Souqs in the UAE

ABU DHABI

• Iranian Souq, Al Meena near Al Meena Carpet Market
  An open air traditional souq where goods imported by dhow from Iran are displayed under awnings by friendly and enthusiastic traders. Exotic bedspreads and carpets are some of the best buys here. Bargaining is de riguer and an essential part of the fun. Expect prices to drop by as much as 50 per cent from the original price quoted.
• Meena Souq, Al Meena Road
  Sometimes known as the ‘Afghan souq’, this is the place to go for oriental carpets. Many of the carpets on offer are machine made copies of traditional designs but a determined search will normally uncover some high quality handmade carpets and tribal handcrafted designs.
• Central Market, near Old Souq, Sheikh Hamdan Street
  A major redevelopment of the Central Market in the centre of downtown Abu Dhabi is currently under way. The atmospheric but run-down souq is being replaced with an air-conditioned bazaar based on traditional Arabian architecture.
• Fish Market, near Dhow Harbour, Al Meena
  A traditional shopping experience for early risers. The wholesale market starts trading around 4.30 a.m. and closes by 6.30 a.m. Traders sell the freshest fare in bulk for the first two hours of trading before moving on to smaller quantities after 6.30 a.m. as the daily market prepares to open. This is not a place to visit if you do not want to get involved. Wear old shoes and clothes that will sustain a smattering of fish blood!
• Fish, Meat and Produce Souq, Al Istigal/Al Nasr Street
  Another destination for early risers. The best bargains and freshest produce are snapped up before 8.00 a.m. Prices are considerably lower than in the supermarkets but this is essentially an experience rather than a user-friendly shopping trip. Not for the squeamish!

AL AIN

• Mwaifa Souq, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road
  A purpose-built souq housing a mixture of old and new–branded outlets and traditional trading stores. Split by a dual-carriageway, the souq on the opposite side of the road to Choitram supermarket contains most of the smaller outlets including tailors and jewellers.
• Livestock Market
  The entrance to the livestock market is opposite the museum parking lot. An interesting place to walk around.
• Camel Market
  Al Ain also has a unique camel market that is well worth a visit. Located off Al Masoudi St, the market is only open in the morning – go early and enjoy the hustle and bustle, sights and smells of a traditional livestock market.
• Al Ain Souq
  Also known as the Central Souq or Old Souq. Located in Zayed bin Sultan St, fruit and vegetables and household goods are the main items on sale.
• Deira Old Souq & Spice Souq, Creekside, Deira

  Currently under careful refurbishment, this is Dubai’s largest and oldest souq. The easiest way to enter is to head for the windtowers on the Deira side of the creek. Slip beneath the arches of the windtowers and you find yourself in the heart of another world. This is a trader’s paradise, everything from plastic toys to spices are piled high with tiny stores crammed with the useless and the sought after. The best way to navigate is to meander through the alleyways that make up the spice souq heading roughly north to reach the fabric souq. Keep going in the same direction and you will reach the Gold Souq.

  If you have time, go to the abra stand on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek up from the HSBC Bank. Ask for the Captain’s Stores abra stand – you can’t miss it – and catch an abra across to the other side of the Creek. Get off at the stop directly opposite your starting point, ask for the Gold Souq. Walk straight ahead when you disembark, the spic souqs should be on your left and right and the gold souq ahead on the right. This is worth the effort.

• Gold Souq, near St. George Hotel, Al Ras, Deira
  

  It is here that Dubai traditionally lived up to the name ‘City of Gold’. The Gold Souq is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and it is easy to understand why. In the unlikely event that you cannot find what you are looking for most shops will design jewellery for you and all are happy to mount stones that you have purchased loose. Most jewellery is 24 carat and none is less than 18 carat. Be sure to haggle vehemently and be prepared to walk away if you cannot get the price you require, there will be another shop just a few doors down offering a similar product. Remember to check the daily gold price in the newspapers.

  A plethora of alleys behind the main arcade are crammed with traders selling souveniers and silver jewellery, this is the place to head to for ethnic items such as toe-rings and traditional Omani and Yemeni silver jewellery.

