblazoned with the 'I heart UAE' logo – here.
Amman
This family-run store is more rustic than many others, but it’s something of an Aladdin’s cave if you're prepared to dig for treasure.
Jerusalem
This 200-year-old family business, run by friendly brothers Isaac and Jacob, sells well-priced culinary and medicinal herbs and spices.
Mashhad
Beneath a tall roof held up on uneven wooden rafters, the old carpet bazaar is fairly commercially minded. Quality is very variable.
Manama
Herbal medicines are all the rage in this corner of Manama Souq; ask for the list that matches ailments to local herb cures.
Madaba
For an unusual present, take home a selection of spices or freshly ground coffee beans from this aromatic grocer.
Hanania Silver Shop & Rafidi for Silver
Madaba
There's little on display in the windows, but every piece in this shop is handcrafted to the highest standards.
Iran
Choose between beautiful blue-glass Persian vases and ceramics, or perhaps go with a wood-carved cheetah?
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
This government-run centre showcases textile weaving, embroidery, basket-making, silver-thread needlework and other time-honoured crafts traditional to…
