Visit Deira Spice Souk for a traditional Dubai experience

Visit Deira Spice Souk for a traditional Dubai experience

Friday, 9 September 2011 5:08 PM

Visit Deira Spice Souk with Dubai flights

Visit Deira Spice Souk with Dubai flights


Deira Spice Souk is a fantastic way to enjoy an authentic Dubai experience for those who have booked Emirates business flights.

While Dubai is well known for its extravagant malls and hotels, you can still enjoy a more traditional day out at the souk, which is a large market offering some of the best herbs and spices in the region.

The attraction is extremely popular with tourists spending time in the emirate, as it features a cornucopia of beautiful colours and fragrances for anyone keen to explore Middle Eastern culture.

Deira borders the Persian Gulf and the Spice Souk is a definite must for anyone who has opted for Emirates business class flights to Dubai, as it has a number of enticing goods on offer to take home to friends and family.

Located adjacent to the Gold Souk, a market that has more than 300 retailers selling mostly jewellery, the Spice Souk has both open-air and closed-roof stores to explore.

Wandering around the bazaar, it is likely you will come across local favourites including cinnamon, aniseed, cardamom and yellow saffron, with the pungent aromas all providing apt encouragement for a purchase.

All spices are displayed in large open sacks, with customers able to buy them right out of the bag in small or larger quantities.

Various herbs and special perfumed oils are also available, with healers and pharmacists having used these ingredients in a number of special medicines and treatments throughout the centuries.

Hoping for a snack? Dried fruit and nuts imported from across the Middle East are just some of the ready-to-eat merchandise on offer throughout the market.

Those not interested in edible options can instead choose from a range of the other items available, including artefacts, textiles, carpets and incense.

However, as with many places in Dubai, much of the trading is done through haggling, so you will need to make sure you are prepared to argue yourself a good price on anything you wish to buy.

Despite this, most of the storekeepers are friendly and helpful, providing you with invaluable advice on the best spices to select depending on your needs.