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What is Souk in Abudhabi?

The word “souk” in Arabic means “market.” Abu Dhabi has always served as a center of commerce and trade. Ships carrying highly sought-after commodities such as pricey silks, cardamom, saffron, pearls, and gold, which were traded at the city’s souks, would come from the Indian subcontinent and Asia. Every day, hundreds of people take tours of Abu Dhabi’s top souks.

A few souks in Abu Dhabi have been demolished, and others have been transformed into contemporary malls. However, certain souks in Abu Dhabi are still operational and frequently visited by big crowds.

Here is a list of the best 10 Abu Dhabi souks, and why they are the best and most famous:

1.  The Souk at Qaryat Alberi

• Numerous international brands are present in the souk in Qaryat Al Beri, which draws a lot of shoppers. There are stores selling colognes, cosmetics, clothes, shoes, household goods, artwork, flowers, and more.
• The Souk has hundreds of brand outlets and smaller shops spread across more than 60,000 square meters of space. It ranks among Abu Dhabi’s most fashionable souks in terms of architecture. In actuality, it is the perfect fusion of Venetian theme fundamentals and Arab architecture.
• At Shangri-La Abu Dhabi, Qaryat Al Beri Souk is situated alongside the water canal. For this reason, there are numerous waterfront eateries in the souk where you may sip coffee and take in the picturesque canal vista.

Location: Shangri-La Hotel – Rabdan – Al Maqta’ – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates

Timings: Daily at (10:00 am -11:00 pm)

2. Al Mina souk

• The Al Mina souk in Abu Dhabi, which is situated near Mina Zayed Port, is well-known for its fresh fruits and vegetables that are brought in from all over the world. Here you can get many other things at fantastic prices, including bananas from India, tomatoes from Jordan, and coconuts from Sri Lanka.
• To encourage regional farmers, they just established a new area to the souk endorsing Emirati food. Additionally, Abu Dhabi is the only place where several Middle Eastern dates are sold, including the barhi, fard, khalass, and many others.

Location: G99H+666 – Zayed Port – Al Mina – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates

Timings: Open 24 hours.

3. Carpet Souk

• The Carpet Souk on Al Mina Road is a fascinating labyrinth of more than 100 stores filled with prayer rugs, handmade carpets in traditional designs from Afghanistan and Iran, carpets and rugs created by machines in Turkey, China, and Central Asia, as well as cushions and upholstery with Arabic themes.
• Products for upholstery are also available here at reasonable prices. The most expensive of the lot is Iranian rugs.
• There are several stores that create handcrafted, custom carpets in accordance with the preferences of the clients if you’re seeking something that is specifically designed for you. They are slightly more expensive than the ones made by machines, but they have genuine workmanship weaved into them.

Location: 437 Al Meena St – Zayed Port – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates

Timings:  Daily (09:00 am – 11:00 pm)

4. Souk Al Zafarana

• The Souk Al Zafarana is a location where the traditional and genuine Emirati culture is genuinely on display. It is the perfect location to buy exquisitely embroidered Arabic clothing, as well as other Arabic goods including dry fruits, lamps, spices, and perfumes.
• The Mubdia Village portion of the souk, which is operated entirely by women and only open to female customers, is what makes it special.

Location: 6PPC+HGQ – Al Jimi – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates

Timings: Daily (10:00 am -10:00 pm)

5. Camel Souk in Al Ain

• Al Ain’s Camel Souk, the last of its kind in the UAE, provides a fascinating insight into regional customs. Due to its relative greenery, Al Ain in the emirate of Abu Dhabi is also regarded as the “garden city” by residents; for visitors, it is the ideal location to learn more about traditional Arabic culture.
• Located about 30 minutes via cab from the city center, the souk can be challenging to reach. Camels are carried in via lorries and lined up for auction inside the souk.

Location: Cattle Market, Zayed Bin Sultan Road, Al Ain – Al Noud – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates

Timings: Daily (6:00 am -7:00 pm)

6. Fabric Souk

• The cloth and spice souks of Bur Dubai, the city’s historic trading district, are located directly across from one another on the banks of Dubai Creek. Silks and cotton are offered by the yard by the drapers in the souk.
• The hand-spun pashminas are among the most popular things sold at the textile stalls, which are stocked with a variety of vibrant and patterned materials. In addition to being a place to purchase traditional Arabic clothing, the souk is home to some of Dubai’s best tailors, who create clothes that are attractive, inexpensive, and of the highest quality.

7. Souk Central market 

• One of Abu Dhabi’s largest souks is the Souk Central market. There are many different barasti stalls there, and it is in the center of the old city. There are a variety of high-end boutiques, cafes, and gift shops here. Additionally, it is connected to the World Trade Center mall, allowing you to check everything off your shopping list here.
• On your visit, you can purchase a range of regional spices, antique lamps, home furnishings, and much more. As one of the city’s oldest markets, souk central is a great place to learn about Gulf traditional architecture.

Location: Liwa St – Al Danah – Zone 1 – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates

Timings: 08:00 am – 12:00 am

8. Iranian souk 

• The Iranian souk in Abu Dhabi will transport you to earlier Arab history and is located close to the Dhow Harbour. There are numerous stalls packed with aged wooden goods there. These genuine goods are sent at reasonable prices from Iran and other nearby nations.
• In this outdoor market, you may also discover Persian rugs, carpets, and accessories. You may also get a variety of seafood from here because it is close to the Dhow Harbour and Mina Fish Market.

Location: G99F+399 – Zayed Port – Al Mina – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates

Timings:  Daily (10:00 am -10:00 pm)

9. Spice Souk

• Al Ras is the location of the Dubai Spice Souk. Due to the souk’s advantageous location near the Persian Gulf, it has long been flooded with exotic spices from all across the Middle East.
• The jute sacks filled to the capacity with colored powders and leaves, as well as the smell of the spice shops, make them easy to spot. The sheer variety of spices available, from Persian oregano and bay to Indochinese Kaffir lime and curry leaves, is fairly overwhelming.
• Since the souk isn’t a tourist destination and continues to service the dhow sailors and laborers of the “old Dubai,” prices are flexible and great deals are simple to come by.

Location: 405 Hamdan Bin Mohammed St – Al Danah – Zone 1 – Abu Dhabi

Timings: Daily (09:00 am -12:00 am)

10. Fish Market

• The fish market is arguably one of Abu Dhabi’s most fascinating souks. The Mina Fish Market receives fresh catch every morning. You can find stalls selling prawns, shrimp, clams, crabs, tuna, Skate, hammour, cuttlefish, and shark on 20th street, next to the first roundabout.
• In this souk, purchasing fish is a little bit unusual. After making the purchase, take the fish to the fish cleaners to be scaled, cleaned, and filleted. At the little stands just across the market, you can get your fresh fish grilled or fired if you’re in the mood. This Abu Dhabi souk market is a fantastic place to find inexpensive seafood.

Location: 169 Al Teelah St – Zayed Port – Al Mina – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates

Timings: Daily (07:00 am – 09:00 pm)