Welcome to Dubai, a shopper’s paradise, where you can find plenty of quality items to bring back home. With its luxurious shopping malls to traditional souks, Dubai offers unique shopping options both for tourists and locals. Read below our detailed guide on the best things to buy in Dubai. From luxurious high-end fashion products to electronics, traditional decor objects to magical perfumes, the city also offers goods with reduced prices, due to its tax-free status. The city has something to cater to every taste and budget, and you definitely shouldn’t end your trip before buying something in Dubai.
When it comes to Dubai, one of the common questions is, “Are electronics cheaper in Dubai?”. Even though the answer is generally “yes,” when it’s compared to the prices in the US, Dubai is a little bit more expensive. However, if you’re from Europe, you will surely get electronics for cheaper prices, because of lower tax rates.
Among the many cheap electronic items you can buy in Dubai, there are phones (including iPhones and other Apple products), tablets, cameras, televisions, gaming consoles and many others.
However, it’s still essential to consider other factors such as warranty coverage, compatibility with local standards, and potential import duties if you’re buying electronics for use outside the UAE.
Dubai is famous because of its duty-free shopping status, which means that some items are cheaper than anywhere else in the world. Electronics are taking the lead on this list, especially high-end items like smartphones and laptops.
Gold, diamond and jewelry also have cheaper prices, benefiting from competitive pricing and a wide selection. Perfumes, spices, textiles and fabrics are other popular items that tourists often purchase at attractive prices.
The city is home to many traditional souks. These souks are the perfect places to bargain for prices and get discounted items. In addition to that, the Dubai Shopping Festival or similar events also present a perfect opportunity to buy cheaper items, so make sure you don’t miss them!
Pashmina shawl is one of the luxurious and popular purchases to be made in Dubai. These soft shawls are made from the fine wool of the Himalayan goat, and they can be found in the traditional souks, shopping malls in Dubai, and the Textile Souk located in Bur Dubai. However, it may be a pricey purchase and you should be careful about the authenticity of the pashmina you get.
Oudh and Bakhoor are one of the must-buy traditional items when you visit Dubai. They have a significant place in Arabian culture, and are renowned for their rich and unique fragrances.
Oudh is a fragrant oil derived from the agarwood trees and it’s considered very rare and unique. Bakhoor, on the other hand, consists of fragrant chips made from a blend of different perfumes or scented woods and resins, often burned in incense form to perfume homes and clothing.
Coffee lovers assemble! If you love coffee, you must buy Arabian coffee before you end your Dubai trip. With its bitter taste, Arabian coffee is often served with sweets, just to balance the taste. In addition to that, coffee pots, also called “dallah”, are good souvenir options to take back home. Ideal for everyday use, these traditional copper pots could be used as a decoration as well.
This unique and rare treat is a must-have in Dubai. Camel milk products, especially camel milk chocolates are highly sought after, because of their unique taste and nutrition. Camel milk chocolates are such rare delicacies and the first company to produce it is Al Nassma, which was founded in Dubai. These treats are perfect gifts or souvenirs to take back home.
You must have heard about the famous Spice Souk in Dubai by now. The city is home to all sorts of delicious spices and there is something for everyone among these rich flavors. You can find various spices all along the city, for reasonable prices. This is also a good excuse to have a cultural adventure in the traditional souks.
Dates and date products are popular delicacies in Dubai and they are a part of the rich Middle Eastern culture and cuisine. Rich in nutrients, these fruits vary widely in sweetness, texture, and size. You can find an array of date products in Dubai, including date syrups, date pastes, and stuffed dates, often enhanced with nuts or coated in chocolate.
Take a step into the world of fairy tales with Aladdin lamps, popular decorative and traditional items in Dubai. These ornamental items are often believed to represent mystique and magic from Arabian Nights. They make excellent souvenirs or decorative pieces, and you can find them in any traditional market, including the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Both a piece of art and functional items, incense holders in Dubai are designed to contain the ash of burning incense sticks or cones, which are frequently used in Arabian homes to scent the air with traditional aromas like oud and bakhoor. Ranging from simple ceramic designs to elaborate gold and silver inlays, incense holders can be found in the Spice Souk and luxury boutiques across Dubai.
Arabian attar is a highly concentrated perfume oil derived from botanical sources. These perfumes are alcohol-free, making them ideal for the hot climate of the Middle East. The rich, deep scents are crafted using various aromatic components such as rose, saffron, and amber, which are steeped in a base oil. Attars are sold in small, ornate bottles and can be found at perfume shops throughout Dubai’s souks, and they are perfect traditional items to take back home.
This curved blade is a traditional Omani dagger, which is worn by men during ceremonial events like marriage, and is a symbol of manhood and pride in Arab cultures. Khanjar is often made from metals like silver and adorned with various patterns. These daggers are a significant part of traditional attire, and they are also great decorative pieces.
Dubai is renowned for the shopping experience it offers. Here, you can find a wide range of high-end fashion, handbags, shoes and accessories. Even though designer items and fashion products may be pricey, they are much more accessible in the destinations like the Dubai Mall or the Mall of the Emirates, and you can still find quality items for better prices with a little bit of digging.
If you’re thinking of getting a new watch, Dubai is the right place for it. With its wide selection of luxury and designer pieces, this city is popular among watch enthusiasts. As Dubai is the prime shopping destination, you can easily find world-famous brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Tag Heuer in the malls in Dubai. These stores often have exclusive models and limited editions, which makes them popular must-buy items.
During your visit to Dubai, seek after the Persian carpets and rugs, which are the traditional highly sought after products in the city. These carpets and rugs are known for their incredible craftsmanship and intricate designs. Whether you’re looking for a more traditional or modern style item, these rugs are available in different styles.
Lanterns are great decors for you to light up your house. These ornamental lanterns are often crafted from metals like brass, copper or aluminum and glass and they are adorned with intricate patterns and they cast beautiful shadows when they are lit. You can find them in the traditional souks, including the famous Souk Madinat Jumeirah and the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Also known as shisha, hooka is a tobacco pipe that is a popular aspect of Middle Eastern culture. These smoking devices are available in various sizes, designs, and materials, including glass, metal, and sometimes more ornate options embellished with intricate designs. Even if you aren’t into hookahs or don’t smoke, you can still use it as a decorative piece.
When it comes to electronic shopping, Dubai is one of the first destinations that comes to mind. Due to its tax-free shopping policy, products of high-end brands like Apple or Samsung can be much cheaper. Here, you can get laptops, smartphones, cameras and many other devices for better prices.
The gemstone market in Dubai is quite important and it’s also a part of the culture. In Dubai, you can find precious stones such as diamonds and rubies, as well as pearls, opals, moonstones and many other authentic semi-precious stones for cheaper prices. These stones can be purchased as loose stones or set in a variety of jewelry pieces. Don’t forget to head to the Gold Souk in Deira and other jewelry stores across the city.
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