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From the warm Mediterranean coast to the snow
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Shopping is a quintessential leisure activity in
downtown Beirut. Lebanese
track the European fashion trends closely in both interior
design and clothing. Designer
garments, jewelry, and accessories are introduced in Beirut
first before they spread to the other Arab markets.
Rue Hamra is a shoppers’ paradise with everything from
stylish everyday wear and shoes to upscale evening wear.
Some of Beirut’s home furnishings stores rival cutting
edge retailers in Europe and the United States in terms of
selection and interesting items.
Visit Charme d’Antan in Achrafieh, located on
Elias Sarkis Avenue facing the Rizk Tower. For good bargains on
old or replica furniture, visit Le hangar de
Denise in Horsh Tabet or try the flea market in the old streets of Basta
Tahta. Persian and caucasian carpets are also big in Beiru.
Kabalan
on the Salim Salam Bridge, Maktabi
in Verdun, and Nalbandian
in Achrafieh are big names in new and antique carpets.
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Lebanon supports its own echelon of fashion and
furniture designers, artists, and photographers, whose work can be
seen in galleries and shops throughout the city. Try
Aishti, or visit one
of the many designer stores in the Solidere region, to fing the
latest fashions.
The traditional
crafts are also a big pull: hand-made
olive oil soaps, Jezzine cutlery made from animal horns, boldly
designed silver and gold jewelry, and hammered copper trays with
arabesque designs are must-buys.
Traditional crafts can be found at several artisan shops
throughout the city. There
is a large Ministry of Tourism sponsored artisan shop near the
Corniche and a private artisan shop across from the American
University of Beirut (AUB) campus in Hamra.
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