Market shopping in Dubai
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A
Deira Gold Souq
All that glitters is gold (and occasionally silver) at this colourful market. At any given time over 25 tonnes of gold is on display in jewellery shop windows in Dubai. Even if you’re not in the market for bling, a stroll through the covered arcades of the enormous Gold Souq is a must. Hundreds of stores overflow with every kind of jewellery imaginable – tasteful diamond earrings to over-the-top golden Indian wedding necklaces. It’s the largest gold market in the region, and one of the largest in the world. Bonus: the people-watching. Settle down on a wooden bench beneath the wooden-latticed arcades of the main thoroughfare (Sikkat al-Khail St) and observe touts hawking k…
reviewed
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B
Global Village
The carnival-like Global Village runs from late November to late February about 13km south of Sheikh Zayed Rd. Think of it as a sort of World Fair for shoppers. Each of the 30-something pavilions showcases a specific nation’s culture and – of course – products. Some favourites: the Afghanistan pavilion for fretwork-bordered stone pendants and beaded-silver earrings; Palestine for traditional cross-stitch kandouras (casual shirt-dresses worn by men and women) and ever-popular cushion covers; Yemen for its authentic khanjars (traditional curved daggers); India for spangly fabrics and slippers; and Kenya for its kitsch bottle-top handbags. Dig the earnest entertainment…
reviewed
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C
Bur Dubai Souq
The breezy renovated Bur Dubai Souq may not be old as the Deira souqs but it can be just as atmospheric. Friday evenings here are especially lively, as it turns into a virtual crawling carnival with expat workers loading up on socks, T-shirts and knock-off Calvins on their day off. Other stores specialise in colourful bales of fancy fabrics, most of them from India and other Asian countries. The surrounding streets – crammed with tailors, sari stores and jewellery shops – may not be as pleasing to the eye but are still intriguing and worth exploring.
reviewed
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D
Fish Market
Shrimp the size of bananas, metre-long kingfish and mountains of blue crabs are among the treasures of the sea being hawked at Dubai’s largest and busiest fish market. The smell can be a bit overpowering but you’ll get used to it after a while and it’s great to watch not just the wiggling wares but the wild haggling between the blue-suited vendors and their customers. Come either early in the morning or in the evening, and wear sneakers or other waterproof shoes. If you’re buying, ask to have the fish cleaned.
reviewed
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E
Dubai Flea Market
Flea markets are like urban archaeology: you’ll need plenty of patience and luck when sifting through other people’s trash and detritus, but oh the thrill when finally unearthing a piece of treasure! So trade malls for stalls and look for bargains amid the piles of pre-loved clothing, furniture, toys, home appliances, electronics, art, books and other stuff that’s spilled out of local closets.
reviewed
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F
Deira Covered Souq
Despite the name, Deira Covered Souq is only partly covered and really more a warren of small shops on narrow lanes spread across a few square blocks. Even if you’re not keen on cheap textiles, knock-off Dior scarves, kandouras (casual shirt-dresses worn by men and women) and kitchenware, you’re sure to be wowed by the high-energy street scene.
reviewed
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G
Karama Souq
Savvy shoppers and lovers of kitsch (Burj Al Arab paperweight, anyone?) save their souvenir shopping for Karama. It's cheaper than the malls and those keen on under-the-counter designer fakes will welcome the repetitive call of 'copy watches, copy bags, Madam'. (You'll also find counterfeit sports gear and teenage streetwear here.
reviewed
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H
New Naif Market
At the time of writing, shopkeepers were looking forward to moving into the New Naif Market, built on the same site as the historic Naif Souq that succumbed to a major blaze in 2008. Scheduled to open in May 2010, the new air-conditioned building is set to feature more than 200 shops spread over two floors.
reviewed
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I
Covent Garden Market
If you’re not into shopping, grab a latte and send the others out to peruse the lacy scarves, fancy necklaces, designer T-shirts and pretty purses at this bustling arts and crafts market. Bring the kids: clowns, bands and balloon-animal makers provide the entertainment.
reviewed
