Among the many charms of Dubai is going
around shops picking up the things you like, souvenirs and many more exciting
things. Whether it's haggling over Persian carpets in the centuries-old souks
or shopping for French perfumes in the air-conditioned hush of the most modern
department store, this land offers every buyer a great experience. And as an
open port with low import duties, prices are very attractive. Trade is at the
heart of Middle-eastern culture, so the variety of products is staggering. So
if you're moving for that new job, or just spending a few weeks of vacation,
picking up the things you like will be one of the highlights of your visit.
For sheer comfort, you can go to many
modern shopping plazas. Air-conditioned and furnished with escalators, these
multi-story emporia sell everything from designer fashions to the latest
Japanese televisions. They also house restaurants, cafes and movie theaters for
the total day out. Leading malls host top class department stores and boutiques.
Modern malls offer the most convenient and comfortable way to shop. But to
uncover the exotic past of this futuristic city, and to savor the sights and
smells of the authentic Arab world, you need to head to one of the local market
places. Shopping in Dubai can definitely be the most enriching shopping experience of
your life. Souks are usually organized
into areas selling similar items and are often named after a product. Thus the
Gold Souk is the place to pick up gold ornaments. Here you can browse earrings,
rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants in a stunning variety of designs. A
specialty of the local gold craftsmen is creating items in shades of pink,
white, yellow or green by varying the alloys.
The nearby Spice market is filled with
baskets piled with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts.
Browsing here is an aromatic adventure which you can continue in the Perfume
Bazaar. And there's even a Fish market to sell the morning's catch of fish from
the Arabian Sea. You can lay your hands not only on jewellery but also on the
aromatic spices while you are shopping
in Dubai. So there's no shortage of places to shop in this land of royalty.
Traditional shopping hours from Saturday to Thursday run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00
p.m. with a break between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Most modern outlets such as
malls and supermarkets stay open all day. All outlets close for prayers on
Friday between 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and many shops stay open late on
Fridays. Bargaining is a traditional part of this experience. While most modern outlets have fixed prices, for
family businesses and markets, negotiation is a key component of the buying
process. One good tip is to check out prices at the fixed-priced outlets before
heading to the marketplaces. This will give you an idea of a fair price before
you start haggling.
You can buy almost products from all over
the world in this land. And electronic goods, watches, cameras and such items
are competitively priced. You can often pick up fashion items for less than
you'd pay in the country of origin due to the low taxes. But don't leave
without picking up some local delights. You needn't ask where to go in Dubai;
these flea markets don’t need to be mentioned.
If you're looking for authentic local
souvenirs you have many choices. You can't go wrong with Arabic coffee pots to
remind you of the aromatic local brew. Then there are silver and brass sword
and daggers, prayer beads, frankincense, Arabian perfumes, rugs and Persian carpets.
And don't forget pearls. If you love pearls, this land is just the place you
want to be. So now, your answers of where to go in Dubai are answered. Go pick up the credit cards and go on a spree!
There are two major events each year that
are linked to shopping: the first is the Dubai Shopping Festival, which is
world famous for its discounts and bargains. It runs for a month in January and
visitors can take advantage of slashed prices and various two-for-one offers.
The second is the Dubai Summer Surprises – there is less of an emphasis on
shopping, but many stores hold huge sales during the summer months and there are
plenty of bargains. Shopping in Dubai is
a dream-come true for many. Not just for the various articles that it offers
but for the huge discounts and bargains that it offers.
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