Explore Dubai’s Exotic SouksPrivate Tour

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.

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. 

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.