Harare gives you a lot of options for shopping beyond the usual tourist stalls. The city is a good place to find handcrafts, art prints, textiles, and packaged food items you can bring home. This guide covers items you can find across Harare, not a single street or store, and focuses on things that travel well and show real local craft.

1. Soapstone carving

• Why it’s worth buying: Stone carving is a long-standing local craft and makes a compact keepsake. Small soapstone pieces show the hand of the carver and last a long time.
• Where to look: Look for these in galleries and cultural centers that stock local stone artists.
• Price range: $10–$150
• How to spot a good one: Check for a smooth finish, tight tool marks, and no hairline cracks.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap the carving in a soft sweater and place it in the center of your suitcase.

2. Beaded necklaces and bracelets

• Why it’s worth buying: Beadwork reflects local color and traditional patterns while remaining lightweight. Jewelry can be worn straight away and suits many budgets.
• Where to look: Many market stalls and craft vendors sell a variety of beaded pieces.
• Price range: $8–$60
• How to spot a good one: Look for even bead tension, secure clasps, and tidy thread ends.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Lay jewelry flat in a small pouch or pillbox to prevent tangles.

3. Woven baskets and mats

• Why it’s worth buying: Baskets are practical, made from local fibers, and show genuine handwork. They can serve as decor or storage at home.
• Where to look: Cooperative stalls and community craft co-ops commonly carry woven goods.
• Price range: $12–$80
• How to spot a good one: Inspect the rim for even stitching and a tightly packed weave.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Nest smaller pieces inside larger ones, and stuff them with clothing for padding.

4. Art prints and linocuts

• Why it’s worth buying: Prints capture local scenes or artist styles at a lower cost than originals. They’re flat and easy to transport.
• Where to look: Independent shops and gallery gift sections often stock signed prints and posters.
• Price range: $10–$120
• How to spot a good one: Prefer works on heavier paper with a visible signature or edition number.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Roll prints in a poster tube or carry them flat between two pieces of cardboard.

5. Hand-stitched textiles and scarves

• Why it’s worth buying: Textiles can use local fibers and show traditional stitch work or dyes. A scarf or runner is useful and easy to gift.
• Where to look: Markets and small independent shops sell a wide selection of scarves and linens.
• Price range: $15–$70
• How to spot a good one: Feel for natural fibers and check that stitches are even and secure.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Roll fabrics instead of folding to reduce creases and save space.

6. Carved wooden bowls and utensils

• Why it’s worth buying: Small wooden items are practical, lightweight, and show hand carving. They give useful reminders of a trip without taking much space.
• Where to look: You’ll find carved kitchen pieces in galleries and market stalls alike.
• Price range: $6–$50
• How to spot a good one: Ensure the surface is smooth and free from chemical smells or loose grain.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap wooden pieces in cloth to avoid scratches and keep them dry.

7. Leather wallets and belts

• Why it’s worth buying: Quality leather items age well and make durable souvenirs. Small leather goods are easy to use daily.
• Where to look: Independent shops and some market stalls offer stitched leather accessories.
• Price range: $20–$120
• How to spot a good one: Check for genuine leather smell, visible grain, and strong stitching.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Lay flat in your luggage and avoid overpacking on top to prevent creases.

8. Locally roasted coffee or loose teas

• Why it’s worth buying: Packaged coffee and tea capture local flavors and are consumable souvenirs. They travel well when sealed and labelled.
• Where to look: Food halls and market vendors sell sealed local coffee and tea blends.
• Price range: $5–$25
• How to spot a good one: Choose sealed bags with roast or harvest dates and clear origin information.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Place packages in zip bags to contain any accidental spills.

9. Bottled sauces and preserves

• Why it’s worth buying: Sauces, chutneys, and preserves make practical gifts and show local tastes. Properly sealed jars can travel safely.
• Where to look: Look in markets or food halls for small-batch bottled condiments.
• Price range: $4–$20
• How to spot a good one: Prefer bottles with ingredient lists and a sealed cap or tamper ring.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap bottles in bubble wrap and place them in the middle of checked luggage.

