What to Buy in Jordan as a Souvenir for Friends and Family

Discover Jordan’s vibrant culture through exquisite handcrafted souvenirs! From intricate pottery and symbolic tribal jewelry to flavorful spices and Dead Sea skincare, Jordan offers a treasure trove of authentic gifts. Support local artisans and preserve ancient traditions by purchasing these unique items in bustling souks, artisan workshops, or specialty shops like Madaba’s Royal Pottery. Bring home a piece of Jordan and experience the rich heritage of this captivating country. Explore the diverse crafts and find the perfect souvenir to cherish!

Important information

• Jordanian handicrafts like ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and woodwork make unique souvenirs, often reflecting Bedouin heritage.
• Edible treats such as Arabic coffee, tea, spices (like zaatar), dates, nuts, and olive oil offer a taste of Jordanian cuisine.
• Dead Sea mud and related skincare products are popular for their therapeutic properties.
• Traditional cosmetics include kohl (eyeliner) and henna for body art.
• Shopping at souks, local markets, and workshops supports Jordanian artisans and communities directly.

Local Crafts and Handicrafts

Discover Jordan’s rich heritage through its exquisite crafts. These unique, handcrafted souvenirs are created by skilled artisans, offering a meaningful cultural experience. Purchase these treasures in bustling souks, artisan workshops, or specialty shops like Madaba’s Royal Pottery and directly support local artisans and the preservation of traditional crafts. Jordanian crafts include:

• ceramics,
• jewelry,
• textiles,
• woodwork.

Hand-painted Ceramic Pottery

Discover the beauty of Jordanian hand-painted ceramics. These stunning pottery pieces, often decorated with intricate cultural designs, are perfect for adding a touch of artistry to your home. They are both decorative and functional, ideal for display or everyday use. By purchasing these unique ceramics, you directly support local Jordanian artisans and their community.

Mosaic Art and Decorative Plates

Jordanian mosaic art decorative plates are popular souvenirs that serve a dual purpose: beautiful serving dishes and striking decorative art for the home.

Tribal Jewelry and Accessories

Tribal jewelry, crafted from materials like silver, beads, and stones, is deeply symbolic. These pieces reflect the rich heritage of groups like the Bedouin, serving not only as personal adornment but also as powerful cultural markers. A necklace, bracelet, earring, or anklet can tell a story. A specific pattern might represent a family’s history, while the materials themselves can hold special meaning. More than mere decoration, tribal jewelry is a profound statement of identity.

Sand Art in Bottles

Capture a piece of Jordan’s stunning landscapes with a miniature sand art bottle. These colorful souvenirs beautifully showcase the country’s desert scenery and offer a perfect memento of its unique terrain.

Bedouin Crafts and Weavings

Bedouin weavings and crafts offer a fascinating glimpse into the unique nomadic lifestyle of these desert tribes. Intricate carpets, rugs, and shawls burst with vibrant colors and patterns, reflecting their rich cultural heritage. These textiles are not only beautiful but also functional, serving as both practical items and decorative art. Each piece tells a story.

Traditional Clothing and Textiles

The iconic red and white checkered Jordanian Shemagh, a powerful symbol of national heritage, is a common sight on men throughout the country. However, traditional Bedouin attire offers a striking contrast, bursting with vibrant colors and intricate embroidery. These nomadic traditions are expressed through complex patterns adorning garments like heavily embroidered dresses and cloaks. Moreover, the symbolism woven into these textiles often holds unique meaning for specific tribes. These garments are typically crafted from natural materials such as wool and cotton.

Traditional Jordanian Shemagh

The Jordanian shemagh, a recognizable checkered headscarf, provides vital protection from the intense desert sun, wind, and sand. Deeply embedded in Jordanian culture, this practical garment reflects the nation’s rich heritage. The shemagh is typically crafted from cotton or wool, and its materials can vary. Its distinctive patterns and colors often denote specific regions or tribes, adding another layer of cultural significance.

Bedouin Clothes and Tribal Attire

Bedouin clothing, crafted from natural materials like wool and cotton, offers both comfort and practicality. Their vibrant tribal attire, often adorned with detailed embroidery, reflects Jordan’s nomadic heritage. Thobes and dresses, for instance, frequently display symbolic patterns unique to each tribe, narrating their individual histories.

Jordanian Cuisine and Edible Souvenirs

Capture the flavors of Jordan with delectable edible souvenirs. Popular choices include traditional Arabic coffee and Jordanian tea. Aromatic zaatar spice blends are a must-try. Nuts and dried fruits make wonderful gifts, as do Jordanian sweets and dates. For a truly authentic taste of Jordan, consider Middle Eastern spices, herbs, and olive oil. These treats offer a delicious glimpse into Jordanian cuisine and culture.

