Middle East
United Arab Emirates
Emirate of Dubai
Dubai
Dubai Attractions
Textile Souk
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Textile Souk

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See all things to do
Textile Souk
3.5
#127 of 701 Shopping in Dubai
Speciality & Gift Shops
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Al Fahidi
How to get there
  • Al Ras • 6 min walk
  • Al Ghubaiba • 9 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,510 within 5 kms
Creek City Restaurant
86
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Chinese • Thai
Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe - Al Fahidi
2,054
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Healthy • Middle Eastern • Arabic
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant & Cafe
657
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Barbecue • Grill • Middle Eastern
Mumtaz Mahal Indian Speciality Restaurant
459
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Fisherman's Hub Arabian Courtyard Hotel
123
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Indian • Bar
XVA Cafe
259
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Middle Eastern • Vegetarian Friendly
Bayt Al Wakeel
690
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Grill • Middle Eastern
Al Bait Al Qadeem Restaurant and Cafe
223
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Persian • Arabic • Vegetarian Friendly
Sherlock Holmes English Pub
294
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
The Chinese Dynasty Restaurant
55
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
242 within 10 kms
Shiva Temple
49
53 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Dubai Creek
9,875
0.1 kmBodies of Water • Piers & Boardwalks
Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort
6,997
0.2 kmHistory Museums
Hindi Lane
25
0.1 kmReligious Sites
Grand Bur Dubai Masjid
3
0.1 kmReligious Sites
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
231
0.3 kmNeighbourhoods
Deira Old Souk Abra Station
311
0.3 kmPiers & Boardwalks
Bastakia Quarter
970
0.4 kmHistoric Walking Areas
Old Souk
694
0.3 kmFlea & Street Markets
XVA Gallery
39
0.3 kmArt Galleries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
196 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
69
Average
58
Poor
24
Terrible
19
I visited this place🇬🇷🇨🇭🇬🇧🇳🇱🇺🇸
Israel14,766 contributions
Pros & cons and advices on this textile souk
Jan 2023
PROS
* Authentic market
* A lot of fabric products

CONS
* Narrow passageways- very crowded
* Many sellers constantly calling and attempting to market their wares
* Impossible to know the true price nor true value

"I VISITED THIS PLACE"...
... because these things are part of the Dubai/Arab culture experience. We did not have any problems or feel threatened or unsafe.

However, and as stated, the passageways are narrow and crowded and poorly lit- even though it is not dangerous, I don't feel safe and I once forgot to take my pack off my back and carry it in front- that made me nervous too.... wallet in front pocket; phone in shirt pocket... sure, crime is petty and minimal and almost doesn't exist here in Dubai, but I didn't feel comfortable and I guarded Mrs. Place closely too, and she wanted me beside her at every moment 💪.

But I don't like it- never did and never will. The fast talking, the smooth convincing, the flying changing prices, the dizzying array of products shown and displayed and presented and rearranged and switched at dizzying speeds. And then there was the famous calculator trick (see my photo), where they tell you the exchange rate and calculate how many dirhams they give in return for a US$100 bill.

And confirming original product and warranty and exchange or return? Not.... oh- one vendor on the street (see photo) did give a receipt.

ADVICES
* Go because that's part of the visit to the area
* Be alert
* Try not to be intimidated
* Ask about getting a receipt- maybe you can get the VAT returned at the airport (we didn't even actively consider that and certainly didn't ask).
Written 21 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JessaV
Philippines17 contributions
Not much of a good buying experience
Mar 2023 • Friends
Vendors are pretty aggressive and some might not say some nice things when they talk to you.
For ladies, be extra careful when trying out the dresses as they might be finding chances to touch your body. Keep distance and don't let them assist you or just try the dress yourself.
Written 4 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meltem e
Izmir, Türkiye704 contributions
Please do not treat the tourists in this way
Feb 2023
I would love to be there and enjoy the shopping, but most of the vendors are saying high prices to tourists and than pushing them to bargain. This makes me ( and most probably all other visitors) feel very uncomfortable. Except this, it was a great place to digging for the traditional clothes, etc.

