Ever wondered about walking through spice bazaars where Dubai’s culture and flavours blend? Nested in Al Ras, Dubai, Spice Souk Dubai is another must-visit Dubai old souk.
Dubai, known for its luxurious lifestyle, is also a place where culture and tradition flourish. Built more than 150 years ago, Grand Souk Deira is home to almost 150 shops offering plenty of spices, herbs, nuts and many more.
If you are a food or culinary enthusiast or someone who just wants the best shopping experience in Dubai, then head to this place to stock your bags with a variety of products at discounted prices.
Spice up your life! Here’s everything you need to know to experience the best of Spice Market Dubai.
Things to Do in Spice Market Dubai
Spice Souk Market Dubai is well known for its availability of a variety of spices from countries like India, Iran, Pakistan, and many more.
You get to shop all home-made ingredients, food items, spices, medicinal herbs, hair oils and a lot more. Saffron, Mahlab and Vanilla are the most expensive spices found here.
Visitors will be puzzled about what to buy. Here’s a little help – turmeric, rose water, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, kulkul, dried fruits, dried flowers, mace, nutmegs, incense, and vanilla bean pods, are some of the popular buys.
If one is a tea lover, then trying some amazing tea flavours in the market certainly has to be on your list.
Tips to Know While You’re at Dubai Spice Market
Spice souk can be located even from some distance because of the spicy aroma. To make your experience more enriching, here are some of the tips to look for before you head to the souq.
- Carry adequate cash as the availability of online payment facilities is very low.
- Wear comfortable shoes & clothes and carry lots of water as you might have to do a lot of walking.
- This is another photo stop that can’t be missed! Carry your cameras to capture the vibrant colours, people’s charm and Dubai’s culture.
- Do not forget to haggle. It is a part of the experience and you must ace it.
- Fill your tummies with various food delicacies available around the Spice Souk.
Unique Things to Buy at Grand Souk Deira
Apart from the mentioned Dubai spices, the market offers some unique finds that are less known to people.
Frankincense and Myrrh: Frankincense and Myrrh resins are proven to have medicinal and psychoactive elements. They are also used in perfumes and colognes for their warm and aromatic smell.
Za’atar Blends: Zaatar is a blend of spices like oregano, thyme, sesame seeds, sea salt and most important of all sumac which gives a delicious flavour to the blend. This spice mixture boosts the immune system, improves skin health and has many more health benefits.
Qara Qurut: Another unique find is Qara Qurut, otherwise known as Kashk is a dairy product that dates back to the 10th century. It serves as a thickening agent or an additional flavouring to meats or vegetables. If you’re someone who is both health-conscious and toothsome, then this blend is for you.
Maryam’s Flower: Maryam’s Flower scientifically known as Anastatica, is a type of herb that has many medicinal benefits such as treatment for colds or as an emmenagogue (bringing on menstruation). It is also believed that it can be of great help during labour.
Timings and Location:
Spice Souk Deira Dubai usually opens in the morning until late evening.
Saturday to Thursday: The souk is open from 10 AM to 10 PM (some close between 1PM – 4PM)
Friday: 4 PM to 10 PM.
Location: This Souk is located in Deira, near the junction of Old Baladiya Road and Baniyas Road.
Other Places to Visit:
Deira Gold Souk: The Gold Souk and Spice Souk Dubai are approximately 500 meters away from each other and take about 5 minutes to walk.
Deira Old Souk Abra Station: A 6-minute walk from Al Ras, a boat ride across the river has to be on your list if you’re near Dubai Souk.
Dubai Museum: Dubai Municipality Museum presents the traditional life of Dubai exhibiting artifacts and antiques. They also showcase city maps of the 1900s, government stamps and a lot more.
Temples: Located very close to the Dubai Museum, one can find two temples – Shiva Temple and Krishna Temple. Head to this place to submerge yourself in a religious experience.
Al Nassma Chocolate Shop: Chocoholic? Then this place is the right fit. It provides luxury chocolates made with camel’s milk. No wonder you’ll be sold at the first taste.
Coffee Museum: Situated in the Al Fahidi Heritage Area, you will be enveloped in the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Ethiopian coffee is a must-try.
Conclusion
Dubai has much more to offer than just luxury. This blog will make you experience Dubai beyond the usual tourist spots. Dubai has been famous for its local markets and should certainly be on your list. Soak yourself in the flavours of Dubai’s culture while you’re at Deira Spice Souk Dubai.
And for your accommodation needs don’t forget to check HolidayKeepers, where we offer a wide range of vacation rentals designed to cater to all your stay necessities.
FAQs
Q: What is the best time to visit Spice Market Deira?
A: The best time to visit is late afternoons or early evenings as the crowd can be comparatively less.
Q: How much time does it take to go around Dubai Spice Souk?
A: It takes a minimum of 2 hours to explore all the shops and get the best goods out of it.
Q: Is Spice Souk cheaper than other markets in Dubai?
A: Yes, the cost of products is comparatively affordable when compared to other markets.
Q: Are there any parking facilities available at Spice Souk?
A: Unfortunately, the market doesn’t have a parking facility available and it becomes difficult for one to find a parking spot. Users can take public transport to avoid a fuss.
Q: How to reach Grand Souk Deira Dubai?
A: You can drive to the place yourself or take the metro (M2) on a green line, get down at Al Ras metro station and take a small boat ride to arrive at the destination. Another option can be to take a bus (bus lines – 27, C28, C9)
With a decade of expertise in travel and hospitality, Aman Mehrotra, Senior Editor and Travel Manager at HolidayKeepers, is known for his compelling storytelling and insightful travel content. He skillfully combines strategic marketing wisdom with engaging narratives, covering everything from undiscovered destinations to the latest trends in vacation rentals. Aman’s writings resonate with both adventure enthusiasts and those seeking leisurely retreats. His global perspective and innovative approach make him a valuable asset to the HolidayKeepers team and a favorite among readers seeking inspiration and practical advice for their travels.
