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Shopping in Syria

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RocApply dedicates this guide to students whose itch for shopping needs a tame. Syria has something perfect meant to satisfy the crave! The old souks and winding lanes of the country with its traditional mosques and inns have particular streets given to spices, gold, silverware, and animal skins. There're beautiful jewelry and perfume shops, filled with racks of blended oils and fragrances and old warehouses devoted to mineral creations.

If you do, rest assured that you’ll find plenty of local products along with duty-free items and generic tropical souvenirs to select from at the airport, although you must expect to pay higher prices. You won’t find much in the way of world-class fashion here and people don’t come here specifically to do shopping. The country is fun for browsing, however, and all resorts have luxury labels and gift stores. Most countries have markets in their towns, where local straw items and drums can be picked up as gifts.

The country’s shopping scene provides the variety and affordability of India but without the crowds and the hassle. Certain items are quintessentially Syrian and should not be left to the imagination. Everything from hand-crafted wooden tables, pottery and camel-skin lamps to silver jewelry, hand-embroidered shawls, and hand-woven rugs can be purchased here and with enough searching, for the right cost. Many markets also focus on certain goods, including Chinese electronics, medicinal goods, leather clothing, local art, and delicious Syrian cuisine.

Shopping in the country is best done at local markets known as souqs. These are definitely the places to find the best bargains and also the best goods. Here travelers will find everything from household products and electrical goods to souvenirs and handicrafts. Many travelers have reported that market wares are so rich that it is easy to lose oneself; literally and figuratively. There are a few products which should definitely be considered while in the country. Such products include precious and semi-precious stones that are homemade to the region like the mother of pearl, wooden carvings like lacquered chess sets, gold and silver jewelry, and handwoven traditional materials.

While the capital is an awesome place to shop, particularly in the Souk Al Hamidiya situated in the Damascus Old City, many maintain that Aleppo is by far the superior place. Of particular appeal in Aleppo are Souk al-Shauna, Sebastian, which trades some of the most beautiful textiles in the region, Sharia Al Adasi, from which traditional sheesha pipes can be purchased, and Saahat al-Hatab where the best jewelry is available.

In Syrian souks, bargaining is the ‘song of the day’ and visitors should be surprised if they do not encounter the practice. Local traders are highly skilled in the art so travelers will have to be sharp on their game. Do keep in mind, however, that most traders are not malicious in their intent and that most times, bargaining carried out in the spirit of friendliness and fun will yield far greater outcomes.

"I enjoy shopping and I found it affordable but some of the clothes are definitely not of the highest quality." - Hassan from Turkey

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