How To Plan Your Memorable Tour Of Souks In Dubai

By Richard Hoskisson – September 2024

Do you want to experience what Dubai was like before its immense development? A visit to the Souks can help you achieve that.

I first moved to Dubai in 2001 before anyone had really even heard of Dubai. It was my home for 21 very happy years.

Whenever visitors from overseas came to stay, a tour of the traditional souks in Dubai was always top of the itinerary.

It is by visiting these souks (Arabic word for marketplace or bazaar), that you can truly get a flavour of a past life in Arabia; beyond the glitz and glamour of the skyscrapers of Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know so that you can plan your own tour of the Souks in Dubai.

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Souks in Dubai

Souk (sometimes spelt ‘Souq) is an Arabic word meaning marketplace or bazaar. A visit to the souk was a daily feature of life in the past in the United Arab Emirates.

In Dubai the souks became established predominantly along the ‘Dubai Creek’. This was the trading port of Dubai linking the Arabian Peninsula with the traders from the Indian subcontinent and the Silk Road.

In the 1960s trading was accelerated as a result of the dredging of the Creek to allow access for larger vessels. As a consequence the souks expanded on either side of the Creek. This was the foundation of Dubai’s success story. These simple and vibrant souks survive and thrive today.

Use my map below to discover the location of the main sights outlined here.

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Would you like help to plan your authentic excursion?

If you are short on time use my pre-prepared ‘Simplified For You‘ itinerary for a quick half day tour.
Alternatively, I will share with you later in this post an extensive summary of all the best souks in Dubai. Using this guide, you will easily be able to plan your own trip to the souks.

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Simplified for You – A Quick Itinerary

As you know, I love to save you time and give you simple to follow suggestions. I tested this itinerary a few weeks ago for you in the summer heat and it was excellent (if a little warm). Taking in the historic Bastikiya neighbourhood an Abra ride and the traditional souks, this is a perfect, easy to follow, half-day itinerary.

📍 First, take a taxi or drive to Al Seef – access and parking is easy here.

📍 Tour Al Seef – Take the back streets, there is so much to see (this can also be done at the end of your tour).

📍 Walk through to Al Bastikiya (old Arabic neighbourhood) and explore the cafes and museums.

📍 Drop into the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding. If Latifa or Ahmed are working, they can provide some fascinating insights into Emirati life.

📍 Next, walk from Al Bastakiya, past Dubai Fort (currently closed) to the Textile Souk.

📍 Jump on an Abra across the creek from Bur Dubai Marine Station to the Deira Souk Marine Station (Route CR1). Make sure you have cash or a NOL card for the fare.

📍 Explore the Deira Souks just over the road from the Marine Station (Perfume Souk, Spice Souk, Utensils Souk).

📍 Walk through to the Gold Souk to marvel at the displays.

📍 Finally, head back to Deira Souk Marine Station. Purchase tickets for the Abra ride back across to Al Seef (Route CR5) where you started.

As an alternative, the guided walking tour here is a super option if you prefer to experience the souks with a guide.

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Where are the Souks in Dubai?

Most of the traditional souks in Dubai are located around Dubai Creek on the Bur Dubai and Deira sides of the Creek.

More modern souks are found in Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah Beach areas of Dubai. These are popular with tourists and easily accessible.

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Traditional Souks in Dubai

Established alongside the Dubai Creek, where trade once thrived and built the foundations of Dubai, the traditional souks are a sensory experience not to be missed when visiting Dubai.

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Gold Souk – Deira

Fancy treating yourself to an extravagant gift?

A popular choice of tourists visiting Dubai for decades (my mum always loved coming to the Gold Souk for a treat) for good reason. Everything that glitters and sparkles is found here. Whilst being a spectacle for the eyes, you can be sure to find a special souvenir for yourself or someone back home!

Gold, diamonds and pearls have been traded here for generations. In fact it is possible to get a bargain, if you are willing to haggle.

⚠️ Shop here in the Gold Souk assured that all merchandise is carefully regulated by the Dubai Government. Consequently they verify the quality of the products on sale. Your consumer rights are explained here.

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Spice Souq – Deira

For an immersive sensory experience, I implore you to add the spice souk to your list of places to visit in Dubai. Indeed, vendors have been trading in spices in this area for many years and love to share their experience and knowledge of how to use the spices.