• Bur Dubai Souq, near Dubai Museum, Bur Dubai
  Also known as the Textile Souq, and as Cosmos Souq, this market runs along the creek opposite the Deira Souq. Souvenirs and knick-knacks are on sale but the area is best know for its stunning array of fabrics from the Indian subcontinent and the Far East. Parking is very limited but there is an open air pay and display car park next to Dubai Museum.
• Satwa Souq, Satwa
  One of Dubai’s best kept secrets. Satwa Souq is essentially a shopping square but should not be overlooked for those in search of tailor-made clothes or high quality fabrics. The best known and most frequented shops are Regal and Deepaks. Both stores will recommend nearby tailors who will be happy to turn your fabric purchases into perfectly fitting garments.
• Karama Souq, Karama, Bur Dubai
  Not technically a souq, this tucked away treasure trove of bargains is housed in what is best described as two modern buildings reminiscent of a 1960s UK shopping centre. This is the place to go for leather goods and fake designer casual wear. All shops sell similar wares, some of the most popular being ‘Gucci’ handbags and ‘designer’ label jeans. Expect to pay about two thirds less than you would for similar goods in a shopping mall. Leather handbags and wallets are the best bargains. A few outlets now quote ‘fixed prices’ and are best avoided since their neighbours will happily haggle over identical goods. Blue Marine is one of the largest and most popular stores.
• Fruit and Vegetable Market, near Shindagha Tunnel, Al Shindagha
  The largest array of fresh produce in Dubai. Everything is sold by the kilo so don’t expect to return unladen. Imported and local produce are on sale. Omani bananas come highly recommended, guaranteed to be the sweetest bananas you have ever tasted. Don’t forget to taste the many varieties of local dates.
• Fish Market, Next to Fruit and Vegetable Market, Al Shidagha
  The largest and busiest of Dubai’s fish markets is well worth a visit if only to see the incredible array of local fish on offer. Blue lobster from Fujairah, baby sharks and metre long kingfish are just some of the treats in store for the shopper.

SHARJAH

• Souq al-Arsah or the Old Souq, Al Muraijia, close to Al Boorj Avenue

  Originally known as the Charcoal Souq, this is a place where time appears to have stood still. In times gone by the souq was a meeting place for bedouin and their camels who travelled from the desert to trade charcoal for rice and goods imported from Iran and India. Sympathetically renovated, the Old Souq retains its traditional charm and it is here that visitors get a feel for how the Emirates were before the oil boom.

  The bargains are many but on the whole goods are good quality with less modern tack displayed than in souqs elsewhere in the country. Antique furniture and handicrafts are particularly good value here. Bargaining is an essential part of the fun.

• The Blue Souq, Al Majaz, close to Khalid Lagoon

  The most famous souq in Sharjah is also known as the New Souq or Central Market. Built in 1979, the souq is one of the most striking buildings in the emirate. A double row of vaulted, blue tiled buildings are linked by bridges and cooled by windtowers that catch sea breezes from the nearby lagoon.

  A variety of retail outlets fill the ground floor whilst the upper storey is crammed with carpet shops selling silk and wool masterpieces from Iran, Pakistan and India. Regarded by residents as the best place in the Emirates to buy carpets, this is certainly the most enjoyable destination for those in search of a piece heritage. Expect to drink tea with your host the trader and don’t forget to bargain.

  The bridges that join the upper floor house numerous silver jewellery shops, a treasure trove of wearable antiques. One of the most pleasant shopping experiences in the country.

• The Gold Centre, Al Yarmook, at the intersection of Al Qasimi and Al Wahda Streets

  Opened in 1996, Sharjah’s Gold Centre has become a local shopping landmark. Built in traditional Islamic style, the centre has 44 shops that unite the best jewellers in the country. Bargaining is expected.

• Al Majarrah Souq, Sharjah Creek

  Built in the 1980s and opened in 1987, the souq is a traditional and striking building. The central gold dome rises majestically above the creek’s skyline as a renowned landmark.

  Some 50 shops sell handicrafts, perfumes, textiles and shoes. Very popular with local shoppers.

