These Markets in Dubai Turned Us into Shopaholics
You probably know what a shopaholic is. Well, I was the complete opposite—I was a cheapskate! For one, I used to stretch my shampoo for weeks with water before getting a new one. And I wasn’t even broke—I just really HATED parting with money.
And kicking that habit wasn’t easy. Oddly enough, I never had trouble buying gifts for my family and friends. But when it came to spending on myself? Total struggle! It got so bad that I’d ask my friends to pressure me into adding stuff to my cart and checking out.
Then I realized this wasn’t the healthiest way to live, so I made a deal with my friends. Now, we all shop together at least once a month! Recently, we’ve hit up some awesome markets in Dubai, where I do way more than just window shop. Check them out below!
Which market is good for shopping in Dubai?
There are plenty of markets that are good for shopping in Dubai. Notable shopping spree spots are The Urban Market, Arte The Makers’ Market, The Ripe Market, Kite Beach Market, and Global Village.
The Urban Market
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Website: https://urbanmarketconcept.com/
Location/s: Radisson RED – Dubai Digital Park – Dubai Silicon Oasis – Industrial Area
Operating Hours:
- Saturday to Sunday
The Urban Market in Dubai is a trendy place to get retro gifts! If you feel sleepy from 1 to 3 pm, we think the lively music here can snap you out of your dreamland as you thrift for some interesting finds.
There are many independent sellers here too! We think this is handy for travelers seeking unique, vintage local products to take home. Our favorites are the colorful hats, cool shoes, and hip fashion accessories!
Pro tips:
Make sure to check The Urban Market’s Instagram before visiting because this shop occasionally changes locations! You might find the stalls at the Radisson RED or outdoors at Ballers on some weekends.
Arté The Makers’ Market
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Website: http://www.arte.ae/
Address: Times Square Center Dubai – Al Marabea Road – Al Quoz
Contact Details: +971 56 735 7167, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Saturday – 10 AM to 7 PM
Those who want something different every time might fall in love with Arté The Makers Market. It’s got around 150 small-time vendors (with big-time talents) manning the pop-ups—some of them make the items on the spot!
We find it incredible that most items are made by local artisans who are passionate about many things. This includes baking, jewelry, skincare, painting, pottery, greeting cards, and more, so we bet you’ll find many trinkets here as nifty little souvenirs!
Pro tip:
We recommend bringing the kids to Arte The Makers’ Market too! If you’re an art enthusiast, you’ll find all sorts of exciting craft workshops to join here.
The Ripe Market
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Website: http://www.ripemarketme.com/
Address: Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al Sufouh – Al Sufouh 1
Contact Details: +971 4 315 7000, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Saturday to Sunday – between 10 AM to 10 PM (schedule varies)
Are you a foodie? The Ripe Market has some of the freshest goods in the city! You can get fresh fruits, veggies, and fish, as well as various local delights. On top of that, we love the food trucks all around here—you can even sample some of the treats!
Just note that, like a globetrotter, this market tends to move around. During winter, it’s outdoors within Police Academy Park, beside Ski Dubai and the Mall of the Emirates.
But no need to worry about the heat when it’s summertime! This hot season is when the markets move into cooler venues, like Times Square Center and Golden Mile Galleria, on Saturdays or Sundays.
Pro tip:
Want to try something new? Find a new hobby at The Ripe Market by joining craft lessons, face painting sessions, exploring the petting zoo, or more.
Or if you like to sing, why not dare yourself or a friend to sign up and perform during the open mic?
Kite Beach Market
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Address: Kite Beach – Umm Suqeim – Jumeirah 3
Contact Details: +971 52 258 1060
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Planning a beach trip soon? Kite Beach Market has about 20 kiosks full of trendy essentials just for that! Unlike going to separate boutiques at the mall, we find this one-stop shopping spot very handy, so you won’t miss out on anything.
If it’s been a while since you’ve vacationed under the sun, we think you might want to check if you need new swimwear, sunglasses, hats, towels, and even sandcastle tools!
