From the pink dunes of Wadi Rum to the mosaic streets of Madaba, Jordan unfurls like a story written in stone, spice and song. The scent of cardamom and oud drifts from market stalls, the glitter of silver catches the sun in Amman’s alleys, and the mineral tang of the Dead Sea hangs in the air — all begging to be packed into your suitcase as Jordanian souvenirs.

Whether you’re hunting for handcrafted keepsakes from Salt, fragrant spices from the souks of Amman, or small mosaics made in Madaba, here’s what to buy in Jordan to carry a piece of the desert, the Dead Sea and the Levant home with you.

1. Dead Sea Salt & Mud

Why pick this up: The Dead Sea’s mineral-rich salts and therapeutic mud are iconic — prized for skin care and as an evocative reminder of floating on the hypersaline water.
What to look for: Pure black Dead Sea mud and coarse Dead Sea salt with labels listing minerals (magnesium, potassium). Avoid products with long lists of synthetic additives.
Price bracket (2025): JOD 5–30 depending on size and purity.
Where to find it: Dead Sea resort shops, pharmacies in Amman, and specialized beauty kiosks in Madaba and Aqaba.

2. Hand-Embroidered Thobes & Shawls

Why pick this up: Traditional embroidered garments (women’s thobes, shawls and chest panels) carry regional stitches and motifs — a wearable map of Jordan’s villages and Bedouin patterns.
What to look for: Hand-stitched embroidery, natural fabrics (cotton or linen), and distinct regional motifs (Salṭa patterns have their own stitches). Check for uneven stitches that indicate handwork.
Price bracket (2025): JOD 80–400 for full thobes; smaller embroidered panels or shawls JOD 15–60.
Where to find it: Cooperative stalls in Salt, Madaba artisan shops, and the craft tents during Amman’s Souk Jara season.

3. Madaba Mosaics & Tiles

Why pick this up: Madaba’s Byzantine mosaics are world-famous; small hand-cut mosaic replicas capture centuries of technique and the city’s vivid color palette.
What to look for: Tiny tesserae glued individually, inscriptions on the back indicating handwork, and photo references to genuine Byzantine motifs. Beware glued-on printed mosaics.
Price bracket (2025): JOD 20–150 for small panels; larger pieces cost more.
Where to find it: Madaba mosaic workshops, museum shops, and artisan galleries in Amman.

4. Bedouin Silver Jewelry

Why pick this up: Bold, hammered silver and talismanic designs reflect Bedouin aesthetics — necklaces, cuff bracelets and rings feel like heirlooms.
What to look for: Sterling hallmarks (often “925”) or weighty, solid pieces; traditional motifs and hand-engraving. Ask about the maker and tribe origin.
Price bracket (2025): JOD 30–200 depending on silver content and intricacy.
Where to find it: Amman’s downtown souk, Petra bazaars, and craft stalls near Wadi Rum camps.

5. Olive Wood Carvings & Kitchenware

Why pick this up: Jordan’s olive wood has a warm grain and is traditionally carved into spoons, bowls and nativity scenes — practical and beautiful.
What to look for: Smooth hand-carving, visible grain, and solid olive wood (not veneered). Beware very light, cheap pieces that may be composite.
Price bracket (2025): JOD 10–80 depending on size and detail.
Where to find it: Madaba and Christian towns like Fuheis, artisan stalls in Amman, and roadside craft stands.

6. Za’atar & Regional Spice Blends

Why pick this up: A scent of thyme, sumac and sesame — za’atar is the flavor of Jordan on warm bread. Spices are compact, long-lasting and instantly transport you back to Levantine breakfasts.
What to look for: Coarse, green za’atar with visible sumac flecks, sealed packaging, and origin labels (look for local herb sources). Freshness is key.
Price bracket (2025): JOD 2–10 for small jars or packets.
Where to find it: Amman spice stalls (Al-Balad), markets in Aqaba, and specialty food shops.

7. Handwoven Rugs & Kilims

Why pick this up: Bedouin and village looms produce flatweaves and pile rugs with geometric patterns — each tells a story of region and maker.
What to look for: Hand-knotted or hand-woven confirmations, natural dyes, irregularities that indicate handcraft. Ask about wool quality and origin (tribal, village).
Price bracket (2025): JOD 50–800+ depending on size, age and weave.
Where to find it: Rug dealers in Amman’s antique and carpet quarter, cooperative stalls in Salt, and markets in Petra.

