The complete guide to shopping in Dubai
The shopping scene in Dubai is renowned for diverse options and a plethora of items available in major retail hubs. To help shoppers, we have compiled the ultimate Dubai shopping guide with detailed information on the best traditional markets and ultra-modern malls.
TRADITIONAL SOUKS AND MARKETS
Let’s start with the quintessential shopping experience in Dubai.
Before the mega malls existed, Dubai had traditional open-air markets known amongst the locals as “souks”. These souks have everything one can think of. If you have excellent haggling skills or wish to explore, these souks are definitely worth a visit.
DEIRA GOLD SOUK
The first on our list is the Deira Gold Souk which is also fondly known as the Dubai Gold Souk. It is a must-visit place for shoppers interested in purchasing gold bars, jewellery and other exquisite gems.
If you’re not looking to purchase anything, the souk is still an amazing place to visit. Having said that, the countless stores here offer stunning pieces of jewellery in Arabic, Indian and Italian designs. So, rest assured there is no shortage of souks for gold purchases in Dubai.
- Location: 54 Al Khor Street, Deira, next to Dubai Fish and Vegetable Market
DUBAI SPICE SOUK
The Dubai Spice Souk is a stone’s throw away from the Dubai Gold Souk. The Spice Souk in Dubai is one of the most popular in the city for both locals and tourists. The spices here are imported from around the world.
You can find a variety of spices from India, Pakistan, Turkiye and other countries in the Middle East and Asia. You can buy spice, dates, dry fruits and other sweet treats from the Spice Souk in Dubai. Shoppers can also purchase different types of clothes, crockery, oud and Arabian perfumes apart from spices.
- Location: Deira district near Baniyas Road and Old Baladiyah Road Junction
OLD SOUK
The Old Souk Dubai, or the Dubai Textile Souk, is where visitors get to experience shopping in Old Dubai. Before the gigantic malls existed, the Old Souk was one of the most prominent markets in the city for a wide array of fabrics and apparel.
Even today, the Old Souk in the bustling Bur Dubai is popular among tourists and locals alike for its variety of traditional and Western fabrics. The endless line-up of shops and stalls sell cotton, raw silk, wool, cashmere and other fabrics.
Accessories such as buttons, lace, sequins, zippers and other items are also available. Apart from clothes and fabrics, shoppers can also indulge in purchasing souvenirs, perfumes, spices and dry fruits. Another attraction at the Old Souk is taking the abra ride to reach the market.
- Location: 57 Ali Bin Abi Talib St, Bur Dubai
PERFUME SOUK DUBAI
The next open-air market in our Dubai shopping guide is the Perfume Souk Dubai. This charming souk in Dubai is located near the Spice Souk. From traditional Arabic perfumes to popular Western perfumes, essential oils, incense sticks and ittars, there are a variety of fragrances to purchase here.
If that’s not enough, the shops give you an option to buy in bulk at a surprisingly affordable wholesale price. But that’s not even the best part of visiting this market! You can create your own customised perfume with assistance from expert perfumers.
- Location: Sikkat al Khali Street, Deira
RIPE MARKET
Another one of the Dubai cheap shopping markets open during the winter months is the weekly Ripe Market. These pop-up markets are popular for their fresh produce, fruits and flowers. You also have dining options with a variety of food to try and takeaway meals.
The farmers here sell locally-grown organic produce at affordable prices. You can also purchase honey, eggs, gluten-free foods, artefacts, fashion accessories and jewellery.
- Location: Multiple locations, including Times Square and Academy Park
GLOBAL VILLAGE
Global Village is an international outdoor fair held in Dubai every year during the winter month. The highlight of this fair is the pavilions for each country, where one can shop for clothes, accessories, skincare, makeup, crockery and more. Whether you’d like a plate from Turkiye, moisturiser from South Korea or dates from Saudi Arabia, you can find all that you want at Global Village. Plus, each pavilion’s excellent regional food options will leave you sated and happy.
- Location: Exit 37, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
KHAN MURJAN SOUK DUBAI
The Khan Murjan Souk at Wafi Mall is one of the top souks in Dubai. The souk’s architecture is heavily inspired by the popular underground market in Baghdad.
