Dubai souvenirs and impressive Dubai souks
From traditional products to luxury jewellery and clothes, it is not easy to decide what to bring home from a trip. And it is impossible to resist buying many interesting Dubai souvenirs.
So, take a look at what and where you can buy as a souvenir or gift to your beloved and friends.
Guide for Dubai souvenirs and souks
In the previous article on the blog, I wrote about the Dubai Mall, one of the biggest shopping centres in the world. But let’s explore something different: the world of traditional souks and Dubai souvenirs.
Dubai souks
By the way, a souk (souq) is an open-air marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa. Be prepared for the hustle and haggling of traders, because it is the traditional way of selling in souks.
And Dubai’s traditional souks are a reminder of Arab trade, culture and heritage. It is always interesting to scroll around them and explore the world of handcrafts, spices and souvenirs.
Traditional souks are located in the old parts of Dubai, such as Deira, Al Seef and Al Fahidi neighbourhoods. The modern souks are Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Soak al Bahar – you can read more about it in the post of the Dubai Mall.
The best way to reach these souks is by taxi. For example, to the Deira district, you can catch a bus or Green metro line and get off at the Gold Souq Metro station.
The Gold Souk
Dubai is known as “The City of Gold“. Hundreds of tons of gold are imported every year, and that’s why one of the most interesting places in the city is the Gold Souk.
The gold trade started in the 1900′s with a few retailers. However, the market grew substantially. Today, Dubai is the regional gold hub and largest gold trading centre in the Middle East.
There are more than 300 shops selling gold jewellery and precious stones. This dazzling gold world consists of various rings, earrings, bracelets, and cascade necklaces.
Dubai gold is of very high purity. Because of small taxes and big trading, prices are a little bit lower than in other parts of the world. The prices change daily depending on the situation on the international bullion markets. Take a look at the gold jewellery prices from 18 to 24 carat, recommended by the Dubai Jewellery Group (DJG) here.
The shops in the Gold Souk are open from 10 AM to 10 PM every day. Some of them are closed during lunchtime, and on Friday, the shops are open from 4 PM to 10 PM.
The Spice Souk
The trade with aromatic spices has been known for centuries. They are a necessary ingredient of every cuisine in the world. Close to the Gold Souk, you can find the Spice Souk, a wonderful world of colourful spices, exotic aromas, herbs, and dried fruits.
The Perfume Souk
The Perfume Souk is located at Sikkat Al Khali Street, close to the Gold Souk in the Deira district.
This is a paradise for perfume lovers who love exotic fragrances, perfumes, essential oils and the traditional oud. Well, oud is a reason why Arabian and some luxury perfume brands smell so good!
It is a natural resin extracted from the heartwood of the agarwood, which is infected by a phialophora parasitica. To protect itself, the tree produces a dark and fragrant resin, oud. Agarwood lives in the wild around the Middle East and Asia, and the whole process is very complicated. Oud is rare and one of the most expensive oils in the world, i.e. its price is 1.5 times the price of gold.
Oud has a woody, strong and warm scent. It is an ingredient in the most expensive perfume brands, such as Tom Ford, Dolce&Gabanna, Chopard, Armani, and many others.
The Grand Souq Deira and the Textile Souk
Close to the Spice Souk, there is the Grand Souq Deira, with many various products, household items, rugs, ceramic pots, souvenirs, and clothes. It was established in 1850, close to the harbour, where goods arrived from Africa by merchant ships.
Textile Souk is located on the opposite side of Dubai Creek, in the historic district of Bur Dubai. So, it is a perfect place to buy silks, cotton, fabrics, and traditional Arabic clothes.
Al Seef Heritage Souk
From Deira Old Souq Marine transportation station, take an abra boat and in two minutes, you are on the other side of Dubai Creek. The ride costs only 2 dirhams (0,50 EUR), and this way of transport is used both for locals and tourists.
Al Seef is the restored part of the Al Fahidi neighbourhood. It was a pleasant walk along and around the waterfront, alleys and shops with souvenirs, clothes, and handicrafts.
There are many cafes and restaurants in this area. But one of the most popular and visited is Starbuck’s Cafe, situated in a rustic traditional house. Definitely, it is one of the coolest Starbucks cafes I have ever been 🙂
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
This is an interesting and modern soak made in the Arabian style with many shops of various handcrafts, jewellery, and perfumes. The souk is completely covered and air-conditioned which is perfect for pleasant walk and shopping. It is located in the Madinat Jumeirah resort complex and close to the famous Burj al Arab luxury hotel.
The amazing architecture of Madinat Jumeirah is perfect for taking photos and enjoying food and drinks in cafes and restaurants around the souk.
Shopping guide for Dubai souvenirs
Hmm, what to buy… Check out the list of the most popular Dubai souvenirs👇
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Arabian dates, favourite Dubai souvenirs
Dates are must-taste and must-buy souvenirs. They are part of Arab tradition and hospitality but also are considered a “holy fruit” in the Middle East. There are more than 200 varieties of dates. You can eat them fresh or dried and with various additions, such as chocolate, nuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or dried fruits. Well, my favourite dates are covered with dark chocolate 🙂
By the way, dates are full of vitamins, iron, and proteins, meaning they are very healthy for the body and skin.You can buy them in various packages in supermarkets, traditional souks, Dubai Mall, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, and duty-free shops.
