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Makkah's Shopping Treasures: A Guide for Savvy Travelers | Al Maqam Travel

Makkah, a special place for all Muslims, is not only a center to get a chance to experience real spiritual rituals, but it is much more as well. The town possesses a flourishing and diversified shopping district, which is intended for all pocket sizes and likes. Al Maqam Travel knows that an Umrah journey will extend to include a little shopping expedition. This guide reveals the famous shops and the crowded markets of Makah so that you can take back home the best souvenirs and memories.

 Makkah’s Traditional Souq

  • Souq Al-Attar (Perfume Souq): Engage your senses and explore an enchanting scent-filled place, Souq Al-Attar. Delve into a complex of markets filled to the brim with Arabian traditional perfumes, incense, and other fragrant oils. Feel the body senses like oud, musk, and rose water, which are suitable for oneself or good as gifts. Observe interactions with vendors who give you suggestions on how to choose a perfume that embodies the spirit of Makkah. 
  • Souq Al-Zahab (Gold Souq): Shine bright your eyes with beautiful merchandise in Souq Al-Zahab. See an extensive assortment of fine gold jewelry, skillfully made with outstanding detail, for everyone and all budgets. Explore various traditional items such as spherical bracelets and detailed necklaces as well as find upgraded designs with an Arabic style. Be part of this authentic market and experience the exciting scene of haggling. 
  • Souq Al-Sail (Cloth Souq): Enhance your eyes and touch with plenty of colors and textures at Souq Al-Sail. Walk through the aisles filled with numerous shops selling a large quantity of textiles, fabrics, and traditional dresses. Discover luxe silks or soft cotton, or admire vibrant pashminas and head coverings. Find original gift items, e. g. handmade carpets and embroidered tablecloths, or have something sewn to your own taste.
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Makkah’s Modern Malls

  • Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower: Go high above the city of Makkah and do some shopping at the Clock Tower complex, Abraj Al-Bait. This well-known landmark has a five-story shopping mall that has different international brands, including brands of fashion boutiques and electronics stores. Shoppers can have a splendid shopping experience with easy access to amenities such as cafes and entertainment facilities.
  • Hajar Tower Mall: Hajar Tower Mall, which is in close proximity to Al Haram, facilitates the pilgrims by offering them a convenient shopping experience. Find small local businesses, along with international brands, as well as a supermarket and a food court that sells a range of different foods. Take a break and go for a shopping binge nearby walking distance of the holy place.
  • Makkah Mall: This big mall adjacent to Al Haram provides a family-oriented shopping element. Discover department stores, clothing retailers, and toy shops that are surrounded by a set of restaurants and cafes. Have an entertaining family trip, choosing personalized souvenirs and valuable accessories for your perfect journey.
 

Makkah’s Local Delights

  • Spice Markets: Release your inner chef at Makkah's fabulous spices markets. Explore the fantastic collection of spices like saffron, cardamom, and cumin available alongside dried herbs and unusual ingredients. Be creative in the kitchen and try the blends of flavors you have never seen before. Also, learn about the basic spices in traditional Arabian cuisine.
  • Dates & Sweets: Makkah is well known for dates and all kinds of Arabic sweets. Sample assorted dates: from fresh and Medjool to the Ajwa (which gained its significance for religious reasons). Have a taste of the traditional treats of baklava, kunafa, and lokum which are sweet, both for your own pleasure or that great gift for someone back home. 
  • Coffee & Tea: Live the rich Arabian coffee culture. Go to stores where freshly roasted coffee beans and traditional brewing methods are possible. Find unusual tea blends or flavors, or select from different kinds of loose-leaf teas that will leave you energized after shopping.
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 Shopping Tips for Savvy Travelers

  • Bargaining: Wear the hat of a bargain-hunter in traditional souqs but do so politely.
  • Currency exchange: Remember to bring Saudi Riyals (SAR) with you so that you can have a hassle-free shopping experience.
  • Dress code: While shopping, observe a low-key dress code near Al Haram.
  • Opening hours: Many stores observe regular business hours, with their breaks for prayers.

Beyond the Souvenirs 

For a much more gratifying experience, you might want to buy some handcrafted products from the local artisans. Such treasures represent more than just souvenirs, but also a bolstering of the local economy and the preservation of cultural history. Approach stores displaying their traditional clothing, hand-woven textiles, and handcrafted jewelry created by talented craftsmen.
  
 
Shopping in Makkah is not an ordinary shopping trip. It is the cultural immersion that brings you closer to the city and is a fun way of taking a piece of this city back home. With Al Maqam Travel as your guide, you will leave the plane rejuvenated from a shopping trip that has added value to your Umrah experience. 

You can check the visa eligibility or travel insurance here anytime!

FAQs

Is shopping cheaper in Makkah or Medina? 

For the most part, the same goods and services are offered for a slightly higher price in Makkah than they are in Medina. It is mainly attributed to the increased number of people (pilgrims) visiting Makkah during the Umrah and Hajj seasons. But this may not have much effect, at least not on certain products.
 
  • Luxury goods: The electronics, designer brands, and prices for high-end jewelry might be identical in both cities.
  • Everyday items: Additionally, groceries, clothes, and souvenirs may be a little bit cheaper in Medina.
 

What to shop in Makkah?

  • Religious souvenirs: Islamic prayer beads, a few Qur'an holders, and many little replicas of the Kaaba.
  • Fragrances: Real Arabian bases such as oud and rose water.
  • Gold jewelry: Traditional designs for gold repurposing.
  • Textiles: High-quality silks, hand-woven pashminas, and beautiful embroidered tablecloths.
  • Dates & Sweets: Medjool dates, Baklava, and Turkish delights. 
  • Spices: Saffron, cardamom, and specialty blends for the purposes of flavor experience while cooking.
  • Coffee & Tea: Freshly roasted coffee beans and loose-leaf teas full of aromas.
 
Remember: Buying things in Makkah is not just shopping only but also gaining more knowledge. It's more than a cultural one, therefore live the life and enjoy the lively ambiance and the friendly merchants!


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