Dubai Textile Souk (Dubai Textile Market), Dubai
The Dubai Textile Souk (also known as the Old Souk, or Bur Dubai Souk) is a traditional souq (market) of textile products located along the Dubai Creek. Opposite to the textile souk on the other side of the Dubai Creek lie the Dubai Spice Souk and Dubai Gold Souk in Deira, accessible via the creek by special abra boats. It is open 10am to 10pm Saturday to Thursday with some vendors taking a lunch break from 1-4pm and Friday is 4pm to 10pm only. The souks of Dubai have a rich history of trade within the Persian Gulf region and have developed over time as Dubai urbanised rapidly.
Traditionally, the Dubai Textile Souk was a commercial hub of the exchange in textiles, for functional use of making clothes or for special occasions. Over the years and through Dubai鈥檚 rapid globalisation, its commercial importance has since faded and has become a more tourist-focused.
The history of the Bur Dubai and Dubai Creek region which is where the Dubai Textile Market is located, has led to a large Indian and Pakistani influence due to the large number of Indian and Pakistani traders having settled in the region. This has formed what is now known as 鈥楬indi Lane鈥� which consists of little Indian shops selling arrays of bindis, bangles, flowers, saris and other religious items. Indian influence has also formed other main sections of the textile souk such as Al Fahidi Street where vendors mainly sell Indian clothes, shoes and jewelry.
Similarly, the Pakistani influence is seen in the selling of pashminas traditionally from Pakistan and salwar kameez, the traditional outfit of Pakistan.
The traditional architecture of the Dubai Textile Souk is relatively well preserved, despite a few modern touch ups. The general architecture of the souk consists of covered allies lined with small vendors displaying their products. The allies, which are traditionally known as sikkas are covered by very tall wooden arches that are designed to allow for air ventilation to keep cool in the heat. The arches are in sections with gaps in between each section and have traditional Arabic lamps within each arch section.
Traditionally, the Dubai Textile Souk was a commercial hub of the exchange in textiles, for functional use of making clothes or for special occasions. Over the years and through Dubai鈥檚 rapid globalisation, its commercial importance has since faded and has become a more tourist-focused.
The history of the Bur Dubai and Dubai Creek region which is where the Dubai Textile Market is located, has led to a large Indian and Pakistani influence due to the large number of Indian and Pakistani traders having settled in the region. This has formed what is now known as 鈥楬indi Lane鈥� which consists of little Indian shops selling arrays of bindis, bangles, flowers, saris and other religious items. Indian influence has also formed other main sections of the textile souk such as Al Fahidi Street where vendors mainly sell Indian clothes, shoes and jewelry.
Similarly, the Pakistani influence is seen in the selling of pashminas traditionally from Pakistan and salwar kameez, the traditional outfit of Pakistan.
The traditional architecture of the Dubai Textile Souk is relatively well preserved, despite a few modern touch ups. The general architecture of the souk consists of covered allies lined with small vendors displaying their products. The allies, which are traditionally known as sikkas are covered by very tall wooden arches that are designed to allow for air ventilation to keep cool in the heat. The arches are in sections with gaps in between each section and have traditional Arabic lamps within each arch section.
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Dubai Textile Souk (Dubai Textile Market) on Map
Sight Name: Dubai Textile Souk (Dubai Textile Market)
Sight Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (See walking tours in Dubai)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (See walking tours in Dubai)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Create Your Own Walk in Dubai
Creating your own self-guided walk in Dubai is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Dubai Downtown Walking Tour
The ultra-modern city of Dubai did not always look the way it does now. For centuries, the city's economy relied heavily on the pearling and fishing industries. The Maktoum family, Dubai's current rulers, took over the reigns in 1883. The discovery of oil in 1966 set the change for a shift away from reliance on the marine industry.
Dubai joined the United Arab Emirates in 1971.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Dubai joined the United Arab Emirates in 1971.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Deira Shopping Walk
Deira has been a Dubai commercial hub for years, home to the city鈥檚 oldest souks and a warren of narrow streets lined with outdoor caf茅s and traditional shops. Souks are traditional markets and they can be found on both sides of Dubai Creek.
The liveliest and most colorful are on the Deira side, and a tour of the souk adjacent to Deira Abra station is particularly rewarding. This is the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
The liveliest and most colorful are on the Deira side, and a tour of the souk adjacent to Deira Abra station is particularly rewarding. This is the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Old Dubai Walking Tour
Dubai's Old Quarter is one of the oldest residential areas in the city, with a predominantly South Asian population, restaurants, and shops. Commonly referred to as Meena Bazaar by the local Pakistani and Indian community, the locality also encompasses the Al Fahidi (otherwise known as Al Bastakiya) Historical Neighbourhood which dates back to the 1800s.
One of the prominent landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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One big shopping center, such as Dubai, makes it easy and hard, at the same time, to stop one's choice on a proper souvenir to take home. A handful of gems, a Rolex watch, maybe, or a flying carpet... All of these may last in time, but come at a price. Here are some of the more traditional and,...