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In the modern city of Dubai, every traveler loves a good shopping mall or monorail, but what travelers really seek in this Modern Middle Eastern city is the old stuff. I’m talking, Arabian Nights, camels and carpets, incense filled market halls and hawkers yelling to barter with you.

I found some great spots to find this experience in Dubai’s old town. From Dubai Souks to the old village buildings, I’ll share with you here where to get a sense of Dubai’s past – right here in the present.

Nestled in Bur Dubai, this traditional market exudes old-world charm. Navigate the alleys and find stores and traders selling raw silk, wool, cashmere, perfumes, spices, and dry fruits—you’ll find it hard to leave empty-handed. Just remember to barter for a good deal! It’s also great for unique souvenirs including abayas (full-length women’s robes), thawbs (Arabic robes), silk scarves, and even tailored garments. The best way to get there is by metro or you can take the scenic route on an inexpensive abra (boat) from Deira. The souk is also a stop along many old city tours of Dubai.
souks

Abra Boats

Some of the souks are walkable from one another, like the Gold Souk and Spice Souk, which is not far from the Deira Fish Market, if you are on that side of the water already.

You can finish those souks and walk to the Deira Old Souk Abra Station, where you can catch an Abra boat ride to the Bur Dubai Abra Station. The Grand Souk is located here, followed by the Textile Souk.
Expect for Abra boat rides to take about 10 minutes to cross the river. Pay in cash or small change on board. They are used to tourists and will help to make sure you understand the payment. It was very cheap.

What to buy in Dubai souks

In the Gold Souk, browse carefully and think of it like the Ponte Vecchio in Italy. It’s a souk, yes, but full of high end gold jewelry. Haggling was minimally present, but you can try.  All I can say is, WOW.