Despite Dubai’s awe-inspiring architecture and modern way of life there’s much more culture to explore than you may imagine.
Today, we take a look at one of our favourite places to visit, the Dubai Spice Souk. A traditional Arabian market bursting with taste, and one you cannot miss out on when visiting Dubai.
Snuggled into the narrow lanes of Deira, the spice souk takes you through an intriguing aromatic journey. Be ready to breathe in the smell of all those mystical and aromatic spices across the Arabian Peninsula while treating your eyes with colourful vistas of the surrounding.
Additionally, apart from enjoying a great shopping opportunity, the Dubai spice souk is the holy ground to snap some breathtaking photographs, depicting the riot of colours in best way. And if you want to extend your shopping to some great abayas, click here for the best places in Dubai.
So, are you ready to embark on the journey to dubai world of spice? If, yes then carry on reading.
How to Get to Dubai Spice Souk
Dubai Spice Souk is located next to its very sought-after counterpart, the Dubai Gold Souk.
While the glitter of the Gold Souk is enough to overshadow the presence of this spice souk, surprisingly this small place has crafted a special niche in the travel map of Dubai. With its old-world charms and exotic characteristics, Dubai spice souk is a must visit.
You can reach Dubai spice souk by Taxi or with a Careem driver using Careem app. Or by Metro with the nearest one being “Al Ras Metro Station”. Take the Green Line. The souk is about a few hundred yards away from the exit of the Metro Station.
Here’s a map below to assist.
Al Ras to Dubai’s Spice Souk
There is another interesting and exciting way to get to the spice souk. You could take an Abra boat for instance!
Jump into this traditional boat from Bur Dubai Abra Station to Deira Old Souq Abra Station and reach the souk across the creek. It will cost you no more than 1 AED! Amazing value right!?
Dubai Spice Souk Opening Hours
The souk operates every day of the week from 10 o’clock in the morning to 10 o’clock at night except for Fridays. Friday opening hours are from 4 pm to 10 pm. The spice market goes on a break between 1 pm to 4 pm. This means you can plan your spice journey without any rush and chalk out a relaxed itinerary to suit your needs.
We suggest you to start your trip at the early hours. This will present you with a rare opportunity to take gorgeous photos of piles of spices with an equally gorgeous backdrop.
As the market reaches its peak hours, it becomes really hard to catch those interesting moments and explore the neighbourhood.
But if you wish to experience the vibrant activity of the alleys, you can go in the late afternoon till night on the weekend.
Restaurants Close to Spice Souk
While roaming through the slender lanes of Dubai Spice Souk, aromatic smells coming from those exotic spices is enough to make one go hungry.
Several local eateries are available around this souk which will help you to fill your tummy. But, unfortunately we did not see or find any restaurant we can really recommend you.
However, you can find some better options if you head towards the Gold Souk new extension. Check for Hind Plaza and you will have several restaurants like:
- Table 3
- Bustan Mandi
- Seiny’s
- My Govindas
- Bikanervala
- Maranello
Hotels Near Dubai Spice Souk
When it comes to hotel accommodation, Dubai can astonish travellers with every sort of luxury. All the hotels of the town are quite dedicated towards their job and you can surely enjoy a blissful stay at any of them.
When seeking to stay near the souk, you can browse through a series of hotels, ranging from premium to standard types. Depending on the availability and your budget, you will not face any problem at all to pick a hotel of your choice not far from the souk area. But if you are looking for luxury options, you won’t find any around and you will need to search beyond.
Here are few hotels from the nearby locality that can be your abode during your trip to Dubai if you prefer to stay near the souk.
- Mazmi Casa: This place is just 0.3 km far from the Deira Spice Souk but in the other side of the creek.
- Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai: This nice hotel comes under the Curio Collection by Hilton and there is no place better than this to book your stay amidst the most local Arabian setting. The hotel is about 0.9 km away from the spice souk in Bur Dubai side. All rooms of the hotel are equipped with flat-screen TV, wi-fi, air condition, a fridge, a desk, a bidet and a hair-dryer.
- XVA Art Hotel: Located at the heart of historical Al Bastakiya, the XVA Art Hotel is truly an invigorating experience from your Dubai days. Well-furnished and meticulously designed rooms of this hotel introduce you to the artworks of celebrated artists and famous designers of the region.
- Ibis Styles Dubai Deira
- Super 8 by Wyndham Dubai Deira
Dubai Spice Souk Location
The spice souk is located at Al Baniyas Street. Narrow lanes of the spice market lie at Al Ras in Deira. For more easy direction, you can ask for the Dubai Gold Souk which sits just beside the spice souk.
Address: Sikkat Al Khail Road Al Ras, Dubai 75157 United Arab Emirates.
Spice Souk Dubai Prices
If those not so well-organised shops and shabby appearance of the locality of the spice souk is giving you a notion of cheap shopping experience, then stop there. In fact, the truth is complete opposite. Everything including the spices can be costly and if you’re a foreign traveller, then be ready to receive inflated price quote for every item you decide to buy.
So, Dubai spice souk is a good place in town to showcase your bargaining skills. Respectful bargaining can really help you to shop till you drop.
When you find something you like, ask for the price, and then suggest a lower amount, usually around 50-70% of the initial price.
It’s important to remain polite and use light-hearted banter to negotiate. Vendors expect you to bargain, so they often start with higher prices.
Be prepared to walk away if the price doesn’t meet your expectations, as this often leads to the vendor calling you back with a better offer. Remember, patience and respect are key to a successful negotiation in the Spice Souk.
What to buy at Dubai Spice Souk
Stroll through the aromatic lanes of Dubai’s Spice Souk and be on the lookout for local culinary treasures. Sumac, with its rich, reddish hue and tangy citrus notes, is a must-try, while zaatar offers a delightful concoction of sesame seeds mingled with fragrant herbs.
For those with a penchant for bold flavors, ras el hanout is the quintessential North African blend that boasts an intricate combination of spices, ideal for giving your marinades and meat dishes a punch of piquancy.
In the realm of saffron, the Spice Souk is unparalleled. You’ll encounter the finest strands of Iranian saffron, such as the potent negin grade, characterized by its vivid crimson tips and perfect for crafting an aromatic cup of tea.
For culinary ventures, sargol grade offers a robust flavor profile suited for a variety of dishes. For a subtler touch, the pushal variety, with its lighter yellow and orange hues, is an excellent choice. When selecting saffron, aim for uniform redness and a honeyed, floral fragrance to ensure you’re taking home the essence of quality.
Other Market and Shops Nearby
Of course, Dubai Spice Souk is the best place to shop any sort of spices particularly the exotic ones but that doesn’t mean there is nothing more to shop for.
Dubai spice souk is surely a lovely vibrant place to every “soukaholic”. Apart from spices, you can stuff your bags with fragrant herbs, room fresheners, nuts, dry fruits, essential oils, textiles, perfumes, utensils and many more. Indeed, the Dubai Spice Souk is nestled within a complex of others specialized souks.
When visiting Dubai Spice Souk, ensure you make the most of being in the area. Just a stone’s throw away there is Dubai Gold Souk. There is also The Perfume Souk which offers traditional perfumes and fragrances. Additionally, the Old Souk is worth a visit for a taste of a traditional Arabian market. And last but not least, Souq Naif for budget friendly abaya.
All of the other souks you can visit are within approximately 300m, so is easy walkable.
Conclusion
When visiting Dubai, it is easy to forget about the ancient heritage that the city holds. This is due to the modern way of living and the many luxurious activities and places there are here.
Make sure you take a day off to walk through the many traditional souks of Dubai as we are sure you will not regret it.
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