A Guide to Shopping in Dubai | Best Things to Buy, Malls, Souvenirs & More
Dubai knows no limits. You can touch the sky, see the future, and experience limitless thrill in the City of Gold. It’s also a shoppers dream, with its unique mix of culture and vogue. Chasing luxury? You got it. On a budget? No problem. Dubai can mould itself to suit your shopping list and help you take home the souvenirs you want.
Best Things to Buy in Dubai
1. Lantern
Home decor
Most Emirati homes are lit up by beautiful glass lanterns designed in traditional style. They are one of the first things to buy in Dubai.
Where to buy:
- Dragon Mart - Find on map
2. Arabic Attar
Perfumes
The secret to Emiratis' cheerful mood? Scent oils called Arabic Attars. They’re made from plant sources and contain zero alcohol.
Where to buy:
- Ne'emah - Find on map
3. Stones
Jewellery
Fix the fault in your stars with lucky stones that you can inlaid in your gold and silver jewellery.
Where to buy:
- Zodiac Temple - Find on map
4. Hookah
Accessory
Smoking hookah is common in Dubai households, so no wonder the city has fascinating hookah pots on offer.
Where to buy:
- Smokers Centre - Find on map
5. Pashmina shawls
Clothing
The Pashmina shawl is unlike any other, both in terms of price and material. It is made from goat and skill, and keeps you warmer than jackets.
Where to buy:
- The Pashmina House - Find on map
6. Arabian coffee
Beverage
Coffee aficionados can’t get enough of the refreshing taste of Arabian coffee. Have a cup and we’re certain you’ll want another.
Where to buy:
- Coffee Museum Dubai - Find on map
7. Dubai spices
Food
Bring home Dubai’s taste with several local spices. They’re unique and can add life to any dish.
Where to buy:
- HAPPY WAY Best Spices in Dubai - Find on map
8. Traditional Arab shoes
Footwear
Approved by Carrie Bradshaw, traditional Arab shoes are magic. The thread-work is immaculate and they also come in different heel sizes.
Where to buy:
- Bur Dubai Souk Market - Find on map
9. Quran stand
Home decor
Religion is Dubai’s soul. You’ll find many religious products in the city, including wooden Quran stands.
Where to buy:
- DeenSquare.com - Find on map
Best Shopping Streets in Dubai
1. Bur Dubai Souk
Textiles and fabrics
Location: Bur Dubai - Al Fahidi - دبي - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Best for: Clothes, shawls, bedsheets
Getting there: Al Fahidi Metro Station is at a walkable station from the Bur Dubai Old Souk.
Timings: 10 AM to 10:30 PM (Daily)
2. Meena bazaar
Spices and ceramics
Location: 34 Al Nahdha St - Al Fahidi - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Best for: Spices, jewellry, ceramics
Getting there: The Al Fahidi Metro Station is close to the Meena bazaar.
Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM (Saturday to Thursday)
3. Covent Garden Market Dubai
Shoes and perfumes
Location: 34GH+6VX - The Walk at JBR, Jumeirah Beach Residence - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Best for: Clothes, shoes, fragrances
Getting there: Bus no. 8, 84
Timings: 10 AM to 12 AM (Daily)
4. Dubai Spice Souk
Spices and gold
Location: 41 34th St - Deira - Al Ras - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Best for: Spices, gold, fragrances
Getting there: The Al Ras Metro Station is just minutes away from the Dubai Spice Souk.
