The Spice Souk is one of the most popular souks in Dubai. The narrow passages of this old market are lined with small stores selling every herb and spice under the sun.
The air is filled with pungent aromas emanating from colourful sacks of cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and dried fruits. Fresh stocks arrive every day, transported by dhow from countries such as India, Pakistan, and Iran.
Store sell a variety of spices but some specialise in saffron, the most expensive spice in the world.
Most of the traders are from Iran. You’ll need to haggle with them to get good prices. Their first offer is always in excess of the market rate, especially when the customer is a tourist. Don’t be scared. Bargaining is expected.
The souk is open every day of the week. Opening hours are 10 am to 10 pm Saturday to Thursday (some close between 1 pm and 4 pm) and 4 pm to 10 pm on Friday.
The Spice Souk is located in the Deira area of Dubai, near the junction of Baniyas Road and Old Baladiya Road.
The closest Metro Station is Al Ras Metro Station, a station on the Green Line. It’s just a few hundred yards away.
A more interesting way to get to the Spice Souk is to take an abra (small boat) across the Dubai Creek. The fare is very cheap. Deira Old Souk Abra Station is nearby. Abras go from here to Bur Dubai Abra Station.
While you are in the area you can take in some of Dubai’s other famous souks. The Gold Souk, Textile Souk, and Perfume Souk are all nearby. It’s a great area to spend a day shopping for souvenirs.
Nearby Attractions
Tourist attractions and things to do near Spice Souk include:
- Dubai Museum (0.3 miles) - Offers a fascinating insight into the city's heritage and culture
- Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (0.3 miles) - Offers numerous tours and activities
- Heritage and Diving Village (0.4 miles) - Living museums where visitors can look back in time and explore Dubai's past
- Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (0.5 miles) - Once the home of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai between 1912 and 1958
Nearby Shoppping
Places to shop near Spice Souk include:
- Gold Souk (0.2 miles) - Large number of shops selling jewellery
- Perfume Souk (0.2 miles) - Offers perfumes and fragrances
- Old Souk (0.3 miles) - Traditional market in Bur Dubai
Nearby Restaurants
Restaurants and places to eat and drink near Spice Souk include:
- Bayt Al Wakeel (0.3 miles) - Seafood restaurant in the Textile Souk. Outside dining deck with great views of the Dubai Creek. Good place to watch the abras.
- XVA Cafe (0.3 miles) - Courtyard restaurant at the XVA Art Hotel. Peaceful atmosphere. Offers vegetarian Arabic dishes.
- Arabian Tea House (0.3 miles) - Outdoor cafe in Bur Dubai. Relaxed courtyard setting with tables shaded by canopies. Offers more than 100 varieties of tea from all corners of the globe. Food menu includes Arabic breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, and BBQ dishes.
- Sherlock Holmes English Pub (0.3 miles) - British-style pub at the Arabian Courtyard Hotel. Offers British pub food (fish and chips, shepherd’s pie etc.) plus curries and pasta. Opposite the Dubai Museum. Live music, happy hour, and ladies nights.
- Mumtaz Mahal Indian Speciality Restaurant (0.3 miles) - Indian restaurant at the Arabian Courtyard Hotel. Licensed to serve alcohol.
- Rangoli (0.5 miles) - Vegetarian Indian restaurant in Meena Bazaar. Cheap. Best known for its Gujarati Thali (platter).
- Karachi Darbar (0.5 miles) - Cheap restaurant offering a variety of Pakistani, Indian, and Chinese dishes.
Nearby Hotels
Hotels near Spice Souk include:
- Buraq Hotel by Gemstones (0.1 miles)
- OYO 261 Remas Hotel Apartment (0.2 miles)
- St George Hotel (0.2 miles)
- OYO 314 24 Gold Hotel (0.2 miles)
- Royal Creek Hotel (0.3 miles)
- OYO 329 Down Town Hotel (0.3 miles)
- Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa (0.3 miles)
- Sun City International Hotel (0.3 miles)
- Grand Nova Hotel (0.4 miles)
- Mariana Hotel (0.4 miles)
- New Avon Hotel (0.4 miles)
- Al Khaleej Grand Hotel (0.4 miles)
- OYO 339 Vienna Hotel (0.4 miles)
- OYO 157 Al Khaima Hotel (0.4 miles)
- Best Western Plus Pearl Creek (0.5 miles)
Details
Spice Souk
Address
Deira
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Hooman says
How can I sell my product (saffron) in there?
I am a businessman from Iran
Nafisa says
How far is the gold souk from the Jbr as I will be staying at Jbr and wanted to know can I get a metro to the gold souk.
Julie says
Does anyone know what is in the “special arabic tea” that all the spice vendors sell? Hoping to find something close to it at home.
stanley says
Dear Sue, could you please explain me why the spices aren’t good?
Editor says
I think she is just saying that most locals now buy their spices in supermarkets now and no longer need to go to the spice souk.
Sindu says
Are the spices not good? As in earlier comment?
Sue says
The spice souk is an excellent place to visit for a tourist. It is very interesting but I wouldn’t advise buying spices here. There are better places to buy spices such as Carrefour. If you are just coming for the tourist experience it is good.
While you are in the area make your way down to the Dubai Creek and catch an abra. The fare is ridiculously cheap and the views from the boat are great.