The souks of Dubai are another main attraction within the city, where visitors can explore part of the traditional history and shop in a different way. These markets are an integral part of the culture of this enclave and are among the most important sites that tourists choose to visit each year.
Within the city, there are various markets where one can access the best typical products of the United Arab Emirates, such as gold, spices, traditional garments, fabrics, and the already famous perfumes. All of them showcase the best of Emirati culture and become a treasure that escapes the opulence of the city and brings one closer to the most emblematic Dubai.
The gold souk in Dubai: a journey into the opulence of the city
The Gold Souk is one of the most recognized markets and the most frequented by couples choosing Dubai as a tourist destination. Here, one can find the most precious and handcrafted jewelry at reasonable and negotiable prices: in this place, one can “bargain” and search for the right value. For this reason, lovers often approach to buy their engagement rings here.
This site is located in the so-called Deira area, where there are streets filled with shops selling these pieces, most of which are made of 24-carat gold, but pieces of 18, 21, and 22 carats can also be found. This market began to grow from the 1940s, when small traders decided to open their doors to sell small jewelry and souvenirs that tourists from around the world chose to buy here.
The Spice Souk, another of Dubai’s favorite markets.
Continuing along the same route, in the Deira area, there is also the spice market, a fundamental piece of Dubai’s culinary history. In this space, the best representatives of this style gather to enjoy each meal and make the dishes something special. Here, one finds one of the typical postcards of the city with colorful sacks of spices, herbs, rice, and fruit.
For cooking enthusiasts, this space offers other prized products for international chefs who travel there to buy the best flavors from around the world. Here, one can find nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and dates, as well as figs, apricots, and other dried fruits. Despite representing part of the essence of the Emirates, this space also has its drawbacks, such as high prices and the persistent negotiation by sellers.
Perfumes, another highly sought after in Dubai.
Perfumes and fragrances occupy an important place within the culture of Dubai, and in the Deira area, there is also the Perfume Souk, located on Sikkat al Khali Road. In this market, you can buy scents, essential oils, and pure fragrances, as well as incense products and traditional oud.
Fragrances can also be purchased in bulk, which vendors and merchants specifically prepare using their ancestral recipes and essential oils along with other products to satisfy the most demanding customers. To add an iconic site to the souk tour in Dubai, one can also visit the famous “Textiles” souk, located on the banks of Bur Dubai, which is the favorite place of the most sought-after tailors and designers in the city. Here, you can find special products such as silks, airy cottons, exotic fabrics, and spectacular materials to create some of the traditional garments of the city, the saris.
