The Arabic word souk’ stands for the market place where goods are brought or exchanged. In ancient times, the shipping vessels of Arabia used to bring in cargoes from China, the Far East, India and Ceylon on the docks, which would be traded in the souks near the docks. Now, the Dubai Gold Souk have become multi-storeyed air conditioned shopping malls and the items that come for sale include Ittar (Arabic Perfume), silks, spices and latest gizmos, designer apparels and gold.
Dubai Souks have to be visited during Dubai travel. These are in contrast to the shopping malls and the souks are the ‘Heart of Urban Arabia’. Dubai shopping can never be complete without visiting the famous souks. These shopping areas are crowded by people who try to make some bargains with shopkeepers which is the traditional style of doing business. The souks of Dubai are mainly seen in the Deira area and sell traditional spices, gold jewellery, fishes and perfumes.
Dubai Gold Souk
You can visit the Gold Souk for purchasing a variety of gold items that are sold at really reasonable prices. Prices of the products are decided based on their weight rather than craftsmanship and design. You can shop for various items such as necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, chains, pendants and bangles. You can find bold or conservative, modern or traditional designs in gold jewellery. You can also find many shades of gold like white, yellow, pink, white, or green colors in one piece. Even if you don’t intend to buy gold, you must pay a visit to the gold souks. It will however be difficult to abstain from buying gold jewellery when you visit the gold souks during your travel to Dubai.
Dubai Spice Souk
You can buy fresh Arabic spices in the Dubai Spice Souk during your visit to Dubai. Here, the aroma and fragrances of seasonings and spices will surround you. You can find many items for sale namely cinnamon, cardamom, dried fruit, incense, almonds and nuts imported from all over the Middle East. You’ll see that the spices are sold from huge sacks. You can take some of these aromatic spices back home.
Perfume souk
Thousands of fragrances and perfumes can be found at the Dubai Perfume Souk during your travel to Dubai. You can select from thousands of aromas. The shopkeepers will help you find a rare concoction that suits you perfectly if you are unable to choose one. Latest designer perfumes and traditional Arabic ittars can be found under one roof. These perfumes are spicy and strong in contrast to light floral western perfumes. The shopping malls also sell perfumes but the best place to buy perfumes is the Dubai Perfume Souk. Here you can also find incense in the form of crystal, wood, rock or compressed powder.
Dubai Fish Souk
In Deira, the Dubai Fish Souk is an attraction which can be visited during Dubai travel both early in the morning and late at nights. Loads of fishes are brought by the local fishermen that get sold, in an immediate bargain bazaar. You can find several varieties of fish such as Red Snapper, King Fish, Barracuda, Rock Cod, Crab, Tuna, Lobster, Sea Bream, King Prawn, Mackerel, Squid, Sardine, Pomfret, Shark, and other species for most part of the year.
Textile Souk
A treasure trove of textiles in different colors and textures can be found in the textile souks in Bur Dubai. Shimmering threads adorn broderies, satin, voile and silk tempt. Also can be seen are clothes in velvets and good drill cottons which can be shopped for easily. The choice here is virtually unlimited and prices too are negotiable. Frequently sales also take place in this area during holidays and around the time of Dubai Shopping Festival. The place is a must see during your visit to Dubai.
Meena Bazaar
Mina or Meena Bazaar is a noisy market place with shops catering to a variety of needs. The place itself is colorful and has material and clothing in different hues and tastes. You can get the choicest material here for your Indian clothes. Anything can be bought here and it makes a great shopping experience to be able to shop in this area. This place is really worth a visit during your Dubai travel.