Best Souks In Dubai: Your Ultimate Guide
Are you wondering what are the best Dubai souks and which ones you should visit? This guide will help you to decide which ones are the best for you.
Dubai is famous for many things, especially those modern and glamorous, but its souks are one of the most exciting attractions when it comes to the Arabian culture and heritage.
These lively markets offer a blend of traditional charm and modern vibrancy. From glittering gold jewelry to fragrant spices, Dubai’s souks are full of unique finds waiting to be explored.
I’ll take you through the best souks in Dubai so that you can enjoy the essence of Arabian shopping culture.
The Best Souks In Dubai
Souk also spelled as souq means market, in Arabic. Markets in Dubai and the Middle East follow tradition and are different from other markets worldwide.
They usually consist of alleys with little shops close to each other, where people sell their goods, like gold, spices, textiles, souvenirs, handbags, watches, perfumes, and many more.
When shopping on markets in the Middle East, don’t forget to haggle.
There are two types of souks in Dubai
- Traditional Souks: are located in the Deira district, which is close to Dubai Harbor where the trading of goods was concentrated in the past.
- Modern Souks: You can find modern souks in the new part of Dubai. They remind shopping malls with small shops. They are very clean and prices are fixed.
Traditional Souks
1. Dubai Gold Souk
Dubai Gold Souk is probably the most famous one. At the entrance, you can see a big wooden gate that leads you to the covered walkways with about 300 shops that sell shiny gold, diamonds, silver, platinum, and other precious stones.
Here you can find necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings in all kinds of forms and shapes that you can’t even imagine.
Whether you are planning to buy something or not, window shopping is an amazing experience as you can see the grandest heavy gold pieces of jewelry that are normally seen only in museums.
When buying gold in Dubai Gold Souk you can be sure it is genuine gold as it is regulated by the government of the UAE so the products sold here guarantee authenticity and purity of gold.
Before going to buy any gold jewelry here, check the market prices of the gold on that day as the price of the gold is changing. Also, compare prices in different shops.
Location: Al Ras, Deira
Opening Hours: Saturday to Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm. On Fridays from 4 pm to 10 pm
How to get there: Take a Green Line metro to the station Al Ras which is about a 6-minute walk to the souk, or Gold Souq station, which is about a 12-minute walk. If you go by bus, get off at Al Sabkha bus station or Gold Souq bust station. Also, you can take Abra from Bur Dubai across the Creek.
2. Dubai Perfume Souk
Dubai Perfume Souk can be found close to the Dubai Gold Souk. You can find here perfumes, essential oils, incense sticks, and the traditional Agar Wood.
Arabic perfumes are normally stronger than Western ones. They don’t consist of alcohol and are oil-based.
Some of them can be sprayed directly on clothes or skin, while others are applied as drops of oil on your skin. You can choose from ready perfumes or you can make your own based on your preferences and skin type with the help of an experienced retailer.
Location: Sikkat al Khali, Deira
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 1:30 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm.
How to get there: Take a Green Line metro to the station Al Ras, or by bus, get off at Al Sabkha bus station.
3. Dubai Spice Souk
The Dubai Spice Souk is a feast for the senses, full of vibrant colors and rich aromas. Whether you love cooking with spices or just want to learn more about them, this is the place to be.
You’ll find a wide variety of spices from places like India, Turkey, Iran, and Africa, including saffron, one of the most expensive spices. Besides spices, you can also buy herbs, teas, dates, dried fruits, and nuts here.
Location: Al Ras, Deira
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 10 pm. On Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 am to 11 pm
How to get there: Take a Green Line metro to the station Al Ras or by bus to Deira Old Souq 1. Bus station. Or take Abra across the Creek.
4. Textile Souk
The Textile Souk is a vibrant display of colors, filled with textiles and prints everywhere you turn. You’ll find a variety of fabrics such as cotton, silk, satin, cashmere, and more.
In addition to fabric, you can also purchase traditional clothing like abayas and kanduras. For souvenirs, there are caftans, scarves, embroidered slippers, and dresses available as well.
Location: 57 Ali Bin Abi Taleb St, opposite to Abra, Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm with a lunch break between 2 pm and 4 pm. Sunday is closed.
How to get there: Take a Green Line metro to the station Al Ghubaiba or Sharaf DG. Or by bus to Al Ghubaiba Bus station.
5. Bur Dubai Grand Souk
Bur Dubai Grand Souk sometimes called Old Souk or just Bur Dubai Souk is a lively market right next to the Dubai creek in Bur Dubai district.
You can find absolutely everything here. Gold, spices, clothes, snacks, souvenirs like pottery, key rings, lamps, magnets, and many more.
