WHAT TO DO IN DUBAI: SOUK MARKETS IN THE OLD TOWN
A magnificent atmosphere is breathed in the souks, the traditional markets of Dubai. There are some specialized ones (the souk of gold, spices, perfumes, fabrics), but all are very rich in colors and smells. The rule that applies in every souk: always bargain the price. Dubai is like a treasure chest when it comes to buying precious metals, spices, nuts, perfumes and other interesting things. The best place to get your hands on these products in town is the souks. So what are the best souks in Dubai? Souks are Arab markets or markets, a bazaar to be exact. They are widespread throughout the city. While gorgeous jewels and shiny gold bars will attract you to the Gold Souk, soothing aromas of perfumes will guide you to the Perfume Souk. You can also reach them with the Abra characteristics. So let’s take a deeper look at what Dubai’s fascinating souks have to offer.
1. THE SOUK OF GOLD
Probably the best place if you want to buy gold and branded watches such as Rolex and Omega but be careful, here you may find 14 karat gold and not 18 karat gold. Dubai’s Gold Souk is a place where all that glitters is gold! The beautiful jewelry on display will surely fascinate you and convince you to make a purchase. There are hundreds of shops and vendors next to each other on the street selling top quality gold. From 14 to 24 carats are available and are sold at the current market price indicated outside the shops. Shopkeepers tend to raise the price when they see a tourist, so always bargain. Always be very cautious when buying from sellers as they don’t always follow all legalities in selling goods. Even if you are not interested in buying gold, this Gold Souk in Dubai is an important tourist attraction to experience the liveliness of a gold market.
Where: Deira, near the Al Ras metro station
Hours: Open every day: from 10:00 to 22:00 (some shops are closed for lunch from 13:00 to 16:00. On Fridays: from 16:00 to 22:00
2. THE SOUK OF PERFUMES
Perfumes mean a lot to Arabs and speak a lot about their lifestyle and traditions. Located right next to the Gold Souk on Sikkat Al Khali Street, Dubai’s Perfume Souk has scents and aromas that are enchanting enough for you to take a look at, and make you want to buy them. The shops here have perfumes that date back to the ancient Arab civilization to modern brand ones, covering both ends of the spectrum. While shopping for charismatic perfumes and Attar oil perfumes, you can also indulge in incense sticks, crystals and powder. While you’re at it, find out more about the oud and Bakhoor materials used in these perfumes. To top it off, you can also receive a personalized perfume created especially for you. They create it for you based on the type of perfume you are looking for and the one that best suits your skin. Prices are not fixed. Take advantage of everything to get the best offers by always bargaining! Are you looking for the perfect souvenir to take home or the exotic one to give as a gift? The Dubai Perfume Souk is the place to find it.
Where: Deira, via Sikkat Al Khali, near the Al Ras metro station
Hours: every day from 10:00 to 14:00 and then from 16:00 to 22:00, Friday: from 16:00 to 22:00
3. SPICE SOUK
Let typical smells guide you to another fascinating souk in the city: the spice souk. Located next to the Gold Souk, it is an ancient market full of exotic and homegrown spices. You will be greeted by rich displays of spices from organic farmers and enthusiasts. Talk to friendly vendors to learn about the characteristics of the spice, where it originated, and how you can use it to perk up your taste buds! Additionally, you will find various nuts, dried fruits, oils and saffron widely sold in the market. You can buy spices by weight or in packages. Sellers will certainly lower the price if you buy wholesale. Flavor is definitely in the air at Dubai’s Spice Souk.
Where: Deira, near the Al Ras metro station
Hours: every day from 10:00 to 14:00 and then from 16:00 to 22:00, Friday: from 16:00 to 22:00
4. TEXTILE AND CLOTHING SOUK
The realm of cashmere, pashminas, scarves and typical robes with Arab headdresses. Head to the city’s famous textile souk in Dubai, located next to the Creek in Bur Dubai. Get familiar with distinctive Arabian fashion by looking at colorful patterns and trying out silk, cotton and other high-quality materials. Here’s a fun fact, this is Dubai’s oldest souk. Try embroidered dresses prepared by local artists and designers or buy raw fabric, the dresses here won’t disappoint. Along with the fabrics, there is a wide selection of stones, laces, buttons, sequins and other accessories to remind you of Arabian panache. In this market you can buy silk or cashmere foulards and scarves to create your own personalized shemagh. It will be the Arab sellers themselves who will dress it on your head along with perhaps an Agal. Agal is the traditional black cord, worn doubled, used to keep the shemag in position on the wearer’s head. It has a dual use in fact it is also used to seat camels. Originally it was made with goat hair.
