Dubai

Dubai Textile Souk

Old Textile Souk

A lot of shops selling scarves and keffiyeh. A few of the shopkeepers can be quite forceful in trying to get you in to their shop.

Fish Market

A modern covered market where they sell various kind of fish and seafood, as well as fruits, vegetables, dates (and some kitchen utensils). Its colorful variety of fresh fish is a remarkable sight and fishermen offer their tasty goods for sale and scatter ice to protect seafood from scorching hot weather.

Global Village

Annual festival (usually during winter). Countries around the world gather and set up a small village in the outskirts of Dubai. Each country/region has its own pavilion with a unique replica of their famous landmarks. This is usually like a flea market where you can get souvenirs from almost every corner of the earth for a bargained price and experience as if you're in that certain country for at least 10 minutes of your life even if you're 10,000 km away. Raffles for cars and gold bars also happen. You'd see the hieroglyphics of Egypt, temples of Thailand, Forbidden City of Beijing, the Eiffel Tower and many more.

Gold Price Checking - Dubai Souq

Check Live Gold Prices

Before purchasing gold in Dubai’s famous Gold Souk, it's always best to check the current live gold prices. Gold prices fluctuate daily due to global market trends. Visit [GoldRateUAE](https://goldrateuae.ae/) to get the latest price updates. Prices here are available for various gold types including 22K, 24K, and 18K gold.

Open daily from 10AM to 10PM·Prices vary based on market rate

Gold Souk

Not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the origin of Dubai itself. Located at the mouth of the creek, it dazzles people by selling gold in large quantities and with little visible security. A must visit for shoppers and sightseers. Most of the gold is 22ct quality and quite expensive - although even here the shopkeepers are prepared to bargain - and the craftsmanship can be remarkably detailed. The gold items are sold by weight with a "making charge" added on top to cover the workmanship. It pays therefore, to go shopping armed with the current gold price and a knowledge of the making charges in order to hone the bargaining process. Many outlets are part of chains that also have branches in malls, so are generally reliable.

Mercato

Mercato (Italian for market) is the only Renaissance-themed shopping mall in the Middle East. It captures Italian, French and Spanish flavors and artistic characteristics, playing host to regular fairs and festivals from each country. Mercato provides a unique shopping experience, the best in international entertainment and popular brand names like Virgin Megastore, Top Shop, Mango and Hugo Boss; Mercato is simply The Good Life. It houses a big Spinneys Supermarket, a 7-screen Grand Cinema, a Starbucks, and mouth watering restaurants such as Bella Donna who have a balcony overlooking the sea that cannot be missed.

Daily 10:00-22:00

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Includes 75 shops, numerous bars, restaurants and cafés, a nightclub, theatre. More expensive and targeted directly at tourists than other, general malls where residents go. Most bars and restaurants are licensed for alcohol. Nice to wander through as it has been designed to resemble a "traditional" souq, but with the modern comforts of air conditioning. Lots of souvenir-type shops.Dubai - Souk Madinat Jumeirah - panoramio.jpg

10:00–23:00

Spice Souk

Also not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the city's origin. Located at the mouth of the creek, it is not far from the Gold Souk, but declined a bit in the 2010s as supermarkets take over the spice trade. If you're shopping for spices, odds are you'll get better prices and quality with much less hassle at Carrefour. Both the Spice Souk and the Gold Souq are a rather hot and sweaty experience with limited air-conditioning, so wear appropriately cool, loose clothing if visiting in mid summer. Individual shops are air conditioned. Although regularly visited by tourists, none of the souks are considered a tourist area and as such modest dress should be worn to avoid causing offence or attracting unwanted attention.

Traditional Souq

Souk with air-conditioning, nice decoration and good infrastructure, let say almost a souk almost a mall. 100 shops and 6,100 square-meters. Khalid Huriah Public Restaurant in the middle.

9AM–10PM daily, but most shop are closed on Fri morning

Wafi Mall & Khan Murjan Souk

Includes Marks & Spencer, Goodies. Focus is almost entirely on luxury brands, jewellery and expensive boutiques. Many upmarket restaurants and bars, many of which serve alcohol. A luxury spa is attached to the complex. The Egypt-themed architecture, which includes quite beautiful stained-glass pyramids, is worth seeing.

Sat–Wed 10AM–10PM, Thu–Fri 10AM–midnight