The themed décor and intricate architecture makes it worth a visit. Since it’s indoors, the market is great for visiting during the summer months. Take breath-taking images of this ancient souk with its range of shops, selling a variety of items such as clothes, souvenirs, decorative items and more.
- Location: Wafi Mall, Dubai
THE TOP MALLS IN DUBAI
Dubai is known for its larger than life malls. Therefore, the next category on our guide to shopping in Dubai is the iconic malls in the city. Let’s find all about the Dubai shopping malls.
DUBAI MALL
Dubai Mall is the biggest mall in the UAE and features several flagship stores, along with a dedicated fashion avenue for luxury fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Givenchy and others.
Dubai Mall is also home to the first Apple Store in the UAE, with several other electronics retailers selling Apple products too – this can be handy since the Apple Store tends to get crowded. There are several stores exclusive to Dubai Mall, but you can find quite a few branches of your favourite brands with more variety in the mall.
- Location: Financial Centre Road, along Sheikh Zayed Road, next to Burj Khalifa, Dubai
- Timings: Monday to Wednesday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Friday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-362-7500
MALL OF THE EMIRATES
The next mall in our Dubai shopping guide is the Mall of the Emirates (MOE). It is one of the biggest shopping destinations in Dubai and the most-visited place, particularly for those residing in the Al Barsha district.
MOE has over 600 stores, including luxury brands from around the world. Other than shopping, visitors can indulge in thrilling activities at the Mall of the Emirates, such as the Ski Dubai, Magic Planet, VOX Cinema, Astro Blasters and a Rock Climbing section called Go Sport.
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Timings: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Friday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-800-663-6255
IBN BATTUTA MALL
Ibn Battuta Mall is next on our list of top places to shop in Dubai. The countless brands and outlets at the Ibn Battuta Mall make it a crowd favourite.
The mall’s unique architecture is one of it’s stand-out features, making it an aesthetic treat while shopping. The entire shopping centre is divided into clusters from different countries, including India, Persia, China, Egypt, Tunisia and Andalusia. Apart from shopping, visitors at the mall can enjoy their time at the trampoline park, bowling alley and other amusement centres.
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Interchanges 5 and 6, Dubai
- Timings: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-800-625-4335
CITY CENTRE DEIRA
One of the best malls in the city, Deira City Centre, rebranded as City Centre Deira is also one of the oldest malls in Dubai.
The shopping centre is frequently visited by tourists and locals. The stores carry a ton of international and local brands. City Centre, Deira, also has several cafés and restaurants where patrons can grab a bite.
- Location: 8th Street Dubai, close to the Deira City Centre Metro Station, Dubai
- Timings: Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-800-22-6255
THE OUTLET MALL DUBAI
The next shopping destination in our Dubai shopping guide is Dubai Outlet Mall, one of the cheapest shopping malls in Dubai. The mall is the best place for shopaholics to go on a shopping spree owing to a range of factory outlets from several international brands.
Some of the brands at Dubai Outlet Mall are Vero Moda, Calvin Klein, Mango, Levi Strauss, Tommy Hilfiger, Aldo and many more.
- Location: Route 66, Dubai – Al Ain Road, Dubai
- Timings: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-423-4666
BURJUMAN CITY CENTRE
Burjuman City Centre is one of the oldest malls in the city. This is where visitors get all the luxury brands under one roof. Counted among the best malls in Dubai, it is home to high-street favourites such as H&M, Max and Forever 21.
You can find all the major retailers including Sketchers, Lifestyle, Rituals and more in the mall. Furthermore, there are quite a few dining options, from the Food Court (with favourites like McDonald’s and ChicKing) to places like PAUL and Nandos.
- Location: Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, Dubai
- Timings: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-352-0222
SHOPPING DISTRICTS IN DUBAI
No Dubai shopping guide will be complete without the inclusion of the Instagrammable shopping districts in Dubai. Here’s a quick look at the happening districts in the emirate.
