Visitors can look forward to plenty of Aqaba Shopping opportunities. Aqaba is Jordan’s most important port, being the main entry-point for goods imported into Jordan. Aqaba is located in the vicinity of countries like Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia and along a prominent, international trading route. Thousands of ships unload their stock at Aqaba’s main harbor, every day. Due to its robust commercial development, Aqaba has become home to all the leading retail brands and the best of regional offerings. Aqaba’s most popular shopping spots include:

Noor Al-Hussein Foundation Shop

This shop should be visited for buying the best of native creations. The most popular item here is the jewelry. This includes creations sourced from across the border, from nations like Egypt. The prices are reasonable but there is little room for bargaining. This shop is a prominent exporter of jeweled creations to many European designers. Visitors can choose gift items like embroidered baskets and hand-painted ceramics. The shop is supported by the Queen Noor Hussein Foundation. Thus, a part of all the sales is directed towards regional development in Jordan. Other noteworthy offerings here include hand-woven carpets and a vast range of cushion-covers and glassware.

• Directions: located opposite to the Archaeological Museum, near Sherif Hussein Bin-Ali House.

Duty-free Shopping Zone

Established in 2000, this place is a shopper’s paradise. The prices are much lower than anybody’s expectations and those wanting to buy goods at wholesale can look forward to astonishingly cheap bargains. The discounted prices are primarily due to the duty-free policy that is applicable throughout the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. Commonly referred to as the ‘Free Zone,’ it also offers goods that have been confiscated. These goods are sold at dirt-cheap prices. The best deals are found among the electrical goods. There is a mini-bar where shoppers can relax before beginning their shopping spree. Nearby market locations include Sami's Supermarket that is great for picking-up some fresh meat.

• Directions: part of the ASEZ, Aqaba Special Economic Zone, along the southern border of Aqaba.

Some other, popular shopping opportunities include:

Redwan Bookshop (Zahran Street)

This store has a comprehensive listing of all the regional authors and best-sellers from across the globe.

Dream Mall (Downtown Aqaba)

This mall caters to the shopping needs of the locals. This is a commercial-cum-recreational center that is excellent for obtaining some great discounts.

Aqaba Shopping Tips

The best time to shop in Aqaba is during the evening. This is when all the shops are open and the shop-owners seem to be in the mood for bargaining. The daytime is extremely hot and reserved for shopping for the bare necessities. Most of the retailers keep the stores half-shut during the daytime to evade the scorching heat. An exception to this norm is during the month of November and the first few weeks of December when the shops tend to open early.