Must-see shopping in Arabian Peninsula

  • Mega Mall

    Sharjah

    It's hardly 'mega' compared to Dubai mall-world standards, but it does come with a multiplex cinema and children's fun park, both good indoor diversions…

  • House of Prose

    Dubai

    At the original branch of this beloved local lit parlour, American bibliophile Mike McGinley has supplied readers with new and secondhand English-language…

  • Gold Souq

    Riyadh

    Riyadh's gold market is in the old neighbourhood of Ad Dirah, off Al Thumairi St and is part of the Thumairi Souq. It is probably the best place to try to…

  • Ibri Bawadi Mall

    Hajar Mountains

    Opened in 2018, this huge mall only houses a huge Lulu hypermarket. Although nothing else is currently open in the complex, the hypermarket makes a useful…

  • Souq Al Thumairi

    Riyadh

    For handicrafts and local fare, head to Souq Al Thumairi, immediately south of Masmak Fortress in the Al Diraiyah area. The shops in the small lanes offer…

  • Al Azbal Supplies

    Hajar Mountains

    Handy for camp beds, rucksacks, lamps, pots, pans and everything one might need for night time DIY barbecuing, this tiny store has the look of an army…

  • Folklore Gallery

    Abu Dhabi

    This higgledy-piggledy art shop, which started life mainly as a framing service in 1995, has local artworks for all tastes. A bit of a fossick around can…

  • Sun & Sand Sports Factory Outlet

    Downtown Dubai

    This is the factory-outlet branch of one of the biggest sporting goods retailers in the region, with a storeroom jam-packed with shoes, rackets, jackets…

  • Barka Sweets

    Salalah

    Selling Oman's most popular sweet, Barka Sweets is one of a number of halwa shops on the southern end of Al Husn Souq. A small pot of this traditional…

  • Posta Gallery

    Kuwait City

    Egyptian- and Middle Eastern–made gifts and goods, from cork laptop cases and leather-bound notebooks with Arabic inscriptions to handmade canvas bags and…

  • World Trade Center Mall

    Abu Dhabi

    Part of the World Trade Center, this pleasant shopping mall provides higher-end retail therapy to the complex's 'souq' counterpart. It includes a new,…

  • Hamsa by Sherifa Alghanim

    Kuwait City

    Kuwaiti boutique fashion for modern Middle Eastern women. Light, airy, brightly coloured items are demure yet striking – perfect for Gulf life. Choose…

  • Uwais Souq

    Riyadh

    Selling gold jewellery and beautiful fabrics among other items (including those from the odd flea-market stall), this is a traditional market and one of…

  • Noof

    Manama

    Bahraini designer Noof Al Khor creates modern takes on Bahraini women's fashions, with a focus on glittering sandals and jellabiyas (long, loose-fitting…

  • Al Fouz Hypermarket

    Oman

    Camping equipment and food supplies are available from this supermarket. Don't expect too much from the name 'hypermarket', however: it's a small shop…

  • Anmar Couture

    Manama

    All manner of colourful jellabiyas (long, loose-fitting unisex outer robe with full sleeves) are the hallmark of celebrated Bahraini designer Adeeba Al…

  • Oman Craftsman House

    Oman

    This shop in Sayh Al Hayl, en route to the pools in Wadi Bani Khalid, sells some handmade pots and palm-woven goods – the closest thing to a souvenir in…

  • Baitak Tower

    Kuwait City

    Small centrally located mall with a good range of independent shops and cafes, plus the Way Out escape room game.

  • Flip Side

    Downtown Dubai

    The only independent record store in Dubai stocking music from a wide range of genres. Also stage documentaries, music production seminars and similar.

  • Good Life

    Downtown Dubai

    This Lebanese outfit is a top-ranking trainer store with a vast range, ranging from Adidas originals to the super cool Japanese ASICS Tiger.

  • World of Herbs

    Manama

    Herbal medicines are all the rage in this corner of Manama Souq; ask for the list that matches ailments to local herb cures.

  • Omani Souq

    Doha

    This small, ramshackle traditional market offers a curious mishmash of everyday items at cheap prices. Buy Saudi dates and hand-woven baskets, Omani dried…

  • Arkan Modern Shop

    Oman

    Run by Bedouin owners, this tiny shop sells two-person tents and other basic camping supplies, including blankets, torches and firewood. It's opposite a…

  • Al Khalidiyah Mall

    Abu Dhabi

    This mall is always busy due to the mammoth Lulu Hypermarket on site which stocks plenty of international food brands. Otherwise, the shopping selection…

  • Super Hero

    Downtown Dubai

    Marvel or DC Comics devotees can channel their inner superhero at this fun store while posing with the Hulk or stocking up on a Superman T-shirt or a…

  • City Centre Jahra

    Kuwait

    This shopping centre (with a grocery store) is handy for those needing supplies on the way to Mutla Ridge.

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