8. Jordanian Olive Oil

Why pick this up: Jordan produces high-quality extra-virgin olive oil from Terras of the West Bank and Jordanian groves — a liquid souvenir that’s both practical and gourmet.
What to look for: Cold-pressed, extra-virgin labels, harvest year, and dark glass bottles to preserve flavor. Single-estate or small-producer labels indicate quality.
Price bracket (2025): JOD 8–40 per liter depending on provenance.
Where to find it: Farmers’ markets, Madaba cooperatives, and specialty food shops in Amman and Aqaba.

9. Salt Pottery & Local Ceramics

Why pick this up: The city of Salt and other towns have distinctive ceramics — hand-painted plates and decorative pottery that echo traditional Levantine patterns.
What to look for: Hand-painted motifs, kiln marks, and firm glaze. Small chips or glaze crazing can indicate age and authenticity; mass-produced finish is a red flag.
Price bracket (2025): JOD 15–100 depending on size and decoration.
Where to find it: Pottery workshops in Salt, craft fairs in Amman, and gallery shops across Madaba.

10. Bukhoor & Oud Chips

Why pick this up: Fragrant incense and oud chips are central to Jordanian hospitality — perfect for scenting a home with the warm, resinous aromas you smelled in the souk.
What to look for: Natural oud (agarwood) chips, wood or resin bukhoor that lists natural ingredients, and trusted suppliers rather than generic blends.
Price bracket (2025): JOD 5–100 depending on purity and grade.
Where to find it: Perfume and incense shops in Amman’s souk, Aqaba bazaars, and specialty fragrance boutiques.

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions
Walking through Jordan’s markets feels like moving through layers of history: Amman’s Al-Balad is a lively tangle of narrow alleys and spice-stalls, Madaba hums with mosaic workshops, and Salt’s stone streets host artisans selling heirloom embroidery.

Souk Jara, the seasonal market on Rainbow Street  brings designers and craftspeople together in summer evenings, while Petra and Wadi Musa’s bazaars cater to travelers with handcrafted keepsakes and Bedouin wares.

Bargaining is a normal part of market life in many places, offered with a side of tea and warm hospitality; in cooperatives and museum shops, prices are more fixed, reflecting artisan wages and provenance.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs
Look for evidence of handwork: uneven stitches in embroidery, tiny tesserae in mosaics, hallmarks on silver (925), and visible wood grain in olive-wood pieces.

Check labels for origin (e.g., “Made in Jordan” or specific village names like Madaba or Salt) and ask sellers about the maker or cooperative, reputable sellers will happily tell you. For Dead Sea cosmetics, ingredients should list Dead Sea mud or salts early and avoid long chemical lists.

Beware items stamped “Made in China” or perfectly uniform mass-produced goods; those are common red flags. When buying food, check expiration dates and packaging seals and favor vacuum-packed spices and oils.

Where to Shop in Jordan

• Amman: Al-Balad (downtown souk), Rainbow Street and seasonal Souk Jara for crafts.
• Madaba: mosaic workshops and museum shops.
• Salt: traditional craft stalls and pottery.
• Wadi Musa (Petra) and Wadi Rum: bazaars and Bedouin craft stalls.
• Aqaba: Red Sea markets for spices and perfumes.
• Dead Sea resorts and pharmacies: authentic Dead Sea products.
• Queen Alia International Airport: airport shops for last-minute Jordanian souvenirs and packaged food gifts.

FAQs
Q: Are souvenirs in Jordan expensive?
A: Prices range widely — small food items and spices are very affordable (JOD 2–10), while authentic thobes, rugs and fine silver can be costly. Shopping in markets and cooperatives offers the best variety of price points.

Q: Is bargaining common in Jordan?
A: Yes, in open souks and with independent stallholders bargaining is expected and part of the experience. In museum shops, cooperatives and established galleries, prices are usually fixed.

Q: How do I know if items are locally made?
A: Ask about the maker, look for regional identifiers (Madaba mosaics, Salt pottery), check labels for origin, and inspect for handcraft signs (irregularities, hallmarks). Buying from known cooperatives and workshops reduces the chance of getting imported knockoffs.

Tip: Pack one or two small Jordanian souvenirs in your carry-on to protect fragile pieces and carry the scent of the souk home with you ✨ — Jordanian souvenirs are perfect little storytellers of the desert and the Dead Sea.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!