Step into old Arabia — a labyrinth of stalls overflowing with saffron, frankincense, dried limes, rose water, and spices that have been traded here since the 1830s.
The Dubai Spice Souk (Al Bahar, or Old Souk) is a narrow collection of alleyways in Deira, lined with open-fronted stalls that overflow with colourful spices, dried herbs, incense, and traditional remedies. The aromas — frankincense, cardamom, rose water — hit you before you even enter.
| Item | Price Guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frankincense (Luban) | AED 10-30 | Omani frankincense most prized |
| Saffron (Zafaran) | AED 30-80 per gram | Iranian saffron widely available, check quality |
| Dried Limes (Loomi) | AED 10-20 | Essential for Emirati cuisine |
| Rose Water (Ma'al-Ward) | AED 20-40 per bottle | For cooking and fragrance |
| Henna Powder | AED 10-25 | For traditional body art |
| Mixed Spice Blends | AED 15-35 | Baharat, Kabsa spice, Za'atar |
| Dried Herbs | AED 10-25 | Chamomile, hibiscus (karkadeh), sage |
Bargaining guide: Prices displayed are not fixed. For AED 30 saffron, offer AED 15-18 and work up. Be friendly and unhurried — the shopkeeper enjoys the interaction. Compare prices at 2-3 stalls before committing. A smile goes a long way.
Combine with: Gold Souk (5-minute walk), Heritage House (free, 10-minute walk), Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Abra back to Bur Dubai). A full Old Dubai day takes 5-7 hours total.
Yes — completely free to enter and browse. No admission charge and no obligation to buy. Shopkeepers welcome browsers. Only pay if you purchase something — and always bargain.
Best purchases: Omani frankincense (AED 10-30), saffron (AED 30-80/gram — check for Iranian or Kashmiri grade), dried limes (essential for Emirati cooking), rose water (AED 20-40), and spice blends for cooking. Frankincense and saffron make excellent gifts.
Ask the price, then offer 40-50% of that figure. The shopkeeper will counter-offer. You meet somewhere in the middle, usually 60-70% of original asking. Be friendly, not aggressive — this is a traditional trading culture where the interaction is valued as much as the sale. Walk away if the price is too high — often the vendor will call you back.
Deira district, near the Old Souk Abra station. Metro: Green Line Al Ras station, 5-10 minute walk. Or take the AED 1 Abra from Bur Dubai Abra station across Dubai Creek — 5 minutes walk from Deira Abra station.
Generally 10am-10pm Saturday to Thursday. On Fridays, shops close for morning prayers and typically reopen around 2pm. Individual shop hours vary. Best visited in the morning (before noon) when stalls are freshly stocked and cooler temperatures prevail.
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