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Shopping - Dubai
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Dubai Navigation |
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Shopping |
| Top Shopping & Eating Streets |
 Shopping and eating on these busy streets continues until midnight most nights, even later on weekends (Thur and Friday).
Al-Dhiyafah Rd (btwn Al-Satwa & Al-Mina Rds, Satwa) A giant Book Corner, sheesha shops, Lebanese Sweet _ Palace, and the same sort of restaurants, cafes, fast-food outlets and Internet cafes that you'll find on Al-Rigga Rd.
Al-Rigga Rd (Rigga) When you tire of shopping at Al-Gurhair City head here to refuel - there's a wide range of tasty Middle Eastern restaurants featuring outdoor seating, such as Automatic, Al-Safadi and Al-Najani, Iranian sweet shops, Damascus Sweets and Ice Cream, and several Internet cafes.
Al-Satwa Rd (btwn Al-Dhiyafah & Al-Hudheiba Rds) This street contains lots of electronics and sweet shops. If s the place to buy shoes, textiles, bags and suitcases. If you're in the area it's worth a wander for the buzz.
Sheikh Zayed Rd Upmarket shopping at Emirates Towers Shopping Boulevard, stylish cafes and sheesha spots, and some super restaurants in the many five-star hotels. |
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Souq to Souq |
 The souqs have no set opening hours. Most open before 10am and while some close between 1pm and 4pm, many a open right through to 9pm or 10pm. For most people, especially in the hotter months, visiting the souqs is done in the late afternoon or early evening. |
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| Bur Dubai Souq |
| On the waterfront of the Bur Dubai side of the Creek is this traditional souq. Under a wooden arcade, you'll find a few Arabian handicrafts and 'antique' stores, a number of textile shops selling fabrics from India, Thailand, Indonesia and Korea, clothes and shoe stores, some selling cheap Dubai T-shirts, and several stalls selling cute souvenirs and toys. This is the place to get your mosque alarm clock and dancing Daler Me'hndi (ap Indian pop star) dell. Wander along narrow lanes between wind-tower buildings to the bustling backstreets. surrounding the souq and you can get a sari or suit made, haggle for digital cameras and electronics, buy cheap luggage and stock up on the latest Bollywood tapes. |
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| Deira Covered Souq |
| Enclosed in the area between Al-Sabkha Rd and 67 St, and Naif Rd amd Al-Maktoum Hospital Rd, the most interesting area is right in the middle, just west of the Al-Sabkha Rd bus station. Here you'll find textiles, spices, kitchenware, walking sticks, sheeshas, clothes and a lifetime's supply of hemna. Attractively patterned muslin headscarves and shawls cost about DhlO with bargaining. Pretty wooden bead bracelets are there. The prices of textiles here are the same as in the Bur Dubai Souq. |
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Deira Gold Souq |
| Even if you don't plan on buying anything, it's worth a visit to the souq to take in the atmosphere and ogle at the jewellery on offer. The main drag of the Gold Souq runs along Sikkatal-Khail St, between Suq Deira and Old Baladiya Sts. The other part of the souq runs along 45 St, which comes off Sikkat al-Khail St to form a T-shape. Wooden lattice archways and roofs cover the entire area. Deira Spice Souq
This is the place to wander around for an authentic taste of traditional Dubai. The spices are mainly found at the souq's eastern end, closest to the Creek. Sacks overflow with frankincense, oud, dried lemons, ginger root, cardamom, dried fruit, nuts, pulses and saffron. For a few dirhams you can take home a bag of whatever exotic ingredients you want. Other shops in this souq sell tacky trinkets, kitchen-wares, rugs, glassware and textiles, all at very low prices. The alleyways here are atmospheric and narrow, and are wonderful to explore. |
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| Palm Lane Market (Safa Park) |
To expats and locals this market is something of a novelty in Dubai, but this is what most visitors would be used to back home - arts and crafts, bric-a-brac, ethnic products, a nd original jewellery and fashion. Opened by a couple of South African women who pitched the concept to Dubai Municipality
the 70-stall market is held from 10am to 3pm on the first and last Thursday of each month during winter. Unique items on sale include Stanley Van Breda's jewelled lingerie straps, which have proven to be a real hit. |
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Souq al-Arsah |
| If you have the time take a trip to Sharjah, which is the best place to shop for old Arabian sou venirs. In this beautifully restored atmospheric souq, you may actually come across genuine Arabian khanjars, trays coffeepots, Bedouin jewellery and canes. You'll also find Kashmiri pashminas, Syrian tablecloths, Iranian bedspreads, Indian cushion covers, wooden inlaid boxes, carved tables and hanging lamps. |
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Best Buys |
 ARABIAN SOUVENIRS & BEDOUIN JEWELLERY
Most 'Arabian' souvenirs are made in India or Oman, although more and more are being produced locally. Browse the souvenir and handicraft stores at Deira City Centre (pi 26) and Bur-
Jurman Centre for the highest quality. Karama Shopping Centre, Bur Dubai and Deira Souqs are the places to go for low prices. The Sharjah souqs have the greatest range. You can also check out the stalls in the Heritage Village, while most five-star hotels also have stores selling quality souvenirs, jewellery and carpets, although prices are higher.
