Spice Souk
7.0Friend Score / 10#4 of 8 Markets & Food Halls in Dubai
Known forspice soukdeirasaffronfrankincense
The old covered spice alley in Deira, near the Gold Souk — sacks of saffron, frankincense, dried limes and chilli under wooden lattice roofs. Worth 30 atmospheric minutes as part of an old-Dubai wander, especially arriving by abra. Honest caveat: it's small, heavily geared to tourists now, and touts can be pushy — haggle everything.
Key facts
| Hours | Sat–Thu 10:00–22:00 Fri–Fri 16:00–22:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Al Ras Metro Station (Green Line), ~5 min walk; Deira Old Souk Abra Station adjacent |
| Time needed | 30-45 minutes |
| Best time to go | Evening (5-8pm) when it's cooler and the lanes glow; mornings for quieter browsing |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.0/10- Value6.0
- iconic6.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity6.0
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I need at the Spice Souk?
- It's genuinely small — a few covered lanes — so 30 to 45 minutes covers it. Build it into a half-day old-Dubai loop with the Gold Souk, the abra crossing and Al Fahidi rather than treating it as a standalone trip.
- How do I get to the Spice Souk?
- Green Line metro to Al Ras station and it's a five-minute walk. The far better way: abra across the Creek from Bur Dubai for AED 1 — you step off at Deira Old Souk station practically at the souk's entrance.
- Is the Spice Souk open on Fridays?
- Yes, but only from about 4pm, after Friday prayers. If Friday is your only day, plan it as an evening visit and pair it with the Gold Souk next door.
- Can I take photos in the Spice Souk?
- Of the spice displays, yes — shopkeepers rarely mind and many invite it, hoping you'll buy. Ask before photographing people, as you should anywhere in the UAE.
- How much should I pay for saffron at the Spice Souk?
- Whatever the first price is, it's not that — expect to negotiate down by a third to a half. Quality varies wildly too; genuine Iranian saffron costs real money, so a suspiciously cheap big bag is probably safflower. Buy small amounts from a shop that lets you smell it.
- Is the Spice Souk a tourist trap?
- Partly, honestly. The setting is real and old, but many stalls now push souvenirs and the hawkers can be persistent. Go for the atmosphere and small spice purchases, keep your haggling hat on, and you'll enjoy it.
- What are the Spice Souk's opening hours?
- Roughly 10am to 10pm Saturday to Thursday, with many shops closing for a break between about 1pm and 4pm, and 4pm to 10pm on Fridays. Evening is the safest bet for everything being open.
- What can I buy at the Dubai Spice Souk?
- Saffron, frankincense and bakhoor, dried limes, za'atar, vanilla pods, dried fruit, nuts and teas. Saffron and frankincense are the classic buys — just compare a few shops and haggle before paying.
Nearby in Ask Dubai
- Textile Souk (Old Souk)Market0.27 km · 3 min walk
- Women's Museum - Bait Al BanatMuseum0.49 km · 6 min walk
- Coins MuseumMuseum0.5 km · 6 min walk
- Al Fahidi Historical NeighbourhoodNeighborhood0.52 km · 7 min walk
- Arabian Tea House (Al Fahidi)Café0.55 km · 7 min walk
Where to stay near Spice Souk
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