Spice Souk


Dubai Spice Souk is an interesting destination for gourmands, culinary lovers, tourists, and anyone who wants to explore Old Dubai. A souk or souq is an Arabic term for an open air market. It's a free market where buyers can negotiate or haggle with merchants.  There are different types of souks (Gold Souk, Textile Souk, Perfume Souk, Fish Souk ..etc) Spice souk is a long stretch of open shops along narrow maze-like alleys spilling of every imaginable spice on display.


Where is it located? How to get there?

Dubai Spice souk is located along the Dubai Creek, Deira side.  Better reached and explored on foot if you're somewhere along downtown Deira, adjacent to Gold Souk. Otherwise, by cab or if you're around Bur Dubai, an abra boat ride or water taxi can take you across the creek.  It's a traditional wooden boat where you can enjoy the Old Dubai scenery for AED 1.00  one way per person. We spotted bicycles for rent too. There are also hop on hop off sightseeing tours available from Big Bus Tours.

Left: Spice Souvenir, Dubai Creek facing Deira and water taxis, Rental Bicycles at Spice Souk
A sensory delight
One can never get lost. The heady aroma can be smelled from a distance. Just continue sniffing until you get there. :)  Spices of all types from cardamom, turmeric, saffron, cloves, cumin, garam masala, cinnamon, and any that you can ever think of. These spices are coming from the Middle East region and other parts of the world. There are also dry fruits, nuts, dates, Basmati rice, shisha (hookah), tobacco, camel milk and even camel milk chocolate.

It's a perfect day for an open market trip.
Have a great Sunday!
XOXO,
Arni

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9 comments

  1. SvenjaMarch 3, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    Awwww -- I LOVE open markets!! All the colors, the smells, the different languages, the different people. Wow! I also love it to come home and look at all the goodies I bought, and wonder what to make :-)

    Lovely photos, Arni!

    xx
    Svenja @ Happybluebird

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  2. JaneMarch 3, 2013 at 10:31 PM

    Wow it does sound perfect. I wish I can smell the wonderful aroma!!

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  3. TestMarch 4, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    This is amazing!!! I've always wanted to check one of these out!!!

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  4. DeidreMarch 4, 2013 at 1:26 PM

    Wow! Look at all the colour and vibrancy. The spice market in Istanbul was one of my favourite parts of Turkey.

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  5. UnknownMarch 4, 2013 at 4:06 PM

    Aaah! How wonderful! My husband and I watched a programme on Dubai last night and now he has put it on his travel list... watch this space!

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  6. Audrey AllureMarch 4, 2013 at 11:24 PM

    Looks like some lovely spices!

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  7. Sherry EllisMarch 5, 2013 at 12:41 AM

    The colors are so pretty - and I bet it smells amazing!

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  8. StephanieMarch 5, 2013 at 8:03 AM

    I love the colors of these spices! I'm sure that they smelled so good :)

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  9. UnknownMarch 5, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    I want to jump into these photos :)

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