A memorable souvenir is a dalla (copper coffeepot), which cost different rates for small (about 8cm high) and large ones (about 50cm high). Add some foldable wooden legs and you have a lovely coffee table.
Carved wooden or leather stuffed camels make a cute souvenir and cost anything from . Woollen camel bags, which are normally slung over a camel's back and have large pockets either side, can be used to make cushions. They mainly come from Afghanistan and cost anything from Dhl50 to Dh500, depending on their size and quality. You can buy these and camel rugs at a market attached to the Dubai Camel Racecourse (pi 08).
The camel rugs and cloths arejnade of heavy cotton in a wide range of designs and colours.
Sheeshas (also known as water pipes, hubble-bubbles and nargilehs) make great sou-venirs. Most come in cases, making them easy to transport, check that air flows through well. There are a number of accessories you'll need; you can buy these separately for a few dirhams each, or in a complete kit. Sheeshas are available from souqs, specialised stores, tobacconists, supermarkets and souvenir shops. |
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| Much of the Bedouin jewellery on sale in Dubai originates from Oman. If you are travelling on to Oman or Saudi Arabia you may find a better selection at cheaper prices. Silver Bedouin bracelets, necklaces and earrings are sold by weight, but often the shopkeeper has a fixed price for such items. You'll also pay more for intricate workmanship and quality. Larger silver prayer 'holders, gunpowder horns, and khanjars make unique gifts. A gunpowder horn can cost some amount for well-crafted items in good condition. Quality prayer holders made of white metal are not as valuable as the silver ones. Khanjars:
Khanjars (traditional curved daggers) are worn mainly by Emirati men in the rural east and north of the country. Traditionally the handles of these daggers were made from rhino horn, although today they are almost always made from Wood. Khanjars come in two basic designs: regular khanjars are identified by two rings where a belt is attached; Sayidi Khanjati have five rings. Regular khanjars are decorated entirely, or almost entirely, with thin silver wire. The intricacy of the thread pattern, and the skill with which it is executed, are among the main determinants of value. Sayidi khanjars are often covered entirely in silver sheet and little or no wire is used.
The most important things to look for in assessing a khanjar's quality are weight and the workmanship on the scabbard. A khanjar is a substantial item and ought to feel like one when you pick it up. Some khanjan have a second knife inserted in a small scabbard attached to the back of the main scabbard. Don't pay too much of a premium for one of these - the knives in question are often cheap steak knives that have a bit of silver rapped around the handle.
Be wary of information regarding the age of individual pieces; few khanjars will be more than 20 to 40 years old, and quality of workmanship, not age, should be the prime criterion. |
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CARPETS |
Persian carpets, Turkish and Kurdish kilims, Turkmen, Bukhara, Kashmiri and Afghan rugs are widely available. Whenever you buy a carpet you will be given a certificate of authentication guaranteed by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, so you canbe sure that the Turkmen rug you're about to spend Dh4000 on is actually a Turkmen rug. For more information on the history of Persian carpets, how they are made and what look for when buying one, see the boxed texts the Art of Carpet Buying (below) and Top Five Carpet-Buying Books.
