Nazareth
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…
Must-see shopping in Middle East
East Jerusalem
The only English-language bookstore in East Jerusalem, the Educational Bookshop attracts journalists, aid workers, activists and intellectuals. There's a…
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,…
Nahalat Binyamin Crafts Market
Tel Aviv
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…
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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…
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Tehran
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…
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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…
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Beirut
Entranced by Middle Eastern design, Frank Luca and Aida Kawas decided to establish this atelier and boutique, where they design and make some objects …
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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…
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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…
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Jerusalem
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…
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Bani Hamida Weaving Centre & Gallery
Jordan
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…
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Tel Aviv
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,…
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Southeastern Iran
In an underlit, one-room cavern, beret-sporting artist Mehdi Salari creates beautiful calligraphic paintings that are sold mainly to exclusive Tehran…
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Tel Aviv
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…
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Tehran
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…
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Jerusalem
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…
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Jerusalem
Several generations of the Kouz family have sold high-quality Armenian-style ceramics out of this shopfront. And this will be the last. No offspring will…
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Tehran
Head upstairs from the ground floor stall on the main artery of the bazaar to discover women creating gorgeous table runners and other decorative fabric…
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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…
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Tehran
Nailing a trendy Iranian fashion look with attractive shirts, gilets and jackets in cotton, linen and soft wool, Bottejeghe also sells a rainbow selection…
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Tehran
Organic cotton and other fabrics are used for clothes at this rustically stylish Iranian fashion store serving both men and women. It does good shirts,…
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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…
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Esfahan
In this studio it's possible to watch the master at work, peering through a magnifying glass as he applies tiny brushstrokes of paint, applied with a cat…
Dubai
More tourist-geared boutique mall than traditional Arab market, this handsomely designed souq is part of the Arab-village-style Madinat Jumeirah resort…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Shiraz
For foreign visitors, one of the most interesting parts of the covered alleyways of Bazar-e Vakil is coming across the Shamshirgarha Bazaar. Housed under…
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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)…
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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…
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Amman
Supporting top-notch worthy causes by selling equally top-notch crafted items, this shop is an Amman institution. The showroom supports handloomed rugs…
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Jerusalem
One of the city's oldest streets, this cobblestone alleyway is lined with small artists' galleries and workshops producing jewellery, paintings, Judaica,…
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Muscat
Amouage sells the most expensive (and exquisite) perfume in the world, produced from frankincense, musk and other exotic ingredients in premises. You’ll…
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Amman
The nature store at the Wild Jordan Center sells products made in Jordan’s nature reserves, including silver jewellery, organic herbs, teas and jams from…
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Kuwait City
A concept store selling carefully curated gifts ranging from Nordic cooking books and inventive kitchenware to tech accessories and locally made birthday…
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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…
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Amman
Want to look like a hip urban Jordanian? Head to this cool-as-you-like T-shirt shop on Rainbow St for an amazing array of screen-printed tees by local…
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Muscat
With a range of classy shops selling the best examples of Omani-produced items, this luxury shopping arcade includes silver khanjars (traditional curved…
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Amman
The Balian family came to Amman from Jerusalem in the early 1920s, and have been selling their traditional hand-painted tiles ever since. The decor is…
