If you want to buy cheap souvenirs in Dubai then you should go to the Naif Souk. This is an insider tip where there are not that many tourists and therefore the dealers there are willing to sell them cheaper.
As a rule, tourists buy souvenirs where it is practically the most expensive. Where there are many holidaymakers, you can usually not make a bargain. Of course, you can get all sorts of souvenirs at Dubai International Airport, for example, which you can buy before your return flight. But the same souvenirs can also be found in a souk in Dubai at significantly lower prices.
Naif Souk
So you should also visit the beautiful souks, such as the Naif Souk, where you can still feel like you are in Arabia. Furthermore, the price still has to be negotiated there and “bargaining” is simply part of it. This is always very interesting, especially for tourists, as you have probably never done this before. But that is exactly what is possible there and it is also a lot of fun.
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As you can tell from the name, the Naif Souk is also located on Naif Street. You are practically in the older part of Dubai where there are no modern skyscrapers and shopping malls. The best way to get there is by taxi and the drivers usually know them very well as many locals also want to go there. There is no metro station nearby that you could use.
Shops in the Naif Souk
Although you could use the Baniyas Square Station. But from there you still have to walk quite a bit to reach the souk. Especially in the city center of Dubai, the traffic volume is very high and it is better not to walk around. So the taxi is certainly the best thing to use. As a rule, there are also many taxis driving around there and then you can get in there again.
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Dubai Creek
The opening hours of the Naif Souk are also very practical and you can visit them daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. This is also possible on weekends in Dubai and you can go shopping there and buy souvenirs. However, it can also be the case that a shop has different opening hours or is completely closed. You should know that it is not a shopping mall.
In a souk in Dubai you can buy almost everything you can imagine. The Naif Souk is a bazaar from 1001 nights where clothing, souvenirs, electronics, fabrics, handbags and much more is offered. Even the atmosphere is unique and this is how a tourist probably imagines an Arabic market. Of course, that’s also part of visiting something like this when you’re on vacation there.
But as already mentioned you should buy souvenirs there. You get the same products there as at Dubai Airport, only much cheaper. For example, if you want to buy a small model of the Burj Khalifa or the Burj al Arab, then you’ve come to the right place. You can also get a henna tattoo.
Since you are not in a large shopping center like the Dubai Mall, there are no fixed prices in the Naif Souk. This means that the price must always be negotiated. Of course, the dealers see immediately that you are a tourist and you have to have a lot of money. This means that he will always name a high starting price first. Of course you shouldn’t access it there.
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So you have to “bargain” and bargain down the price. But that’s very simple and you ask for a discount. After that, he will name a new price. If you’re good then you get the price negotiated down by up to 50 percent. But don’t overdo it and annoy the dealer. Our tip is to buy several products at the same time and then you always get a better price.
There are also a few stalls where you can buy something to eat and drink. But special care is required there and the dishes may not tolerate the European stomach very well. This means that they may be too spicy and you can get stomach pains or even diarrhea afterwards. If you don’t have stomach problems then this is not a problem. But if you are sensitive then you should rather wait until you can take half board in the hotel.
If you have a rental car, you can park it there. The Naif Souk has 100 parking spaces. But you have to be lucky there to get a free parking space. There is always a lot going on, especially at the weekend, and then these are usually already occupied. Our tip is to go there during the week.
You should plan about two hours to visit the Naik Souk. After that, you will surely want to see another attraction in Dubai. If you are near Dubai Creek then you should also take a ride on a traditional abra there. Incidentally, the Dubai Gold Souk and the Spice Souk can be reached quickly from there. You can combine this perfectly.
Definitely worth visiting the Naik Souk as you can get bargains there. This is certainly something for price-conscious tourists and the choice is very large. You can also visit it in the evening when the temperatures are not quite as warm. This is a nice shopping spree and if you have booked a hotel nearby then this is of course even better.
