Long ago, trade was the essence of Dubai. With it’s proximity to Iran and India, the souks of Dubai were thought to be the largest on the coast. These souks were named Bastikiya after the ‘Bastak’ region in southern Persia. Today, you can catch a glimpse of old Dubai by visiting the Bastikiya area in Deira.
If you visit any of the souks in Dubai, it’s important that you keep our advice in mind. The stores in the souks are located within open-air walkways, which means no air-conditioning. So try to keep your visits in the evenings and cooler months. Following tradition, the souks are closed between 1pm and 4pm. This is the hottest time of the day so shopkeepers prefer to go home and sleep till the weather cools down.
If you’ve got bargaining talent, this is your chance to use it. It’s expected and you can get some great bargains – sometimes upto 75% off the starting price. However, it isn’t the case if buying gold. Gold is sold by weight and the price is more or less fixed. You can still knock-off a bit of the price, but don’t expect to save a lot.
Visiting the souks in Dubai is a must whether you’re sightseeing or going shopping.
Electronics Souk
This souk, in the Deira area, is a haven for electronic goods. Find the latest invention in technology at competitive prices. Shopping for iPODs, PDAs, digital cameras and the like doesn't get any better. Moreover karaoke machines, DJ mixers and other equipment are also sold here.
Gold & Diamond Park
Not many cities in the world boast a “Gold & Diamond Park.” But that’s what Dubai is all about, bringing life to imagination.
Imagine a modern shopping mall that sells only gold, diamonds, and other precious stones and metals. If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then you can imagine what the Gold and Diamond Park would be! There’s even a coffee shop where you can rest from all the walking and decide on which pieces you can’t leave without.
The Gold & Diamond Park is located at the heart of the Dubai, on Sheikh Zayed Road. This shopping centre is close to all the major hotels, which is great if you’re here on holiday. It has a lot of the shops that you can also find at the Gold Souk – but if you’re looking for calm and pleasant surroundings, the Gold and Diamond Park is the place to get all your jewellery.
Gold Souk
Dubai is not known as the “City of Gold” for nothing. The number of jewellers is staggering with tonnes of gold being displayed at one time. Gold is sold by weight as opposed to design or craftsmanship. Although this is the perfect place to buy jewellery for yourself or a loved one, it’s worth visiting even if you don’t plan on buying anything, as the craftsmanship of some of the pieces and sheer volume of gold on display is breathtaking. Many people buy gold as an investment.
Karama
The Karama shopping district is located within the Karama area, one of the liveliest areas in Dubai. The Karama souk is mostly known for its ‘copy’ items – everything from souvenirs to women’s handbags. We must tell you that to visit Karama, you should be in the right frame of mind in order to accept the hassle that you will get from shopkeepers. They are willing to do just about anything to get you to look at their merchandise. You can either ignore them or firmly shake your head if you’re not interested. Once you see something that catches your attention, make sure you bargain because the price they offer you is a lot more than you should actually pay. Keep in mind that the stores are packed and the changing rooms are extremely cramped, so it may not be the best shopping experience. However, we’re sure you’ll forget all about it once you go home with shopping bags full of great bargains.
Perfume Souk
At the Perfume souk in Deira, you can literally find thousands of aromas, and even if you can't find the one that you want, shopkeepers would be able to conjure up a unique concoction that suits your tastes exactly. Arabic perfumes are very strong and spicy, in contrast to light floral western perfumes. Bargaining is the norm in all of the souks. Bear in mind that most of the shops are closed from noon till 5pm.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a favourite among both visitors and residents of Dubai…and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a large arena of boutiques, kiosks, restaurants and cafes inspired by traditional Arabic markets. It’s a great place to buy gifts and knick knacks to take back home with you. There’s everything to remind you of Dubai – from note pads in the shape of camels to traditional belly dancing outfits. The great thing about shopping at Madinat Jumeirah is that all the products for sale are of extremely high quality. Which means whatever you buy will last for years to come. If you’re looking from something really special, why not get your name done ‘artistically’? You can watch as your name is written with sand in a glass bottle. Or you can choose to have your name written in beautiful watercolours. The artist draws the letters of your name to resemble Arabic objects such as a palm tree or an Arabic coffee pot.
Whether you catch up on your shopping or enjoy a meal along the waterfront, you’ll love your trip to Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
Spice Souk
Just adjacent to the Gold Souk in Deira, the Spice Souk holds a myriad of Arabic fragrances and seasonings. The narrow lanes are filled with aromas from cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts, imported from all over the Middle East and Asia. Produce is sold straight out of large open sacks and friendly shopkeepers are never too busy to introduce their wares to visitors. It is a perfect place to bag a gift or two for home.
Textile Souk
The Textile Souq in Bur Dubai is a textile bazaar with abundant stalls displaying all types of fabrics in a rainbow of colors. The shop windows are full of raw silks and satins with intricate embroidery that you probably have never seen before. On-site tailors can copy from an original item or from a pattern for unbelievably low prices. In most countries, having you’re clothes tailored is extremely expensive, but here it’s the exact opposite. Most of the textiles are shipped from India and the Far East which are known for their exquisite textiles. We recommend that you visit the textile souk during the evenings when the weather is a bit cooler.
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