Special purchases include copper and brassware (engraved trays, ashtrays and other utensils), articles sculpted in olive wood, leather goods (wallets, purses, handbags), clothing (kaftans, jelabas), perfume oils, vibrantly painted pottery and ceramics, silver and enamelled jewellery and sheeshas (water pipes). Rugs and carpets are a good buy. The two major types are woven (non-pile) and knotted (pile). Look out for traditional Berber pieces, called alloucha. The quality of all carpets is strictly controlled by the National Handicrafts Office, and a label attached to the carpet shows its quality seal and grading.
The medinas of Tunisia’s larger towns, such as Tunis, Sousse and Sfax, are great places to buy Tunisian crafts, with an amazing range, but you will have to haggle. If you prefer not to enter the fray, there are Société de Commercialisation des Produits de l’Artisinat (SOCOPA; website: www.socopa.com.tn) workshops and stores throughout the country where visitors can buy items at fixed prices.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1300 and 1700-2000, Sat 0800-1200 (summer); Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1430-1800, Sat 0800-1200 (winter).
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