Shopping

Famous for the “Shopping Festival”, Dubai offers a paradise of retail therapy for any shopaholics. Gigantic malls, streets of gold, designer boutiques, cheap electronics, perfumes, spices and precious jewels are just some of the things on offer. Be prepared to barter!

Gold souk
Take a trip to the Gold souk and discover the “City of Gold”. The sheer scale and variety of gold on offer (at marked-down prices) will impress even the most seasoned gold trader. prices are very reasonable and largely determined by weight, rather than design and craftsmanship. This souk is worth a visit even if you have no intention of buying, just soak up the atmosphere of the bold affluence of this part of the world particularly in the evening, when the shop lights illuminate the precious metal transforming it into a street of gold! You will find just about every conceivable kind of gold jewellery, traditional or modern, bold or conservative, chunky or delicate designs on display. While purchasing gold don’t forget that there is always rooms to bargain so don’t accept the first price and be sure to shop around. Prices vary depending on whether the piece was made by a machine or a craftsman.

Spice souk
Adjacent to the Gold souk, the spice souk holds a myriad of Arabic aromas and spices. The narrow lanes are filled with the pungent smell of clove, cardamom, cinnamon and incense, imported from all over the Middle East. Products are sold straight out of large open sacks and friendly shopkeepers are never too busy to introduce their wares to visitors. It is the perfect place to bag a gift or two for home.

Perfume souk
Here you can literally find thousands of aromas, and even if you can’t find the one that you want, shopkeepers are able to conjure up a unique concoction to suit your exact taste. Arabic perfumes are very strong and spicy, in contrast to the light and floral ones you may be used to. (A little word of caution: Arabic perfumes are oil-based and can leave a mark on your clothes). Bargaining is the norm in all of the souks and bear in mind that most of the stalls are closed from 12:00hrs to 17:00hrs.

Carpets & Rugs
Outside of iran, Dubai is a great place to pick up a Turkish Kilim or persian rug. Quality is judged by the type of dye used, the number of knots, overall size and the family name of the maker - all of which influences the price! Whenever you buy a rug you will be given a Certificate of Authentication guaranteed by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and industry, which ensures that your expensive carpet is actually worth its price. If you are not offered this certificate, you are buying at your own risk. Do not feel embarrassed or obliged to buy just because the shop attendant has unrolled 40 carpets for you. Arabian souvenirs since Dubai is the tourist Mecca for the whole Arabic region, you can get the best bargain on all kinds of Arabian souvenirs. Typical souvenirs include copper coffeepots, metal food platters, carved wooden or leather stuffed camels, woolen camel bags and shisha or glass water pipes.