For the best range of carpets, go to the Central Market (pl55), in the neighbouring en ate of Sharjah, a 20-minute drive from Dubai, or to the shops listed in this chapter.The only problem is that each year the prices creep up as more tourists come here to shop There is room to bargain, so if you're having trouble getting the price you want, just go to the next shop - there are dozens of them. Be aware that the carpet sellers here are not exclusively retailers; there are a few wholesalers as well. If you seek out these shops you'll get much better prices. In Dubai, Deira City Centre (pi26) has the greatest number of carpet shops, as do the streets around"Baniyas Sq. |
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DESIGNER FAKES |
| The shopping areas in Karama and Al-Satwa Rd sell imitation brand-name goods such as watches, sunglasses and handbags, along with copy CDs, DVDs and software. Although it is said that the authorities have cracked down on sales of these goods, shops in these areas openly sell this merchandise. Those that don't are likely to keep the imitation stuff under the counter, while others will whisper 'fake Rolex, fake Gucci' from a darkened lane. If you follow the sound you'll more than likely be lead up some stairs to a fake brand heaven. |
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| The Art of Carpet Buying |
Buying carpets requires great skill and patience and an understanding of the intricacies of the trade. These tips might help you navigate your way through the rigours of the purchasing process.
• Do not feel embarrassed or obliged to buy just because the shop attendant has unrolled 40 carpets for you; this is part of the ritual.
• Ask many questions and bargain hard over a long period of time (preferably two to three visits) to get the very best price.
• Remember that rugs from Iran or Turkmenistan are generally more valuable than those from Kashmir or Turkey. Silk rugs are more valuable than wool ones.
• The more knots there are per square inch, the more valuable the rug (flip the corner of a rug over and have a look at the back).
• Look closely at the detail in the design of the carpet and compare it with others. The more intricate the patterns the more expensive it will be. The value of a carpet is also raised by the name of the family who made it.
• Natural dyes are more expensive than artificial dyes. Antique rugs are always naturally dyed. A naturally dyed rug will appear to be slightly faded, but this is not considered a flaw. The settling down of natural dyes creates a carpet that is well balanced in colour and tone.
• If you are buying an artificially coloured carpet check that the colours have not bled. Artificial dyes are used widely now and can be just as attractive as the natural dyes. Unless you are a realpurist it really doesn't matter. |
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ELECTRONICS
The UAE is the cheapest place in the region to buy electronics. If it plugs into a wall you can buy it here and the, selection is huge. Shop attendants are not very knowledgeable about their stock so itnelps to have done your research before setting off. If you're after the no-name stuff, it is also a good idea, and accepted practice in the UAE, to plug your new gadget in at the shop to make sure that it works properly. If you are looking for cheap electronics and digital technology, try Al-Fahidi St in Bur Dubai. Another place to look is the Electronics Souq, which covers an area around the corner of Al-Sabkha and Al-Maktoum Hospital Rds, near Baniyas Sq. A portable CD player may cost anything from. |
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Dubai Shopping Festival |
| The month-long Dubai Shopping Festival, held every year from January to February, is promoted aggressively and brings in hordes of tourists from around the world. This is the best time to visit Dubai. Aside from the massively reduced stock on sale in all the shopping malls, the weather is glorious and the city is abuzz with activity There is nightly family entertainment, Arabian horse parades, traditional performances and heritage displays, art exhibitions, concerts, theatre, comedy, sports events and abra (small flat-deck motorboat) races. Outdoor souqs and amusement rides are set up in most neighbourhoods, with the best being by the waterside across from the UK embassy on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek. Here you can shop, watch the nightly fireworks and eat at Fatafeet (p79) or a range ot other stalls selling food from around the world. The main attraction of the festival, however, is the giant funfair and kitsch Global Village. Scores of countries set up giant pavilions to sell their national products and host cultural peiformances. You can buy Bavarian food from the German pavilion, colourful embroidery from the Palestinian pavilion, Oriental perfumes from the Saudis, pottery from the Tunisian stand and so on. And in between shopping you can enjoy Chinese opera, whirling dervishes, Yemeni folk dancers and more. Arrive at the 4pm opening time to avoid the trafflcand crowds, although it bustles around midnight. |
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FABRICS |
| The best place to buy fabrics is the Bur Dubai Souq and along Al-Fahidi St, Bur Dubai. In fact, that's mostly what you'll find there. All kinds and qualities of textiles from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Korea are available. Cotton fabrics, depending on the weave, cost anywhere from 30 fils to Dh5 per metre, silk costs around Dh8 per metre and linen about Dh7 per metre. There are also plenty of tailors, all of whom are good at what they do. They work very quickly so if you only have a few days in Dubai you'll still have time to have something made. A simple woman's skirt may cost about Dh30, while a more complex skirt, blouse or trousers will cost from Dh40 to Dh50. A man's shirt costs about Dh25, while you can get a suit made for about Dhl50. |
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GOLD |
Dubai has a well-deserved reputation as the City of Gold - even veterans of Middle Eastern gold markets will be blown away by the sheer scale of the Deira Gold Souq). Every conceivable kind of jewe lery and precious product is on offer: ring, necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets coins and ingots. Designs are tradition and modern, futuristic and conservativ Artisans can alter the composition of alk to create pink, white, yellow or green hi in the one piece of jewellery.