You can easily imagine the past life of traders travelling along the trading routes between India, Africa and Arabia, as you savour the aromas of the many different spices spilling over from the numerous baskets on display.

Discover new flavours to take back home to remind yourself of this authentic Arabian experience.

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Perfume Souk – Deira

Arabian fragrances can be beautifully distinct and the smell of the perfume souk is hard to resist. At the Perfume Souk discover why fragrance is such an important part of life in Emirati homes. For me the smells evoke memories of the many hours I spent in Emirati homes coaching students. A lovely memory.

Learn about the unique aromas of oud and bakhoor (favoured by Emirati men and women). These fragrances are used in so many of the perfumes and eau-de-toilettes that we love today. Let your senses guide you to discover the rich Arabic scents.

Purchases are often in the form of incense or as a stick, powder, crystal, rock or wood element.

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Textile Souk/Old Souk – Bur Dubai

Looking for something to give you a unique style?

Explore hundreds of different raw silks, cottons and embroidered fabrics at this vibrant souk located on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek. Dozens of shops offer fabrics, buttons, sequins, stones and lace to compliment any wardrobe.

You will also find a variety of tailors, usually of Indian heritage who can create quality garments. I remember shopping here about 20 years ago for some curtain fabrics. The place has hardly changed since then.

💡Top Tip – This is a great location to also explore the Historical Al Fahidi Neighbourhood and the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House. A magnificently restored Arabic home of the grandfather of Dubai’s current ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

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Bastakiya – Bur Dubai

Although not a souk this neighbourhood should definitely feature on your itinerary if visiting the souks in Dubai.

I have visited Bastikiya multiple times. It was highlight of the school year when I was teaching in Dubai to bring students here. They simply could never believe that there was an ‘old’ part of Dubai.

This historical quarter has been painstakingly restored. Visitors can easily imagine what life was like in Arabic homes at a time when life was simpler.

There are beautiful shops, cafes and even hotels located within Bastikiya. Stop by to look inside, most of the proprietors will let you in to take photos.

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding – Bur Dubai

For me, a highlight of a trip to Bastakiya is to visit the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding. With a policy of Open Doors, Open Minds, this centre embraces visitors from all over the world to compare and contrast the similarities and differences in the way that we live. Drop in for a chat or enjoy a traditional Arabic meal together.

If you want to learn about Emirati life, try to meet Emirati presenter Ahmed and British presenter Tracy (now known as Latifa). They are the main speakers at the centre imparting their knowledge and understanding in a unique way with the main objective of fostering cultural understanding.

The work they do here is incredible. A memorable experience to fully understand Dubai, the UAE and the traditional principles that underpin the Emirati way of life.

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Modern Souks in Dubai

Although some of these souks look traditional from the outside, they are in fact modern buildings, rising up from the sands during the economic boom of Dubai.

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Al Seef – Bur Dubai

This is my favourite place to visit after Bastakiya. Located right next door and a great starting off point for visiting the more traditional textile, spice, perfume and gold souks. Al Seef was opened to the public in 2019. The attention to detail in the way it has been realised is incredible.

As a result, this development has the feel of an authentic, traditional Arabian bazaar. Look out for the old telephones, oscillating fans and ancient wiring on the outside of the buildings. I also love the traditional domed mosque situated about half way through the souk.

You can buy traditional gifts to take back home here or stop to dine in one of the authentic Emirati restaurants. Although the shopkeepers can be a little more pushy here than in the traditional souks, it is still a lovely experience to stroll through and soak up the atmosphere.

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Souk Madinat Jumeirah

This was the first ‘modern traditional’ souk to be built in Dubai in the early 2000s. Meaning City of Jumeirah, this souk is situated between the Al Qasr and Mina Al Salam hotels.

There is a huge variety of shopping, dining and drinking outlets and one can spend hours wandering about. From spices to local handcrafts and jewellery, you will be sure to find a souvenir here to remember your stay in Dubai. Explore outside too, for breathtaking views of the Burj Al Arab.

This is a great choice for those staying in the beach resorts of the Palm Jumeirah or Dubai Marina area.

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Souk Al Bahar – Downtown Dubai

This is my personal favourite, not only because it is set within the Old Town area of Downtown Dubai where I have an holiday rental apartment and lived for 10 years, but because downtown is so vibrant.

