Dubai’s Traditional Souqs

|     Fish Markets    |     Gold Souq    |      Spice Souq    |     Textile Souq

Fish Market                                                                                                               Top

If Hammour, Red Snapper, lobsters, mackerel, sardines and the rest are part of your daily diet, you are sure to have visited the Deira Fish market, However if you are a tourist, Dubai’s huge fish markets in Deira and Karama are worth visiting. It’s not just the fishy smell that hails your nostrils, the entire theatre of the working market will linger in your memory long after you have left.

You have to see traders haggling over the prices and then study the intricate cleaning and cutting process to get a glimpse of one of Dubai’s most ancient crafts. Best time to go to the market is early morning or late at night. There is also a fish museum lining the market that documents the market’s maritime history and fairly good seafood restaurant.

Gold Souq                                                                                                               Top

In the late afternoon and in the evening, the streets around the Gold Souq fill themselves with people coming from all over the world. A colourful medley of Indians, Arabs, Africans, Europeans, Americans and other nationalities visit the "City of Gold".

More than 300 jewellery retail shops situated one after the other are waiting for their visitors. Brilliant emeralds, sapphires, bracelets, watches, rings and necklaces - everything the heart of a jewellery lover desires - glitter in the nicely illuminated show-cases.

The assortment seems to be endless. Jewels in 18 carat or 21 carat gold and treated in the most precious way are acquired by their new owners. There is no doubt that prices are cheaper than in most places all over the world. A 20 - 60 per cent savings compared to the purchase of gold in Germany are nothing extraordinary.

Haggling about the price is like a tradition. Take your time and plan 2 to 3 hours for your visit. The best time is the late afternoon. Usually, the shops are open until 10 p.m. You might be tentative in your bargaining initially, but it gets lost pretty quickly, and you will really enjoy "haggling" about your favourite piece of jewellery.

The payment can be done with usual credit cards. However, we would recommend you to take cash with you (best in Dirhams). This will help you to "get hold" of a good many jewellery pieces at a still slightly lower price.

Spice Souq                                                                                                               Top

The Spioe Souq provides a wonderful taste of the old world charm of Arabia The most ancient spices of saffron, neem, turmeric, pepper are available in traditional shops. The number of ethnic spice shops might have dwindled over the years, but the atmosphere is as intoxicating as ever. Most of the shops have a split timings taking time off in the afternoon. Here you can get your meswak or ginseng or even a rare herb that helps control diabetes.

Textile Souq                                                                                                               Top

This is a very popular textile souk in Bur Dubai imports textiles from all over the world with many more items coming from the sub-continent and the Far East. There are silks and satins in an enchanting array of colours. There is also a cloth market in Deira where you can buy in wholesale or in retail prices that are some of the cheapest anywhere in the world. The Meena Bazaar is a big time favourite in Bur Dubai particularly if you are looking at Bollywood-style fashion.

Source : GoDubai.com