Shopping in Aqaba - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

Do not miss an opportunity to explore picturesque oriental bazaars in Aqaba and then visit private shops and ateliers that are open in this city. Attractive clothes in the national style are one of the goods that tourists should pay their attention to. Local masters still sew and embroider clothes by hand. Traditional Jordanian headwear is also popular with tourists. Handmade carpets are ever-popular souvenirs but they can be quite expensive. Carpet weaving is a labor-intensive job because it takes many hours to make even a small carpet. Naturally, the carpet’s price depends on the size and the difficulty of the pattern.

There are many artisan workshops in the historic district of Aqaba. This is the right place to shop for attractive pottery and artworks made from wood or copper. Jewelry making is another traditional local craft. As a rule, local silver and gold jewelry are also made by hand. The prices are surprisingly affordable. During a walk in the city, you will certainly see many bookstores and traditional souvenir shops that sell inexpensive handmade items.

Local bazaars are the best places to shop for edible souvenirs. You will see dozens of different spices, dried fruits and nuts, baklava, and other Middle Eastern desserts. Local people love tea and coffee, and so there is always a big stock of different types of these drinks at local bazaars. It is important to mention that Aqaba is a tax-free zone. Many wares, which are imported to the city from other countries, are significantly cheaper in Aqaba than in other Jordanian cities. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Local sellers might look quite clinging at a glance. Don’t be surprised if almost every seller actively invites you to visit their shop. If you decide to enter the shop, the seller will surely tell the price that is two or three times higher. That said, tourists need to bargain if they want to buy something from local sellers. It is absolutely normal in Aqaba to enter a shop, look at the items for sale, and leave without any purchase. Do not feel obliged to buy at least something. Women should take a look at handmade jewelry that is both attractive and inexpensive here. Local cosmetics and treatments with sea minerals and healing muds are among the most popular things that female tourists buy in Aqaba. It is better to buy cosmetics at pharmacies because street vendors might offer low-quality fakes.

Besides colorful markets and artisan workshops, Aqaba is famous for its large shopping malls. City Center Mall is the largest mall in the city. It has a total area of over 25,000 square meters. There are more than a hundred different shops in this mall, including clothing and shoe stores of internationally famous brands. Many locals and tourists visit it to shop for children’s clothes and toys. Finally, a large stock of modern sportswear and accessories is always handy for all outdoor enthusiasts. The largest and most modern supermarket in the city is open on the first floor of the mall. Tourists can buy popular regional spices and desserts, as well as delicacies from different countries of the world here.

Dream Mall is significantly smaller than its main competitor. This shopping mall is mostly targeted at residents of Aqaba. There are many shops with traditional clothes and shoes, jewelry salons, and cosmetic shops here. Sales are regular in Dream Mall, offering visitors to buy quality items with big discounts.

Tourists wishing to buy unusual souvenirs can always do this in the Central Market of Aqaba. Local craftsmen come here to offer their best works. Small bottles filled with colorful sand are always very popular with tourists. City masters create fantastic sand paintings. Ceramic figurines of camels are among the most popular souvenirs too. There are several workshops right on the market, so tourists can watch masters at work.

It can be risky to buy jewelry at local markets. Many jewelers use low-grade silver and gold but ask a high price for their works. Try to refrain from making purchases at shops open in large hotels or nearby. All of them have high prices. Jewelry pieces of the same type can be two or even three times cheaper in workshops and markets. Bargaining is normal everywhere in Aqaba except for shops open in large shopping malls. The more items you buy from the same seller, the higher discount you can count on.