Timings: 7:30 AM to 5 PM (Monday to Saturday)
5. Ripe Market
Handmade gifts and jewellery
Location: Sheikh Zayed Rd - Al Sufouh - Al Sufouh 1 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Best for: Handmade gifts, jewellery, homeware
Getting there: Bus no. 21, 29, 61, 88, C26, E304
Timings: 10 AM to 7 PM (Friday and Saturday)
Best Souvenirs in Dubai
1. Dates
Where to buy: Carrefour Hypermarket
Location: Mall of the Emirates - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
2. Handicrafts
Where to buy: ARTE, The Makers' Market
Location: ARTE, The Makers' Market, Al Marabea Road - Al Quoz - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
3. Bakhoor
Where to buy: My Perfume Factory LLC
Location: Al Qusais Industrial Area - Al Qusais Industrial Area 3 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
4. Sand art
Where to buy: Craftbox ( Arts and Crafts supplies)
Location: 2 شارع الحمرية - Al Quoz 3 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
5. Pearls
Where to buy: MIKURA Dubai Mall
Location: MIKURA Dubai Mall, Ground Floor, The Souk, GS 36-02 The Dubai Mall - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
6. Persian carpets
Where to buy: National Iranian Carpets
Location: 2nd Floor, Souk Al Bahar, Near Dubai Mall, DownTown - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Best Malls in Dubai
1. City Walk
Shopping Mall
What to buy: Perfumes, jewelleries, home decor
Location: Al Safa St - Al Wasl - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 12 AM (Sunday to Friday)
2. Mall of the Emirates
Shopping Mall
What to buy: Designer clothes, electronics, shoes
Location: Sheikh Zayed Rd - Al Barsha - Al Barsha 1 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 1 AM (Saturday to Tuesday), 10 AM to 12 AM (Wednesday to Friday)
3. Dubai Festival City
Residential community
What to buy: Designer clothes, street clothes, shoes
Location: Dubai Festival City - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 12 AM (Everyday)
4. Mercato Shopping Mall
Shopping centre
What to buy: Footwear, toys, clothes
Location: Jumeirah Beach Rd - Jumeirah - Jumeirah 1 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Everyday)
5. Wafi City
Shopping mall
What to buy: Books, speciality stores, footwear
Location: Oud Metha Rd - Umm Hurair 2 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Sunday to Thursday), 10 AM to 12 AM (Friday to Saturday)
6. Dubai Marina Mall
Shopping mall
What to buy: Shoes, eyewear, clothes
Location: Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai Marina - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Sunday to Wednesday), 10 AM to 11 PM (Thursday to Saturday)
Best Souks in Dubai
1. Gold Souk
Gold dealer
Chasing gold? Look no further than the Gold Souk. This traditional market has several shops that sell premium quality gold.
What to buy: Gold jewellery, precious stones, gemstones
Location: Gold Corner Building, 3rd Floor - Gold Souq - Deira - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM (Saturday to Thursday), 4 PM to 9:30 PM (Friday)
2. Perfume Souk
Perfume store
Arabic scents are strong yet unique. You can buy them at Perfume Souk, along with incense sticks, crystals, and powder.
What to buy: Perfumes, incense sticks, powders
Location: Sikkat al Khali - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 9:30 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 9:30 PM (Monday to Saturday)
3. Textile Souk
Fabric store
The Textile Souk market is home to countless small shops selling premium fabrics. It is the oldest souk in Dubai.
What to buy: Clothes, mattresses, slippers
Location: 57, Opposite to Abra - Ali Bin Abi Taleb St - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 9 AM to 2 PM, 4 PM to 8 PM (Saturday to Thursday)
4. Souk Madinat
Shopping mall
It is the ambience of the Souk Madinat that sets it apart from others. Built in traditional Middle Eastern style, the mall has stalls selling all kinds of stuff.
What to buy: Sculptures, home decor, paintings
Location: King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St - Al Sufouh 1 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 11 PM (Everyday)
5. Spice Souk
Market
The Spice Souk has everything you need to cook delightful food. Besides spices, you can also buy dried fruits and oils in the market.
What to buy: Spices, oils, dried fruits
Location: 41 34th St - Deira - Al Ras - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 7:30 AM to 5 PM (Monday to Saturday)
6. Meena Bazaar
Bazar
The Meena Bazaar offers the best of every souk in Dubai. From gold to ceramics and spices, you can buy almost everything.