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Camel Milk Chocolate and sweets
Chocolate lovers will certainly enjoy Camel milk chocolate in various packages, including the form of gold bars 🙂
These unique chocolates with camel milk are filled with dates, pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, and Arabian spices. You can find them in supermarkets, chocolate shops and souks across the all city. Prices are different, but approximately, the price of one chocolate is 10 EUR and higher, or 13 EUR and more for a box of assorted camel milk chocolates.
Honey is always a good choice, whether it is pure honey or with pistachios, almonds, herbs or spices. For the first time I tried white honey and it was very delicious.Then, you can buy various sweets, such as baklavas, kadayif or Turkish delights. These desserts are popular in many parts of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. In Dubai Mall, we found the famous baklavas made by Hafiz Mustafa 1864 confectionary from Istanbul.
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Spices
Relax and enjoy the scents of red saffron, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, hot chilli, paprika, masala, cumin, curry, pepper, cloves, and nutmeg. Specific Arabian spices are sumac, a purple colour with a lemony taste, and zaatar, a mix of herbs and sesame seeds.
You can buy them in the Spice Souk (Deira), as well as in supermarkets and malls.
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Coffee and coffee pots
For coffee lovers, a perfect souvenir is Arabian coffee (gahwa).
Also, there are plenty of fantastic decorative coffee pots with cups (Dallah & Finjan). These sets are made from brass or copper, designed in Arabian style, and decorated with interesting patterns. The prices range from 100 AED (25 EUR) and higher, depending on design and size.You can find Arabian coffee and coffee pots in shops, Coffee Museum, traditional souks and malls.
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Arabic perfumes, oils and soaps
Ah, can anyone resist the sensual scent of Arabian perfumes and oils?
By the way, Arabian perfumes last longer because they use oils as a component, not alcohol. One of the most expensive oils is oud, which is also known as the “the wood of gods”. It is a popular scent in Islamic culture, and it is believed that it has spiritual and therapeutic benefits.
Get lost in the fragrant world of perfumes and oils, and find the one perfect for your senses.
You can also buy oud in Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates.Handmade camel milk soaps are also an original and phenomenal gift. These soaps are natural antioxidants, do not irritate the skin and help in its recovery.
The company Nomadic Camel makes them using five essential oils, oud, rose, lemongrass, lavender and orange. Specific and luxurious packaging in the form of gold bars is an ideal gift for business partners.
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Gold Jewellery, shining Dubai souvenirs
When you step into Gold Souk, you forget about everything. Even if you are not a fan of gold, the glimmering jewellery certainly attracts your attention. And you don’t know where to look first!
You can choose beautiful pieces with traditional Arabian or modern designs.
Also, you can find there silver, pearls, and diamonds. Well, it is so difficult to choose. Try to bargain and find the best options according to your budget and wishes.
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Traditional handcrafts, sand art
There are many magnets, handicrafts, local arts, and sand arts. You can find them in shops in Deira souks, the Al Fahidi neighbourhood, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, and shopping malls all around Dubai.
Walking around Al Seef quart, we saw various handcrafts, souvenirs, paintings, coffee and ceramic pots.
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Clothes & shoes
Tourists don’t need to wear Arab traditional clothes during their visit to Dubai. But if you like, you can buy an “abaya”, a long black tunic for women, or a “kandura”, a long white tunic for men.
Very nice souvenirs or presents are Pashmina shawls (cashmere shawls) and kaftans (long or short tunics).
Hand-made Arabian traditional shoes are also interesting gifts or souvenirs for women or kids. They can be slip-on or covered, and they are made in various colours.
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Arabian lamps and lanterns
I believe that everyone is impressed by colourful lamps and lanterns which can be seen everywhere in the Middle East and Mediterranean. Their lights create a fairy tale atmosphere like in the world of Sehezarade’s stories.
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Arabian carpets and rugs
Authentic and interesting souvenirs are also Arabian carpets and rugs.
Just think about how will you transport them in your luggage and bring them home 🙂
Carpets and rugs are of vibrant colours and can be in various designs and sizes.
They can be bought in the Persian Carpet House in Soak Madinat Jumeirah, Souk al Bahar in the Dubai Mall or carpet shops in Al Fahidi. The prices range from 500 AED (125 EUR), for small rugs and higher for larger carpets.
Find your perfect Dubai souvenirs
Whether you bought dates, chocolate, handicrafts, aromatic spices, magnets, oud or gold jewellery, every souvenir will remind you of Dubai. All of these unique products are part of Dubai tradition and are fantastic reminders of unforgettable days and experiences in the city known for luxury and great possibilities.
So, Habibi, come to Dubai and have the best time of your life 🙂
Exploring dubai perfume souk‘s souks is a must for any visitor, offering a vibrant atmosphere filled with unique souvenirs. From exquisite gold jewelry in the Gold Souk to aromatic spices and customizable perfumes, each market showcases the city’s rich culture. Don’t miss the chance to haggle and immerse yourself in the lively ambiance of these traditional markets!
Yes, the Gold Souk and Perfume Souk are the must see places for every tourist in Dubai. It is an amazing experience 🙂