Our favorite shopping spots in Dubai: Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Textile Souk

Dubai, the City of Gold, has much more than shimmering gold to entice tourists eager to find unique souvenirs of their travels. On our first visit to the Middle East and Dubai, we wanted to experience the cultural side of this modern city, and we found what we were looking for in the traditional souks, or Middle Eastern markets. We asked for recommendations from our concierge at Park Hyatt Dubai for some good shopping areas and he recommended Souk Madinat and the Textile Souk, which is also next to the Spice Souk and Gold Souk. Beyond a fantastic cultural experience, souks were the perfect spot to find extraordinary gifts from the region to bring home to our friends and family. We found the perfect souvenirs for our 2 year old son and 4 year old daughter who were staying at home with family during this dream vacation. Hands down the Textile Souk was our favorite for bargain shopping, but the Souk Madinat was a highlight for its beauty and atmosphere. It was designed to look like the ancient traditional Arabian souks and had an enchanting ambience, not to mention great views of the Burj Al Arab.

First, let’s explore the Souk Madinat Jumeirah. We fell in love as soon as our taxi arrived because of the beautiful authentic Arabian architecture, with its sexy curves and arches.

We also were excited to get some photos of the Burj Al Arab, the 3rd tallest hotel in the world which is a famous landmark of Dubai with its sailboat silhouette. The most luxurious hotel in the world, which is known as the the world’s only 7-star hotel, only allows non-staying guests to enter who have a reservation in one of their restaurants. We decided to skip the $150 afternoon tea (which we heard was way overrated from some fellow travelers) and snap some photos from Souk Madinat before moving on with our other adventures in Dubai (including Miracle Garden and Global Village).

Souk Madinat recreates the traditional Middle Eastern souk with its authentic Arabian architecture, lanterns, and labyrinths.
Once inside, we felt like we were transported back in time. Arabian perfumes and essences wafted into the air while we meandered the passageways. We loved exploring the traditional Arabian market’s treasures and trinkets. Souk Madinat combines traditional Arabian stalls, stands and barrows with boutique brands, luxury fashion, home accessory stores, and more to cater to both the luxury shopper and those looking for local bargains. There are gifts to please even the most discerning shopper, such as beautiful turquoise and coral jewelry, gemstone laden statues, ornate Arabic coffee pots, mosaic Arabic lamps, brightly colored hookahs, and luxurious oriental rugs. I could have gone crazy with the shopping but was holding back for the Textile Souk, where I would be able to bargain and get some excellent deals on one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

Another reason we loved Souk Madinat was the enchanting outdoor waterways where you can take a ride on an abra (boat) for 85 AED and tour around the Madinat Jumeirah resort. There are several restaurants with outdoor seating looking out onto the beautiful waterway and it’s a lovely spot for lunch.

Our next cultural shopping adventure was the textile souk, which was my favorite because of all the fantastic bargains and mix of cultures in a market experience authentic to the Arabian culture. We arrived in the evening about an hour before closing time, which was perfect because the vendors were slashing prices and eager to make deals. Like at Souk Madinat, there is something to please pretty much any shopper at the textile souk, but it is a very different shopping experience. Be prepared to be chased around and called after if you show any interest in the merchandise. Once I was seen purchasing a scarf, all the vendors were running up to me showing me their best scarves and trying to convince me to buy theirs as well. I ended up buying about 5 that night mainly for that reason, but got some excellent deals at the end of the night. I have done my fair share of bargaining in Cameroon in the traditional markets, so this experience was very similar and is something I have come to enjoy. If you don’t like bargaining, no problem, just be prepared to pay more for your purchases.

We may or may not have entered into a hidden room by the allure of knockoff designer purses and watches.  We might have purchased a faux Prada and Rolex. 😉 Sneaking into a hidden room at the textile souk is a cultural experience that is part of the Dubai experience, and it felt like the most criminal thing we’ve ever done. 😉 Hey, even Carrie Bradshaw did it in the Sex and the City movie when she was visiting the souk in Adu Dhabi, although her experience ended with a chase by the police.

At the end of our shopping extravaganza, we had worked up an appetite and made our way to a wonderful restaurant on the water with great views of the dhow boats all lit up in their glory for the dinner cruises. What a magical way to end an exhilarating day in Dubai. We enjoyed falafel and mixed grill while savoring the romantic ambience.

In summary, the souks are the way to go if you are looking for cultural gifts and the traditional Middle Eastern shopping experience in Dubai. Sure, you can check out the Dubai Mall which is a landmark in itself with the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain right there, but you will be missing out if that is your only shopping experience in Dubai. Go explore the Arabian souks for special gifts, bargain prices, and interesting cultural experiences. Souk Madinat and the textile souk were our favorites. Which is yours? Dubai has so much more to offer than shopping, so check out our posts about Miracle Garden, Global Village, Jumeirah Beach Residence, and the Burj Khalifa for more ideas on what to see in Dubai. We also recommend visiting neighboring Oman, which is just a short drive from Dubai, where you can experience glamour camping in the desert. If you liked this post and want to get tips to travel like a millionaire, please sign up for our email newsletter and RSS feed.