The sights, sounds, and smells of the Dubai Spice Souk

• Saturday to Thursday: 09:00 A.M to 10:00 P.M 
• Friday: 04:00 P.M to 10:00 P.M 
• Closed from 01:00 P.M to 04:00 P.M daily

• The best time to visit the souk would be during the late afternoons and evenings. 
• There’s so much to see at the souk so plan a visit during your leisure time so you don’t end up hurrying.

One of the most popular traditional markets in Dubai is the Spice Souk. The Spice Souk has also been a famous tourist attraction over the decades as it offers an assortment of aromatic spices. The Dubai Spice Souk is located in Deira, next to the Dubai Gold Souk. The spice souk is a vibrant and aromatic marketplace. As soon as you enter these narrow lanes, get ready for a sensory experience with spices from different regions. Savor the atmosphere as you’re introduced to heaps of fragrant spices and herbs from every stall. You will be sure to find some strong-smelling spices as well as light and sweet spices.

The spice souk is home to about 150 retailers selling a melange of exotic spices in small heaps. The vendors stock up on fresh spices like herbs, dried flowers, and pods every day that are shipped from different countries such as India, Pakistan, and Iran. As you enter the market, you can find these spices neatly displayed in gunny sacks in front of each shopfront. Locals go on a shopping spree at the spice market every week. And as for tourists, even though it’s not a tourist spot, they flock here to enjoy the vibrant colors of the herbs and spices, take photographs, and, of course, buy the aromatic spices. There’s so much that you can buy at the Spice Souk. There’s a whole range from kitchen spices to medicinal herbs, incense burners, basmati rice, dry fruits, and hair oils. The Souk really has it all. You name it, they have it.

• The Spice Souk is a center of cross-cultural interaction in addition to spices. Talk to amiable store owners who are happy to impart their expertise on the history and applications of each spice. Seize the chance to discover the traditional ingredients and cooking methods of Arabic cuisine.
• Make sure you wear the right clothes. Dubai has a hot climate, so make sure you wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes that will keep you cool and protect you from sunburn.
• Bring plenty of water. You will need to stay hydrated, so make sure you bring enough water to last the day.
  Wear sunscreen. The sun can be intense in the desert, and you want to avoid getting burned.
• You will be spending a lot of time outdoors, so make sure you wear something comfortable and easy to walk in.
• Enjoy the food. One of the best parts about visiting the spice souk is trying all the different foods. There are plenty of street vendors selling traditional snacks, so be sure to try as many as you can and if you are foodie then you should check the best places to eat in Dubai with delicious delights.

Pro Tip: Do not hesitate to Haggle / Bargain to get the best prices. It is customary to Bargain here.

The spice souk has an array of potent and light spices. You can find your seasoning staples such as cinnamon sticks, Sichuan peppercorn, cardamom, coriander, and curry powder. The market also has some unusual choices, some of them being ancient orange peel, dried cucumbers, and preserved lemons. 

If you’re specifically looking for Arabian spices, then you’re at the right place. You can find a wide range of Arabian favorites here,from sesame seeds to sumac. One of the most popular spices that you can find here at the market is saffron. There are different grades of saffron here; it would be a trick to choose the right saffron. So make sure you choose the right saffron.

Besides these spices, the spice market also sells other items such as oud perfumes, a perfect souvenir from Dubai, crunchy nuts, dry fruits, henna, tea, and certain Arabian souvenirs such as embroidered artifacts and pashminas.

There’s so much that the spice souk offers, that you’d surely be confused on what to buy. Some of the most popular buys at the market are saffron, rose water, sheesha or water pipes, vanilla pods, cinnamon sticks, and dried lemons. Besides this, if you’re a tea lover, you should definitely buy the hibiscus, rosebud, and lavender tea at the spice souk.

The best thing about these markets is that you can haggle your way into buying these products. Unlike malls and shopping centers, there’s no such rule that you can’t bargain. The best way to get the best deal is by offering fifty percent of the price at the start and then gradually increasing the amount. Walking away can also get you a good deal; being dramatic can get you what you want! 

If you’re still unsure, then just watch the locals bargain and offer the same price. So, brush up your haggling skills and get yourself the best possible price.

The spice souk is located next to the gold souk in Deira on Baniyas Street. You can take the water taxi or Abra from Dubai Creek, and its a short walk from there. You can also take a metro to the Al Ras metro station and walk up to the souk.

Want to spice up your cooking? Then you most definitely have to pay a visit to the Spice Souk during your visit to Dubai. You will find a variety of aromatic spices, and you’ll fall in love with the smell. Dubai has been famous for its local markets, and it should certainly be included in your itinerary. Plan a family trip to Dubai with PickYourTrail and get your own customized itinerary.