What is Spice Market Dubai and where is it? The Dubai Spice Souk, situated in the heart of Deira Old Dubai, is a sight to behold. This marketplace is one of the most ancient and celebrated markets in Dubai. Sellers from the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa gather here. Tourists who need to taste, smell, and get to know Dubai culture have the Spice Market Dubai as the best place to go. Continue reading and find what you need to know.
Spice Market Dubai
| Attribute | Details |
| Location | Deira, Old Dubai |
| Accessibility | Al Ras Metro Station (Green Line), RTA buses, or traditional abras on Dubai Creek |
| Famous Products | Spices, Perfumes (Oud, Bakhoor), Gum Arabic, Maryam’s Flower, Sea Beans |
| Nearby Attractions | Gold Souk, Heritage House, Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood |
What Can You Find at the Dubai Spice Souk?
The Dubai Spice Souk is a place you have to see and smell for yourself to believe. With all its narrow and bustling streets, the spices of saffron, cumin, and cinnamon are all so aromatic. In addition, buyers can get everyday cooking materials that are common in the Middle East and some rare types of spices as well. The market is filled with many kinds of spices.
Spices
Saffron
This spice provides a unique taste, which is the main reason it is so expensive. Dishes in Middle Eastern cuisine need this product, and people commonly purchase it at the souk.
Cumin
Cumin is a common spice. It is pretty popular among the Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern cooking, with the food items it graces having an earthy taste.
Za’atar
Among the many blends used in the Middle East, za’atar is the most popular. The mix consists of thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac, and the professionals can be genuinely creative with it.
Iranian Fenugreek
Iranian and Afghan cuisines are distinguished by including these seeds in their recipes. These seeds are slightly bitter.
You can buy a small portion for home, or you can buy a larger quantity of spices for restaurants. The souk has the best prices for everyone.
Perfumes & Incense
The Dubai Spice Souk offers an assorted range of perfumes and incense. Oliver is the most easily noticed, along with Bakhoor, and is almost everywhere. The shopping becomes more interesting with this particular unique fragrance.
- A favorite fragrance of Oud: This is a unique perfume derived from agarwood resin. People in the Near East find it one of the most appealing fragrances.
- Like Bakhoor: This is a kind of incense that Arabian families use in their homes. It brings forward an overall atmosphere of purity and makes the air more pleasant. It is used during worship services as well as on various family occasions.
- Essential Oils: The Souk also has a variety of essential oils on sale. Rose water and lavender oil are also included.
Unique Items You Can Buy at the Spice Souk
Many of the items that are available in the Dubai Spice Souk are unique, and one can hardly find them elsewhere. Among all the delightful items, here are some to buy.
Qara Qurut (Kashk)
The Qara Qurut, also known as Kashk, is a unique milk product that is used as the primary ingredient in many central Asian and Iranian dishes. People react to it as a foodstuff and for health purposes, in particular as a digestive aid.
Gum Arabic
The Gum Arabic tree is the primary source of the gum. It is used by people in art, as well as in pottery making and health-related illnesses. On the other hand, the majority believe in utilizing it as a good product for the smoothness of the stomach.
Sea Beans (Entada Gigas)
Sea beans originate from the Entada Gigas plant. People who want home remedies use these beans. They opine that these beans can achieve body cleansing, weight reduction, and making the digestive system work well.
Maryam’s Flower (Anastatica)
The plant Maryam’s Flower is being called with some other words such as Kaff Maryam (Maryam Booti) among others. It is believed that this plant can play a role in healing. The elderly used it to treat colds and flu. It is essential in ancient medicine.