Moreover the contrast of the traditional Arabic Architecture with the dazzling Burj Khalifa and modern downtown skyscrapers is a sight to behold.

Souk Al Bahar connects to Dubai Mall via a traditional Arabic bridge and is a must visit when in Downtown. You will find traditional souvenir shops here and I recommend taking in the beauty of the architecture in the Sailor’s Market.

For me a highlight of Souk al Bahar is the Time Out Market. Here you will find a sample of the city’s finest restaurants in an informal setting. Dishes on offer are reasonably priced and there is a licensed bar (Read my guide on ‘Can You Drink in Dubai?’). I have spent many evenings at Time Out Market and it is always top of my list of places to go when I travel back to Dubai.

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Souk Al Marfa – Deira

One of Dubai’s newest shopping destinations, Souk Al Marfa stretches for 1.9km along the waterfront of the Dubai Islands development in Deira.

It is conveniently located close to the traditional Spice, Perfume and Gold Souks of Deira and offers 400 shopping outlets in fully air conditioned comfort (perfect for the hotter months).

Some shops of note such as Le Bonheur sell fine carpets and Tamara Copper for elegant homewares. Sample traditional Emirati cuisine at Bait Al Zain Mandi.

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Naif Souk – Deira

If you like the buzz of a busy shopping escapade, a visit to Naif Souk in the evening is a must. This was once a traditional Camel Souk and is now situated in a two storey building in the heart of Old Dubai (Deira).

Popular with the local Emirati women, you can see traditional Abayas on sale alongside regional garments and henna designs.

💡Top Tip – combine a trip here with a visit to Naif Museum, set inside an old fort, this was once the headquarters of Dubai Police, where you can discover more about the history of policing and justice in Dubai.

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Souks in the wider UAE (outside of Dubai)

There are many other souks in the other emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Below you will find a few examples of some of the ones I have enjoyed visiting.

Central Souk – Sharjah

Sometimes referred to as the ‘Blue Souk’ this timeless souk is located in the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah. If you wish to purchase traditional handmade Persian carpets, you really should plan an excursion here. In fact, I still have carpets in my home that I bought here 20 years ago. The quality is superb!

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Camel Souk Al Ain

The garden city of Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is a great day trip from Dubai and a highlight of an excursion here is to visit the camel souk. Bedouins relied on camels for their daily life when living in the harsh desert environment. As a result the camel (or ship of the desert as it is sometime referred to) is an incredibly important part of Emirati heritage . You are sure to capture some memorable moments when you visit.

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Travelling to the Souks of Dubai

RTA Taxis or Careem chauffeur drives are the most convenient way to travel from point to point in Dubai.

The Dubai Metro runs to the vicinity of many of the major sights and attractions in Dubai. You can use the stations at BurJuman, Sharaf DG and Al Ghubaiba to access the Bur Dubai side of the Creek or Al Ras, Gold Souq and Baniyas Square stations to access the Deira souks.

Dubai is a well connected, yet extremely busy city to travel around. If visiting the Souks either side of the Creek in Deira and Bur Dubai, I recommend an early morning start to avoid the traffic into this area of the city, which can become very congested.

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Traditional Abra Ride

Riding the traditional Abra is a highlight of a visit to the souks in Dubai. These boats are still a vital form of transportation used by people working in and around the Creek.

At the time of writing, the Abra costs 1 AED each way across the creek, or 2 AED if taking the Abra from Deira Old Souq back to Al Seef.

You can find some information about the Abra from the RTA website.

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The Wrap Up – My Final Thoughts

To fully discover the side of Dubai (that many tourists completely miss in their pursuit of ‘instagramable’ pool shots) a visit to the souks in Dubai must be at the top of your list.

In summary,the experience of visiting these traditional souks is a sensory delight. Vivid colours and rich aromas will truly charm you as you take a step back in time to the Dubai of yesteryear Plan your own trip using my itinerary or take a guided walking tour by clicking here.

The new ‘old’ souks such as Madinat Jumeriah and particularly Al Seef are definitely worth visiting for a superb shopping and eating experience. Souq al Bahar is a must when visiting Downtown Dubai, as the best views of Dubai Fountain are from the balcony terrace at the ‘Time Out Market’.

Enjoy exploring these fascinating and historical souks in Dubai!

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