DUBAI SOUKS
Shopping in Dubai is a shopaholic’s dream, with almost nothing that cannot be bought here, but away from the air-conditioned marble-floored shopping malls is another experience: the souks. Many of these, such as the gold, textile and spice souks clustered beside the creek, date back to Dubai’s beginnings as a palm-fringed trading port. Exploring their warren-like alleyways is a delight. Generally, each type of stall, be it spices, crafts, perfumes or clothing, are located close together, making it easy to spot a good deal. Bring cash and keep in mind that bargaining is expected.
Map of the Dubai Souks
NEED TO KNOW
Open 10am–10pm (some souks shut at 1:30pm while shopkeepers attend the afternoon prayers) • www.dubaitourism.ae
- Bargaining is expected. Start at half the initial price and haggle until you reach a compromise.
- Tax-free prices in Dubai make luxury items such as perfume and electronic goods highly affordable.
- Around the Bur Dubai souks are good-value Indian restaurants.
1. Naif Rd Souk, Deira
A kitsch faux desert fort houses this traditional-style souk with everything from cheap clothes and fake designer accessories to children’s toys.
2. Gold Souk
This souk gleams with gold, silver and gems. Prices are competitive; dealers come in from around the globe and strict regulations are followed.
Gold Souk
3. Deira Covered Souk
This souk feels more Indian than Arabic, with a medley of merchandise offered: colourful textiles, spices, kitchenware, clothes and henna.
4. Deira Grand Souk
Sprawling behind the Spice Souk, Deira’s Al Souk Al Kabeer (“Big Souk”) boasts hundreds of shoebox shops clad in coral-stone façades. The cute little Al Arsa Courtyard at the back is especially pretty.
5. Bur Dubai Textile Souk
Beautifully restored, this creekside souk is covered by an arched pergola. It makes for an atmospheric walkway lined with money lenders and little stalls selling reels of coloured cloth.
Bur Dubai Textile Souk
6. Bur Dubai Meena Bazaar
Be warned, a visit here may necessitate a trip to a tailor. Wonderful fabrics from all over the world, in every colour and texture imaginable (silks, satins, brocades, linens and more), are laid out before you.
7. Deira Spice Souk
This tiny souk is a real sensory delight. You can purchase aromatic frankincense and myrrh (with charcoal burners for them), plus a wide array of flavourful dried fruits and spices such as cloves, cardamom and cinnamon. Iranian saffron is also particularly good value.
Deira Spice Souk
8. Deira Perfume Souk
Fascinating shops sell heavy exotic scents like jasmine, oudh, amber and rose, and will also mix individual “signature scents”. Traditional Arabian attars are for sale alongside well-known Western brands.
9. Dubai Food Souk
Great piles of colourful fruit and vegetables (especially dates), huge hunks of meat and heaps of ocean-fresh hammour and shark are just some of the foodstuffs on offer at this bustling souk.
10. Karama Souk
This souk offers “copy” items, especially watches and handbags. The quality of much of the products, despite being fake, is very good.
Textiles and fabrics for sale at the Karama Souk
VISIT TO A TAILOR’S
Dubai is a wonderful place for tailoring, with an incredible array of textiles being widely available. Various tailors’ shops can be found around the Textile Souk, but also elsewhere in Satwa and Bur Dubai. Most tailors will make an exact replica from the original item or a photograph, or you can select from their range of pattern books.
