Downtown Dubai
With around 1300 shops, this isn't merely the world's largest shopping mall – it’s a small city, with a giant ice rink and aquarium, a dinosaur skeleton,…
Must-see shopping in Arabian Peninsula
Downtown Dubai
The art of crafting fine chocolate is taken very seriously at this high-tech 'Willy Wonka' factory, where all stages from roasting to handwrapping take…
Manama
One of the joys of perfume shopping in the Gulf is watching the mesmerising way a perfumer can mix seemingly random oils to produce the very smell you…
Muscat
Spicing up a piece of bland furniture with a display of traditional silver jewellery, the owner of the Asmaa brand realised that the table would be more…
Amouage Vistors Centre & Factory
Muscat
Tours of this home-grown, internationally renowned perfumier can be arranged at the company's factory near the Burj Al Sahwa Roundabout. The copper…
Marina Breakwater
Offering beautiful Medjool dates stuffed with pistachios, cashews, almonds or oranges; gorgeous marzipan, baklava and other Middle Eastern sweets; take…
Saudi Arabia
The products in this shop are of real quality and are guaranteed to be made in Medina by locals. Purchasing something here means supporting the small…
Jeddah
Jeddah's best bookstore, with the city's widest selection of English-language books including guidebooks, maps and excellent titles on local and national…
Dubai
More tourist-geared boutique mall than traditional Arab market, this handsomely designed souq is part of the Arab-village-style Madinat Jumeirah resort…
Yas Island
Bright, spacious and hosting 370 shops, Yas Mall is the star of Abu Dhabi's shopping scene. Look out for the growing plant wall and the two 12m-high tree…
Kuwait City
The largest shopping mall in Kuwait, and the second largest in the Middle East, is quite an experience. Within its different zones, it has long palm tree…
Sharjah
Herb-infused honey, dates, nuts and dried figs make for great foodie gifts and treats, while the long lines of stalls piled high with fruit and vegetables…
Dubai
Southeast of the airport, near Business Bay Bridge, this 350-store behemoth has all the standard shops, plus Ikea – a draw for locals and expats. Its main…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
Henna application (on hands and feet) is a traditional ritual of local bridal preparation, though these days it's not limited to weddings and is…
Oman
Barka is renowned for its halwa, Oman's traditional sweet, which is made in industrial quantities at an attractive-looking factory (with spangled pillars)…
Doha
In this Venetian-themed mall, you can shop under a 'sky' of fluffy white clouds, eat pizza at Paul, and take a ride on a gondola (QR10 per person) along…
Muscat
Amouage sells the most expensive (and exquisite) perfume in the world, produced from frankincense, musk and other exotic ingredients in premises. You’ll…
Kuwait City
A concept store selling carefully curated gifts ranging from Nordic cooking books and inventive kitchenware to tech accessories and locally made birthday…
Hajar Mountains
Active beehives form the centrepiece of this open-sided shop. As the worker bees collect their precious cargo, their keepers demonstrate the magic…
Muscat
With a range of classy shops selling the best examples of Omani-produced items, this luxury shopping arcade includes silver khanjars (traditional curved…
Yas Island
The beautiful handmade carpets on sale here are the backbone of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mohammed Bin Zayed's NGO, which aims to support and enhance the…
Riyadh
The excellent Jarir Bookstore has the best range of English-language books in every genre, from classic literature to modern popular novels, but most…
Nizwa
One of a number of shops in the craft section of the souq, this shop occupies a refurbished old building next to the fort. It has a fine range of…
Sur
With its traditional perfume shops, gold souq and Arab clothing stores, the Ladies' Souq is a fascinating part of town to wander around. There are many…
Manama
The most prestigious name in premium Middle Eastern oud, musk, agarwood oils and perfumes, this Saudi brand has been around since 1852, dispensing…
Muscat
Selling prized Omani silver, this shop's exclusive contemporary jewellery and gift items are handcrafted in a workshop in Muscat.
Dubai
This top-notch tailor has made bespoke suits for distinguished clients such as Roger Federer and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, along with men's and women…
Dubai
This city-centre shopping, dining and entertainment district has the feel of a European town centre with its faux Georgian-style buildings, water features…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
This small mall's 21st-century take on the classic souq gets a thumbs-up for its appealing Middle Eastern architecture and waterfront location. The shops…
Dubai
This market features not only fruit and veg from local growers but also local honey, nuts, spices and eggs, plus arts and crafts, food stations and…
Dubai
Plain and simple they are not, the clothes and accessories at S*uce (pronounced ‘sauce’), a pioneer in Dubai’s growing lifestyle-fashion scene. Join…
Dubai
Home to Ski Dubai, a community theatre, a 24-screen multiplex cinema and – let's not forget – 630 shops, Mall of the Emirates is one of Dubai's most…
Deira
Though other malls are bigger and flashier, Deira City Centre remains a stalwart for its logical layout and wide selection of shops, from big-name chains…
Jeddah
Jeddah's souq, immediately south of King Fahd Rd, is well worth seeking out. It's subdivided into sections, some populated by different immigrant groups,…
Dubai
Label-lovers on a budget flock to this indoor outlet mall whose architecture was inspired by a Tuscan hillside village. Midrange to fancy brands from…
Dubai
Inspired by the London original, this 1.3km-long outdoor lifestyle mall was built from upcycled shipping containers and has injected a welcome dose of…
Qatar
This indoor mall contains a wide range of international brands and department stores including Ikea, Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, as well as a Vox…
Doha
This popular seasonal open-air market in Education City welcomes the best of Qatar’s home-grown food and produce-related businesses to market their spoils…
Deira
In sparkling new-ish digs on the waterfront behind Dubai Hospital, Deira's fish market (part of the Waterfront Market development) may have lost some of…
Dubai
Hands-down the best spot for kid-friendly camel souvenirs: stuffed camels in all sizes and colours, camels on T-shirts, coffee cups, notebooks, greeting…
