About Gold Souk Dubai
Places to visit while at the Gold Souk
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The Dubai Spice Souk is a traditional spice market which is located next to the famous Gold Souk. The fresh aroma of the spices and herbs that are displayed in beautiful baskets will entice you to stop and learn more about the variety of spices that are sold here. Besides the aromatic spices you can also buy beautiful shisha pipes, fragrant incense burners, henna kits, fragrant tea, a wide variety of nuts and dry fruits as well as an excellent selection of aromatic oils.
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The Al Fahidi Historical District of Dubai showcases the heritage and history of Dubai during the middle of the 19th century. The traditional old buildings, the winding streets and the traditional wind towers are still visible and wonderfully maintained for people to see what Dubai was originally like. The winding alleys will take you to beautiful traditional houses, museums, art galleries and food joints serving traditional Middle Eastern cuisines. Another highlight of the District is the Symposium House and Events House which features several cultural events and demonstrations by local craftsmen.
Exotic fragrance is the hallmark of the Emirates and the Deira Perfume Souk will take you to one of the most memorable olfactory journeys of your life. The alleys and lanes of this intoxicating market are filled with scents coming from the many perfume shops that have been in existence for centuries. Some of the best fragrances you can purchase from here are sweet and woody tones like oud, amber, bakhoor, musk, rose and saffron. You can also get customized scents made out for you by the vendors at the Perfume Souk.
Things to know before you go to Gold Souk Dubai
Location
The Gold Souk Dubai is located in the business district of Deira, Al Ras.
Opening hours
Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 10 pm
Friday - 4 pm to 10 pm
Most stores remain close between 1 pm to 4 pm
Best time to visit
The best time to explore the wonders of The Gold Souk in Dubai is between October to April when the weather in Dubai is relatively cool and pleasant. The temperatures range between 20°C to 25°C which makes wandering along the multiple lanes in the market a better experience than any other time of the year.
- By Metro - Take the Green Metro Line train that heads towards Al Ras Metro Station and get down at this station. From the station it is a short walk to the Gold Souk and you will need to head to Al Khor Street leading to old Baladiya Street. If you decide to walk you can either follow the route with the help of a map or ask for directions from the locals along the way.
- By Water Taxi - Head to Dubai Creek where there are Abraas or water taxis which will take you to the Gold Souk Dubai. When you get down you will need to walk towards the Dubai Fish Market and Deira Corniche which are right next to the Gold Souk.
- By Bus - The closest bus station to the Gold Souk is the Gold Souq Bus Station and bus service no 8 from Ibn Bus Station will take you to the Gold Souq Bus Station. From the station you will need to cross the pedestrian bridge over Al Khaleej Street and take the road leading westwards. The Gold Souk is just a few minutes away.
In addition to gold jewelry, some of the best buys from Gold Souk Dubai are other types of jewelry such as diamond studded ones, platinum and silver jewelry as well as strings of authentic pearls. You can also buy genuine gemstones like rubies, emeralds, sapphires as well as figurines and sculptures.
Highlights of Gold Souk Dubai
- Gold Souk Dubai is one of the largest gold markets in the world.
- Gold Souk Dubai has some of the most spellbinding selection of gold jewelry in the world made from the highest quality gold you can find.
- Gold Souk also has a wide selection of precious gems such as emeralds, rubies, pearls and sapphire.
- The Gold Souk has managed to maintain its quaint old style market structure with multiple lanes and hundreds of shops lining these lanes selling their wares.
- This is a great place to explore and just enjoy the vibrant ambience even if you do not intend to purchase anything.
Tips for visiting Gold souk Dubai
- It is best to visit the Gold Souk either in the evenings or at night as most of the stores are not air conditioned. Temperatures are lower in the evening and at night hence it is more comfortable to explore the market
- Know your gold! It is important that you understand gold, karat, current prices and other details when purchasing jewelry. The prices of gold fluctuates on a daily basis hence you will need to keep up with the current prices when you go to purchase gold or gold jewelry from Gold Souk Dubai
- Visit multiple shops before you finally decide on a purchase as you will see similar designs on many shops and you can easily get a good bargain if you patiently explore as many of the stores as possible
- Remember to bargain for every purchase as most of the retailers mark up the prices to leave room for haggling.
- Make sure you travel light so that you can move around easily and explore as much of the market as you can.
- The market is quite crowded hence make sure you travel safe and keep your purse and other belongings close to you.
- If you are visiting with kids then make sure they are within reach at all times
- Do not get trapped into buying from stalls or kiosks for a cheaper price as these may be fakes. The Government very strictly regulates the sale of gold in the Souk hence it is rare that you can be duped by fakes. However, it is still possible and you will need to be very careful from where you are making your purchase.
FAQ's for Gold Souk Dubai
What are the attractions near Gold Souk Dubai?
- The Spice Souk - The Spice Souk is a must visit for those who enjoy the refreshing aroma and taste of spices and the spice market in the old part of Dubai is a sight to behold. A wide variety of spices and herbs are displayed openly for visitors to browse through and make their purchase. You can buy spices, shisha pipes, henna kits, incense burners and so much more.
- Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili - on the edge of the Spice Souk there is this beautiful restored house of one of the most renowned Arabic poets, Mubarak Bin Al Oqaili. On display there are multilingual charts that showcase his achievements in life, some of his original manuscripts and several of his personal belongings. You can visit the private residence and just enjoy the calming ambience which is a complete contrast to the hustle bustle outside.
- Perfume Souk - Adjacent to the Gold Souk is the famous Perfume Souk of Dubai which will take you on an amazing aromatic journey that would completely overwhelm your olfactory senses. Besides what is being sold in the shops you can also get customized scents which are simply outstanding.
- Naif Souk - This is another market in the vicinity of the Gold Souk but the original market was burned down in 2008 and replaced with the new mall-like structure which is frequented by local women. The place is famous for bargain shopping, costume jewelry, cosmetics and other accessories.
- Dhow Wharfage - Take a walk to the Creek and just enjoy the views of colorful dhow that are used to bring in everything from air conditioners to candies. This is a great place to click some really awesome pictures with a really interesting backdrop to boot.
What is unique about Gold Souk?
The Gold Souk Dubai is one of the largest gold markets in the world and the amount of gold jewelry on display is simply staggering. Despite the amount of gold here there are no security guards on doorways to any of the shops. This is one of the oldest traditional gold markets in the Emirates and there are more than 350 retailers selling gold which is tax free. It is one of the most famous attractions in Dubai and worth exploring even if you do not have any intentions of making a purchase. The variety of design and the diversity of the jewelry here is simply incomparable.
What are the documents required to purchase gold from Gold Souk Dubai?
Documents are not required to purchase gold from Gold Souk Dubai but you will need documents to take the gold back to your country. Some of the documents that you may need are proof of purchase and a declaration form should be filed with the customs.
What can I buy at the Gold Souk?
At Gold Souk Dubai you can buy gold jewelry of every kind and design, gold bars, silver jewelry, precious gems like rubies and emeralds, religious figurines and souvenirs.
What is the best time of the day to visit Gold Souk?
The best time of the day to visit Gold Souk Dubai is in the evenings or at night when the temperatures come down to a pleasant level and you can explore the market for as long as you want. Most of the shops here do not
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