Dubai's souks: gold, spices and textiles, how to visit them

Long before air-conditioned malls, Dubai was already a trading stop on the route between Asia, Africa and Europe, and that history is still visible in the traditional souks of Deira and Bur Dubai. This guide explains what each one sells, how to move between them, and what to expect if you want to haggle.

Gold Souk (Deira): the gold market

The Gold Souk sits in Deira, near Al Ras metro station and facing Dubai Creek. It holds more than 380 shops dedicated to jewellery, according to a round-up of souks published by What’s On Dubai in May 2026, with pieces ranging from 22-karat gold to diamonds and precious stones. The same article describes haggling as “part of the ritual” of visiting the place — it’s not just about lowering the price, it’s the back-and-forth with the seller. Per that source, the souk opens Saturday to Thursday from 10:00 to 22:00, and from 16:00 on Fridays; many shops close at midday, roughly between 1pm and 4pm.

Spice Souk (Deira): the scents of the Middle East and Asia

A short walk from the Gold Souk, on Baniyas Street, the Spice Souk opens daily from 10:00 to 22:00, according to the same 2026 guide. It sells saffron, cardamom, dried fruit, teas and herbs, along with a scattering of kitchenware stalls. Haggling is common here too, though the margins are smaller than with gold: sellers typically make a first offer and expect the buyer to counter before closing the sale.

Textile Souk (Bur Dubai): silks, cottons and on-the-spot tailoring

Across the creek, in Bur Dubai, the Textile Souk gathers shops selling silk, cotton, brocade, pashmina, lace and thread. Many workshops offer sewing and alterations on the spot, which makes it a good place to look for custom-made clothing. According to the same guide, hours generally run 10:00 to 22:00 as well, with partial midday closures and longer hours on Fridays.

Getting across: the abra over Dubai Creek

The most traditional way to go from Deira to Bur Dubai — and back — is by abra, the wooden boat that has been crossing the creek for generations. According to a souk guide published in 2019, the fare was just 1 dirham per person; that figure may well have changed since then, so it’s worth confirming the price when you board. The crossing takes just a few minutes and drops you right by the Spice Souk area on the Deira side.

How to haggle without getting it wrong

That same 2019 guide offers a few tips that still hold up: carry cash in dirhams, since paying by card usually adds a surcharge (around 5%, per that source); know the exchange rate before you start browsing, so you can quickly judge whether an offer is reasonable; and for big purchases like gold, always buy from an established shop rather than the first street vendor you meet. If you have time, a classic strategy is to visit the same stall more than once — the first time to look, the second to ask prices, and only the third to actually close the deal.

A few more things to keep in mind

• Hours can shift around religious dates or local holidays, so it’s worth confirming before you go, especially on a short trip.
• Haggling is expected, but it isn’t meant to be aggressive — the point is to enjoy the exchange, not argue.
• For gold, always ask for the purity certificate and the invoice.

In short

• Gold Souk (Deira): more than 380 jewellery shops, near Al Ras metro; open 10:00 to 22:00 (Saturday to Thursday) and from 16:00 on Fridays.
• Spice Souk (Deira): spices, teas and dried fruit, next to the Gold Souk; open daily 10:00 to 22:00.
• Textile Souk (Bur Dubai): fabrics and on-the-spot tailoring, across the creek; similar hours.
• The abra crosses the creek in a few minutes; the fare was historically 1 dirham, but confirm the current price.
• Carry cash, know the exchange rate, and only buy gold from established shops.

Find Dubai’s souks

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