Shopping in Dubai Guide: Famously, Dubai provides multiple opportunities to indulge in retail therapy especially because it is a duty-free zone. The rapid economic development Dubai has benefited from is inextricably linked to shopping. A ‘Dubai Shopping Festival’ even takes place that is dedicated to consumerism and has occurred annually for several years.

Shopping is most popular within malls situated in Dubai as they are most practical in the heat and provide cool oases in the hot city. These malls function as social hubs as well because some also provide indoor amusements, eateries, childcare centres and cinemas or even ice staking rinks and aquariums.

Featured shopping malls include:

-         The Dubai Mall on Sheikh Zayed Road – tel. +971 4 362 7500

-         BurJuman Centre on Trade Centre Road – tel. +971 4 352 0222 

-         Mall of the Emirates on Sheikh Zayed Road – tel. +971 4 409 9000 

-         Deira City Centre on Beniyas Road – tel. +971 4 295 4545 

-         Ibn Battuta Mall on Sheikh Zayed Road – tel. +971 4 362 1901 

-         Lamcy Plaza on Oud Metha Road – tel. +971 4 335 9999

-         Festival Centre on Al Rebat Street – tel. +971 4 232 5444 

-         Mercato Mall on Jumeirah Beach Road – tel. +971 4 344 4161 

-         Souk Madinat Jumeirah on Jumeirah Beach Road – tel. +971 4 366 8888 

-         Wafi Shopping Mall on Al Garhoud Bridge Road – tel. +971 4 324 4555 

Markets:  The Arabic word for a place where any kind of goods can be sold or exchanged is ‘souk’. You can enjoy a fun and cultural shopping experience as you gain insight into the life of the Emiratis as you wander the atmospheric narrow lanes that keep shoppers out of the blazing heat as they browse:  

Deira Spice Souk - imported from the Middle East, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and dried fruit, nuts and incense are sold out of open sacks in the narrow lanes of the spice souk that is all that's left of the Old Souq, once the largest in the Gulf.

Deira Covered Souk – this souk sells everything from spices to kitchen wares, clothes, henna and specialises in textiles.

Gold Souk – the world famous Gold Souk in Dubai is one of the largest retail gold markets in the world, selling at bargain prices. Over three hundred jewellers are situated along the lanes of the souk catering to people from all over the world looking for gold jewellery. Enjoy haggling in the souk until the evening with craftsmen who can alter any piece on the same day.

It is recommended to use abras, or water taxis, to reach the Spice Souk Station which is a short walk to the gold souk, in order to avoid the traffic to reach the popular market.

Carpets: Dubai is just across the Gulf from Iran, so the supply of Persian carpets to the city is considered one of the best outside of Iran. 

The Blue Souk (Central Market) in Sharjah is famous for selling carpets.   Back to Guide to Travelling in Dubai