Riyadh
It's perhaps not the first place you'd think of while in town, but if you need a break from Middle Eastern fare, the food here will transport you from…
Must-see shopping in Arabian Peninsula
Abu Dhabi
Make an appointment in advance through the website to view Julia Ibbini's complex, multi-layered artworks in her studio. Her pieces, which riff on the…
Manama
Pearl of Islands is the pick of this strip of 'antique' stores selling mostly ornate wood doors and quaint lanterns. That's not because the goods are any…
Doha
This enormous midrange shopping centre has a large food court that's good for those in the area looking for a cheap, quick bite. It also has a multiplex…
Dubai
This 2000-sq-metre expanse of showroom is the exact opposite of a Scandi flatpack store and its sheer opulence makes it fun to visit. The furniture and…
Bur Dubai
Trade malls for stalls and look for bargains amid the piles of preloved stuff that’s spilled out of local closets at Dubai's cherished flea markets, which…
Doha
This particularly fragrant corner of Souq Waqif has little boundary between its two specialities. Vendors display large containers of herbs and spices…
Doha
This half-museum, half-shop boasts a remarkable collection of antiques, some for sale, others for viewing purposes only. It has old medals, pocket watches…
Bahrain
This is the king among Muharraqi sweet merchants – just try to leave without buying something sickly sweet and sinfully delicious, like the Turkish…
Jebel Shams
Entrepreneurial carpet sellers have set up open-air shop at the bottom of Jebel Shams, capitalising on the fact that most people stop at Wadi Ghul to take…
Doha
This shopping mall has the usual range of international retailers – Mango, DKNY, Clarks, Ted Baker, Adidas etc – as well as the FNAC department store,…
Downtown Dubai
With chic new quarters in the edgy Dubai Design District, this concept boutique pushes the boundaries when it comes to fashion and accessories. Look for …
Abu Dhabi
This small art gallery hosts exhibitions by emerging local artists. A good opportunity for fine-art fans to pick up a piece of original work. The gallery…
Riyadh
Although there are plenty of shopping malls in Riyadh, the Al Nakheel Mall is already a firm favourite of locals and visitors. It's spacious, with a…
Doha
Housed in an attractive two-storey lantern-lit building that fronts onto Souq Waqif, this centre is filled with galleries and artists' studios. Artists…
Jeddah
For dates, nuts and nibbles at discount prices, head straight for the famous Khayyam Al Rabie Est. With its fairy lights and floor-to-ceiling rows of…
Downtown Dubai
A keen coffee radar is required to track down this boutique roastery, in a hidden alley amid the dusty warehouses of Al Quoz. The building houses not only…
Bur Dubai
Nirvana for design-minded home decorators, this airy showroom unites funky, innovative and top-quality items from dozens of international manufacturers…
Bur Dubai
Kamal Makhija and his army of tailors have had women looking good since 1971. They can create original designs, copy a beloved dress or even sew you an…
Manama
One of Manama's larger malls, Seef is popular with British expats as it is home to several familiar UK brands, including Marks & Spencer, Laura Ashley,…
Bur Dubai
A potpourri of exotic fragrances hits you as you enter this small shop stocked to the hilt with oils, teas, dates and sweet treats such as Turkish delight…
Manama
It can be a little hard to find, but this small collection of spice sellers is a wonderfully fragrant place for a stroll as you explore one of the quieter…
Doha
The first health-food store in Qatar sells organic, gluten-free, nutritional and vegan products, plus health drinks (like kombucha and fresh juices) and…
United Arab Emirates
This big supermarket (with attached pharmacy, ATMs and a couple of fast-food outlets) is where you can pick up picnic supplies before heading out to bike,…
Abu Dhabi
A delightful browsing experience with old furniture and textiles hobnobbing with new paintings, ceramics and sculpture by local Gulf artists. It's a royal…
Downtown Dubai
These 100% cotton kurtas (tunics) from Pakistan are stunning, with beautiful designs and colours, some featuring flowers, others exotic patterns. Expect…
Centre of Original Iranian Carpets
Abu Dhabi
Spread over three floors, this carpet gallery has more than 4000 carpets to choose from, making it one of the largest collections of carpets in the Middle…
Manama
Lovers of Turkish sweets will adore Malatya Pazari, purveyors of natural dried fruits, nuts, halwa (a dense Middle Eastern sweet made from flour, butter…
Muscat
For guaranteed 'Made in Oman' crafts, try the Omani Heritage Gallery, a nonprofit organisation set up to encourage cottage industries through the sale of…
Khasab
This shop inside Lulu Hypermarket is one of only a couple in Musandam to sell souvenirs and crafts of any kind. Camel sticks, traditional axes and Omani…
Kuwait City
Located downtown, Salhiya mall specialises in ultra-luxury brands like Cartier, Ermenegildo Zegna, Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel. M1 level has some good…
Bur Dubai
In business since 1976 and highly reliable, this outfit specialises in exquisitely tailored men's suits and has lots of fabrics to choose from. Turn…
Riyadh
With more designer outlets than you can shake a Gold Amex card at, Kingdom Tower has even dedicated the entire 2nd floor ('Ladies' Kingdom') to women only…
Sur
The elaborate bottles alone are temptation enough to enter this shop, and being daubed in exotic musk and ambergris is one of Arabia’s great experiences…
Manama
Arguably Bahrain's best-known designer, Kubra Al Qaseer pioneered the colourful modern interpretations of the humble jellabiya (long, loose-fitting outer…
Arumailah Gifts & Masterpieces
Doha
A wonderful place to rummage around in Souq Waqif, this Ali Baba-style grotto sells swords, daggers, belts and bags, plus painted bowls, carved boxes and…
Manama
High-end designer retailers dominate this upmarket mall beneath the World Trade Centre: think De Beers, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana.
Muscat
For a regional gift with a difference, the chocolate dates from Bateel are world class, presented in high-quality packaging.
Downtown Dubai
One of Dubai's raciest stores stocks push-up bras, high-heeled feathery slippers, slinky night gowns, seductive beauty products (we like the 'Booty Parlor…
Dubai
This concept store in trendy BoxPark stocks quirky gifts, gadgets, jewellery, clothes and accessories. Owner Hussein Abdul Rasheed curates an always…
- placement: fullWidth
- path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
- possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
- targeting:
{ "position": "superzone" }
