Dubai is one of the most popular destinations among tourists and travelers from all over the world. Every year more than 10 million people come to Dubai to travel and spend their vacation. One of the most popular and common activities among travelers in Dubai is shopping. Whether you have the money to spend and the motivation to shop or don’t, you can’t miss the opportunity to experience exploring the shopping centers of Dubai.
Despite the many modern shopping centers and the glamorous malls of Dubai, some traditional shopping centers in Dubai city have survived from the old days. These traditional Arabian shopping centers or souks/souqs are a reminder of the olden days of Dubai. If you are curious to know what was the old Dubai like before it was glazed with modernization you have to explore at least one of these shopping centers.
In this article, we are going to talk about the traditional shopping centers of Dubai and introduce them a little bit.
What is a Souk?
a Souk is an open-roof traditional shopping center that you can mostly see in Middle Eastern countries. You might also know them by the name Bazaar.
A Souk is a market consisting of small shops and stalls that are in different rows. Products that you can mostly find in the Souks are traditional handicrafts, spices, food ingredients, souvenirs, cultural and local products, etc.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah (Jumeirah City Market)
One of the most famous shopping centers in Dubai city is Souk Madinat Jumeirah. This shopping center is not very old and it was built a few years ago. But the architecture and design are inspired by traditional Arabian shopping centers.
Jumeirah is a luxurious neighborhood situated next to the Jumeirah Beach and resort. A part of this beautiful area is a traditional Middle Eastern-style shopping center that you can spend a memorable time in.
Despite the shops and stalls, there are some great dining places in the Souk Madinat Jumeirah where you can enjoy a pleasant meal in them after a long day of exploring the Jumeirah Beach and resort.
Click here if you want more information about the Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
- Timings: Every day from 10 AM to 11 PM.
- Location: King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Al Sufouh 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Dubai Gold Souk
The Dubai Gold Souk is definitely the most popular and famous Souk in Dubai city. After spending a few minutes in the Dubai Gold Souk, you will notice that the number of visitors in this particular Souk is way more than the number of people that are here to actually buy something.
Dubai Gold Souk is not like any other Souk. It is a cultural heritage and an important part of Dubai’s culture and history. A lot of travelers and visitors of Dubai consider the Dubai Gold Souk as one of the main historical places of this city that reminds you of the old and beautiful Dubai before the modernization.
Golden jewelry is an important part of Arabian culture and they are representing the wealth and riches of their society. By walking in the Dubai Gold Souk, you will see pieces of gold jewelry with special designs that you won’t see somewhere else.
- Timings: Saturday to Thursday from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
- Location: Gold Corner Building, 3rd floor, Gold Souk, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Textile Wholesale Market Bur Dubai
Another one of Dubai’s gorgeous souks is the Textile Wholesale Market Bur Dubai. This Souk has wooden roofs and stone buildings. You can see diverse kinds of textiles and fabrics in this Souk.
In this colorful and glamorous Souk, you will see a lot of products from India and the impact that India had on Dubai City and their culture.
- Timings:
- Saturday to Thursday from 9 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM
- Closed on Fridays.
- Location: 57 Opposite to Abra, Ali Bin Abi Taleb St, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Deira Perfume Souk
The Deira Perfume Souk is one of the several Souks in Dubai City. This market’s shops are specialized in selling perfumes. You can even mix several scents as you please in a glass container and purchase it.
In the Deira Perfume Souk, you are surrounded by pleasant scents. You can see the traditional Arabian way of packaging and offering perfume in Dubai city and Arabian culture.
- Timings:
- Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 9:30 PM
- Closed on Sundays.
- Location: Sikkat Al Khali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Spice Souk
Dubai Spice Souk is located in the locality of Al Ras which is an important spot in Dubai city. From the olden days and before modernization this was the spot where most of the spice trade of the Middle East happened.
This particular Souk will get you closer to Arabian and Middle Eastern culture. You can find all the famous and world-known Asian and Middle Eastern spices in the Dubai Spice Souk.
Deira Spice Souk is situated next to the Dubai Gold Souk so it’s better to visit both of them on the same day.
- Timings:
- Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 9:55 PM
- Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 AM to 11 PM.
- Location: 41 34th St, Deira, Al Ras, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Final words
A great part of UAE and Dubai city’s history is found in its historic places. One of these historic places is the Souks or traditional Arabian/Middle Eastern shopping centers. In this article, we introduced the traditional shopping centers (Souks) of Dubai city to help you plan a better trip to Dubai.