Shopping Tourism In Dubai: Malls vs Traditional Souks

 

Dubai is becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the UAE, and indeed, in the world. However, in the process of modernization, Dubai hasn't lost its touch with its tradition and culture. While some parts of Dubai align with the world's top destinations, featuring modern buildings and high-class facilities, others are characterized by a traditional touch, where the destination still retains its unique culture. One of the primary sectors where the demarcation is clearly visible is the shopping sector, as Dubai boasts stylish shopping malls that offer a plethora of activities to engage visitors, alongside traditional souks with established customs that facilitate cultural immersion in Dubai. The central theme of the provided article is to help you find the most suitable place to go shopping. Hence, if you are a shopaholic, you can continue reading the provided information until the end, which will help you discover the special features of malls and traditional souks, as well as where to purchase your souvenirs.

 

Know the Contemporary Shopping Malls Of Dubai

 

You can find various contemporary and stylish shopping malls across Dubai where you can purchase souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones. You can find an array of products of your choice with luxurious brands, scrumptious cuisine options, climate-controlled comfort, and entertainment attractions. You can roam around a shopping mall in Dubai for the entire day, whether for shopping or engaging in different activities offered by it. To comprehend specific details regarding the shopping malls of Dubai, you can refer to the following section:

Popular shopping malls of Dubai
 

• Dubai Mall: One of the largest malls in the world
   
• City Walk: Dubai's most Instagrammable venue
   
• Dubai Festival City Mall: Houses the latest entertainment technologies, and shows a laser, light, and fountain show in the evening
   
• Mall of the Emirates: Exclusive designer products are available
   
• Mercato Mall: Imitates the essence of a Renaissance-era Italian village
   
• Ibn Battuta Mall: Extraordinary architecture that resembles the places to which Ibn Battuta visited during his exploration
   
• WAFI Mall: Takes its inspiration from ancient Egyptian architecture
   
• Dubai Marina Mall: Emphasis on casual family shopping experience, by providing affordable high-street fashion and beauty services
   
• Dubai Outlet Mall: Get a year-round sale for the best trending fashions
   
• BurJuman: One of Dubai's oldest malls

Malls are the best for buying
 

• Designer and branded artifacts
• Smart devices
• Persian rugs
• Arabic Coffee sets
• International fashionable and athleisure articles
• Beauty products

Pros of shopping in Dubai's shopping malls
 

• You can buy branded, fashionable, and trendy products.
• Articles are provided at a fixed price, which means no one is charging a higher price to you.
• Provide you with an array of attractions beyond shopping, including cinemas, dining options, and various forms of entertainment.
• Climate control measures are issued inside the mall, providing you with safety from the extreme heat and cold of Dubai. 

What you are missing while shopping at Dubai's shopping malls
 

• Shopping malls in Dubai feature climate control measures that help regulate the temperature within the malls; thus, they miss out on the authentic weather of Dubai.
• They have fixed prices for their products; hence, you won't be able to bargain or negotiate the price that they offer.
• You can buy branded products from the malls, but the local and unique products are missing from your shopping basket.

The best time to shop in Dubai's malls
 

• The best time to shop in Dubai's shopping malls is from November to March and December to January, when the weather is cooler, and the destination is hosting Dubai's seasonal festivals.
• Monday to Thursday is the most appropriate time of the week to go shopping in Dubai malls due to the less crowded conditions. Weekends, from Friday to Sunday, are generally extremely crowded.
• Between 10 AM and 2 PM, according to Dubai local time, you can visit the shopping malls of Dubai to experience a serene and quiet environment, where you can shop freely in a less crowded environment.

Cultural etiquette to follow while visiting a mall

Dress modestly and appropriately, covering your shoulders and knees, and avoid wearing tight, skimpy, or revealing attire. 

Helpful tips when you are at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai
 

• Explore the unique experiences offered in Dubai's malls, such as the Dubai Aquarium located in the Dubai Mall, or the themed courts in Ibn Battuta Mall.
• While using the lift in the mall, stand on the right while waiting for the lift.
• Walk on your left side while roaming around the mall.
• Don't push others, and apologize to them when you accidentally bump into someone.
   

Feel the Traditional Souks of Dubai

Different souks, including those specializing in gold, textiles, spices, and perfumes, are available throughout Dubai, where you can visit to purchase the specific items that you want. In the open environment, you are going to experience a totally different climate in the souks from that in the shopping malls of Dubai. The atmosphere of the souks is rich in traditional heritage, offering a unique opportunity to explore the city's local culture. You can refer to the following section to learn more about the souks of Dubai:

Major Souks of Dubai
 

• Gold Souk: Find breathtaking jewelry with alluring Arabic designs, along with silver diamond-encrusted ornaments.
   
• Spice Souk: Featuring high-quality saffron, you can purchase a variety of spices, candied nuts, locally blended teas, and dried fruits at competitive local prices.
   
• Perfume Souk: Filled with beautiful scents, you can buy everything, from pure perfume to essential oils, including incense sticks and the exotic traditional oud.
   
• Textile Souk: Find dazzling sari fabrics, airy cottons, fine silks, and exotic weaves, crafted by emerging fashion designers. 

Souks are the best for buying
 

• Gold and gold jewelry
• Perfumes and ouds
• Local handmade crafts
• Aromatic spices
• Textiles, including pashminas, carpets, kaftans, and custom tailoring
• Authentic souvenirs, such as dates and camel milk chocolate

Pros of shopping in Dubai's souks
 

• Purchase unique and locally crafted items that are exclusively available in the souks of Dubai.
• Access high-quality products that are often unavailable in malls.
• You possess excellent negotiation skills, which enable you to reduce the price of your desired products by up to half or even less, if possible. 
• The main souks of Dubai are clustered in a single place, allowing you to access different souks on foot. 

What you are missing while shopping at the souks of Dubai
 

• Having the authenticity of the prices is one of the most missing factors while you are at the souks. There is no one set price, and thus, you are at a high risk of being scammed by a vendor.
• Peak heat and cold weather can cause you difficulty in buying your favourites, which is not a problem in the climate-controlled malls of Dubai.
• The products available in the souks are local and handmade; thus, you miss out on the brand and luxurious products that you can find in the malls.

Best time to hang out at the souks
 

• For a personalized and serene atmosphere, consider visiting the souks between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM on weekdays.
• For an enchanting ambiance, cooler temperatures, and vibrant crowds, consider visiting the souks between 7 PM and 10 PM on weekdays.

Cultural etiquette to follow while being at the souks
 

Dress modestly and appropriately, covering your shoulders and knees, and avoid wearing tight, skimpy, or revealing attire.

Helpful tips when you are at the souks of the Emirates in Dubai
 

• You are not allowed to drink publicly and are required to go to a licensed venue for alcohol consumption.
• Don't rush to buy everything you see. You can first explore the different artifacts and their prices in the souks, and buy the one that adores you the most.
• You must negotiate to buy your product at a reasonable price, but be firm and polite while doing so, and avoid getting into arguments.

Conclusion

Regardless of your shopping destination, you will create an unforgettable and excellent memory for yourself while purchasing a souvenir. You can either spend an entire day at a single place, which you like the most, or divide your day into two to get the best from both, that suits you the best.