Souks in Abu Dhabi

The Best Souks and Markets in Abu Dhabi

If your heart desires a change from the bustling, bright malls selling the usual high street labels, head over to one of many Abu Dhabi souks dotted across the city for some authentic gear as well as trinkets, jewellery, and bric-a-brac from further across the Middle East and India.  No trip to any Middle Eastern country would be complete if you haven’t set foot in a souk.  Even if you’re not interested in shopping, you must experience the ‘souk way of life’ at least once for the colourful array of souvenirs, pashmina shawls, pretty trinket boxes, Arabian perfume, fresh spices, textiles, gold, dates, olives, cheap ‘made in china’ gear and much more.  We honestly guarantee you’ll be back in your hotel room with at least one shopping bag! 

Abu Dhabi does not have one grand souk selling all of the above. Individual areas are dispersed throughout the city and because Abu Dhabi city centre is not so huge, it doesn’t take very long to get from once place to another.  The Central Souk has just opened and proves to become a meeting point with higher end souk type shopping. There will be branded stores as well as a huge authentic souk with various different small shops and stalls.  The Central Souk was primarily built to replace the dated old central market souk which was partly destroyed in a fire in 2003.  The new Central Souk includes three skyscrapers with a retail complex at the base.  However, the retail area is a traditionally looking souk – with air conditioning! It feels a little dark inside, and perhaps a bit woody, but that’s the authenticity. In the cooler months the air is let in and the air conditioning turned off to give a more real feel to it. Abu Dhabi Central Souk is already open but not fully decked out. It is located around Liwa Street. It is worth checking out, but in the meantime, listed below are some souk areas you can visit to start your happy shopping adventures:

Gold Souk – If you want to purchase gold, diamonds or gemstones, there are two main areas in Abu Dhabi for gold.  The most popular one and covered is the Madinat Zayed Gold Centre.  The ground floor of the Gold Centre building is dedicated to gold stores.  There are also other non- gold shops located on the first floor and in the adjacent building selling Arabic perfumes and fabrics.  Tell your taxi driver to take you to the Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre.  Another place to shop for gold is Hamdan Street, this is a high street styled road laden with gold shops on both sides of the street.  Tell the taxi driver to take you to Hamdan Street, near the Liwa Centre.

Textiles – If want some nice fabrics to make into dresses (western as well as Indian shalwar kameez), Madinat Zayed Shopping centre have a number of textile stores selling a wide variety of fabrics in cotton, silk, nets by the yard at reasonable prices. There are also a number of men’s stores selling good quality wool fabrics for suits and shirts by the yard.  Some will even give you recommendations of tailors they have used.  Behind the Hamdan Centre, you’ll find an array of fabric shops, also known as the fabric souk area, selling many Indian style fabrics in good quality with beautiful prints.  Prices may be a little higher then in Madinat Zayed area but you are after quality and unique designs, you should find them here.  Khalifa/ 3rd Street opposite Al Noor Hospital Street is where you’ll find Cairo Textiles, a well known three storey fabric store, popular with the local Emirati ladies who purchase beautiful silks and georgette pieces to stitch into long maxi dresses.  Most fabrics are also available by the yard and turned into skirts or shalwar kameez.  For men’s suit fabric and tailoring, we have personally tried and tested Abu Dhabi New Tailors and give it the thumbs up.  Based in Madinat Zayed, call them directly on 02 634 4990 and they will direct you. They will also give you a 5% discount if you mention grapeshisha

Carpets and Rugs – For the largest range of ethnic style rugs and carpets head to Al Meena Road, which is not too far from the Abu Dhabi Mall area.  The carpet souk is also known as the Afghan souk and has a variety of hand and machine styles of rugs and carpets.  They also stock some beautiful Arabic cushions in different styles which can also be made to order and sent back home too. 

Iranian souk – For all things Middle Eastern you must head to Al Meena or Port Road. Here you’ll find a treasure trove of trinkets, ornaments, Arabian lighting, pottery, rugs, fabrics and more. Generally, Abu Dhabi is a gem for unique shopping finds.  If you have time to explore, get your comfy shoes and explore the back streets off the main roads such as Electra, Khalidiya and Hamdan as you’ll find many shops selling a mish mash of fun and sometimes useful products. 

Points of note

• Unlike the malls where the price is what the label says, the souks and small shops are open to bargaining, so in effect you set the price. 
• Make sure you like the item you buy as exchanges and refunds are virtually non existent in the souks or small non branded shops. 

When – Most souk shops work on the split shift opening timings.  They will normally open from 9.30/10am and shut at 1.30pm and re open at 4/5pm and shut around 9.30/10pm.  Best to ask the individual shops what their closing times are.  

How long – How much bargaining can you handle?

Location  – Please see various souks above for their location details.

Cost – Free, if you don’t shop….which is unlikely!