Spice Souk

An assault on the senses, this market sells fragrances such as frankincense with herbs and aromatic spices.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Dubai
Jumeirah Mosque
This elegant and striking mosque offers a rare opportunity for non-muslims to see an Islamic place of worship.
Bastakia (old) Quarter
The Bastakia or old quarter is an iconic heritage site founded in the 19th Century by Persian merchants.
Dubai Museum
Learn about life in the United Arab Emirates for the local Bedouin population before the oil boom.
Gold Souk
A traditional market dominated by jewelry stores, it contains many tons of gold at any given moment.
Abra Water Taxi Ride Across Dubai Creek
Traditional Abras have existed for hundreds of years and are a lasting reminder of Dubai's old world.
Textile Souk
Located in Bur Dubai, this souk contains vibrant colours, vivid fabrics and a multitude of embroidery.

Related Tours

The Best of Dubai: Half Day Highlights
Uncover one of the most impressive and iconic cities in the world, Dubai.  In this five hour tour, your expert local guide will take you to Dubai’s most impressive attractions - showcasing some of the fantastic sites around this truly modern city. 

  • Snap photos of the tallest building on the planet, the Burj Khalifa 
  • Visit the intriguing Palm Jumeirah, a man made island
  • Stop off at the Burj al Arab, the world's first seven star hotel 
  • Discover the impressive Jumeirah Mosque, learn about Islamic faith 
  • Explore the Bastakia (old quarter), founded by Persian merchants 
  • Journey across the Dubai creek in a traditional Abra water taxi 
  • Stroll through the gold and spice souks, a local favourite for centuries 
The Rise of Dubai

Dubai’s lightning entry into the 21st century has spawned record breaking skyscrapers, innovative indoor skiing centres in the desert and luxury man-made islands in the Gulf.  The city has become one of the world’s premier tourist destinations and has experienced an incredible transformation since the oil boom years.

Starting at your hotel, or at a prearranged meeting point, your personal tour of Dubai will begin with a stop for a photo opportunity at the Burj Khalifa - the tallest building on the planet, built with a patterning system typical of Islamic architecture. You will then visit the Palm Jumeirah - a vast man made island regarded by some as the “eighth wonder of the world”. Shortly after you will pay a visit to the Burj al Arab,  the world’s first seven star hotel. Built in the shape of a dhow, a traditional wooden cargo vessel, it is an icon synonymous with Dubai’s meteoric rise. The impressive Jumeirah Mosque will be up next with a unique opportunity for people not of the Islamic faith to view a local place of worship.

Old Dubai

The Bastakia or old quarter is an iconic heritage site that was originally founded in the 19th century by Persian merchants. Here you will find the Dubai museum, which documents the fascinating life of the local Bedouin population before the oil boom. Next, journey across the Dubai creek in a traditional Abra water taxi, a means of transport that has been used locally for centuries, to the gold and spice souks. The gold souk is a traditional market dominated by jewellery stores, bursting with literal tonnes of gold at any one time. An assault on the senses, the spice souk is a smaller working market that sells fragrances such as frankincense alongside herbs and aromatic spices.

Travel Curious Tip: Ascend the Burj Khalifa in your own time.

We built this tour because 
Dubai is magnificent and vast, therefore be at ease with the comfort of a knowledgeable guide and private transport. 
Explore Dubai’s Exotic Souks
Venture through the sights, sounds, and smells of Dubai's exotic souks. This buzzing trading landmark has existed for centuries, and offers a unique and local experience for travellers.

  • Be guided through the iconic souks of Dubai with your expert guide 
  • Commence your tour by exploring the gold souk, a traditional market rich with jewellery stores 
  • Smell your way through the spice souk, purchasing herbs and aromatic spices
  • Enjoy a short traditional Abra water taxi trip, offering views across Dubai Creek towards the Bur Dubai 
  • Explore the fabrics, colours, and embroidery of the Bur Dubai

Ancient Trading Hub

The United Arab Emirates has long history as a hub of trade in the Middle East. The region was one of the first places outside of Africa settled by humans over 100,000 years ago. It subsequently became a centre of trade for bronze, supplying to the very first cities in the world that had started to emerge at the time, around 5,000 years ago.  

The region was once home to the ancient city of Julfar, the home of the fictional Sinbad the Sailor, and thrived as a Arabic trading hub whose merchants travelled as far away as China and Europe. The city faded from human memory over two hundred years as trade power in the region shifted. The city eventually became engulfed by coastal sand dunes and was only rediscovered in the 1960s. 

Dubai’s Famed Souks

Take a glimpse into the rich trading history of the Southern Gulf in this tour of the Souks of Dubai. Your expert local guide will immerse you in the heady atmosphere of these legendary marketplaces. The gold and spice Souks will be up first; the gold souk is a traditional market dominated by jewellery stores, bursting with many tonnes of gold at any one time. An assault on the senses, the spice souk is a smaller working market that sells fragrances such as frankincense alongside herbs and aromatic spices.

Following on from your tour of the Souks, you will take a short traditional Abra water taxi trip across Dubai Creek to the Bur Dubai- a veritable Aladdin's cave of vivid fabrics, vibrant colours, and a multitude of embroidery.

Travel Curious Tip: Haggling is the norm at these souks, so ask your guide for advice about the best ways to save some money.

We built this tour because the souks can be daunting for travellers, therefore being led by a guide will make for a more pleasurable and informative experience. 
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