The Kubera Principle

Home GDPR About Contact Terms Policy

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Spice Souq (2020) Updated for 2024

Updated: March 9, 2024

Dubai Spice Souk (Arabic: سوق التوابل‎) or the Old Souk is a traditional market (or souk) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Spice Souk is located in eastern Dubai, in Deira and is adjacent to the Dubai Gold Souk. The Spice Souk, situated on Baniyas Street, is in the locality of Al Ras. The souk comprises several narrow lanes which are lined with open and closed-roof stores.

Stores in the Spice Souk sell a variety of fragrances and spices from frankincense and shisha to the many herbs used in Arabic and South Asian food. In addition, several household, textiles, tea, incense, rugs and artifacts are also sold in the Spice Souk. A majority of the trading occurs through haggling. The quantity of trade as well as the number of stores trading spices in the Spice Souk have been significantly reduced in recent years due to the growth larger stores and supermarkets and the number of household stores has incredibly gained. The souq is an attraction place for tourists.

Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai.

Located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai aims to be the business hub of Western Asia. It is also a major global transport hub for passengers and cargo. Oil revenue helped accelerate the development of the city, which was already a major mercantile hub. Today, less than 5% of the emirate’s revenue comes from oil. A centre for regional and international trade since the early 20th century, Dubai’s economy relies on revenues from trade, tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. The population of Dubai is estimated to be 3.38 million as of January 2020 according to government data.