Dubai is a city which is famous as a shopping hotspot. Everything is easily available here.
It is a free port with low import duties hence many of the branded items are available here with a lower price than in other countries. This is precisely why Dubai is referred to as a 'shopper's paradise'
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Shopping malls in Dubai
There are close to fifty shopping malls in Dubai. All of these malls consist of high end apparel boutiques, electronic appliances, gold jewelry, carpets, perfumes, handicrafts and much more. Apart from shops the shopping malls also house restaurants, play areas for children, cinema halls and other entertainment elements. First class service is also provided in all stores.
Some of the famous shopping malls in Dubai are:
o Ibn Battutta Mall
o The Mall of The Emirates
o The Wafy Mall
o Lamcy Plaza
o Mazaya Center
o Dierah City Center
o Al Mulla Plaza
o Al Bustan Center
o Burjuman Center
o Karama Center
o Lulu Village
Souks in Dubai
Shopping in Dubai will not be complete without a visit to the different Souks in Dubai. Souks are actually traditional market places where you can see locals haggling with shopkeepers, completing their daily transactions. Dubai souks are located at Deirah and sells Gold, Perfumes, Spices and Fish.
Dubai Gold Souk
Among the different souks in Dubai the Gold souk attracts the most visitors. A trip through this souk in Deirah will tell you the reason why Dubai is called the City of Gold. A large variety of gold Jewelry both traditional and modern designs are on the offer in the different shops there. The price of gold is relatively low in the Gold souk as the price is mainly based on weight and not based on design and craftsmanship. The Specialty of souks in Dubai is that the buyer has a chance to bargain for prices. So while buying gold from Gold Souk, remember not to stick to the first price. During Dubai Shopping Festival the Gold souk is aggressively marketed and the sale of gold rises extensively. Even if you do not want to buy anything, just a visit to the gold souk is definitely worth it.
Spice souk
This is the market for fresh Arabic spices. Fragrance and aroma of fresh spices surrounds you at the spice souk. Cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, nuts and dry fruits imported from all over Middle East are sold here
Perfume souk
The perfume souks are most famous for traditional Arabic Perfumes called "attar". Unlike light floral perfumes from the west, attar's are spicy and very strong. Different variety of attar is sold in the perfume souk. The Perfume souk also sells western branded perfumes.
Fish Souk
The Fish Souk in Dubai is busiest during the morning hours and late at night aswell.
The local fishermen bring loads of fresh fish, which is then sold, in a bargain bazaar.
Best buys in Dubai
Electronics- as Dubai is a tax free port electronics are cheaper in Dubai. Most of the famous brands have their manufacturing units in Dubai. Laptops, Plasma TV's, video cameras, Microwave ovens and Washing machines are cheaper in Dubai.
Gold- The rates for gold in Dubai are the cheapest worldwide. As mentioned before
the variety is vast here. The most important factor about gold in Dubai is the quality. Dubai has strict rules to ensure the authenticity of gold sold.
Mobile Phones- the latest models of phones, from all reputed brands are released in Dubai as soon as they are launched.
Carpets and rugs-Arabs from Syria, Iran and Egypt sell high quality carpets in Dubai.
Shop timings:
Shopping hours in Dubai are from 9 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon and then again from 4 in the evening till midnight. Most of the supermarkets stay open all day from Saturday to Thursday. All shops close for Friday prayers from 11.30 in the morning to 1.30 in the afternoon. Shopping malls are generally open on Friday evenings till late.
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