Enjoy Traditional Souks in Dubai
The traditional local markets in Dubai are referred to as Souks. These markets carry the authentic and warm essence of Dubai. So, whenever you visit Dubai, do not miss these happening markets. The most famous is the Gold Souk Dubai and the Spice Souk Dubai. You should stop by there as it is worth a visit. An insider tip is the Bur Dubai Souk, where there are few tourists. However, you have the advantage that you can buy cheap souvenirs there. The prices are much lower there. In addition, there are now numerous modern souks in Dubai that you can visit. These would be, for example, the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Souk al Bahar, and Souk Khan Murjan.
If you visit a shopping mall in Dubai, you will find fixed prices everywhere. But, this is not the case with souks; here, you will not find any price tags. It means the amount you have to pay must be negotiated first. For many tourists, this is very unfamiliar, but it is quite simple. First, the dealer will always set a high price because he realizes you are a tourist. Because, of course, he wants to earn something from it. If you’re good at haggling, you can often save up to 50 percent. However, one should not overdo it and annoy the dealer.
If you spend a few hours there, you will certainly get hungry and thirsty. It is possible to get something to eat as local food is offered there. However, you will not find a fast-food restaurant. As a tourist, you have the opportunity to try out Arabic cuisine. But you must be careful there if you have a sensitive stomach. The dishes are spiced up a bit which everyone cannot tolerate.
You will be asked quickly and everywhere if you want to buy something. After a while, this can get annoying. The dealers then always try to lure the tourists into a backyard where counterfeit goods are then offered. This is called the fake market; some products are not of good quality. Therefore, we always recommend buying products from official stores where there is a shop.
It would be great if you get a chance to explore the Gold Souk Dubai and the Spice Souk Dubai on foot. It is possible because these two are close by, and you can connect them optimally. As already mentioned, these are all located in the older part of Dubai. But from there, you can take an abra over the Dubai Creek and then get to the Bur Dubai Souk.