• The Fish Souq, Al Soor, close to the Blue Souq
  One of the most vibrant (if smelly) traditional shopping experiences. The daily catch comes in all shapes and sizes, all of it local. For a few extra dirhams your choice purchase will be filleted and even wheeled to your car on an ancient barrow. Wear old shoes and enjoy.
• The Fruit and Vegetable Souq, Al Soor, opposite the Fish Souq
  One of the most colourful shopping experiences. Traders perch precariously atop their goods and greet every potential purchaser as a long lost friend. Bargain ferociously and enjoy the produce.
• The Plant and Pot Souq, Al Soor, close to the fruit and vegetable souq
  Bouganvillea, oleanders, hibiscus and periwinkles tumble in abundance from pots and trellises. Traders are quite happy to pot plants up for you and have a wealth of knowledge that they are happy to share. Ceramic pots are good value, but do ask whether they are local or imported, local pots are not waterproof and, whilst cheaper than imported glazed pots, will not last as long.
• Iranian Bazaar, Along the creek
  Historically the bazaar traded in clothes and gold but today the goods on offer are mostly spices, herbs and textiles. Sadly air-conditioned shops and purpose built souqs are fast replacing the bazaar so visit while you can.
• Friday Market, Between Dhaid and Masafi on the East Coast road
  Originally, as the name suggests, a Friday market for local traders, the roadside market has grown into a favourite stopping place for tourists visiting the East Coast. Open-air stalls sell carpets, pottery, plants, fruit and vegetables and a confusing array of household goods and inflatable toys. Blow up jumbo jets are particularly popular and never seem to go out of fashion! Prices are far cheaper than in souqs in the towns and cities. An excellent place to buy garden pots.
• Khor Fakkan Souq, The Corniche, Khor Fakkan
  Sharjah’s only East Coast town boasts one of the prettiest souqs in the country. Overlooking the Gulf of Oman, the traditional arched building topped by windtowers is the town’s best known landmark. Small outlets sell a mixture of textiles and household goods.

AJMAN

• Ajman Souq, Ra’s al-Khaimah Road, near Gulf Craft R/A - A small purpose-built souq filled with individual outlets. Very competitive compared to larger, more popular souqs but offers limited choice.

RA’S AL-KHAIMAH

The Souq, Adjacent to the port
Essentially two streets rather than a warren of lanes. Outlets offer mainly traditional Arabic and Pakistani clothes, fabric and household goods.

FUJAIRAH

The Souq, Town centre
A traditional souq offering everything from textiles to household goods. Most fresh produce is locally grown on nearby farms.

Dibba Fishmarket, The beach, Dibba
Split between Oman, Sharjah and Fujairah, the East Coast town of Dibba is uniquely cultural and traditional. The fish market is worth a visit if only to see how things were in the Emirates before oil was discovered. Opening hours are more than a little erratic with stalls opening when fishermen arrive with the day’s catch and closing when everything is sold. Salted fish are available all day but waking a sleeping trader up can take time!

---

Roadside Stalls

Individual stalls are scattered throughout the Northern Emirates selling carpets, fresh produce, charcoal, pottery, household goods and inflatable toys! Most provide excellent value for money. Produce is normally fresh and good quality. Most are worth a look and afford visitors friendly insight into the country.

Sharjah Furniture Shops

Sharjah’s warehouse antique furniture shops are popular with residents throughout the region but remain largely undiscovered by visitors. The best known and longest established shops are Pinky’s, Lucky’s, Khan Sons and Al Barjeel Furniture. All have outlets in the Old Souq, but for the ultimate choice visitors need to venture out of town to the industrial area beyond the city.

Tables, chairs, blanket boxes, wardrobes, carved doors, whatever your choice Pinky’s and Lucky’s are likely to have it in store. Both outlets stock a wide range of hand-painted furniture from Rajasthan as well as a wealth of solid wood furniture from across the Indian subcontinent. Some items are genuinely antique whilst others are newly made from old timber. Prices are sometime as much as two thirds cheaper than those asked for the same items in furniture shops in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Haggling is expected and home delivery available for a small charge.