The Dubai Spice Souk is the premier destination for high-quality saffron, aromatic cardamom, za'atar, and mixed baharat. Visitors should also look for fragrant dried fruits, nuts, premium teas, traditional Arabian incense (oud/attar), and dates. Bargaining is expected and part of the experience.
The most frequently bought spices are saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, za'atar, baharat and sumac. Which teas are popular at the Dubai Spice Souk? Teas with saffron, hibiscus, mint, cardamom and the traditional Arabic karak tea are popular.
The City Walk and Bur Dubai Souk are famous for shopping in Dubai. Arabic Attar, spices, and shoes are the best things to shop in Dubai. The Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Festival City are popular shopping centres in Dubai. If you plan on getting pearls, buy them in Dubai.
The "3000 Dirham Rule" in Dubai refers to the financial requirement for some visitors entering the UAE on a tourist visa, mandating they carry at least AED 3,000 (cash, credit card, or forex) plus a return ticket and proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host's invite) to show they can support themselves, preventing them from seeking employment. While enforcement can vary, some travelers have been denied boarding or entry for lacking these funds or documents, with stricter checks happening at airports, though some travelers find it's not always checked, especially if they have strong documentation like a confirmed hotel stay.
Which Spices to buy from Dubai souq | Dubai Spice souq | Dubai Old City | Dubai souq market | Deira
What's cheaper to buy in Dubai than the UK?
Some things, like electronic goods, tend to be quite a bit cheaper in Dubai. Jewellery, especially gold jewellery, is much cheaper (and of better quality), and big brand watches can be bought with a decent discount, especially if you haggle the price.
In Dubai, you must try traditional Emirati dishes like Al Harees, Machboos, and Luqaimat, alongside popular Middle Eastern staples such as Shawarma, Falafel, Hummus, and Kebabs, with rich Indian and Pakistani influences also prominent in dishes like Mutton Peshawari, Chole Bhature, and Karak Chai, found at authentic spots like Allo Beirut, Ravi's Restaurant, and local street food stalls.
Yes, $100 a day ($3,000/month) is enough in Dubai for a budget traveler who uses public transport, eats locally in areas like Deira and Bur Dubai, mixes free attractions with one paid activity, and avoids peak season/alcohol; however, it's tight and doesn't cover accommodation or luxury, with the average tourist spending much more (around $289/day).
The best-selling items globally consistently fall into clothing/apparel, with specific trends showing high demand for beauty/skincare, electronics accessories, supplements, and home goods, while trending items in 2025/2026 include instant coffee, hoodies, energy drinks, and unique skin care ingredients like beef tallow. The specific "best-seller" depends heavily on the platform (Amazon, Shopify, eBay) and the niche, but necessities like underwear and baby items also drive steady sales.
🤘 (Sign of the Horns) means "rock on," celebrating heavy metal/rock music, while 🤟 (I Love You) is an American Sign Language (ASL) gesture combining I, L, and Y, meaning love or support; 🤘 has a thumb folded in, symbolizing rock/evil eye warding, whereas 🤟 extends the thumb, creating the ASL "ILY" sign.
The country has strict laws in terms of public behavior and gestures, so it's best for tourists to stick to modest behavior. Flashing your middle finger can bring you to an imprisonment period of up to 3 months. While driving, it is also necessary to stick to modest behavior due to safety reasons.
Don't worry if you don't have cash – all outlets take cards. But do remember to haggle. The shopkeepers expect it, and many will drop their prices by as much as 50%.
A pashmina shawl is one of the trendiest (and most useful) items to purchase in Dubai. These are a wonderful present for your significant other. They are made of Cashmere derived from goat hair. The finest genuine pashmina shawls can cost a lot of money.
