All you need to know about shopping in Dubai

The city's souks

Clustered around Dubai Creek, traditional souks bring something special to any Dubai trip – and often help visitors leave with something special, too.

The Gold Souk, located in Deira, is packed with independent traders selling everything from gold, silver, diamonds and watches, to intricate bespoke creations. To score the best prices, engage in some friendly bartering and always offer to pay in cash – shops often charge extra for credit cards. 

Just around the corner is the Perfume Souk, a collection of small shops offering bespoke fragrances and essential oils. If you’ve ever dreamed of having a custom perfume, this is your chance as plenty of shops will help you create your own signature scent.

Discover new flavours and recipes at the Spice Souk – the one-stop-shop for exotic spices, fruit and dried foods. Pick up some saffron at a good price, and don’t forget to sample the local dates, which you may find hard to resist buying afterwards. Like other souks, you can save money when you buy in bulk quantities – and vendors expect you to haggle.

A short abra ride across the water to Bur Dubai is the Textile Souk, where you can find vibrant fabric, clothing and plenty of fun souvenirs. If you have a bit more time and ambition, you could also be fitted for your own bespoke garment – a service you can find from the many expert tailors in nearby Satwa.

Independent boutiques and markets

Dubai is also home to extraordinarily creative designers, creators and curators – perfect for people in search of a one-off original. Check out The Fashion Vault at Sunset Mall on Jumeirah Beach Road for a lively collection of fashion, beauty products and accessories.

Jumeirah has some of Dubai’s best independent boutiques, with many stores combining fashion and food such as Kulture House, O Concept and Comptoir 102. Dubai Design District is also a centre for fashion creators with sleek boutiques and concept stores.

For some local art, Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz is worth exploring. Home to local creatives, this vibrant hub is filled with galleries which feature regularly-changing exhibitions. The UAE’s arts scene has developed rapidly in recent years, so this is a chance to find cutting-edge pieces, often directly from the artist. 

If you’re looking for something more accessible, then ARTE, the Makers’ Market is free to attend and promotes local artists, with pop-ups in various locations around the city. Perfect for the gifting season, discover handmade collections made in the UAE.

For those looking to satisfy their inner foodie, Ripe Market offers an ever-changing mix of artisan crafts and culinary products. The weekend market also offers plenty of fun for the young ones, with a typical event offering everything from slime making to a petting zoo. Its locations include Police Academy Park and Times Square Center; keep your eye on Dubai Calendar for the latest events and information.

Find it all at the city's malls

Dubai’s malls are famous the world over, for very good reason. Far from being just large shopping centres, they are a nucleus for everything, from entertainment to community events and even exercise classes.

Whatever your holiday plans are, make some time for Dubai Mall. Along with a plethora of family-friendly activities, it's also a shopper's dream. Check out the mall's flagship Bloomingdale's store that houses choice luxury brands across three floors, Level Shoes for the world's largest collection of designer footwear or Galeries Lafayette for upscale labels with the French collector's touch. Fashion Avenue is home to cosmopolitan haute couture, and Dubai Mall Zabeel is packed with contemporary art and more shops. A charming juxtaposition is The Souk, which harks back to the city's traditional marketplaces with perfumes and jewellery.

For a truly immersive Far Eastern experience, check out the new Dubai Mall Chinatown. You'll be transported across the world, with aesthetics such as red lanterns, a flurry of neon lights and a giant panda sculpture. Shop for the latest Chinese tech, visit an avant garde art gallery and enjoy a delicious meal at Singapore's renowned Hawker Chan food stall. 

There are many other malls to choose from too. Mall of the Emirates is also known for Ski Dubai’s indoor ski slope, plenty of food and entertainment, as well as hundreds of great stores, including the only Harvey Nichols luxury department store in the city.

Dubai Hills Mall is another recent addition to the city's expansive shopping scene. Splash out on delicious meals, splurge on new apparel, fragrances and furniture or check off the grocery list at this must-visit lifestyle destination. Plus, don’t forget to book your tickets to The Storm Coaster and go on the world's fastest indoor roller coaster.

Dubai's latest retail destination is Cityland Mall. Located in Dubailand, the shopping hub is home to over 350 brand outlets across six culturally-themed pavilions, 75 dining spots and a cineplex with 10 screens. After your shopping spree, you can also unwind on the lush alfresco rooftop – which features everything from a Japanese garden to colourful botanical delights. 

Catch light shows and fabulous sunsets by the bay at Dubai Festival City Mall. The mall is perfect for families, with over 350 stores for the adults to peruse and dedicated entertainment venues like Fabyland for the little ones to enjoy. That’s not all, visitors will love IMAGINE, the record-setting water, light and laser projection show that takes place daily after sunset at Festival Bay.

For an inspiring experience, journey to Ibn Battuta Mall, which features courts themed around the travels of the legendary Arab explorer Ibn Battuta. The Persia Court is particularly impressive and you can sit and have a coffee under its enormous, intricately-decorated dome.

For fashion-focused bargain hunters, Dubai’s out-of-town outlet malls are a must-see. The Outlet Village takes its inspiration from traditional Italian markets, with shops behind stone-clad archways. Here, as well as at the modern Dubai Outlet Mall, you can find world-class fashion brands and unbeatable savings on designer labels.

A buzzing retail calendar

Dubai hosts exciting festivals offering amazing sales, heavyweight performances and attractive raffle prizes year round. Enjoy unmissable offers and winter fun during Dubai Shopping Festival from December to January, family-focused thrills and top bargains with Dubai Summer Surprises from June to September, and discounts on all things home at Dubai Home Festival right after. In between, holiday celebrations such as Eid, Diwali, Chinese New Year and more keep your shopping spree going strong.

See what's on during your holiday with Dubai Calendar or learn insider tips on souk shopping in Dubai.