Spice sacks
Saffron, cardamom, dried roses.
Frodlekis — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Syedphotography — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Syedphotography — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sergei Gussev — CC BY 2.0 · Syedphotography — CC BY-SA 4.0 · HighKing — Public domain · McKay Savage from London, UK — CC BY 2.0 · McKay Savage from Cusco, Peru — CC BY 2.0
A traditional market in the Al Ras area of Deira, also called the Old Souk, on Baniyas Street near the Old Souk abra station on Dubai Creek, next to the Gold Souk. It is a web of narrow lanes lined with open and covered shops, their doorways stacked with open sacks of spices, herbs and dried roses, saffron, cardamom and cinnamon, frankincense and incense, and tea, alongside textiles, rugs, curios and household goods. The lanes smell of spices and incense, and most selling happens by haggling. Many visitors round off the visit by crossing the Creek on a traditional wooden abra to Bur Dubai and its old souk. Wandering is free; shops usually open in the morning and evening, with some closing at midday. Evenings are the best time, when the heat eases and the souk is busiest.
Saffron, cardamom, dried roses.
The scent of the lanes.
Across the Creek.
Baniyas Street, Al Ras, Deira, Dubai
Dubai CreekThe waterway out of which the whole of Dubai was cut — a natural inlet running s1 minute walk4.6
Gold SoukA covered market in Deira where hundreds of gold shops face each other down a si4 minutes walk4.3
Al Fahidi Historical NeighbourhoodThe oldest surviving quarter in Dubai, also known as Bastakiya — narrow lanes, m7 minutes walk4.7In Al Ras, Deira, on Baniyas Street near the Old Souk abra station on Dubai Creek, next to the Gold Souk.