Dubai Gold Souk

While visitors shopping for gold can land some incredible deals in the Dubai Gold Souk, even non-shoppers will be impressed by the sheer spectacle. The souk is a popular stop on guided shopping tours, which help visitors navigate the more than 300 retailers. Many comprehensive city tours also include a visit to the Dubai Gold Souk along with trips to the Dubai Museum, Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, and Burj Khalifa. The souk is also a stop on hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tours.

• The Dubai Gold Souk is a must for shopping enthusiasts.

• Be prepared for a bit of friendly haggling to land the best deals.

• Combine your visit to the Dubai Gold Souk with a sightseeing tour of the city or a visit to the nearby Spice Souk.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes—you’ll spend a lot of time on your feet.

• The Dubai Gold Souk complex is wheelchair accessible, but some stores in the souk are not.

Centrally located in Dubai City, the Gold Souk is easily reached via the Green Line to Al Ras metro station. It’s also a stop on hop-on hop-off tours and many city sightseeing tours with transportation included.

The Gold Souk is open year round. Hours vary by shop, but most are open from 10am to 10pm Saturday through Thursday and 4pm to 10pm on Friday. The shops within the market often close between 1 and 4pm, so plan your visit accordingly.

There are plenty of deals to be had at the Gold Souk. Before you go, check the current price of gold, as this fluctuates daily. As long as you stick to the shops rather than the street vendors, there’s no need to worry about the authenticity of the gold for sale; the Dubai government maintains strict regulations. Don’t be afraid to shop around a bit before you buy, and remember that friendly haggling is expected—and you can often negotiate a better price by paying in cash.

The Dubai Gold Souk is a traditional covered market with hundreds of shops selling gold jewelry, in addition to silver, platinum, diamond, pearls, and precious gems. It’s located in the Deira neighborhood of Dubai, accessible by public transportation, taxi, private car, or as part of some sightseeing tours.

The Dubai Gold Souk is open every day, year-round. Opening hours vary between shops, but most are open from 10am until 10pm from Saturday to Thursday, and from 4pm to 10pm on Fridays. Many shops close between 1pm-4pm.

You can take the Green Line metro to the Al Ras or Gold Souq stations. Bus 8 stops nearby at the Gold Souq bus station. You can also take an abra boat from the Bur Dubai Abra station, which takes you across Dubai Creek to Deira Old Souk Abra station.

Yes, bargaining is customary and expected at the Dubai Gold Souk. Most shops will have prices marked up to factor in some haggling. While the price of the gold is set based on weight, you can bargain based on the craftsmanship.

The Dubai Gold Souk is heavily regulated by the Dubai government, which carries out regular inspections to check scales for accuracy and test samples of gold and other jewelry. As long as you’re buying from the shops within the souk, you can be confident that your purchases are authentic.

When buying gold or jewelry at the Dubai Gold Souk, be aware of the current price of gold and be sure to look around, as there are more than 300 shops. Don’t be afraid to bargain over the price—you can get better discounts if paying in cash or buying in volume. When you purchase from a participating retailer, keep your receipt if you want to claim VAT back as a tourist.