Shopping · Dubai · United Arab Emirates
Shopping in Dubai
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Phil6007, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Dubai is a shopping destination in its own right, from the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates to the traditional gold, spice and textile souks along the creek. International brands cost much the same as elsewhere, but gold, perfume, dates and carpets are local specialities, and seasonal sales festivals bring discounts. Best souvenirs: Dates, Oud and Arabian perfume and Gold jewellery.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 5
- Markets
- 4
- Top souvenir
- Dates
Where to shop
The Dubai Mall
More than 1,200 shops, from the luxury Fashion Avenue wing to department stores, plus the aquarium and ice rink.
Mall of the Emirates
Big-name brands and Ski Dubai's indoor slope under one roof in Al Barsha.
City Walk
An open-air shopping and dining district in Jumeirah with boutiques and cafés.
Bur Dubai Textile Souk
Fabrics, pashminas and souvenirs near the abra station, good for bargaining.
Deira souks
Gold, spices and perfume in the lanes on the creek's east bank.
Markets
Gold Souk
Hundreds of jewellers in Deira's covered lanes; prices follow the daily gold rate plus a making charge.
Spice Souk
Sacks of saffron, frankincense, dried limes and dates beside the creek.
Global Village
A seasonal international market with pavilions of crafts and food, open from about October to May.
Ripe Market
A weekend farmers' and craft market held in the cooler months.
What to buy
Dates
Premium dates, plain or stuffed with nuts, from date shops and supermarkets.
Oud and Arabian perfume
Oud oils, attars and bakhoor incense from the perfume souk and specialist shops.
Gold jewellery
Sold by weight plus a making charge; ask for a receipt stating the purity.
Camel-milk chocolate
A local speciality sold in gift boxes at malls and the airport.
Spices and saffron
Buy saffron from reputable shops, as cheap versions are often adulterated.
Arabic coffee set
A dallah coffee pot and small cups make a decorative reminder of Emirati hospitality.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Experience · Downtown Dubai
Dubai Mall
One of the largest malls in the world, with more than 1,200 shops, the Dubai Mall also holds the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, an Olympic-size ice rink and a dinosaur skeleton in its souk-style atrium.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Free
- Food
Market · Deira
Gold Souk and Spice Souk
Deira's covered souks show old Dubai at its liveliest: the Gold Souk's hundreds of shop windows glitter with necklaces and bangles priced by weight, while the Spice Souk next door sells saffron, frankincense, dried limes and dates from open sacks.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- History
- Food
Theme park · Dubailand
Global Village
Open from about October to May, Global Village gathers pavilions representing dozens of countries, with food stalls, handicrafts, funfair rides, stage shows and fireworks on some evenings.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- After dark
- Food
- Shopping
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Luqaimat, Manakish, Kunafa and Karak chai. Emirati cafés, festivals and stalls at Global Village. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Dubai | $$$$ | The Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the fountain shows |
| Business Bay | $$$ | Canal-side towers next to Downtown at lower prices |
| Palm Jumeirah | $$$$ | Resort island of beach hotels, Atlantis and private beaches |
| Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi | $$ | Wind towers, the Textile Souk and creekside heritage |
| Deira | $ | Gold, spice and perfume souks on the creek's east bank |
| Al Barsha | $$ | Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai and mid-range hotels |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in AED. Many restaurants include a service charge. A tip of about 10% is customary where it is not added, and rounding up taxi fares and tipping hotel porters and valets a small amount is common.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in June–August; the busiest months are December–February.
- January: Dubai Shopping Festival (usually mid-December to late January)
- March: Art Dubai fair (usually March or April)
- June: Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival (usually summer)
- December: Dubai Shopping Festival begins (usually mid-December)
Staying near the shops
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, luxury and families
Downtown Dubai
The Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the fountain shows
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Dubai?
Dates, Oud and Arabian perfume, Gold jewellery and Camel-milk chocolate.
+Where is the best shopping in Dubai?
The Dubai Mall: More than 1,200 shops, from the luxury Fashion Avenue wing to department stores, plus the aquarium and ice rink.
+What are the best markets in Dubai?
Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Global Village and Ripe Market.