Where: Bur Dubai, near Bur Dubai Abra station
Hours: every day from 10:00 to 22:00, on Fridays: 16:00 – 22:00.
5. SOUK MEDINAT
While souks across Dubai are all about local, low-cost wares, Souk Madinat combines the ancient feel of a souk with luxury goods. Located in Jumeirah, one of the most elegant areas of the city, the Souk Madinat is characterized by alleys full of designer shops, rare works of art, souvenirs, sculptures and more. Savor the typical flavors in a 5-star restaurant. Enjoy a drink with the iconic Burj Al Arab in the background or watch a live show at the Madinat Theater. After the shopping spree to end the day is perfection.
Where: Al Sufouh Road, Jumeirah
Hours: every day 10:00 – 23:00
6. MEENA BAZAAR
Not exactly a particular souk, Meena Bazaar is a combination of Dubai souks with the best of fabrics, perfumes and jewelry. Available in a market at cheaper prices than high-end shopping malls. But here’s the dark side, you have to be careful when it comes to authenticity because there are many shops that sell counterfeit products and offer them to you as originals. Faux leather shoes, fake designer bags, Meena Bazaar has it all. That said, once you are sure of the quality, you can bargain all you can and get a fairly reasonable price for the products you buy here. Entering Meena Bazaar will make you feel like you are visiting India. You will find mainly Indian sellers who would usually prefer to speak to you in Hindi over other languages.
Where: near Khalid Bin Waleed Street, Bur Dubai
Hours: every day from 9:00 to 22:00
7. GLOBAL VILLAGE
Wouldn’t it be just great if you could find objects belonging to different cities and cultures all over the world in one place? Now you can. At Global Village Dubai, the cultures of 90 countries (including food, merchandise, entertainment and retail stores) are spread over an area of 17,200,000 square feet. Held in the winter months of October through April, Global Village is a seasonal shopping extravaganza primarily for tourists. So you are bound to find hamburgers at the US pavilion, Turkish kebabs in Turkey, Indian ethnic clothing and delicacies in India and so on.
Where: Global Village Dubai
Hours: from 16:00 to 23:30 (until 12:30 on Thursdays and Fridays)
Entrance ticket: 15 AED per person
8. FLEA MARKET
If you love shopping for local and second hand products, the flea market is the place for you. There are over 300 stalls selling clothes, ceramics, furniture, antiques, musical instruments and more. Held more than 2-3 times in a month in different locations around the city, the market engages residents who want to part with their delicacies in exchange for money. It is always best to visit the market on the first day to get your hands on the most useful items. If you can’t find anything useful, just getting to know the friendly locals would be an experience you would like to take home.
Where: several locations including Ibn Battuta Mall, Zabeel Park, The Greens, Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
Souk near Dubai. Now that we’ve covered Dubai’s various souks and you love the experience of these lively markets, you can also check out some great souks near Dubai.
9. CAMEL SOUK AL AIN
Camel Souk, in short, is full of Arabs at the camel auction. It’s quirky but super fun to witness as a tourist and gives a real feel of the old UAE. It is a unique interpretation of a very popular Arab tradition in the camel trade. Camels are dressed up and presented as people make offerings for them. There isn’t much for tourists to do here other than just enjoying the scene. Camels here are used in racing, tourist activities and even as pets.
Where: Al Khair, Al Ain
Hours: from 6:00 to 19:00
Distance from Dubai: 150 km approx. (2 hours)
10. CARPET SOUK ABU DHABI
The UAE is known for its carpets and rugs, and the Carpet Souk in Abu Dhabi is the place to see a good collection of this Arabian specialty. They are handmade, decorated in bright colors (some are even made exclusively in gold) and are sold at a premium price due to their authenticity and quality. The rugs are sold for home furnishings, for prayer purposes and even for gift purposes.
Where: 437 Al Meena St, Abu Dhabi
Hours: from 9:00 to 11:00
Distance from Dubai: 150 km approx. (2 hours)
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