Shopping Spree in Dubai

Tagged as the shopping capital of the Middle East, Dubai has a market place situated on the creek side where open-air shopping and bargaining takes place. This is known as Dubai’s souk district. Souk means market place in Arabic where goods of any kind can be brought and exchanged. Traditionally, nearby countries like Sri Lanka, China, and India bring goods from their country by dhows (lateen-rigged boat) and discharge their cargos to be sold in the souk which is just adjacent to the docks. A great number of nationals and tourists shop in the souk. Tourists from within the region and nearby countries as far as Eastern Europe, Africa, an Indian Subcontinent also enjoy shopping in the souk where bargaining is part of the craze.

 

In Dubai, there are outlets that operate on a fixed-price basis like boutiques, department stores, supermarkets, and some electronic shops while others consider friendly negotiation and bargaining.

 

Modern shopping centers and malls abound in the city. There is the Dubai Duty Free at the Dubai International Airport which offers almost all kinds of imported merchandise that come in different branded names catering to the multinational passengers of Dubai International Airport. Prices come in US dollars.

 

Below is a list of shopping centers in Dubai sourced online that are worth visiting:

 

The Dubai Mall – This world’s largest mall, is home to every imaginable fashion brand in the world. It also features world-class entertainment and houses five-star hotels within their group of chains.

Al – Ghurair City – This oldest mall in Dubai is where you can find traditional Emirati clothes, including stylish abayas and shaylas, Arabic jewelry and rugs.

Ibn Battuta Mall – This most unique and captivating mall in Dubai broken down into six

different themes from the countries Ibn Battuta travelled to. These are: China, India, Persia,

Egypt, Tunisia and Andalusia. There is a golf-cart shuttle to help you get around. It has also a

permanent exhibition of Islamic science, invention, and astronomy.

Emirates Towers Boulevard – A shopping centre near the Emirates Towers, this shopping place

enforces stringent security measures. It is frequented by wealthy people who can afford to shop

in exclusive designer shops like Armani, Gucci and Jimmy Choo.

Mall of the Emirates – This is one of the largest shopping centers in Dubai with its more than

200 shops, including international high street chains, luxury brand shops, and boutiques. It also

has a food outlet, a plaza, some restaurants and cafés, ski area and cinema.

Mercato Mall – This is the only Renaissance-themed shopping centre in the Middle East with trendy shops and restaurants to dine in.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah – A traditional souk in Arabian architecture with arched wooden ceilings in dim lighted passage ways into shops, it attracts mainly tourists being near hotels, many licensed bars and restaurants.

Burjamen Centre – This is the home of premium brand shops and luxury boutiques such as Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Calvin Klein and Tiffany.

 

Deira City Centre – This houses a wide selection of outlets of well-known highstreet brands and is the home of ‘Arabian Treasure’ souvenirs as well as a traditional textile area. The center also has a multiplex cinema, restaurants, cafés, and a busy hypermarket.

Dubai Festival City – This is an interconnected shopping center branded as a retail resort. It features stores, restaurants and cafes, and three major hotels. It has also a variety of well-known shops like Mark Jacobs, Marks & Spencer and IKEA.

Karama Shopping Centre – This is a popular souk-like area scattered along a busy backstreet that offers handicrafts, souvenirs, and accessories where you can purchase unbranded designer clothes and handbags at bargain prices.

Wafi Shopping Centre – This shopping place focuses on luxury brands, jewelry, and expensive boutiques. There is also a luxury spa, and there are licensed bars inside for drinking pleasure.

Al-Ain Shopping Centre – This is an electronic center that especializes in computers, including accessories, internal and external peripherals, gadgets and computer parts, including digital cameras.

Al-Khaleej Shopping Centre – This is also an electronic center smaller than Al-Ain where computers and all kinds of gadgets and computer accessories are showcased.

 

There are also best places highly recommended for shopper interested in gold and all sorts of

jewelries sold on retail. The best place for them to visit is the Gold Souk and Gold and Diamond

Park. It is a one-stop-shop for gold and jewelry shopping in Dubai.

 

Gold Souk – This is the largest gold market situated at the mouth of a Creek in Deira. It is a

historic and traditional market with hundreds of shops that offer all kinds of jewelry. This is

where shoppers can feast on diamond rings, pearl necklaces and gold bangles.

Gold & Diamond Park – An Arabian designed center at Interchange 4 on the Sheikh Zayed Road, this houses over 30 retailers, and over 100 manufacturers of gold and diamond jewels. In this center prices in good deals are negotiable.

 

Dubai conducts a month-long Shopping Festival in the month of January each year. During this period, the entire emirate becomes one massive shopping mall, spicing up a great shopping experience with musical shows, art exhibitions and folk dances.