In most Gulf countries, a bride is laden with gold jewellery on her wedding day Gold given to a bride must be new, so trad-ition alone keeps a constant flow of custom-ers coming to Dubai. Strict laws involving authenticity can quickly put gold traders out of business if they try to dupe a customer, so if a shop attendant tells you that a piece of jewellery is 22 carat (meaning that 22 of the 24 parts of the alloy are gold, the rest being zinc, copper and silver) you can be confident it is.
Gold is sold by weight and prices fluctuate almost daily. There is room to bargain so don't accept the first price and shop around. Prices vary depending on whether the piece was made by a machine or an artisan. A 22-carat machine-made gold bracelet could cost around Dh300, while an intricately handcrafted one may cost Dh500. An elaborate necklace can cost Dh 1500. Small items, such as simple earrings or a pendant, can be purchased for under Dhl50 in lower grades of gold and can go up to Dh500 or more for 21- or 22-carat gold. |
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PERFUME & INCENSE |
When you pass Emirati women you are sure to catch a whiff of exotic perfume and incense. For centuries Arab women have smothered themselves in both. When there was no air-conditioning, and precious little water in the deserts to wash bodies and clothes, people needed something to cover the smell of perspiration. This is why attar (Arabic perfume) is very strong and spicy, unlike Western perfumes, which tend to1 be flowery and light.
You'll find perfume shops in all the shopping centres in Dubai, but the best place to look is the Perfume Souq, an area on Sikkat al-Khail St in Deira, just east of conditioning, and precious little water in the deserts to wash bodies and clothes, people needed something to cover the smell of perspiration. This is why attar (Arabic perfume) is very strong and spicy, unlike Western perfumes, which tend to be flowery and light.
You'll find perfume shops in all the shopping centres in Dubai, but the best place to look is the Perfume Souq, an area on Sikkat al-Khail St in Deira, just east of the Deira Gold Souq. Shopkeepers will want to daub you senseless with various perfumes, but a word of warning, the Arabic perfumes are oil-based and once on your clothes they can leave a stain. You can buy perfumes in bottles ranging from 12mL to 36mL. It is sold by the tolah (a unit of measure equalling l2ml or 12g) and prices vary, depending on the perfume. The cheapest costs about Dh10 per tolah while the most expensive is about Dhl500 per tolah. This expensive stuff, made from agar wood from Malaysia, is extremely concentrated. In fact, it's so concentrated that you will probably find it rancid and quite disgusting when you smell it in the perfume shop. When it settles down, though, it has a lovely, spicy fragrance and one drop is enough to last the whole day.The perfume shops also sell an enormous range of incense. It can be in the form of compressed powder, crystals, rock or wood (oud). Luban (frankincense) is probably the most common form of incense. The quality varies. Frankincense from Japan is not as valuable as that from Iran or the Dhofar region of southern Oman. The cheaper frank-Incense costs about Dh20 per kilogram and ihe more expensive stuff is about Dh50. The somok (wooden incense) is the nicest and most valuable of all incenses and is produced from Malaysian agar wood. When burnt it emits a sweet, rich log-fire smell. Agar incense ranges in price, depending on quality, from Dhl0 to Dh30. To burn incense you can either buy an electric incense burner, which has a metal plate that heats up, or you can buy a box of Magic Coal charcoal (it's Japanese, comes in a black box and is the longest-lasting coal) or heat beads. Set them alight over a gas burner or hotplate until they glow, then put a piece of incense on top. The colourful burners themselves make great souvenirs. |
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