THE BEACH AT JBR
The Beach at JBR is one of the most picturesque outdoor shopping places in Dubai. The different shops and restaurants at the Beach attract beachgoers for a shopping trip. Some of the stores at The Beach JBR include Victoria’s Secret, Sephora and River Island
- Location: Al Wasl Road, Dubai
- Timings: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am – 01:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-590-5090
CITY WALK
City Walk Dubai is one of the most popular shopping spots on MyBayut’s Dubai shopping guide. It is home to several luxury brands such as Swarovski, Sephora, Anatomi, Balmain, Harmont & Blaine and other international brands that have exclusive outlets here.
- Location: 39 Al Safa Street, Dubai
- Timings: Sunday to Saturday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-590-5090
THE OUTLET VILLAGE
The Outlet Village resembles the streets of an Italian city in Tuscany. One of the newest additions to the several shopping areas in Dubai, the Outlet Village is packed with international brands.
This is where you get high-end Italian brands such as Roberto Cavalli and Ermenegildo Zegna. The best part of visiting the Outlet Village in Dubai is that you get the finest Italian and American brands without paying a hefty price.
Most of the outlets here offer merchandise at a discount. So if you’re looking for luxury shopping at a discount in Dubai, Outlet Mall is your best bet!
- Location: Near Dubai Parks and Resorts, Mina Jebel Ali
- Timings: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Friday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Contact: 800-73-8245
AFFORDABLE SHOPPING OPTIONS IN DUBAI
Apart from the aforementioned shopping hotspots, there are countless other options for affordable shopping in Dubai. Here’s a list of the top places for cheap shopping in Dubai.
GARDEROBE
You can get your hands on luxury second-hand accessories and clothes at the Garderobe Dubai. Garderobe Dubai is considered one of the top spots for branded shopping in Dubai, in a way that’s sustainable too!
Apart from their retail store, Garderobe has an online store where you can purchase luxury items such as handbags, dresses, shoes, jewellery and accessories at an unbeatable price. It is one of the most popular thrift stores in Dubai.
- Location: Villa 1224, Al Wasl Road, Umm Suqeim 2
- Timings: 10:00 am – 07:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-394-2753
DUBAI FLEA MARKET
The Dubai Flea Market is one of the sought-after places for cheap shopping in Dubai. The Flea Market has everything you can think of. From furniture to decorative items to clothes and toys, there are plenty of clothes and accessories that you can find here. There are other affordable open markets in Dubai where you can buy anything you need at a lower price too.
- Location: The Dubai Flea Market is organised at different locations in the city.
BRANDS FOR LESS
Standing true to its name, Brands for Less Dubai caters to affordable but branded shopping in Dubai. The store has apparel, accessories and other home improvement items at an affordable price. Brands for Less has an online store as well if you’re looking for cheap online stores in Dubai.
- Location: Multiple locations in Dubai
- Contact: +971-4-323-3371 (Barsha outlet)
DRAGON MART
We all know that the best places to shop are where the locals frequent, in Dubai’s case, Dragon Mart would be the place. With two shopping complexes, this is where one can find all sorts of Chinese goods at excellent prices. You also have a cinema theatre and a hotel, along with several kiosks, to add to your shopping experience here.
Currently there are more than 6,000 shops and kiosks, each offering both affordable and slightly pricey goods. From televisions and home theatre systems, to carpets and shelves, one can literally furnish their home (and even office) with the items available here. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate shopping destination, vamonos!
- Location: Al Awir Road
- Contact: 800-625-4335
FAQS ABOUT DUBAI SHOPPING
WHICH IS THE CLOSEST BUS STATION TO THE GOLD SOUK?
The closest bus stops are Deira, Old Souk 1 (bus line C09) and Gold Souk Bus Station (bus line 27).
WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO GET TO DUBAI MALL VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORT?
The most convenient option to reach Dubai Mall is via Dubai Metro. The nearest metro station is Dubai Mall station which is within a walkable distance from the mall. You can use the Metro Link Bridge to walk from the station.
That’s all for our ultimate guide to shopping in Dubai for both locals and visitors. Now you know where to shop in Dubai if you’re visiting the city. From the top malls in Dubai to the cheap shopping options and traditional souks, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets.
Apart from these shopping places, you can visit the 1 dirham shops in Dubai to buy an array of items.
