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…
Must-see shopping in Middle East
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…
Deira
Founded in 1907, Damas may not be the most innovative jeweller in Dubai, but with more than 50 shops, it’s essentially omnipresent. Among the diamonds and…
Tel Aviv
If you’re looking for something slightly fancier than the malls in central Tel Aviv, this mall, just outside the city centre, is home to a great selection…
Oman
Nakhal's souq occupies a new building near the fort. Largely intended for the town's residents and still yet to be fully operational, it sells a few…
Dubai
The mother of Dubai’s electronics stores, this place stocks all the latest computers, cameras, mobile phones, games and gadgets under one giant roof.
Doha
Local farmers come to sell their fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and plants at this weekend market in Katara. There are bouncy castles and push-along cars…
Dubai
This small, well-displayed boutique specialises in genuine pashmina (cashmere). The finest are handmade by weavers, and you can expect to pay in the…
Eastern Province
For an experience and prices far removed from the large shopping malls of the city, head to the open-area Dammam Souq (also known as the Ladies' Market)…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This indie shop in Ibn Battuta's India Court stocks an eclectic and rotating selection of colourful, whimsical fashion by high-spirited designers from…
Dubai
Mikyajy is Arabic for 'my makeup', and that's just what this popular Middle Eastern franchise specialises in. Go for the local bestsellers including…
Haifa
Dock workers from Thessaloniki established this market back in the 1930s, though it eventually dwindled almost to nothing. The last decade of Downtown…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This mall has an attractive waterfront setting and a manageable 140 stores on four floors, so you won’t get lost quite so readily as in its mega-size…
Sharjah
It's hardly 'mega' compared to Dubai mall-world standards, but it does come with a multiplex cinema and children's fun park, both good indoor diversions…
Sur
This attractive new mall has brought a touch of modernity to shopping in Sur. There's a Carrefour (open 9am to midnight daily) selling a more…
Ein Bokek
This Ein Bokek mall, in the middle of the hotel zone, is the best place in Israel to buy Dead Sea beauty products. Shops also sell beach supplies,…
Al Ain
This somewhat dishevelled covered central souq has stalls selling fruit, vegetables and fish as well as some cheap and cheerful souvenirs. It's good for a…
Tel Aviv
This branch of the chain bookstore has helpful staff and a decent array of English-language titles and children's books. It's worth a stop for a solid…
Marina Breakwater
Inside Etihad Towers' podium building, this mall is all about big-name designer boutiques. International names from Cartier to Versace all have a presence…
Dubai
At the original branch of this beloved local lit parlour, American bibliophile Mike McGinley has supplied readers with new and secondhand English-language…
Mashhad
Bahraman is one of Iran's most trusted and recognisable brands for saffron. They have a small outlet right at Falakeh Ab, but this branch is bigger and…
Nazareth
If you'll be camping along the Jesus Trail or on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, this fishing-supplies shop is a good place to buy inexpensive sleeping…
Tel Aviv
Pass through an old metal door to discover the workshop and retail space of Einat Agassi and Tamar Harel-Klein, who use gold and silver to create …
Hajar Mountains
Opened in 2018, this huge mall only houses a huge Lulu hypermarket. Although nothing else is currently open in the complex, the hypermarket makes a useful…
Riyadh
Riyadh's gold market is in the old neighbourhood of Ad Dirah, off Al Thumairi St and is part of the Thumairi Souq. It is probably the best place to try to…
Riyadh
For handicrafts and local fare, head to Souq Al Thumairi, immediately south of Masmak Fortress in the Al Diraiyah area. The shops in the small lanes offer…
Hajar Mountains
Handy for camp beds, rucksacks, lamps, pots, pans and everything one might need for night time DIY barbecuing, this tiny store has the look of an army…
Jerusalem
The German Colony branch of this chain bookstore has a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and travel, including a small selection of books in English.
Abu Dhabi
This higgledy-piggledy art shop, which started life mainly as a framing service in 1995, has local artworks for all tastes. A bit of a fossick around can…
Sun & Sand Sports Factory Outlet
Downtown Dubai
This is the factory-outlet branch of one of the biggest sporting goods retailers in the region, with a storeroom jam-packed with shoes, rackets, jackets…
Salalah
Selling Oman's most popular sweet, Barka Sweets is one of a number of halwa shops on the southern end of Al Husn Souq. A small pot of this traditional…
Kuwait City
Egyptian- and Middle Eastern–made gifts and goods, from cork laptop cases and leather-bound notebooks with Arabic inscriptions to handmade canvas bags and…
Akko
Built in the late 1700s as Akko's municipal market, this bazaar now hosts handicraft and souvenir sellers. Quality is variable but keen shoppers can…
Tel Aviv
Necklaces featuring leaf and boat motifs are some of the many hand-crafted pieces on offer at Ronit Cohen's atelier. Most are plated with 24-carat gold…
Tel Aviv
The circular Kikar HaMedina (which means State Sq) is actually just a large roundabout with grass in the centre, popular with dog walkers. Its perimeter…
Jerusalem
Branch of a popular chain selling maps and travel guidebooks (including Lonely Planet), as well as quality camping supplies and outdoor gear for those…
Jerusalem
Israeli fashion designer Rina Zin uses natural fabrics (linen, cotton, wool) in muted hues to craft her casual yet elegant pieces, which suit women of all…
Deira
You feel like you’re walking into a chocolate gift-box at tiny Mikyajy, the region's home-grown makeup brand. Although calibrated to Middle Eastern tastes…
Jerusalem
Between the 5th and 6th stations of the Via Dolorosa is this shop selling olive-wood religious carvings, icons, jewellery, Jewish prayer shawls and…
Abu Dhabi
Part of the World Trade Center, this pleasant shopping mall provides higher-end retail therapy to the complex's 'souq' counterpart. It includes a new,…
