Shopping in Kuwait

Shopping in Kuwait
Kuwait is a modern country with everything from glitzy shopping malls to old "souks" and Friday markets where culture and tradition abound. Everything from the latest Fendi purse to spices and sheep can be purchased depending on the size of your wallet and interests. Many stores have negotiable prices or discounts and bargaining is the name of the game. Be polite at all times, starting at about half of what you want to pay.
Sharq Souk Mall located in downtown Kuwait City is one of the largest modern malls, similar to an American mall, but with styles of the Middle East. It also boasts a nice view of the gulf where you can enjoy a modest lunch. Shopping in Salmiya is another popular area where the streets are lined with malls, modern stores and an occasional old world shop, even a small gold souk can be found tucked away here and there. Exploring this area on foot is the best way to find what you're looking for, and rest assured the streets are relativley clean and very safe. For those of you with a burning desire to drop $3000 on the lastest leather briefcase, Salhiya Center, behind the Meridian Hotel offers a wealth of designer stores in Kuwait's most exclusive mall.

Best known for it's excellent prices in gold and persian or Afghanistan tribal rugs, a must see visit includes the old downtowon souks. Here you will find a maze of shops winding through Kuwait City to delight the senses and fulfill your search for that wonderful keepsake. This is Kuwait's largest gold souk where jewelrey is weighed and sold, while Hussain & Ali's carpet shop offers excellent deals on beautiful rugs.

The Avenues shopping mall in Kuwait opens in early 2007. A first phase has a total retail area of 1.4m sqft, will have an Ikea store, and include a Carrefour, 10 cinemas, 35 restaurants and cafes. The local Mabanee is the developer. Phase two incorporating a further 600,000 sqft of retail and leisure space is due to be completed in early 2008.

Fahaheel, off HWY 30 near the fish market also offers many stores with an excellent assortment of beautiful silk persian rugs and traditional nick knacks. If you want to start a camel or elephant collection, this is the place. My favorite are the delicate glass perfume bottles, very affordable!

Finally, no visit to Kuwait would be complete without a trip to Friday Market. As the name implies, it is held once a week starting early Friday morning. Here you can find the best prices on anything native to the Middle East, including the afore mentioned sheep. It is the Arab equivalent to the American Flea Market. Located just off the Fourth Ring Road in Jahra and in Fahaheel.

Happy Hunting!

Contributors
May 03, 2008 change by zd70 (1 point)