Dubai Spice Souk
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, Deidra Souk brims with a
variety of excellent wares, including a near endless multitude of spices, herbs, and tea. If you want to have a glimpse into the real side of Arabian life, then make sure you include a visit here to your Dubai itinerary.
History
Deira is Dubai’s
oldest suburb and the riverside hub where the first trading settlement began. After the implementation of extensive and
often culturally catastrophic modernization of Dubai, this is pretty much all that is left which is ancient and
authentic. If Dubai could be said to have an old town center, then Deidra, and its enticing bazaars, streets and
laneways, is definitely it.While many resorts try to replicate the ‘look’ of exotic Arabia, the excessive sterility of many leaves visitors none the wiser as to what life, and the city, really looked like before it was all bulldozed and reconstructed. The smells, sights, and sounds of the Dubai Spice Souk are mesmerizing and offer a unique experience in this ultra-modern, bustling metropolis.
What You Can Buy Here
There is no denying that the quality of the goods on offer nowadays is not nearly as high as what it once was. This is mainly due to the increase in supermarkets and bona-fide shops taking over most of the trade. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of bargains and great stuff to be found here, and haggling for a good price is infinitely more fun that seeing your item scanned at a cash register. It all adds to the old Dubai experience.
The most beloved aspect of shopping here is that you’ll get to meet hundreds of very friendly traders who specialize, and love, particular products. You can sit and share endless cups of chai with a rug maker, spice trader or a jeweler, and enjoy learning more about the product you intend to purchase. There will be teas to savoir, spices to smell, and perfumes to swoon over. If you manage to walk away without buying anything at all, then perhaps you ought to try harder.
Be lured in by the enchanting cries of sellers, who will do their utmost to get your attention (without ever coming across as pushy) and, whatever you do, don’t forget to bring your camera. The souk, with its infinite rows of hessian sacks filled with colorful spices, is one of the most photogenic spots in the entire city.
How to Complement your Bazaar Experience
Once all of your senses are blissfully exalted, pop into the Gold Souk next door. This Aladdin cave of wonders is a glistening site, worth seeing even if glow-n-the-dark gold jewelry is not to your liking. Like the Dubai Spice Souk, this is still very much a working bazaar (as opposed to a mere tourist attraction) so you’ll also find random stalls selling all sorts of daily necessities. Although this bazaar is indeed very interesting, it may not hold your interest for very long. The latest addition of slightly annoying, fake-designer bags and watches can be a turn off.
Various restaurant owners have capitalized on the popularity of the markets with tourists, yet do note that the eateries here are not necessarily the best in town nor are they, the best value for money. The best seafood in town is served in its most revered restaurants. Yet spending some time admiring the fresh catches, most of which you probably won’t even recognize, is a very entertaining thing to do.
How to Get There
The Deira suburb is about 12kms north of Downtown Dubai and most conveniently reached by taxi if you’re short on time, or dhow boat for added fun.You can also reach the area by Metro, with convenient stop at Palm Deira (closer to the fish market) and Ras stations, which is right next door to the Dubai Spice Souk. If it’s excessively steamy you can also skip the walk between the two and hop back on the Metro for the one-stop ride.
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Author: Laura Pattara. Last updated: Feb 16, 2015
Pictures of Dubai Spice Souk
