Follow me now on a trip through the most authentic souks in Dubai, located along the Creek. Sellers and buyers here are still accustomed to haggling over prices: when buying something, don’t immediately hand over the amount you’re asked for, because you might not only not get a good deal, you might even appear rude towards the seller. Try offering a lower price, and negotiate until you reach an agreement.
I suggest you start with the Gold Souk in Deira, where numerous jewelers display items of all kinds, from the more classic styles to more original pieces. You’ll be particularly struck by the splendid oriental-style jewels. The local government is extremely attentive and keeps a very close eye on the gold trade in order to avoid scams and rip-offs, so if you’ve decided to invest in some jewelry, you can rest assured that your purchase will be authentic; in fact, you may find that gold in Dubai is cheaper than in other countries.
If you continue past this souk, you’ll find yourself in another where spices are sold, offering an experience your nose has never known before! This market is a delight for the senses, with all the colors and aromas of the goods, displayed in large sacks piled on top of one another. If you’d like to try something truly unique, don’t miss the dates and the dried fruit and nuts, or if you’re a fan of spicy flavors, you’ll be sure to find just the chili pepper you’re looking for.
Let your nose be your guide and take you to the souk that sells perfumes, incense, essential oils, pure fragrances or fragrances blended specially to suit your particular tastes. The most sought-after item here is called “oud”: obtained from agarwood, it’s quite expensive, but they say just a few drops are enough to release an intense fragrance.
Across the Creek, on the Bur Dubai side, is the souk selling fabrics. Among the remnants of silk, cotton and linen, you might just find some beautiful traditional clothing. It’s well worth taking a look!
An interesting fact: in the Gold Souk, in the Kanz Jewelry shop, you can admire the biggest ring in the world. It’s called Taiba Najmat, it’s worth about three million euros, weights 64 kilos and is studded with 615 Swarovski crystals.