Best Place to Buy Spices in Dubai
These are some of the best places to buy spices in Dubai. The Dubai Spice Souk is the top choice if you want an authentic experience and the chance to bargain for a reasonable price.
| Place | Type | Location | Notes | Hours |
| Dubai Spice Souk | Old market | Deira (Al Ras, Baniyas Street) | Many types of spices, you can bargain here. | Sat–Thu: 10 AM–10 PM (closed 1–4 PM); Fri: 4–10 PM |
| Baba’s Cave | Modern shop | Al Fahidi, Old Dubai | High quality spices and friendly service. | Mon–Sat: 10 AM–7 PM; Sun: 11 AM–7 PM |
| Choithrams | Supermarket | Various locations in Dubai | Pre-packed spices with fixed prices. | Hours vary by store. |
| Spinneys | Supermarket | Various locations in Dubai | A wide range of good spices. | Hours vary by store. |
What’s Nearby the Dubai Spice Souk?
The Dubai Spice Souk is in the Deira area. The site is strong with historical elements and the whole place is alive with the culture. To tourists who choose to visit the market, other sights are in the vicinity:
Gold Souk
Just a couple of minutes away from the Gold Souk, you can see the world-famous Gold Souk. The markets display precious jewelry items such as gold, diamonds, and silver. It is the biggest souk and it has everything: precious metals, jewelry, etc.
Heritage House
The Spice Souk is 5 minutes away from the Heritage House, where visitors can explore the House of Heritage and learn about the history of old life in Dubai. This structure of a building is a replica of those remaining residential buildings from the old time. Visitors can view the location of the Heritage House, which, among others, also is a museum about Dubai’s trading history.
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek is a trip on which, believe me, you will not regret it. It’s the greenest and most attractive part of the romantic city. Instead, vacationers can take a traditional Dhow cruise for an alternative way to experience the city.
Spice Market Dubai Prices
| Spice | Price Range (Retail) | Unit | Notes |
| Saffron | AED 10 – AED 20 | Per gram | Premium quality saffron typically retails around AED 10–20 per gram. Bulk orders may qualify for further discounts. |
| Cumin | AED 30 – AED 50 | Per kilogram | Common everyday spice, retail prices generally range between AED 30 and AED 50 per kg, though wholesale rates can be lower. |
| Other Spices | AED 10 – AED 50 (approx.) | Per kilogram | Prices vary widely depending on the spice type and quality. |
| Bulk Purchase | ~20–30% lower than retail | Varies | Bulk buyers typically benefit from competitive discounts on large quantities. |
Spice Market Dubai Timings
The Spice souk in Dubai is open daily.
From
- From Saturday to Thursday, the market is open from 10 AM to 10 PM, but it closes for a break from 1 PM to 4 PM.
- On Friday, it is open from 4 PM to 10 PM.
The best time to visit is early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds.
Gold and Spice Souk Dubai
The Gold and Spice Souk Dubai hosts two markets that bring tourists together. Thus, the visitors would be able to see the Gold Souk and Spice Souk in one place. This type of arrangement creates a unique shopping experience. On the one hand, it is performance gold watches and other such materials. On the other hand, people can seek out spices and exotic spices, perfumes, and herbs. Buyers can quickly move from one market to the other.
How to Get to Spice Souk Dubai
There are various ways the travelers can get to Spice Souk Dubai. Below are the following:
- Abras: Cross the Dubai Creek using a water taxi boat
- Taxis: You can find multiple taxis near places that are popular for tourists
- RTA Buses: Commuters can take the buses that go to the Deira area
How to Go to Spice Souk Dubai by Metro
The Dubai Metro is one of the easiest ways to get to the Spice Market in Dubai. The passengers shall use Al Ras Station, on the Green Line. Thus, they will have to walk only the distance between the souk and the station. The vast majority of people love this method as it is a fast and uncomplicated option compared to the rest of the people.
Conclusion
The Dubai Spice Souk is undoubtedly the best spot to buy not only spices but also for travelers to identify the culture and touch the heritage of Old Dubai. People can find many unique items here. Saffron, Oud, Qara Qurut, and Gum Arabic are only a few to mention. If you are a citizen, you are entirely aware of this market, but if you want to know about the market, I discussed everything and every essential information in this guide. Do visit at once and grab your favourite spices.
