Dubai Shopping Guide: Gold Souk, Duty Free, Malls and the Shopping Festival

Shopping is one of the main reasons many Indians visit Dubai. The city has some of the world's biggest malls, traditional souks full of gold, spices and textiles, a famous duty-free at the airport, and a shopping festival every winter with big discounts and prizes.

This guide covers where to shop, how to buy gold sensibly, the best malls and markets, the Dubai Shopping Festival, VAT refunds for tourists and the Indian customs rules to keep in mind on your way home.

In Deira, the Dubai Gold Souk is a maze of covered lanes with hundreds of jewellery shops, their windows glittering with necklaces, bangles and bridal sets. Many shops are run by Indian families, and staff speak Hindi, Gujarati, Malayalam and Tamil. Next door, the Spice Souk sells saffron, dried fruits, dates and frankincense, and the Perfume Souk has Arabic oud and attars.

• The Dubai gold price is set daily by the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group and displayed in shops; the price per gram is similar across the souk.
• Making charges are added on top and vary by design and shop, so this is where you can negotiate.
• Purity is hallmarked (24, 22, 21 and 18 carat); always get an itemised receipt showing weight, purity, gold rate and making charges.
• VAT of 5% applies to jewellery; tourists can usually reclaim part of it through the tourist VAT refund scheme, so ask the shop for a tax-free tag.
• Compare with India: Dubai gold is often slightly cheaper, but the saving depends on the day's rates, making charges and Indian customs duty.

When you return to India, the duty-free allowance for short-term travellers is limited, and gold or electronics above it attract customs duty. Special gold jewellery allowances apply only to Indian residents who have lived abroad for more than a year. Declare dutiable items at the red channel, carry your purchase receipts and check the latest rules on the Indian customs (CBIC) website before you shop.

• Dubai Mall: around 1,200 shops, the Dubai Aquarium, an ice rink and the Burj Khalifa entrance. See our Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall guide.
• Mall of the Emirates: fashion, a large Carrefour and Ski Dubai's indoor snow park.
• Dubai Hills Mall: modern and spacious, with an indoor roller coaster.
• Ibn Battuta Mall: themed on the travels of Ibn Battuta, with an India Court.
• City Centre Deira and BurJuman: good value and close to old Dubai.
• Dubai Festival City and Dragon Mart: value shopping and wholesale goods.

Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai is the place for textiles, saris, electronics and Indian goods. Karama Market sells souvenirs and copy goods, and the Textile Souk by the Creek is great for fabrics. Bargaining is normal in souks and small shops, but not in malls.

Dubai Duty Free at Dubai International Airport is one of the largest airport retailers in the world, selling perfumes, cosmetics, chocolates, electronics, liquor and gold. It is also famous for its millionaire raffle. Arrival duty-free shops let you buy before you leave the airport. Remember Indian customs limits when buying for home.

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) usually runs from mid-December to January, with discounts across malls and souks, raffles for cars and gold, concerts, drone shows and fireworks. It is one of the busiest times to visit, so book early. In summer, Dubai Summer Surprises brings another season of deals, especially for families.

The UAE charges 5% VAT. Tourists can claim a refund on purchases from participating stores (look for the Tax Free sign) above a minimum spend. Ask for a tax-free tag at checkout, then validate your purchases at the refund counters or kiosks at the airport before check-in; keep the goods and receipts with you.

Shops in malls usually open from 10 am to 10 pm, and later at weekends and during festivals; souks close for a few hours in the afternoon in some areas. Carry your passport for VAT refunds, keep all receipts, and check electronics for international warranties and Indian plug compatibility. Be polite but firm when bargaining in souks, and walk away if the price is not right.

• Gold and diamond jewellery
• Dates, saffron, spices and Arabic sweets
• Arabic perfumes and oud
• Electronics (check the warranty works in India)
• Chocolates, especially camel milk chocolate
• Carpets, lamps and souvenirs from the souks

Our Dubai Delight package includes free days for shopping, and our city tour passes the souks. See all Dubai tour packages and our Dubai travel tips.