Useful information about spice market in Dubai

Vacationers in the United Arab Emirates need to visit the spice market in Dubai, which is located in the old city. This place combines oriental traditions and flavor. A lot of spices from all over the world, the opportunity to taste national cuisine, beautiful photos are not the only advantages of visiting the market.

Briefly about Spice Souk

Here they sell all products of plant origin that are used for cooking. The appearance of the spice market in Dubai coincided with the beginning of the commercial development of the country. At the beginning of the 20th century, on the shores of the Persian Gulf, locals and merchants began to offer spices from the East and from other countries. Gradually, trade expanded, but shops and street vendors remained the same.

What you need to know about Spice Souk, description:

• Most of the merchants are newcomers. More often you will communicate with sellers, and not the owners of the shop.
• In addition to spices, they sell dried fruits, nuts, rose and orange water. Lots of coffees and teas.
• Sellers understand English. There will be problems with Russian here.
• Prices in the central part are higher than in stores in Dubai. Searching takes a lot of time.

Much of the spice market in Dubai is almost never used in Russian or European cuisine. They can be bought as souvenirs for friends and relatives. It is recommended to buy only those seasonings that you will use in your cooking. Although the choice is huge, it is recommended to limit yourself.

Location how to get there

The market is located in the tourist area, on the Creek embankment. You can get to the spice market in Dubai by taxi or public transport. Opening hours – from 10:00 to 22:00. On Friday, the traditional short day for the UAE is from 16:00 to 22:00. But at this time, not all shops and shops are open. Therefore, it is recommended to reschedule the visit to another day.

How to get to the market:

• By bus. Buses 27, C07, C09, C28 run through it.
• Metro. At the Airport Terminal 1 airport station, you need to take the red line and get to Union Station. From here you need to walk 500 m.
• By taxi. Landing price – 5 AED, for 1 km – up to 1.82 AED. You can order from the hotel or from anywhere in the city.

You should not go to the spice market in Dubai in the morning. Trade and selection of goods appear only at 12:00. But this time can be spent on beautiful photos, look at various seasonings and their packaging without crowding. The passage of vehicles into the territory is prohibited, the exception is a special cargo. It is not recommended to linger until closing time.

Purchases

At Dubai Spice Souk you can find traditional and national, rare spices and seasonings. It is recommended to make a shopping list in advance so as not to buy too much. Preliminarily studied culinary recipes, where this or that remedy can be used. An alternative reason for shopping is souvenirs. In this case, the appearance is more important than the practical side.

What can be bought:

• Popular – cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, saffron.
• Local – black lemons, orchid roots, dried barberries.
• Completely dried fruits, an analogue of our dried fruits. The difference is that the shape and color are preserved.

When shopping for souvenirs at the spice market in Dubai, take a close look at the packaging. It must be completely sealed. Sets of seasonings that differ in texture and color look beautiful. Sometimes you can find glass containers that are filled with layers of spices.

Market prices

An important point is that prices at the spice market in Dubai are not controlled by the state and local authorities. Be prepared for the obsession of sellers. In reviews of the market, they often write about importunity, turning into physical contacts – they pull on the sleeves, turn to their product. The same applies to the price. Spices in one shop can cost 20-30% cheaper or more expensive compared to neighboring ones.

Travel Tips:

• Decide in advance on the list of goods. No need to take spices or spices that will not be useful later when cooking.
• Start your detour from the center of the spice market, gradually moving towards the edge. This will allow you to see the entire list of goods, find out the difference in price.
• Examine the scent of the herb. It doesn’t have to be artificial.
• Do not buy right away, go around several shops, shops.
• Examine the packaging. It must be intact, without visible abrasions and defects. Sellers primarily try to sell old goods.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to bargain. Locals are used to the fact that Europeans do not try to lower the price, so at the beginning they will insist on the original one. If you act assertively, the price of seasonings on the market can drop by 30-40%.

Attractions nearby

In addition to the condiment market, there are several attractions in Deira, Dubai. The nearest one is the gold market. Here you can buy jewelry, ingots. But unlike the Dubai Spice Souk, prices are controlled by the government. Here you will not buy fake or low-quality jewelry. Here you can and should bargain.

Other attractions:

• Nasser Square. This is a large shopping complex with several malls, shops and boutiques. Here you can find relatively inexpensive branded items.
• Deira Creek. Convenient for renting boats and boats for excursions around the Persian Gulf. Feature – here is the oldest boat station in the city.
• River taxi station “31”. Tourists can hire a boat taxi to navigate the canals of Dubai.

When planning a trip to the spice market in Dubai, you can visit other city attractions located nearby. Remember that the selection of products can take from 1 to 3-4 hours.