• Traditional Arabic coffee and Jordanian tea,
• Aromatic zaatar spice blends,
• Nuts and dried fruits,
• Jordanian sweets and dates,
• Middle Eastern spices, herbs, and olive oil.

Traditional Arabic Coffee

Jordanian Arabic coffee makes a fantastic souvenir, offering a unique flavor and cultural significance. It embodies the country’s renowned hospitality and provides a taste of their rich traditions.

Jordanian Tea and Zaatar

In Jordan, tea is a cherished beverage, often paired with the flavorful spice blend zaatar. This fragrant mix typically includes thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and other spices, lending a savory depth to the tea. Jordanians use zaatar in numerous dishes, but its combination with tea creates a uniquely delicious experience. Bring home both tea and zaatar to share this taste of Jordanian culture with your loved ones.

Nuts and Dried Fruits

Jordan offers a delightful array of nuts and dried fruits. Markets throughout the country are brimming with pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and cashews. You’ll also find an abundance of sweet treats such as dates, figs, and apricots.

Jordanian Sweets and Dates

Looking for a delicious souvenir from your trip to Jordan? The country’s wonderful sweets are an excellent choice. Baklava and maamoul offer an authentic taste of Jordanian heritage. For a truly special treat, consider dates stuffed with nuts, a symbol of Jordanian hospitality and known for their exceptional quality. These sweet souvenirs make wonderful gifts, capturing the flavors of Jordan.

Middle Eastern Spices and Herbs

Za’atar, a blend of thyme, sesame seeds, and tangy sumac, is a staple in Jordanian cuisine. This vibrant spice mixture, along with Jordanian olive oil, frequently enhances local dishes. Sumac’s tartness also makes it a popular addition to salads and marinades. Other common ingredients include cumin, coriander, and mint, adding further depth and complexity to Jordanian cooking.

Olive Oil

Jordanian olive oil, renowned for its exceptional quality and flavor, is a cultural cornerstone and the perfect souvenir to bring a taste of Jordan home.

Skincare and Beauty Products

Popular souvenirs from the region include Dead Sea mud and spa products, along with organic skincare lines. Traditional cosmetics like kohl and henna are also excellent choices, as are the various perfumes and fragrances available.

Dead Sea Mud and Spa Products

Dead Sea mud, a mineral powerhouse packed with sulfur, magnesium, and potassium, offers numerous therapeutic benefits, especially for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Dead Sea spa products provide a unique way to experience these mineral advantages, ranging from luxurious bath salts and invigorating scrubs to rich lotions. They also make fantastic, thoughtful gifts for friends and family.

Organic Skincare from the Dead Sea

Dead Sea skincare products utilize unique minerals known for nourishing and rejuvenating the skin. Popular souvenirs include mud masks, bath salts, and various lotions and creams, prized for their therapeutic benefits and regional significance. Purchasing these items supports local Jordanian businesses and offers insight into Jordan’s rich natural resources, providing a genuine experience of the Dead Sea’s healing properties.

• Mud masks, known for their therapeutic benefits.
• Bath salts, prized for their regional significance.
• Various lotions and creams, offering a unique skincare experience.

Kohl and Henna

Kohl, a dark powder eyeliner, has adorned eyes in Jordan for centuries. This classic souvenir offers a timeless connection to Jordanian heritage. Henna, a natural dye used for temporary skin art, is another popular beauty tradition. Often seen at weddings and celebrations, henna reflects Jordanian culture and also makes a memorable souvenir. Both kohl and henna provide a unique glimpse into the country’s rich traditions.

Perfumes and Fragrances

Cologne, a popular souvenir for men, often features unique fragrances sourced from local plants and flowers.

Support Local Artisans and Businesses

Discover unique, handcrafted souvenirs in Jordan’s vibrant souks and local markets. Shopping in these bustling marketplaces supports local artisans and directly benefits community cooperatives and social enterprises, strengthening Jordan’s economy and preserving its rich cultural heritage. Explore the distinct markets of Amman, Petra, and Jerash, each offering a unique selection of artisan crafts.

Explore Souks and Local Markets

Discover authentic Jordanian treasures in Amman’s vibrant Souk Jara and other bustling marketplaces. Petra and Jerash also offer a variety of local goods in tourist shops and market stalls. For a more immersive experience, consider visiting artisan workshops.

Explore these lively locations to discover handcrafted treasures and savor delicious local delicacies.

Visit Community Cooperatives and Social Enterprises

Discover unique, handcrafted products from community cooperatives and social enterprises. Explore a diverse selection, from exquisite handicrafts and textiles to delicious food products and revitalizing Dead Sea cosmetics. By purchasing these items, you directly support local artisans and their communities, preserving traditional crafts and adding meaning to your purchase.