From suqs to super shopping malls Sub
Bahrain is booming! It almost seems like each time you blink, a new mall has popped up, or an existing one has been extended. Even the suq – the traditional open-air market – is having a facelift. All this means more choice for the shopper and a constant buzz of excitement and anticipation. This serious retail investment is only surpassed by the serious shopping that seems to be the kingdom’s main pastime. The certain freedom that exists here in Bahrain attracts many shoppers – especially female and expatriate shoppers – from neighbouring Gulf states. The shopping crowds also include a steady stream of sports fans who come for the regular racing events at the Bahrain International Circuit, the most notable being the Formula One. Bahrain itself is home for a large, multicultural, expatriate population, which is mirrored in the goods on offer. The vibrant and varied shopping offers you a truly amazing range of both local and international goods.
Al A’ali Shopping Complex
Credited with pioneering the renaissance in shopping in Bahrain when it opened its doors in 1996, Al A’ali Shopping Complex is now launching a new extension. The expansion programme will add over 8,000 sq. m. of pure luxury to your shopping experience.
The expanded shopping area at the north side of the complex will house exclusive outlets of world renowned luxury brands such as Coach, Jimmy Choo, Moschino, John Paul Gaultier, Bally, Francesco Biase, Gina, Balenciaga, Chloe, Albertta Ferretti, Memosa, Azal-Jewellery, Ounass-Multibrand and Every Moments among others. more info
Yateem Centre
Yateem Centre was the first to introduce the concept of a fully climate controlled shopping centre when it opened its doors in 1981. Its location – steps away from the entrance to the Manama Suq – makes it possibly the most conveniently located major shopping mall in Bahrain. It’s the perfect place to kick off a visit to the suqs where you can do some traditional Bahraini shopping in the comfort of an air-conditioned environment. more info
Seef Mall
Right next-door, Seef Mall is the place to shop until you drop. It boasts 225 retail stores of various international brands covering 21 categories of shopping from designer jewellery and clothing to value for money fashion and accessories. Add to that 40 restaurants, cafés and food stalls and you are spoiled for choice. From the dedicated shopper to those who just want to relax and drink their coffee, Seef Mall has it all. The gap between consumer groups has been well and truly bridged with a clever combination of high-end and affordable but quality stores. The anchor stores are Marks and Spencers, Debenhams, BHS, Zaina and Toys R Us. Also key in attracting customers are fashion stores Mango and Zara, perfumers Al Hawaj, and the two Seef Cineplexes, with 16 screens in total, offering a wide range of movies to suit all tastes, running well into the wee hours.more info
Bahrain Mall
The profile of Bahrain Mall is unmistakable, designed in the form of a traditional, Arabic fortress. The interior is equally dramatic – no matter which entrance you use, your first impression is a symphony of water and fire, with soothing waterfalls and constantly burning torches atop magnificent columns. A tented ceiling and palm trees, complete the symbolic oasis. It’s a family mall, catering for all ages and requirements offering food, clothing, hobbies and entertainment. more info
Dana Mall
A stone’s throw away, Dana Mall has an elegant exterior made from Jordanian stone which blends in perfectly with the desert landscape. It opened its doors in 2002, and its interior is a combination of exquisite stained glass ceilings and high domes. The mall offers a diverse shopping experience with a variety of fashion and retail outlets.Lulu hypermarket is the anchor store offering family shopping. The mall has many service outlets including car hire, shoe repairs, key cutting, optical, photo developing studio, and hairdressing. The main evening attraction is the 12-screen, state of the art, cinema complex, where you can take in a movie, after dining at the mall’s 20-outlet food court or one of its nine other casual dining outlets and coffee shops, many offering wi-fi connectivity. more info
Rug Shopping
To round off a perfect day’s shopping, head for the suburb of Adliya, in particular Osama Bin Zaid Avenue, where you can stroll along the pavement soaking in the sights of rugs from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey. The evening is really the best time to visit this area as it comes alive with the mix of shoppers, restaurant and café goers. more info
Marina Mall
Day two of our virtual tour promises to be equally exciting. A great place to kick-off is Marina Mall, where they offer affordable, good value shopping under the Al Rashid Group (ARG) umbrella whose stores comprise Mothercare, Shoe Mart, Sarah (sssh…lingerie!), Splash (young and trendy), Home Centre, Lifestyle (everything a woman could want), Bossini and Lee Cooper. Several stores have recently undergone extensive refurbishment. It’s a real ‘one stop’ shopping mall where you can find everything from newborn and toddler clothing, toys, nursery products, home furnishings, gift ideas, trendy teens and adult clothing and footwear, lingerie and more. Independent stores such as NineWest and G2000, are also represented, making a total of 15 stores that include Costa Coffee, Cellucom, Milano Ice Cream, Hour Choice, Planet Charming, and much more. more info
Bahrain Commercial Complex
This jewel in the centre of the city, adjacent to the Sheraton Hotel (residents can walk from the rear entrance), is a well-established, spacious, elite shopping centre. It’s a magnet for discerning shoppers from Bahrain and beyond.Designer stores include Escada and world famous jewellers, Tiffany’s. Local based jewellers include the Jewel House and Asia Jewellers, both producing eye-catching, dazzling pieces for the top end of the market. Exclusive household adornments, antiques, fine locals arts and crafts, well-known perfumes (local and international) are represented. In total, there are 120 well-appointed stores and several food outlets. more info
Sitra Mall
The newest of the malls, with the potential for 118 retail outlets, Sitra Mall is a located in Sitra, a suburb just south of Manama on the road to the south of the island. It’s the only mall set on the seafront, and you can take full advantage of this view from the 12-outlet food court offering waterfront dining. It’s just the place to stock up on clothing, accessories, footwear and cosmetics. And the food selection at the anchor store, Le Marché hypermarket, is just amazing. more info
Craft Centres
Venturing further a field, hail a taxi to the Bahrain Craft Centre in Isa Al-Kabeer Rd, in the Salmaniya area, where you can watch traditional crafts including paper making using date palm leaves (which is then skilfully crafted into unique greeting cards or pictures), calligraphy, stained glass and embroidery. You can purchase all of the items made on the premises as well as other locally made goods such as the bold, geometric-patterned wool rugs from the looms of the Ad-Diraz Weavers. more info
Manama Suq
You can wander for hours through the Manama Suq along its narrow streets, ducking into small alleyways where you come across yet more interesting stalls selling everything from fresh spices in the spice suq – where the trick is it to make a multicoloured, spice pyramid – to exquisite Bahraini pearls. It’s not simply about shopping, it’s an enriching cultural and social experience, and a great way to learn about the country’s rich trading history…not forgetting the fun of bargaining for that special souvenir. You will be drawn into interesting conversations, asked to sit down to partake of a cool, refreshing drink or perhaps sample some locally-picked sweet dates. more info
Bahrain Duty Free
Just in case you didn’t have enough time to pick up everything you needed, Bahrain Duty Free offers a wide range of luxury goods as well as ideal, last minute souvenirs. You can also purchase duty free on arrival in Bahrain from the duty free shop located immediately behind immigration. The duty free has an extremely convenient online pre-ordering service for purchase both on arrival and departure, provided you place your order 48 hours in advance (you can cancel up to 12 hours prior to collection). You need to register initially by visiting www.bdutyfree.com. more info
For more information about your trip to Bahrain, please visit www.bahrainguide.org
Shopping