10. Recycled-material accessories

• Why it’s worth buying: Items made from recycled glass, metal, or paper support local upcycling projects. They usually weigh little and are distinctive.
• Where to look: Community co-ops and some galleries stock upcycled jewelry and accessories.
• Price range: $6–$40
• How to spot a good one: Look for neat finishing, sturdy fastenings, and no sharp edges.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Keep small pieces in a padded pouch to prevent knocks.

11. Small brass or metal ornaments

• Why it’s worth buying: Small metal pieces can be decorative or functional and tend to last. They show a different craft tradition from stone or textile.
• Where to look: Independent craft shops and galleries sell brassware and small metal objects.
• Price range: $15–$90
• How to spot a good one: Test for solid weight, smooth joins, and no flaking plating.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap metal items in clothing to protect both item and luggage.

12. Mbira or small thumb piano

• Why it’s worth buying: A mbira represents local musical tradition and makes a compact, meaningful souvenir. Listening to a tuned instrument at home recalls the sound of the city.
• Where to look: Find these in markets and some galleries that feature musical crafts.
• Price range: $25–$200
• How to spot a good one: Make sure the tines are rust-free, tuned, and firmly mounted to the soundboard.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Carry a small instrument as hand luggage and cushion it well with clothing.

Quick buying tips for Harare

• Carry some cash; small market stalls often accept only cash or mobile.
• Polite haggling is normal in markets; start lower, be ready to walk away.
• Wrap ceramics and stone in clothing, then place in the middle of luggage.
• Many galleries and co‑ops will ship items home; ask about international rates.
• Look for named artists, natural fibers, or specific town origins on labels.
• Pack liquids and sauces in sealed plastic, place in checked luggage or carry‑on.

Where to shop in Harare

Shopping is spread across markets, galleries, and a few regular craft fairs. For authentic souvenirs, visit places where makers sell directly, museum shops that document provenance, or established market hubs where a wide range of items appears.

• Mbare Musika market — large central market for packaged foods, baskets, beadwork, and everyday crafts.
• Avondale Flea Market — weekend stalls with secondhand goods, jewelry, and small handcrafted items.
• National Gallery and museum shops — higher-quality prints, books, and artist-made objects with provenance.
• Craft co‑operatives near cultural centers — you’ll find fair-trade textiles, beadwork, and recycled-material goods.
• Street stalls in the city center — quick, affordable soapstone figures and carved wood items for immediate purchase.
• Weekend farmers and food markets — sealed teas, coffee, sauces, and locally produced edible souvenirs.
• Shopping arcades and malls — practical for leather goods and more durable manufactured items.

What to skip (common tourist traps)

• Cheerfully painted plastic trinkets labelled as “traditional” that show no handwork or material quality.
• Uniform wooden carvings sold from the highway with identical shapes and no maker attribution.
• Unlabelled or open food jars; you cannot verify production or expiry dates.
• Leather items with visible glue or plastic liners that indicate faux leather.
• Thinly plated jewelry that flakes quickly and may cause skin irritation.
• Large heavy statues or furniture that are expensive to ship and easy to damage.

If you only buy three things

Soapstone carving — a compact piece of local art that travels well.
Beaded jewelry — lightweight, wearable, and clearly handcrafted.
A bag of sealed local coffee or tea — easy to pack and share with friends.

FAQ

1. What is Harare known for making?
   Harare is known for a range of handcrafts including stone carving, beadwork, textiles, and carved wood. Local artists and cooperatives produce many of these items for domestic sale.

2. What are the best edible souvenirs from Harare?
   Choose sealed, packaged goods like locally roasted coffee, boxed or bagged teas, and bottled sauces or preserves. Always pick items with clear labels and production or best-before dates.

3. Are souvenirs expensive in Harare?
   Prices vary widely: market goods can be very affordable, while gallery pieces and polished artworks cost considerably more. You can find good value if you compare stalls and ask about materials.

4. What is the easiest souvenir to pack from Harare?
   Flat items like art prints, scarves, and small jewelry are the easiest to pack and rarely raise concerns at airports. Sealed tea or coffee bags are also travel-friendly.

5. How do I know if something is truly local?
   Look for an artist’s name or signature, labels naming a town or cooperative, and natural materials. Ask sellers where the item was made and request provenance if the object is priced as artisan work.

Tip: Save your receipts, and keep fragile items in your carry-on.

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!

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