Moreover, we appreciate that there are food trucks around in case you get hungry from your retail therapy. The place offers tasty treats like ice cream, donuts, hotdogs, and coffee.
Pro tip:
Remember to apply sunscreen, wear a hat, or bring an umbrella to Kite Beach Market! Only the stalls have sun covers, while the surrounding areas don’t.
We think it’s easy to get distracted by the options here, so one might overlook getting sunburned.
Global Village
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Website: https://www.globalvillage.ae/
Address: 38C5+F57 – Exit 37 – Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road & Emirates Road
Contact Details: +971 4 362 4114, [email protected]
Operating Hours (October to April):
- Sunday to Saturday – 4 PM to 12 AM
If you don’t have the time to shop around the world in one day, we feel you can do so at Global Village. If your budget is running a little low, we also bet you’ll be psyched that you can get amazing bargains here!
The highlights for us are Korean beauty products, Moroccan shoes and argan oil, Afghan carpets, African-style wood carvings, and Indian fabrics! There’s also a decent selection of snacks to try out if you have the time.
Pro tip:
Besides indulging in shopping, we suggest staying a little while at Global Village to catch some dazzling cultural shows and live performances!
Dubai Flea Market
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Website: https://www.dubai-fleamarket.com/
Address: Zabeel Park – Za’abeel – Al Kifaf
Contact Details: +971 56 788 2348, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Saturday to Sunday – 4 PM to 10 PM (schedule varies)
- Monday to Friday – Closed
Those who love treasure-hunting might be fascinated to dabble around Dubai Flea Market. For one, it’s got about 300 stalls! It offers secondhand goods that are still in good condition and cheaper, for only a few dirhams.
If you ask us, the best items to explore are the old books, cool toys and games, vintage houseware, sports gear, and chic clothes. Some of them are from big brands too! Who knows what you’ll snag?
Pro tips:
We recommend chatting with a bargaining expert in the family or reading a book about haggling before visiting Dubai Flea Market. This can make you more confident in maximizing your savings!
Want to sell at the market? That’s totally possible! Do note that each stall will cost you around AED 300.
Covent Garden Market
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Website: http://coventgardenmarketdubai.com/
Address: The Walk – Jumeirah Beach Residence
Contact Details: +971 58 937 4621, +9714 3255 123, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Souvenirs and novelty items are Covent Garden Market’s thing! This is a crowd-favorite outdoor road market for many Jumeirah Beach Residence visitors, so we think there’s lots of fun stuff to check out.
Did you know that you could find some beautiful kimonos here? We didn’t either. We also like the handcrafted blankets, beach bags, and leather goods. Plus, don’t miss the cute items like camel-inspired stuffed toys—we reckon kids would especially dig this.
Pro tip:
It’s best to bring eco-bags or any reusable bags to Covent Garden Market! We think this would be very handy for bulk purchases while staying environmentally friendly.
The Gold Souk
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Address: Deira – Al Ras
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Of course, treasure hunting wouldn’t be complete without hunting for real gold. Being among the oldest souks (markets) in Dubai, The Gold Souk provides a traditional setting for gold diggers (we meant lovers) who want to buy more affordable, shiny jewelry.
We also like that there are numerous options here—you can look for traditional, flashy, simple, or modern designs! And don’t worry about buying fake ones—all of the items are government-regulated, so it’s all legit.
But in case you’re not that into gold, there are still other stunning jewelry and ornament options, such as diamonds, pearls, platinum, and silver.
Pro tips:
The Gold Souk is near perfume stores too! We suggest finally getting that signature scent that can round out your style. Or, you may go through the incense and attars (fragrant oils) to make your home smell a bit better.
We think it’s smart to visit here as the sun sets. Although some stores are shaded, it can still be pretty hot in the surrounding areas during the day.
