Bur Dubai Souq

Lonely Planet review

While not as old as the Deira souqs - in the old days Bur Dubai and Bastakia residents had to take a boat across to Deira to go shopping - this breezy renovated souq can be just as atmospheric and lively a place to visit. On a summer's evening it can also be cooler, as the breeze blows through the wooden-latticed arcades. The buzziest time to visit is a Friday evening when it's crowded with expat workers shopping on their day off.

While you'll find some great take-home items, what's primarily on offer are cheap clothes, shoes and textiles, mainly purchased by Emirati and Indian women. The surrounding backstreets - with its tailors, textile shops and sari shops - may not be as aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but are still intriguing and worth exploring.