Dubai Souqs: Insider Shopping!

If you’re planning a shopping tour to Dubai you should arrange several things:

–         No less than 2 days for shopping only

–         A rental car to travel among the markets without wasting time

–         Enough cash

–         Train your bargain skills!

Check out Dubai Souqs – famous all over the world!

Souqs (Middle Eastern-style bazaars) are valued much more than malls in Dubai (because souqs are what made Dubai famous historically) that’s why we offer you the list of the best and the largest souqs in Dubai below, each with its own specialization!

(Google Maps will help you to find the souqs accurately, just type in their names)

1. Deira Old Souq & Spice Souq (Creekside, Deira) 

Length of visit: 2 – 3 hours

This is the oldest souq in Dubai. Full of life, energy, smells and sights this old-styled souq offers a wide range of textiles. Buy a quality good cheap pashmina! And take a look at exquisite fabrics embroidered with beads.

You’ll be enchanted with delicious aromas of exotic spices wafting in the dark alleyways. Cardamom, cinnamon, curry, red pepper, and turmeric – their colors will delight your eyes. Stock up with hibiscus, herbals and rose buds to taste homemade teas!

Working hours: daily, 7 AM – noon, 5 PM – 7 PM, Friday 5 PM – 7 PM

1. Bur Dubai Souq (near Dubai Museum, Bur Dubai)

Length of visit: 1.5 – 2 hours

Parking there is very limited but you can use an open-air pay and display car park next to Dubai Museum. The souq is peaceful in the morning, which makes it much more active at night and especially lively on Friday evenings (after 4 PM). Store up on Indian fabrics and other Asian countries’ textiles and accessories there!

Working hours: Saturdays – Thursdays 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM & 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM

1. Gold Souq (103 – Street 32A Junction, Al Ras, Deira)

Length of visit: 3 hours

That’s where you’ll understand why Dubai is called “The City of Gold”! The alleys of the souq in a covered air-conditioned mall with 300 stores, glitter with astonishing jewelry. Check the daily gold price on the Internet before purchasing! (By the way, none of these jewelry items is less than 18 carat!). Silver jewelry from Oman and Yemen and ethic items like toe-rings are the most affordable things there!

Working hours: 9 AM – 1 PM and 4PM – 10 PM each day. Closed – Friday morning.

1. Fruit and Vegetable Market (near Shindagha Tunnel, Al Shindagha)

Length of visit: 1 – 1.5 hours

Located half an hour drive from central Dubai this huge clean market has over 120 stalls. Pomegranates are fantastically cheap there so you can enjoy pomegranate fresh juice during your entire stay in Dubai! Or look at these cucumbers: with a curly shape they resemble snakes! A lot of ginger, garlic, and figs – all fruits and vegetables are neatly arranged in boxes on the stalls. Even these boxes in Dubai are different!

Working hours: Saturday – Thursday, 9 AM – 5 PM

1. Souq Madinat Jumeirah (Madinat Jumeirah Complex, Al Sufouh Road)

Length of visit: 3 – 4 hours

This place inside Madinat Jumeirah Hotel makes you say “Wow!” out loud! Its beautiful architecture and exterior are worth being photographed and remembered and is more of a palace than a souq.

Better visit this souq after dark when its channel is lit up romantically reminding you of a little Venice in Emirates.

And how about 75 boutiques and 20 stylish restaurants and bars? This place is for the whole family. Even non-shopaholics will adore it!

Working hours: daily 10 AM – 11 PM

1. Fish Market (next to Fruit & Vegetable Market, Al Shindagha)

Length of visit: 1 hour

Wear waterproof shoes and some old clothes – the place offers blue lobsters, crabs, sharks, shrimps, and kingfish; this place isn’t the cleanest in Dubai but still the cheapest to buy fresh sea delicatessen! The competition between the sellers is very high so always negotiate the price.

There is a large public car park next to the market (parking is not free on weekends and holidays).

Working hours: daily, 7 AM – noon, 7 PM – 10 PM

What are the prices in Dubai souqs?

How much money will this jolly attraction actually take? Check out our brief infographic! The prices there haven’t yet included your “last price”, so you definitely should try to bargain!

Share this Infographic On Your Site!

How To Bargain?

Bargaining in the East is an old tradition; it is a fine art, a game with its own rules. So don’t even think of buying a thing in Dubai without cutting a price!

Trading at a souq admits at least threefold reduction in the original price. Reaching the last price you can still try to get the latest price (or the very last price).

To get the very last price you can pretend that you are going to leave the store (or the stall) but don’t do it for real, otherwise the game will end.

Please, remember that after you’ve got the very last price, you can’t refuse to buy! It’s rude!

How To Deal With Car Rental?

Taking in account all the must-visit Dubai places you probably have already made sure that your own vehicle is desperately needed there!

Besides it is very convenient to access the markets by car, your awesome shopping can be combined with an exciting trip to the historical districts and all around Dubai!

The most convenient way for you is to to rent a car (think of GPS option!) right at the airport, which you’ll arrive at (because the Dubai airport is outside the city: dubai-airport).

Reserve your rental car in advance by booking the vehicle online so that it will be waiting for you at the airport right after your arrival.

Use sites that compare all the car rental prices in the region to save time on the cheapest price search.

Drop your things at the hotel and set up for your great Dubai tour by car immediately!

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