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Tunisia

Shopping in Tunisia

  1. A

    Soula Shopping Centre

    Located at the entrance to the medina, this mega four-storey complex is probably the largest price-fixed centre in the country. Most credit cards accepted.

    reviewed

  2. Centre des Traditions et des Métiers d'Art de Kairouan

    To see carpets being made without the hard sell, the Centre des Traditions et des Métiers d'Art de Kairouan, just north of Bir Barouta on a side street leading to the souqs, was set up by ONAT to promote local handicrafts. The rooms upstairs are set up to demonstrate traditional techniques for weaving, embroidery and carpet making. The artisans are usually happy to show you how it's done.

    reviewed

  3. Sousse Medina

    Sousse medina probably has the most interesting combination of religious and historical monuments. It is also one of the most convenient places to shop in all of Tunisia. Besides an enormous array of traditional shops, and souvenir shops that operate on the barter system, there are many price-fixed centres scattered around the medina and along blvd de la Corniche in the Ville Nouvelle.

    reviewed

  4. Shopping at the Souq

    Not surprisingly, sand roses are commonly sold in the shops around town. Tourist versions of Saharan sandals (comfortable slip-on shoes made from camel skin) decorated with palm motifs etc are also widely available. All around the souq and surrounding streets, you'll find Berber rugs, sand roses, Touareg jewellery and a range of other pots and pieces.

    reviewed

  5. B

    Central Market

    This market dates from the 19th century and is a hugely colourful place to wander and stock up on food, with a mouth-watering selection of cheeses, fresh bread, harissa (spicy chilli paste), olives and pickles (surrounding shops sell tempting piles of the same) as well as fruit and veg and a wide range of basketware.

    reviewed

  6. C

    Delma

    Impress your date with dates. This upmarket shop sells Tamerza dates stuffed with pistachio paste or dried apricots, or covered in sesame seeds. They're pricier than you'll find in the supermarket but the boxes make good gifts.

    reviewed

  7. Sousse Market

    Sousse's weekly market is held on Sunday in the Souq el-Ahad compound just south of the bus and louage stations. You'll find everything from handicrafts to livestock to souvenirs for the busloads of tourists.

    reviewed

  8. D

    Mains des Femmes

    This shop is the fixed-price outlet for handicrafts produced by rural women's cooperatives, with rugs, including kilims and mergoums (woven carpets with geometric designs) and embroidered blankets.

    reviewed

  9. E

    market

    As well as Sousse's main weekly market, there's another market sans tacky stuffed camels 5km northwest of the city centre on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.

    reviewed

  10. F

    Hanout Arab

    On the main tourist drag, this is an unusual, fixed-price shop with distinctive Tunisian crafts, including textiles, jewellery, and ochre-and-black Sejnane pottery.

    reviewed

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  12. G

    Fella

    This small, fixed-price chichi boutique has kept stars from Umm Kolthum to Grace Kelly in handmade floaty robes and household ornaments.

    reviewed

  13. H

    Antique Shop

    This no-signed antiques shop may seem singularly uninterested in selling anything, but they do have classy antiques at prices to match.

    reviewed

  14. Magasin Général

    Magasin Général is the best supermarket with a good selection of Tunisian wine. There's another branch at rue de la Corniche.

    reviewed

  15. I

    Labedi Apiculture

    A fascinating tiny shop, this sells local bee products, including eucalyptus honey, royal jelly hand-cream and aromatic hair oils.

    reviewed

  16. J

    Librairie Claire Fontaine

    This bookshop sells an excellent selection of French books, and some lovely coffee-table books on Tunisia in French and English.

    reviewed

  17. K

    Espace Diwan 9

    This bookshop sells a good selection of books about Tunisia, plus CDs, old books and photographs.

    reviewed

  18. L

    Magasin Général

    Central supermarkets include the Magasin Général. It stocks a range of local wines.

    reviewed

  19. M

    Monoprix supermarket

    The usual items can be found at the Monoprix supermarket .

    reviewed

  20. N

    Al-Kitab

    This bookshop sells maps, travel guides and cookery books, and a few English titles.

    reviewed

  21. Produce Markets

    The main produce markets are in the medina, just inside the Bab el-Jedid.

    reviewed

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  23. O

    Monoprix

    Central supermarkets include Monoprix. It stocks a range of local wines.

    reviewed

  24. P

    Monoprix supermarket

    Monoprix supermarket is a handy spot to pick up some supplies.

    reviewed

  25. Q

    Secondhand Bookshop

    Some English titles; the owner will buy and exchange books.

    reviewed

  26. R

    Monoprix

    Central supermarkets include Monoprix. It stocks a range of local wines.

    reviewed

  27. S

    Central Market

    This market dates from the 19th century and is a hugely colourful place to wander and stock up on food, with a mouth-watering selection of cheeses, fresh bread, harissa (spicy chilli paste), olives and pickles (surrounding shops sell tempting piles of the same) as well as fruit and veg and a wide range of basketware.

    reviewed