Location: 2 34th St – Bur Dubai
Opening Hours: Every day from 10 am to 10:30 pm
How to get there: Take a Green Line metro to the station Al Ghubaiba. If you come from Deira, you can take Abra across the Creek.
Some other old souks are Al Fahidi Souk, Al Karama Souk, and Naif Souk.
Naif Souk is the oldest souk in Dubai which started in the past as a market to sell camels.
Naif Souk and Al Karama Souk sell souvenirs, leather, handbags, watches, jewelry, and textiles.
Al Fahidi Souk is a souk with fewer crowds and you may find here things you could not get in other markets.
You’ll come across shops offering ready-made clothes from both local designers and well-known brands, along with toys, gifts, antiques, and electronics.
There are also plenty of stores selling perfumes, cosmetics, shoes, bags, and other accessories.
You can visit these souks by yourself, however, if you don’t feel comfortable because of pushy sellers or bargaining, you can take an organized tour where the tour guide will take you around and even provide information about the Emirati culture.
Here are some tours for you that you will enjoy:
- Guided Old Town Tour: On this tour, you will explore the Old Town of Dubai, areas of Al Seef and Al Fahidi. You will visit a Heritage House and museums, visit the souks where you can buy some souvenirs and taste street food and dates. You will also enjoy sailing Dubai Creek on a traditional Abra boat. ➡️Book The Tour Here
- Al Fahidi Guided Walking Tour With Street Food: You will walk around the Al Fahidi historical district, visit museums and a Heritage House, and taste traditional street food and coffee. You will cross the Dubai Creek on the Abra boat and explore the souks for some souvenirs. ➡️Book The Tour Here
Modern Souks
6. Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a mixture of Arabic tradition, modernity, and luxury. Stony clean floors on narrow alleyways with glass Arabic-style lamps and fixed prices bring a relaxing experience to the market.
You can buy many different souvenirs at this market, for example, Persian carpets, miniature Alladin lamps, kaftans, colorful textiles, jewelry, coffee pots, and other products.
The best thing about this souk is the complex outdoor area. There are several cafes and restaurants designed in the Arabic style surrounded by twisting waterways embellished by small cute bridges.
From here you can go for the traditional Abra tour. While enjoying your food, drink, or coffee you have a stunning view of Burj Al Arab which is located close by.
Location: King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Al Sufouh 1
Opening Hours: Every day from 10 am to 11 pm
How to get there: The best way is to take a taxi, or combination, metro to Dubai Mall of the Emirates metro station and from there taxi. Alternatively, you can take a bus and walk for about 10 minutes.
7. Souk Al Bahar
Souk Al Bahar is another modern market in Dubai. Though it has an Arabian touch, it feels more like a shopping mall than a traditional souk.
You can find high-end jewelry, clothes, perfumes, and souvenirs here. Located next to Burj Khalifa Lake, it has beautifully designed restaurants and cafes offering stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain.
Location: Downtown Dubai opposite Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa
Opening Hours: Every day from 10 am to 1 am, while some shops or restaurants have adjusted opening hours.
How to get there: Take the red line Metro to the station Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. From the Dubai Mall, you reach it from the Lower Ground Floor
8. Dubai Mall Souk
As the name says, Dubai Mall Souk is located inside Dubai Mall, one of the largest malls in the world.
The souk is modern but in Arabic style with more than 30 boutiques. Here you will find luxury jewelry, precious metals, and gemstones.
Once you finish at the souk, explore the Dubai Mall, where except for the shops you will find many things for entertainment like an aquarium, ice rink, different playing zones for children and adults, and restaurants and cafes for dining.
Location: Downtown Dubai next to Burj Khalifa
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 11 pm, Friday to Sunday from 10 am to 12 am
How to get there: Take the red line Metro to the station Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. You will walk via the metro link bridge to reach the mall.
Tips for shopping at Dubai souks
- Dress modestly. You are going to the old part of Dubai, a more traditional part of the city.
- Be ready to haggle. The initial price you will get is going to be high and you are expected to negotiate.
- If you are going to buy gold, check the market price of the gold on the same day.
- Have some cash with you. Not all shops may take cards.
- Have a walk around before you buy in the first shop. You may find nicer items, for better prices in different shops.
- If you want to avoid crowds, visit early in the morning. On the other hand, if you want to experience the atmosphere, visit late in the evening when also the weather is more pleasant.
The Wrap-Up: Best Souks In Dubai
Whether you prefer the old traditional souks or rather the luxury modern ones, you should definitely visit at least one souk when you are in Dubai.
You not only will experience the traditional Arabic atmosphere but also buy some nice souvenirs for yourself, and your loved ones.
