A big part of traveling involves picking up souvenirs for everyone back home and for your own memories. Therefore, it’s important to know the best places to buy good presents in any city one visits. In Dubai, there are a variety of fun souvenirs available, from traditional clothing to stuffed camels. Here are the best places to find them. A lot of businesses have grown in Dubai selling Souvenirs. Here are our must-buy Souvenirs when you are in Dubai. We are sure you would love to add them to your shopping list!
Gallery One
Found in several locations in Dubai such as Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Gallery One is best known for selling beautiful traditional art, from incredible pictures of Dubai to paintings of camels. It is a great place to buy gifts with a traditional theme, often depicting camels and words in Arabic in their designs, making for unique and high-end souvenirs.
Nagwa Design Studio- Candles
Candles from Nagwa Design Studio mix Emirati heritage with contemporary design. When the wax of the candles melts completely, it reveals a concrete base that re-creates the contours of a time-specific Liwa desert sand dune. Your candle may be gone, but you’re left with a contemporary sculpture that you can keep.
The Camel Company
Found in several locations in Dubai such as Dubai Mall, and Souk Madinat Jumeirah, The Camel Company focuses entirely on souvenirs and sells an array of colorful items. It is specifically known for its stuffed camels which come in all shapes and sizes and make great gifts for children.
Chocolates from Mirzam
Dubai has its very own art scene and you can experience it, you should join us on our Art, Jewels and Chocolate Tour of Dubai in Alserkal Avenue. Mirzam is the UAE’s first bean-to-bar chocolate factory, and of the stops on our tour. They have a shop, and café in one where the production of their artisan bars — flavored with local ingredients like cardamom, saffron, and coffee — takes place at their store. Visitors can see the process for themselves during twice-daily tours at the boutique factory. Even the wrappers are designed locally by UAE-based artists.
Spice Souk
One of the busiest yet the favorite tourist locations is the Spice Souk in Dubai, just near the Gold Souk of Dubai in Deira. Although most people think of the Spice Souk as a place to buy authentic and delicious spices, this touristic spot also sells souvenirs. Around the Spice Souk, tourists can buy magnets, traditional clothing, and even interesting home decorations. The great thing about shopping for souvenirs at the Spice Souk is that it is one of the few places in Dubai where bargaining is common. Therefore, for those shopping for souvenirs in bulk, this is the ideal spot to get more and pay less. Visit the Spice Souk on our Old Dubai and Souk Heritage Walking Tour.
Here you can also buy a bag of “loomi”, if you are really passionate about cooking. These tiny dried limes are lightweight, but once pierced and stewed, they give incredible flavor and fragrance to any dish.
Arabian Incense
If you notice, Arabs smell great when you walk past men and women. Smelling good is an important part of Arab society. To take the scent of the UAE with you, you can buy bukhoor (Arabian incense) to burn in your home, particularly the amber-based bukhoor. You can buy these in any shop in the Souks or in the malls.
Art Work from Make Art Café/ Store in Al Bastakiya
On our Old Dubai and Souk tour, we also visit the famous Make Art Café where you can find great Dubai and Arab artwork. There are local artist and graphic designer inspired paintings, artwork, light shadows, etc. You can also enjoy a nice coffee while you shop from their café inside one of the houses in Bastakiya.
Tag us on Instagram at dubaibyfoot and let us know what you buy as your next souvenir when in Dubai!