Must-see shopping in Middle East

The other-worldly aroma inside this spice emporium, run by the same family for four generations, has to be inhaled to be believed. Shelves, sacks, bins…

The only English-language bookstore in East Jerusalem, the Educational Bookshop attracts journalists, aid workers, activists and intellectuals. There's a…

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,…

Open on Tuesdays and Fridays, this is the city's premier arts and crafts market. Expect a plethora of stalls selling paintings, ornaments and other…

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…

This family were pioneers in extracting the fish fossils that have garnered worldwide attention; dropping in here for a gaze is a Byblos must-do. They are…

All levels of this car park are transformed every Friday morning when traders from across Iran and Central Asia and members of the general public lay out…

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…

Entranced by Middle Eastern design, Frank Luca and Aida Kawas decided to establish this atelier and boutique, where they design and make some objects …

Marguerite van Geldermalsen, of Married to a Bedouin fame, sells silver jewellery from this stall nearly opposite the cave in which she once lived with…

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…

Tours of this home-grown, internationally renowned perfumier can be arranged at the company's factory near the Burj Al Sahwa Roundabout. The copper…

Offering beautiful Medjool dates stuffed with pistachios, cashews, almonds or oranges; gorgeous marzipan, baklava and other Middle Eastern sweets; take…

Browse through dramatic historic B&W photos of the Old City and other sights in Jerusalem from before 1967, shot by well-known Armenian photographer Elia…

This women's cooperative in Mukawir village (by the side of the road leading to the castle) is run by the Bani Hamida Centre and is a good place to buy…

The city's most refined market, swanky Sarona includes two main areas – an outdoor shopping mall and an indoor food market. The outdoor area has offices,…

In an underlit, one-room cavern, beret-sporting artist Mehdi Salari creates beautiful calligraphic paintings that are sold mainly to exclusive Tehran…

This lively, open-air jewellery atelier specialises in create-your-own pieces – most of which are crafted on the spot – plus ready-to-wear selections. The…

When it comes to classic Iranian shopping experiences, browsing the food stalls at this photogenic bazaar in upmarket Tajrish pretty much nails it. It's…

Grinding sesame into paste since 1947, this irresistible stall is hard to miss thanks to its crown-shaped sign, huge wheels of halva and attendant…