Dubai Traditional Shopping Markets
Dubai Shopping - Traditional Shopping Markets by Dubai City Guide Summer 2008
Shockingly contrasting in comparison to the myriad glossy malls, the chaos, intensity and vibrancy of Dubai’s traditional shopping markets make them very intriguing to shoppers. These traditional markets are known as the ’souqs’, which is the native word for ‘market’. They sell just about everything from native dresses and pungent Arabic perfumes to spices and gold. Majority of the shops are specialised, but there are a few shops which sell anything you could possibly ask for.
Among the many fascinating items on sale, you’ll find antiquity replicas, original silks, Persian carpets and even cleverly forged designer bags and shoes. Whatever you wish to buy, don’t forget to bargain. It’s part of the fun and the shopkeepers love it too. Haggle to the very end and ask for the lowest price possible. If they say ‘fifty’, you can be assured you’ll get it for twenty five at the end of all the bargaining. Dubai has three renowned souqs and one flea market, which are definitely worth visiting.
Deira Gold Souq
The glitz is breathtaking and the prices are excellent – the Deira Gold Souq is known to be the world’s best gold market, because you’ll find the highest quality for the lowest price. Gold is sold by weight and a gram of 22 carat gold costs around 90 dirhams all-inclusive, which is approximately $25. Bargaining is acceptable and you’ll find the shopkeepers are open to it. The gold souq has 18, 21 and 22 carat gold on sale, as well as sterling silver.
Mina Bazaar
Dubai’s most popular flea market, Mina Bazaar is the place to find colourful textiles, footwear, novelties, accessories, jewellery, spices, food items and more. It’s liveliest at nighttime, when the narrow lanes are brightly lit up and the cooling breezes from the nearby creek gently blow past you.
Other Souqs
Besides the gold souq in Deira, there’s a covered souq, with narrow winding lanes leading to small shops selling everything you would expect in a flea market. The Spice Souq is where you should head to take in the aroma and give your senses a boost. Sacks full of spices and herbs steal the thunder here, with an amazing array brought in from Asia, Africa and Middle East.