What to buy: Jewellery, spices, electronics
Location: 34 Al Nahdha St - Al Fahidi - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM (Saturday to Thursday)
Best Luxury Shopping Destinations in Dubai
1. The Dubai Mall
Shopping mall
What to buy: Fragrances, home furnishing, home
Location: Financial Center Street, Along Sheikh Zayed Road, Next to Burj Khalifa - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 12 AM (Sunday to Wednesday), 10 AM to 1 AM (Thursday to Saturday)
2. The Outlet Village by Meraas
Outlet mall
What to buy: Health and wellness, fashion, jewellery
Location: Near Dubai Parks and Resorts - Mina Jebel Ali - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Monday to Thursday), 10 AM to 11 PM (Friday to Sunday)
3. Mall of the Emirates
Shopping centre
What to buy: Bags, electronics, jewellery
Location: Sheikh Zayed Rd - Al Barsha - Al Barsha 1 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 12 AM (Wednesday to Saturday), 10 AM to 1 AM (Sunday to Tuesday)
4. Gold & Diamond Park
Business park
What to buy: Jewellery, gemstones, fitness
Location: Sheikh Zayed Rd - Al Quoz - Al Quoz Industrial Area 3 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM (Everyday)
Budget Shopping Destinations in Dubai
1. Dragon Mart
Shopping mall
What to buy: Clothes, footwear, toys
Location: Al Awir Road - International City - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Sunday to Thursday), 10 AM to 11 PM (Friday and Saturday)
2. Miniso
Gift shop
What to buy: Home decor, bottles, pillows
Location: Unit LG - 172 - Financial Center Rd - Downtown Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Sunday to Thursday), 10 AM to 11 PM (Friday and Saturday)
3. Dubai Outlet Mall
Shopping mall
What to buy: Clothes, shoes, jewellery
Location: Route 66 - Al Ain - Dubai Rd - Dubai Outlet Mall - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Sunday to Thursday), 10 AM to 11 PM (Friday and Saturday)
4. Brands For Less
Discount store
What to buy: Toys, homeware, clothes
Location: Ground Level. Grand Midwest Hotel Building - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Al Barsha 1 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Sunday to Thursday), 10 AM to 11 PM (Friday and Saturday)
Shopping in Dubai: Essentials
Modes of payment:
- Cards: Credit and debit cards are used frequently for payments in Dubai.
- Cash: Cash remains the king in Dubai. It is more popular than all the other payments methods.
- Mobile Wallets: Mobile wallets are quickly picking up pace in Dubai. You can use any mobile wallet to make payments.
- Cheque: Paying by cheque is also an option, although it is best to avoid it.
- Winter is the best time to visit Dubai. It begins in November and ends in April.
- January, February are particularly crowded due to the Dubai Shopping Festival.
- The average temperature in winters in Dubai is 19.9 degrees Celsius.
- Tribes Dubai Mall - African dishes aren’t popular, but the Tribes Dubai Mall is working to change that. You can eat dishes belonging to different African countries. Find on map
- Muchachas Mexican Cantina - The Mexican dishes served at the Muchachas Mexican Cantina in Dubai are better than those served in the Latin country. Find on map
- Rhodes W1 - If you love British food, the Rhodes W1 will delight you. The restaurant's tea is also popular. Find on map
- The GrillShack - This homegrown restaurant is one of the best places in Dubai for ribs, steaks, and burgers. Find on map
- Tong Thai - Yes, you guessed it. The Tong Thai is where you go in Dubai for Thai food. Find on map
- Metro: Dubai’s metro system has two lines - red and green - that connect the airport with the busiest parts of the city.
- Bus: Buses in Dubai are an affordable option. They’re connected with every part of the city.
- Taxi: Taxis are comparatively expensive but they can help you reach your location quickly.
- Scooters: Like most cities, Dubai, too, allows you to rent e-bikes and scooters to explore the city.
- Weather can be a problem in Dubai if you’re visiting in summer. You’ll find more markets and festivals open till late in winters.
- Dubai offers diverse shopping experiences. You will find what you’re looking for within your budget.
- Bargaining in department stores and street markets might help you grab better deals.
- Know your budget before going as Dubai can exhaust your budget quickly.
- Use public transport for visiting the different shopping destinations. It’ll help you save more money.
- Carry an umbrella to protect yourself from the heat if you’re travelling in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shopping in Dubai
Lanterns, coffee, shoes, and hookah are among the best things to buy in Dubai.
Pearls, sand art, and dates are a few souvenirs you should buy in Dubai.
Cash rules in Dubai, although mobile wallets are slowly catching up. You can also pay with your debit and credit cards in Dubai.
Dragon Mart and the Outlet Village are famous shopping destinations in Dubai.
The City Walk and Bur Dubai Souk are famous for shopping in Dubai.
Arabic Attar, spices, and shoes are the best things to shop in Dubai.
The Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Festival City are popular shopping centres in Dubai.
If you plan on getting pearls, buy them in Dubai. The City of Gold is popular for pearls.
The City Walk and Mall of the Emirates are the best malls to go shopping in in Dubai.
The Dubai Outlet Mall and Bur Dubai Souk are the best markets for shopping in Dubai.
Meena Bazaar is a major shopping destination in Dubai.
Toys and kidswear are two things you can buy for kids in Dubai.