Old Souk, Dubai Overview

Famous for its amazing quality and variety of herbs, spices and flavours, Dubai Spice Souks, also known as Old Souk, is all you need to visit for a visual as well as for a taste treat. The air is filled with a unique blend of smells and aromas. Situated in Deira, visitors can find other products like unique Arabian rugs and lanterns, dried fruits and traditional UAE clothing as well. It is the perfect place in Dubai for souvenir shopping.

Old World Charm

One can find this vibrant gem amidst the narrow passages and alleys and can quickly locate it with the help of its strong, pungent fragrances. This well-known Arabic market has been in existence for more than 50 years and has correctly represented the country's age-old heritage and culture. This Souk is an array of myriad flavours and recipes and is famous among tourists, natives and traders across the world.

This place lets you try and taste and savour the aromatic, spiced snacks while you browse through the market. The fragrance of hundreds of flavours and condiments would compel you to dig in the interiors of this market and go through everything that it has to offer.

What to Buy

1. Fine herbs and spices (white peppercorns, yellow turmeric, red chilli powder)

2. Nuts & dry fruits

3. Exotic teas and sweets

4. Dried flowers

5. Chandeliers and lanterns

6. Hookahs/sheeshas

7. Kitchen utensils

8. Plastic and hardware

9. Marble goods

10. Rugs and carpets

11. Clay mortar-pestle

12. Special chocolates

13. Volcanic pumice stones and scrubbers

14. Traditional Abayas

15. Flavoured-smoke tobacco pipes

16. Essential oils and incense sticks

Tips When Visiting The Spice Souk

1. Prefer taking a taxi or an inexpensive metro ride as parking your vehicle can be an expensive affair.
2. It is always advised to travel light as you would want to explore and feel the herbs and spices before loading your hands with large packets of what you buy.
3. Always compare the prices of the same spices and aromatic plants from different shops as you might get them at a lower price.
4. Bargaining is the key to buying effectively and smartly.
5. Never buy pre-packaged things and prefer buying items directly from the enormous bags and packets.

Opening Hours

Open throughout the week.

Saturdays to Thursdays: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM with a break from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM in the afternoon when it remains closed.

Fridays: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

How To Reach Dubai Spice Souk

Spice Souk is adjacent to the highly visited Gold Souk. It can be reached by getting off at the Al Ras Metro station and then a small boat ride which will bring you to this place. The boat rides are fun and can be taken for AED 1 per person. The Al Ras metro station is just 400 yards away from this Souk and is easily accessible.