One shop owner, unfortunately I forget to ask his name, a young man, was very polite, not trying to cheat you with high prices, was so good and I bought few dresses. I went him again next day for buying few more, hope all will behave as him soon.

Thank you gentlemen:)
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa W
Dubai, United Arab Emirates52 contributions
Markets are more fun than malls
Dec 2022 • Friends
The souks are great fun.
For me, it was more the experience than to buy. Be prepared for constant nagging to step into stores and see merchandise. I did buy some beautiful kaftans at the Textile Soul, and mastered the art of haggling.
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel39,605 contributions
An OK market.
Sep 2022
This is a rather average textile market, located on the southern bank of the Dubai creek.
Most of the merchandise here is fake, and the prices match (although they'd ask you for 50 times the price prior to bargaining).
Written 11 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Orem
10 contributions
Very aggressive salespeople
Apr 2022 • Couples
The market is big and very tempting but unfortunately you don't get a chance to even look at any product !!! They keep approaching and it's just overwhelming experience.
The vendors are pushy and aggressive to sell
Written 19 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelgang_10
Grimsby, UK261 contributions
typical souk
Jan 2020
This souk is full of people selling texties and clothes and a modicum of spices. Be prepared to be hassled by the traders there are so many of them trying to sell their goods in a very competative market. Have patience as they are only trying to earn a crust. We found it enjoyable with the added sound of the Adan bing called it is so evocative of the arabic area. if as ladies do you are looking for material you couldn't wish for a better place the variety is immense and the fabrics beautiful.some good places to eat too not far away, and it's not far from the Dubai museum. once you have shopped hop on a water taxdi to the other side of the creek it only takes a few minutes and costs 1 UAE less than 50 pence takes only a couple of minutes then you can walk to the gold souk and many other souks near to it. it's a gret day out. the people whilst pushy to sell are all very nice and friendly you feel very safe in this area of Dubai. Dont miss it
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anno v
Wassenaar, The Netherlands84 contributions
Authentic explosion of colors, smells and noise
Dec 2019
Must see when visiting Dubai to get clothes, scarves, spices, crockery, teas, incense, perfumes, jewelry, bags, souvenirs and much more. It’s an authentic explosion of colors, smells and noise in narrow allies! People will try to sell, but won’t be clingy if you say “no thank you”. Never pay the 1st price, dare to bargain. Sometimes you can go to 10% of the original price, but consider they have to pay a huge rent. Use a abra (costing only 1 Dirham and leaving every 30 seconds) to cross the Dubai Creek in original way to visit the Spice- and Gold Soukh on the other side in Deira.
The Old Soukh can be reached by metro green line station Al Ghubaiba (10 minutes walk)
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara Groves
1 contribution
Textile Souk , Abras Station, Hop on Hop off Tours availability.
Mar 2019
I love this place, of course the vendors can be overbearing, but I take it with good humor, don't forget these guys come from poor countries and they must make a living. I take it in good stride because I like other cultures. I have had young westerners watch how I relate because they didn't understand how. My daughter and I have bought dresses, a watch each, just love the place and in Feb. 2020 we are going back for the 3rd time.
Written 12 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen C
Peterborough, UK1,186 contributions
Mainly for tourists?
Dec 2019
We couldn’t decide if this was just for tourists or not as some of the fabrics looked beautiful - no idea how much they were as we didn’t dare ask! Vendors do try to accost you to buy their wares but they were all very polite and respectful. Plus a free public toilet was provided!!! Smells of the spices was great. We spent 20 minutes here and enjoyed it but with SO much to do in Dubai it’s not a ‘must do’ sight.
Written 4 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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TEXTILE SOUK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Textile Souk
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