Textile Souk (Bur Dubai Market)
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Address: 57 Ali Bin Abi Taleb St – opposite Abra – Al Fahidi
Contact Details: +971 50 768 8512
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday – 9 AM to 2 PM, 4 PM to 9 PM
- Friday – 6 AM to 2 PM, 4 PM to 9 PM
- Sunday – Closed
We think real fashionistas know their fabrics, and Textile Souk might just have it all. It has great textiles in different colors, designs, and textures too! This is why we feel you’ll need enough time to find your most suitable picks.
But if you want personalized clothing for a luxurious event, there are many tailor shops around that can cater to your budget. Also, don’t forget to get some nice shoes here that would complement your outfit—time to revamp your wardrobe!
Pro tip:
If you’re coming from Deira Creek, you can get to Textile Souk via Abra (a water taxi)!
Friday Market
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Address: 426 Al Rasheed Rd – Hor Al Anz East
Operating Hours:
- Saturday – 3 PM to 10 PM
Don’t be fooled by its name—Friday Market is actually open daily! Yes, we understand how that could be a tad confusing, but that’s how it is.
This market is an open-air shopping hub. It offers all sorts of goodies, like classic rugs, pruned plants, incense burners, electronics, furniture, and so on. The way we see it, history buffs might get a high from all this cool stuff!
And when you get hungry, you’ll have several options. There are restaurants, cafes, and a shopping mall nearby for your convenience.
Pro tip:
Visit Friday Market during Ramadan so you can buy tasty Arabic treats like luqaimat (fried dough balls dunked in sugar syrup) and harees (a traditional dish made with wheat grain, meat, and ghee or clarified butter)!
Spice Souk
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Address: 41 34th St – Deira – Al Ras
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 9:55 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 7:30 AM to 11 PM
The Spice Souk is where you can buy interesting additives for your home-cooked meals. This market offers a vibrant sensory experience—with international options too!
For us, it’s difficult not to snap a few photos as you walk by big baskets of herbs and spices around—some of them are almost spilling! Our top picks are spices like saffron and turmeric and teas like lavender and rosebud.
Aside from the great selection of whole and powdered species, we like that you can get custom mixes. We think this is neat if you’re trying to follow a specific recipe. Plus, we love that you can take home some spicy local treats as small gifts to loved ones.
Pro tip:
Note that some vendors at Spice Souk can be pretty aggressive when it comes to selling or upselling. If you’re not interested, we suggest you just smile, say no, and keep walking.
Market at the Beach
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Location: Dubai Marina
Contact Details: +971 4 325 5123
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 10 PM
If you want to steer away from overpriced, branded items for a while, we say it’s time to check out Market at the Beach. This classic market has a lot of antiques, dried organic products, aromas, and other unique knickknacks that we find interesting.
This spot offers fashionable Arabian clothes and accessories, household items, and jewelry during the winter—so we say mark your calendars so you won’t forget to swing by during the “Ber” months!
Pro tip:
Are your kids coming along to The Market at the Beach? There’s a play zone nearby where the little ones can find a game they like. We think this should keep them entertained, so win-win!
Souk Al Marfa
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Website: http://soukalmarfa.ae/
Address: 78R6+97V Souq Al Marfa – Dubai Islands – Front – Dubai Islands – Front
Contact Details: +971 4 777 9500, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 12 PM to 12 AM
- Friday – 2 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 2 AM
Window shoppers, Souk Al Marfa could be your next go-to for a little bit of everything! In our view, it’s not your typical market, but it’s not an ultramodern megamall either. It’s in the middle—not super casual, but not overly posh either.
In our opinion, everyone in the family can check out something useful here: groceries, household items, jewelry, phone accessories, perfumes (you can even make your own!), car shows, and more!
Also, this spot offers around 400 stores, so we say try to get a peep from as many as you can. Soon, all the stores will reach a thousand once all the shops are fully open.
Pro tips:
Check out Souk Al Marfa during the holidays to score plenty of deals on fashion, home, and other items! There would also be tons of Emirati treats, so you shouldn’t miss it.
Have questions about your pets? This market occasionally has experts and vets who can assist pet owners, so feel free to ask away when they’re there!