go to content go to search box go to global site navigation

Yemen

Shopping in Yemen

  1. A

    Al-Hoda Supermarket

    This is good for provisions or picnics, or if you're just hankering after Western goodies, such as chocolate or bikkies. It also stocks shampoo, sanitary towels and - usually - nappies.

    reviewed

  2. B

    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

  3. C

    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

  4. Honey

    Yemeni honey is well known - and justly so. Honey shops are found throughout the capital (including Az-Zubayri St), though the honey sold is not cheap: around YRI2500 for 500g. Beautiful honeycombs (conveniently packaged in sealed metal discs) cost around YRI2000 to around YRI8000 (depending on quality). A decent honey shop in the old city is Tariq Honey Shop, near the Sheba Art Gallery, where the gift of bees is also likely to come with gifts of Islamic literature.

    reviewed

  5. Barber

    For a total 'makeover', male travellers might fancy a trip to the barber, where for less than US$1 you'll get a closer-than-close shave and a hair snip.

    reviewed

  6. D

    Taj Sheba Hotel

    There are very few bookshops selling English-language publications. Your best bet is the bookshop of the Taj Sheba Hotel .

    reviewed

  7. E

    Yahsob Spice

    Well worth a look - or a sniff - are the perfume and spice shops. Yahsob Spice has a good collection of the latter.

    reviewed

  8. Jewellery

    Rows of shops selling gold and silver jewellery can be found along Gamal Abdul Nasser St.

    reviewed

  9. F

    Fuji Film

    For photographic requirements, Fuji Film offers products and development services.

    reviewed