What did Dubai?
It is the desert city that, in the last 30 years, has risen from the sands of the Middle East to become one of the world’s most glamorous destinations. Dubai is the place that has it all: uber-chic hotels, fine restaurants, luxury resorts and – in the towering shape of the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building, a skyscraper that pierces the heavens at 818 metres. As a result, it has become incredibly popular with holidaymakers – and is hugely accessible with it. Flights to Dubai jet into this gilded emirate from all over the planet. Better than all this, though, Dubai is a shopping mecca – a temple of commerce and ringing tills where those who want to indulge in a little (or a lot of) retail therapy will be very happy. Especially if they want to splash the cash in the following enticing hotspots:
1) The Gold Souk
All that glitters is not always gold – but those who venture to Dubai’s fabled Gold Souk can assess the truth of this proverb amid long rows of stores where the finest jewellery and luxury items make for an Aladdin’s Cave of a shopping experience. Pitched in the Deira area of Dubai, on the north bank of the Khor Dubai creek – and specifically at the junction of Souk Deira Street and Al Souk – this is a place where you should keep an eye on your wallet and sunglasses. Not because there’s a danger of theft – more because the urge to buy could leave a big hole in your bank account (though there are bargains to be had too). And you will need your shades to protect your vision from the all-round gleam.
2) The Spice Souk
If the Gold Souk does sparkling 21st century temptation, the Spice Souk delivers a rather more time-honoured version of the marketplace. Also cocooned within the Deira district, on Sikhat Al Khail Road, this mildly chaotic enclave of open stalls and family businesses is alive with the aroma of cinnamon and cardamom – both of which, along with hundreds of other culinary catalysts, are on sale here. The main joy, however, is the cluttered ambience, which harks back to a simpler age. This is a sensation that is repeated on the far side of the creek in the Bastakiya district, where the cafes, galleries and courtyard hotels dotted on narrow alleys seem far removed from the glitz, glint and glamour prevalent elsewhere.
3) The Malls
However, for most visitors to Dubai, the shopping clarion call comes not from the souks but from the massive malls that crop up all over the city. And ‘massive’ is certainly the correct word here – though you might also use ‘gigantic’ and ‘colossal’. These palaces to purchasing power contain just about every major brand you could list. The Dubai Mall plays host to over 1000 separate shops – making The Mall Of The Emirates with just the 500 or so outlets, look small in comparison. That said, this second option has an unbeatable attraction in its ski dome, where you can glide on real snow. In Dubai, everything is possible. 🙂 – Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel blog
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
